İZMİR -  İHD lawyer Barış Işık stated that the increased police violence and the authorization of the guards stemmed from the “absolute obedience” demand of the government, said: "All sorts of struggle is being oppressed by force."

 

According to the proposal of the Bazaar and Neighborhood Watchmen Act, accepted at the parliament, the watchmen will have the power to use force and weapons. Humans' Rights Association İzmir Branch attorney Barış Işık spoke to Mesopotamia Agency (MA) about the increased violence, discrimination and the impunity policy.

 

Stating that the impunity policy is a continued state policy in Turkey, Işık stated that this causes the violations of rights. Pointing out that the impuntiy policy have been strengthened since the 90's, said it was re-shaped after the July 15 coup attempt. Emphasizing that Turkey have become more authoritarian, said: "The special security measures have been increased to ensure absolute obedience. All sorts of struggle is being oppressed by force.  We see the constitutional guarantees of the society, even the guarantees stated in the international conventions are ignored."

 

MORE PROBLEMS WILL OCCUR

 

Stating that an effective investigation mechanism has not been carried out in crimes committed by the security forces, Işık stated that the impunity caused by this has increased exponentially. Referring to the watchmen law that  was passed by the parliament, Işık said that 20 thousand watchmen have been appointed since 2016, and these people were employed without any legal infrastructure. Expressing that law enforcement officers are in charge of providing law, Işık said: "They should not expect to achieve this through a three-month training. There will be many problems in the following stages."

 

ABSOLUTE AUTHORITY

 

Işık evaluated why the government needs to increase the armed forces and said: "I think that government is doing this as a way to ensure absolute authority. The watchmen has been given very high duties, even more duties than a regular police, and there will certainly be many rights violations."

 

CRIME AGAINST HUMANITY

 

Stating that the discriminatory and hate policies of the government caused many violations in terms of human rights, Işık said: "The bodies exhumed from the Garzan Cemetery have been buried under a sidewalk in Kilyos Cemetery, or the bones found in Dargeçit. These are all examples of violations of rights such as the right to a decent funeral and the right to grieve. This is a crime against humanity and the perpetrators must be prosecuted."

 

 

MA / Sevda Aydın