Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights Nils Muiznieks has released a statement regarding the ongoing state terror in Şırnak's Cizre district.

Muiznieks said he has been following with increasing alarm the escalation of violence in Turkey in recent weeks, and voiced concerns about the developments in Cizre, a city of around 100 000 inhabitants.

Recalling that a curfew was declared in the town on the 4th of September, reportedly for an unlimited period, in the framework of anti-terror operations, Muiznieks also cited reports that public life, including essential services such as healthcare, and means of communication have been severely disrupted as a result, and that entry and exit from the city have been barred. More disturbingly, -he said- he also received serious allegations of disproportionate use of force by security forces against civilians.

"I do not put in question the right of the Turkish authorities to conduct anti-terror operations in a particularly difficult and violent context. However, the proportionality and legality of such operations must always be very carefully scrutinised by the authorities and by courts, including in the light of relevant international human rights standards. The current situation, which combines an exceptionally severe interference with the human rights of a very large population and a near-complete information blackout, is deeply worrying in this respect", said the statement by Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights Nils Muiznieks.

Stressing that the information provided by the authorities thus far does not allay all concerns, Muiznieks urged the authorities to ensure immediate access to Cizre by independent observers, including by Turkey’s national human rights structures, in order to dispel the rumours of human rights violations perpetrated by security forces.

He also voiced hope for a quick end to this emergency situation.”