Although the OHAL, the State of Emergency, has been lifted in Turkey, it continues de facto in the Northern Kurdistan province of Van where rights violations have actually become routine.

Human Rights Association (IHD) Van Branch President Murat Melet said that despite the Universal Declaration of Human Rights being 71 years old, human rights violations in Turkey and the Middle East continue.

Melet said: "We are making this call because this is Human Rights Week. The Universal Declaration of Human Rights must be implemented. There are human rights when these criteria are applied. Otherwise, we cannot speak of human rights anywhere. Here is our call to all those who favor democracy and human rights: be brave. If you are courageous, we can eliminate human rights violations. Otherwise, the states will continue to infringe rights."

Stressing that despite the abolition of the State of Emergency in fact the OHAL is continuing, Melet added: "We are not carrying out any activity with the people about human rights. No activities are being organised in public squares and streets in Kurdistan and Van. We can't do it unless the ban [on actions and demos] is lifted. As human rights defenders, we will never be surprised by the truth. Today thousands of people are in prison because of their thoughts. Thousands of people are outside but they are still living as they were in prison because of all these prohibitions."