VAN – 9 thosand 721 violations of rights reported in Van, which is on the agenda with two villagers thrown out of a military helicopter, the arrest of journalists and the ban on demonstrations and events continuing for the last 4 years. THİV represantative Sevim Çiçek said the violations of rights are at an alarming level.

 

VAN IS ON THE AGENDA WITH VIOLATIONS OF RIGHTS

 

Some of these violations are the torture of 3 children whose heads were put into the toilet bowl, the torture and battery of the villagers picking mushrooms and crimes against the refugees. The two villagers who were thrown out of a military helicopter was one of the most striking examples.

 

Mesopotamia Agency (MA) reporters Adnan Bilen and Cemil Uğur, Jinnews reporter Şehriban abi and journalist Nazan Sala who broke the story were arrested on October 9. Our reporter Dindar Karataş from Van office was also arrested for the news he wrote, right after the 4 journalists.

 

ONE THOUSAND 721 VIOLATIONS OF RIGHTS IN 9 MONTHS

 

The reports prepared by the Human Rights Association (İHD) Van Branch also reveal the violations in the city. According to the İHD, there have been at least 1,721 violations of rights in the city in the last 9 months.

 

We spoke to Human Rights Foundation of Turkey (TIHV) Van Branch Representative Sevim Çiçek about these violations.

 

THE SITUATION IS ALARMING

 

Stating that the military coup attempt in 2016 is being used as an opportunity to suppress the people, Çiçek said: "It paved the way to establish an authoritarian regime. The violations of rights have never stopped until the establishment of the republis but they are at an alarming level right now.The reason for that is the policies of the government focusing on security. They impose a ban on demonstrations and events in Van every 15 days for the last 4 years and therefore the citizens can not use their basic rights guaranteed by the constitution."

 

TAB WATER UNDER CUSTODY

 

Stating that the police brutality is very visible during the demonstrations, Çiçek said they do not feel the need to hide it.  Çiçek pointed out that people detained with violence, are being subjected to torture under custody. Emphasizing that this is the state policy of intimidation, Çiçek added that people are made to drink water from tabs in the toilet and if the battery during detention is reflected to press via their lawyers, their detention period is extended so that no one sees the bruises and scars." Adding that people are being arrested if the torture they were subjected to is documented with photographs, Çiçek told that these people do not have access to hospitals when they are arrested.

 

'PEOPLE ARE KILLED AT THE IRAN BORDER'

 

Reminding that 8 civillians lost their lives at the Iran border recently, being gunned down by the law enforcement officers, added that no matter what they were doing and who they are, the news about them claim that they are criminals.

 

Pointing out that the main reason of the increase in the violations of rights is the impunity towards law enforcement officers, Çiçek told that these people know that they won't be punished so they increase the violence against the citizens.

 

REFUGEES HAVE NO RIGHTS

 

Underlining that refugees are the most violated in the city, Çiçek said the refugees are either killed at the border or froze to death. Emphasizing the fact that the human trafficking is at an alarming level in the city, told that the refugees have no rights even they are subjected to violence and sexual assault the minute they enter the city. Çiçek added that the refugees can't report these violations out of fear of being deported.

 

PRISONS AND ISOLATION

 

Finally, speaking about the violations of rights in prison, Çiçek told that due to the pandemic, the prisoners rights were more restricted than ever, which finally lead to the hunger strikes. Underlining that the main issue is the isolation in prisons, Çiçek said: "Isolation is a form of torture. No matter who they are, proprietary laws can not be applied. The prisoners have the right to be visited by their family and lawyers. This is a legal right. Cutting off the communication is torture. Everyone in this country can be arrested it is a matter of time. Law must be applied equally for everyone."

 

Stating that 'Whoever sows chauvinism reaps fascism', Çiçek said: "Torture and ill-treatment is very common in oppressive regimes. So are the people fighting against it. We have to fight against oppression no matter who is being oppressed. It is the responsibility of all of us to minimize the losses and violations that will occur during this process. We must step up our struggle to this autoritarian regime."

 

 

MA / Müjdat Can