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On November 21, 2016, all demonstrations and events were banned in Turkey's eastern province of Van based on the State of Emergency declared in the country after the failed coup attempt on July 15, 2016.
Today marks the 999th day of this ban. Extended for 15-day periods since the day when it was imposed, the ban has been once again extended for another 15 days by the Governorship of Van on August 12.
Speaking to bianet, Van Metropolitan Co-Mayor and human rights defender Bedia Özgökçe Ertan has indicated that since the imposition of the ban, the governor of Van has been changed for three times.
Stressing that bans are extended with copy-paste documents, Özgökçe Ertan has stated that they aim to restrict freedom of thought and expression.
'State of Emergency ended, but not the bans'
"It was a process that started with the State of Emergency. The State of Emergency ended, but the bans have been in effect for over a year.
"This decision was taken with a particular group of people in mind. Because we sometimes see that some groups hold demonstrations and events in the city. There is no prohibitive attitude towards them. But, whenever we want to express our opinions or make a statement, we are prevented from doing so.
"The statements of NGOs have been prevented for 999 days.
"We can in no way accept this prohibitive mentality. It is written neither in the laws, nor in the Constitution. But, in effect, demonstrations, events and statements for the press are regularly banned in Van for 15-day periods.
"Three governors have changed in the city since the first decision of ban, but nothing has changed in terms of the bans. But, essentially, it is a discriminatory practice. It needs to be ended as soon as possible."
Demonstration ban by the Governorship
The latest decision of ban on demonstrations and events was taken by the Governorship of Van on August 12; however, it was published on the official website of the Governorship on August 15.
In the announcement of the Van Governorship, it has been indicated that "all types of demonstrations and events such as all types of open-air marches, meetings and associations, statements for the press, sit-in protests, opening of stands and the like within the geographical boundaries of Van have been banned for 15 days from August 12 to August 26, 2019."
The Governorship has also indicated that the ban in question has been imposed "with the aim of eliminating all actions and plans of attack considered to directly and openly meet the conditions of restriction and ban foreseen by the Constitution and laws, ensuring the safety of life and property of people, eliminating the plans of terrorist organizations, maintaining national security, protecting public order and security, preventing the committal of crimes, protecting fundamental rights and freedoms as well as the fundamental rights and freedoms of others and public peace and preventing the spread of incidents of violence." (HA/SD)
