ŞIRNAK - A commemoration ceremony for the victims of the massacre committed eight years ago took place in Roboski today. To date, no one has been held accountable for the murder of the 34 villagers.
In Roboski, a commemoration ceremony was held for the victims of the massacre committed by the Turkish state eight years ago. On 28 December 2011, 34 civilians were killed near the village of Roboski (Ortasu) in Qilaban (Uluere) district of Şırnak in an air raid by the Turkish military. 19 of the victims were minors. Only four people survived the attack with serious injuries.
The event was attended by numerous politicians from the Peoples’ Democratic Party (HDP) and representatives of civil society associations such as DTK (Democratic Society Congress) and HDK (Peoples’ Democratic Congress). The guests arrived in a long convoy of vehicles and were stopped by the police several times along the way. Tanks and armored vehicles were positioned at the entrance to the village. A large military force followed the participants to the cemetery, where they were welcomed by the villagers.
The commemoration began with a minute of silence and prayers together. Afterwards speeches were given.
Former HDP MP Ferhat Encü, who lost his brother and 26 other relatives in the massacre, recalled that no one has been held accountable for the massacre yet.
His parliamentary group colleague Gülistan Kılıç Koçyiğit, who is also co-spokeswoman of the HDK, stated: "The Kurds know many lamentations, but none of them is enough for Roboski. Neither the commanders nor the executors have been arrested for this crime."
HDP MP and DTK co-chair Leyla Güven said: "Today Roboski is everywhere. "The mothers must know that the mourning is not only here, but also in entire Kurdistan."
HDP chair Sezai Temelli took the floor and said the following: "Why did Roboski take place? Because no one was brought to account for the previous massacres. And because no one has been called to account for this massacre, this country is living in a state of shame. The rulers are trying to keep themselves in power by continuing their hostility towards the Kurds. They deny every massacre they commit but the denial of the Roboski massacre is probably the most immoral."
According to the HDP co-chair, it is crucial for the achievement of peace and democracy in Turkey to bring those responsible for massacres to account.
Following the speeches, the commemoration was concluded with the laying carnations on the graves.