HDP Requests Parliament to Investigate Claims of Torture

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Peoples' Democratic Party (HDP) Ağrı MP Dirayet Dilan Taşdemir has submitted an inquiry to the Speaker of the Grand National Assembly of Turkey (TBMM) on the claims of torture in the capital Ankara and the southeastern province of Urfa.

A committee should be formed to investigate the claims and to determine the necessary legal and administrative measures to end torture, the inquiry said.

While the claims of torture and maltreatment under detention in the mostly Kurdish-populated Urfa date back to 2015, most recently, 51 people aged between 13 and 75 reported that they were subjected to torture with numerous methods such as beating, electric torture, and handcuffing behind back at the Urfa Anti-Terror Branch, accordding to the inquiry.

Women told that they were subjected to sexual harassment and threats of rape.

The inquiry said doctor reports, court minutes, witness statements, investigation reports and a report by the Urfa Bar Association show that the incidents of torture took place at the Anti-Terror Branch.

CLICK - Urfa Bar Association: Detainees Tortured in Urfa

As for the capital Ankara, the inquiry told the case of Ayten Öztürk who said in her defense in her trial that she was subjected to physical, psychological and sexual torture for six months, citing a report by the Ankara Bar Association.

"The proven claims of torture increased concerns that torture and maltreatment have come back," the inquiry noted, requesting a committee be formed. (AS/VK)