Returning Villagers Sent Back

They had to leave their village, Kavakli, in the Cukurca district of Hakkari province, eastern Turkey, in 1995. The villagers finally returned 12 years later, having received permission from the governor's and district offices to work their fields. 

However, according to the Yüksekova News, now the six villagers have been told that they cannot enter their villages and they have been unable to harvest. The villagers themselves recounted the following:

"In 1995, there were 150 households in our village. We did not need help from the government because we had animals and fields. But when the events started (the clashes between the PKK and the army), our village was emptied for security reasons. 

In the spring of 2007, the governor and the district authorities gave us permission to work our fields. We six families returned to the village and sowed wheat, barley and planted vegetables. 

Had we been allowed to harvest, we would have had enough to eat for the winter and we would not have been dependent on the state. But because of an increase in clashes we have been evicted from our village and cannot harvest. We have been told that security is the reason. All our efforts have been wasted." 

The provinces of Hakkari, Sirnak and Siirt were declared "temporary security zones" at the beginning of June. (TK/AG)