VAN - Human bones were unearthed when the dam built on the stream in Zilan Valley, where thousands of people were killed, receded. Attorney Jiyan Özkaplan stated that despite their application to the prosecutor's office, no investigation has been initiated for 2 weeks.

 

On December 12, 2022, upon the lowering of the water level in the Koçköprü Dam, which was built on the stream in Geliyê Zîlan (Zilan Valley), located in Erciş district of Wan and where thousands of Kurds were massacred en masse, on December 12, 2022, a large number of human bones were uncovered. Under the leadership of the Wan Bar Association Human Rights Center, the Human Rights Association (İHD), the Association of Lawyers for Freedom (ÖHD) Van Branches, the Human Rights Foundation of Turkey (TİHV) Wan Representative and the Van Historical Artifacts Protection Research and Development Association (Çev-Der) went to the area on December 22 and inspected it.

 

As a result of the examination and findings, the lawyers applied to the Erciş Chief Public Prosecutor's Office for the collection and examination of the bones washed up on the shore.

 

HUNDREDS OF BONES WERE FOUND

 

Reminding that they went to the region after learning about the incident from the press, İHD Van Branch Manager, Attorney Jiyan Özkaplan said: “There are hundreds of villages and Koçköprü Dam around Zilan Creek. Bones appeared in this area. As a 6-person delegation, we went to the area where the bones were found. As soon as we stepped into the place where the dam water dried up, we encountered bones. Bones were seen both on the surface and when we opened the ground. It was too much. Hundreds, maybe more, because we couldn't go any further. We took a few photos, took a video and made investigations.”

 

THERE IS STILL NO INVESTIGATION

 

Stating that the uncovered bones belong to humans, Özkaplan said: “The bones we found were the skull, human jaw, spine and thigh bones. After we recorded the bones, we submitted a denunciation petition to the Erciş Chief Public Prosecutor's Office. We had a meeting with the prosecutor's office. During the meeting, we explained the situation, showed the photos we took, and expressed that the bones should be protected because we don't know who the bones belong to. We applied to the prosecutor's office on December 22, 2022, but we have not received any information yet. The bones are still in the middle of nowhere. Normally, the prosecutor's office should have opened an investigation ex officio without giving notice. But instead of the prosecution, we take action. Although two weeks have passed, no decision, investigation or action to protect the region has yet been taken. We encounter this situation often. This is a failure to conduct an effective investigation, and as this continues, arbitrary situations will increase."

 

'INVESTIGATION SHOULD BE STARTED'

 

Pointing out that the relevant prosecutor's office decided to have the bones collected and examined as soon as possible, Özkaplan said: “Who the bones belong to should be investigated immediately. There is a high probability that there are more bones in Erdîş and the region. This means mass graves. There is a possibility that these bones may be the bones of those who lost their lives in the Zilan Massacre, so investigation should be started"

 

HDP BROUGHT THE BONES TO THE AGENDA OF THE PARLIAMENT

 

Peoples' Democratic Party (HDP) Van MP and Co-Chair Tayip Temel brought the bones to the agenda of the Parliament. The Zilan Massacre reminded of what happened in the region and demanded that the bones unearthed be examined in the parliamentary research motion submitted.