MPs on Hunger Strike: Don’t Hinder Ambulances

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Three Peoples’ Democratic Party (HDP) MPs on third day of their hunger strike by demanding wounded and bodies stuck in a basement in Cizre to be transferred held a press conference today (January 29) at Assembly Group Meeting Hall.

Group Deputy Chairperson, İdris Baluken, Adana MP, Meral Danış Beştaş, and Urfa MP, Osman Baydemir explained that ambulances taking departure upon talks held yesterday were stopped 11 times. They said claim of Minister of Health that the ambulances cannot arrive at due to the conflict is delusive.

The MPs highlighting that reaching wounded and bodies is liability of government and state, remarked that hunger strike will spread in case no results is obtained.

Baluken: They are giving dilatory answers

“Those who have been creating heroic saga for days as to the conflict in Cizre shall explain to public why they can’t get 28 wounded people out for a week, and why humanitarian corridor hasn’t been opened yet.

“We have held countless talks with high-ranking authorities at Ministry of Interior. In all of them, they gave us dilatory answers that they would solve the problem. We have been in effort to provide all kinds of facilitative contribution.

“This morning, we were phoned by the ministry and were told that there won’t be any attempt of

“Ambulances have been hindered 11 times”

“Ambulance and health workers waiting at Cizre municipality headed to the area for 11 times. We listened to it via phone. Even though there is no gunshot or clashes, ambulance was deliberately blocked when it arrived in the check point, and that we made authorities simultaneously listen to the voice saying ‘we are not obliged to abide by the ministry’s decision’.

“When the ambulance turned to the municipality building, the gunshots stopped. In the latest one, ambulance driver and health workers have been detained. In the police station, they were told that ‘you’ve taken the responsibility for what will happen to you if you come to get the wounded again’”.

Baydemir: Those who stopped the ambulance said “We don’t recognize your Prime Minister”

“We were listening to phone as the ambulance was heading for the scene. While the health workers explained that they have permission to get the wounded, an official said, ‘We don’t recognize your Prime Minister.

“We call everyone to be sincere. The statements issued by Ministry of Health is delusive. Your ambulances don’t escort municipality ambulances.

“We call on government and all concerned units to comply with law, and law of war. War is not a solution. Arms is not a solution. Our duty is to defend life, not death”.

Danış Beştaş: If someone else governs Cizre, we don’t know about that

“The Prime Minister referring us asked why we haven’t made a call to Qandil. Our call is to the government. If someone else governs Cizre, we don’t know about that.

“We are talking about an issue that can be solved in half an hour if there is a will. Since it hasn’t been done, six lives have been lost in seven days. We are worried today too; two wounded may lose their lives at any moment.

“The Minister of Health said yesterday that Aziz Yural and Eyüp Ergen were martyred by terrorists. Earlier, he had said ‘terrorists’ for them. Frankly, they say whatever serves their purpose. Yural was murdered by snipers as he was heading to save the wounded. Ergen was killed by police on his way to home. Why does the Minister of Health misinform public?”

“We listened live that ambulances were stopped by soldiers”

“While we listened live at the ministry that ambulances were stopped by soldiers yesterday, the news reports claiming the ambulances were stopped by terrorists have been delivered.

“Also Faysal Sarıyıldız is tried to be pointed as a target. We condemn it. He is being targeted because exposure of unlawfulness disturbs certain people”. (BK/TK)