Following the publication of its annual report, the Turkish Human Rights Foundation (TIHV) points to a worrying similarity in numbers of suspicious deaths to the 1990s. While there were two murders committed by unknown assailants in 2007, the number rose to 34 in 2008.
A rise compared to 2007
In addition, there were 37 deaths in extrajudicial killings, when people ignoring a call by the police to stop were shot, or died of random gun fire. There were 27 such deaths in 2007.
As for deaths in detention or prisons, the number has risen from 11 in 2006 and 10 in 2007 to 45 in 2008.
Laws and implementations at fault
Examining the statistics of the last eight years, the foundation found that an improvement between 2000 and 2005 has given way to a lack of respect for the right to life in Turkey. The foundation blames both changes in law and in practice for this deterioration. (TK/AG)
TIHV statistics of the last eight years:
Year | murders with unknown assailants | extrajudicial killings, stop warnings, random gun fire | deaths in detention or prison |
2000 | 13 | 56 | 59 |
2001 | 24 | 37 | 57 |
2002 | 8 | 38 | 48 |
2003 | 16 | 46 | 22 |
2004 | 8 | 35 | 38 |
2005 | 4 | 61 | 16 |
2006 | 21 | 49 | 11 |
2007 | 2 | 24 | 10 |
2008 | 34 | 37 | 45 |
Total | 130 | 383 | 306 |
Istanbul
