ŞIRNEX - Drawing attention that the policy of impunity in Şirnex increases violations, İHD Branch Co-Chair Haşim Toğurlu said: “We are currently facing the AKP state. This shows that the function of being a democratic state has been lost."

 

Although the State of Emergency (OHAL), which was declared after the military uprising in the country on July 15, 2016 and was extended 7 times at 3-month intervals, was lifted on July 17, 2018, its practices continue to be effective, especially in the cities of Kurdistan. Şirnex(Şırnak) and its districts, where hundreds of people were murdered and thousands of houses were destroyed during the curfew period, are among the cities where intense human rights violations took place.

 

In the city where serious human rights violations occur, a new one is added every day to house raids, detentions, arrests, bans and blockades. Human Rights Association (IHD) Şirnex Branch Co-chair Haşim Toğurlu spoke about the practices in the city.

 

WHY IS THE POLICY OF IMPUNITY IMPLEMENTED?

 

Stating that AKP uses power as a tool of oppression, Toğurlu said: “There are visible violations of rights in Şirnex. The policy of impunity causes these violations to increase. In democratic countries, civil servants must be held accountable for every violation they commit; however, there is no control or accountability mechanism. These violations can be prevented with deterrent policies."

 

'THE NUMBER OF ARMORED VEHICLES IS MORE THAN PEOPLE'

 

Drawing attention that the government punishes all opponents with these practices and policies, Toğurlu said: “The number of armored vehicles in Şirnex and its districts is more than the number of people. The uncontrolled movements of these vehicles on the streets disturb the people. In the last 15 years, 44 people, including 21 children, lost their lives due to these vehicles. This is a serious figure. This figure is an indication that human rights violations have increased by 90 percent in Kurdistan alone."

 

'THERE IS INTERVENTION IN LIVING SPACES'

 

Stating that the living standards of the people in Kurdistan are put in the background, Toğurlu said: “The living standard of the citizens in Istanbul or Ankara is not the same as the living standard here. There is a multifaceted intervention in living spaces. Discrimination policies are being deliberately imposed. There is a conflictual process that has been going on for 40 years. The Kurdish issue, although it should have been resolved peacefully, was sacrificed to 'security' policies. If you use weapons forcibly in case of the slightest problem or any protest, human rights violations will snowball in the country. Failure to meet people's expectations causes unhappiness throughout society. We saw that human rights violations decreased and people got better psychologically during the solution process. Right now, Kurdistan and Türkiye are going through their most difficult times."

 

'DEMOCRACY HAS LOST ITS FUNCTION'

 

Stating that governor's rule the cities with bans and that this form of government closes democratic channels, Toğurlu said: "You cannot see the 'right to assembly and demonstration' being blocked in any democratic country; however, unfortunately, this has become a routine in our country. In recent months, the Governor of Şırnak has been banning events at regular intervals and this decision has no legal basis. Despite the 'unlawful' decisions of the Constitutional Court (AYM), violence is not allowed and lawsuits are filed. This shows that the state has lost its function of being a democratic state. Although it is said that 'There is a Constitution' in this country, it is not actually implemented."

 

'THERE IS THE AKP STATE'

 

Stating that we are currently faced with the AKP state,Toğurlu said: “All the problems experienced in Kurdistan are a reflection of the lack of solution. Now the people's hope for peace must be responded to. The most urgent need against the rising war in the Middle East is peace. We need to express peace with a louder voice. As in the solution process in 2013, the democratic and dialogue path needs to be paved again."

 

MA / Zeynep Durgut