COLEMÊRG - Drawing attention that the state of emergency has been in force in Colemêrg for 7 years, İHD Branch Co-chair Musa Bor said: "The entire population is under isolation due to the bans."

 

The State of Emergency (OHAL) practices, which were put into effect after the military uprising on July 15, 2016, continue in Colemêrg(Hakkari) and its districts. During the 7-year period, there was an intense increase in violence, ill-treatment and human rights violations. While a military base is established on every hill of the city, there is a military-police checkpoint every 10 kilometers on the roads. The majority of plateaus and valleys, which are important for agriculture and livestock, are banned under the name of "special security zone". The ban does not only cover plateaus and valleys; All protests and events have been banned every 15 days for almost 7 years. Political parties or non-governmental organizations other than AKP-MHP must obtain "permission" when they want to carry out any action or activity.

 

The violations are not limited to this only. In the last 7 years, 15 people lost their lives as a result of armored vehicle crashes and fire opened by soldiers and police at the border. Violations such as house raids, violence in detention, arrest, permission to enter some valleys, and food embargo on citizens, especially in villages, have become routine.

 

Human Rights Association (IHD) Colemêrg(Hakkari) Branch Co-chair Musa Bor evaluated the situation in the city and the violations experienced.

 

BANS HAVE BEEN IN COLEMERG FOR 7 YEARS

 

Stating that the violations occurred not only during the AKP-MHP government, but since the history of the republic, Bor said: "The city they live in is one of the places where violations occur the most. The declaration of a state of emergency means the suspension of human rights. Since 2016, people have been put in a kind of open prison with the decision to ban the city every 15 days or once a month. Non-governmental organizations have problems expressing their thoughts. In addition, villagers who go to the plateaus also face special security zone bans. These bans are not made to protect human rights, they trample human rights."

 

'TORTURE HAS BECOME A ROUTINE'

 

Stating that many people, including shepherds, were subjected to violence due to the plateau bans, Bor said: "Similar violence also occurred in house raids. Torture has become routine in this city. There are some rules for the state to maintain itself, but these are abused by law enforcement forces. Doors are broken, children are laid on the ground. Family members are subjected to violence. Young children are affected by ill-treatment. This is true. It's nothing."

 

'PEOPLE ARE UNDER ISOLATION'

 

Drawing attention that the bans are at the initiative of the local authorities, Bor said: "Although the State of Emergency has been lifted, it is still in effect in many provinces of Kurdistan. The governor of the previous period was making a decision every 15 days. The new governor, on the other hand, makes a decision to ban an action or event. The actions and activities of associations that are his supporters and close to the system are not banned. The rights granted by the Constitution to the individual They make it unique."

 

Defining what is happening as "isolation", Bor said: "We say in every declaration and everywhere that we are against isolation. But this isolation has been made to such an extent that it has reached even the homes of our people. It is not possible to accept this; therefore, every person is getting more than their share of isolation. For security reasons. Non-governmental organizations and society have begun to be isolated. We see and experience this more in Hakkari. Today, all of the people of Hakkari are under isolation due to the imposed bans."

 

MA / Mazlum Engindeniz