Meral Danış Beştaş, Deputy Chairwoman of the HDP (Peoples’ Democratic Party), and MPs Hüda Kaya, Tülay Hatimoğulları, Sıddık Taş, Garo Paylan, Hişyar Özsoy, and Ömer Faruk Gergerlioğlu issued a press statement in Newala Qesaba, where many people, including PKK members who were killed by the state or lost their lives on different dates, are buried in mass. Newala Qesaba, whose history has been adapted into several books and films, is located near the city centre of Siirt and covers an area of ​​405 decares, according to the Human Rights Association (IHD).

Numerous Armenians who were killed during the 1915 genocide are buried in Newala Qesaba. Also, many PKK members who lost their lives during the conflicts that broke out after the 1980s and people who were killed by the unofficial military anti-terror unit, JİTEM, are buried there collectively. A former prominent member of the PKK, Mahsum Korkmaz (Egît), is buried on the site. It is believed that the mortal remains of at least 300 Kurds are found there. However, the exact number is not known.

On April 22, 1989, the bones of 8 people were found after an excavation on the site. The excavation was stopped on the same day by an order of the governor's office, and no work had been conducted on the site since. However, the site has been opened for construction over the years. A double highway was first built in the area, which has been turned into a garbage heap. Later, authorities gave permission for the construction of a wedding hall. Moreover, a Police Academy was established in the area. There is now a new project to build luxurious apartments and villas in the area where hundreds of Kurds and Armenians are buried. A signboard containing the details of the project has been erected at the entrance of the site. Dozens of villas, 8-storey buildings and swimming pools will be built as part of the project, undertaken by a company called War Yapı. A sales office, opened in the area where the buildings and villas will be built, is surrounded by iron barriers.

'THEY ARE TRYING TO HIDE IT FROM THE PUBLIC'

Beştaş said, "There is just one reason for us coming here; the granting of zoning authority over the mass graves in the Newala Qesaba valley. This project includes residences with pools. On what? On a mass grave. This is a site of remembrance. They themselves know very well that this intimidation policy will have no effect on us. We are right, and righteous people are never fearful. Newala Qesaba is a historical memory site. During the excavations conducted here in a fairly short period of time in 1989, 8 corpses were discovered. With an order, the governor of the time halted the excavations. Following that, they constructed double roads and a police academy. The goal is to demolish this location of memory, to trample on human values, and cover up the truths.

HUNDREDS OF BODIES

All of these permits were revoked when the municipality was under our administration. When the trustee took over, he immediately opened this location for construction. They claim that this is private property. This may be private property, but we have no intention of causing damage to it. We believe that this location, as a site of memory, is critical in confronting the past and disclosing the truth. We know there are hundreds of corpses here, ranging from Armenians and Chaldeans from 1915 to Kurds massacred in the 1990s.

My appeal is directed to the general public, human rights organizations, bar associations, and democratic mass organizations. Let us all work together to put an end to this heinous act. We urge all the people of Siirt to protect their memories and human values. We will continue to fight to close this location to construction."

'DISGRACE FOR THE SAKE OF PROFIT'

We are such a society that we don't even speak loudly when we pass by cemeteries. When there was a funeral, the televisions would be turned off. Everyone is aware that there are bodies buried here. In this land, the deceased are revered. However, construction equipment is working on the graveyards right now. Our demand is that the truth about what happened in Newala Qesaba be revealed. We are not interested in anyone's private property. We know there are 300 bodies here, while the General Staff stated that there are at least 186 bodies. These are in the state's official records. People come to us who have been looking for their bodies for 30 years. They want to get the bodies of their relatives at least.

'PEOPLE LAMENTING HERE FOR THIRTY YEARS'

For the past 30 years, thousands of laments have been uttered in Newala Qesaba. There is no reason to politicize this subject and turn it into a political issue. 13 bar groups, including the Siirt Bar Association, issued a statement just two days ago. Ensure the protection of this area. Let's retrieve these bones using scientific means and forensic scientists, identify them, and then you can decide whether or not to build a villa. Finally, as HDP, we have a few words for anyone who wants to make money out of unidentified bodies; be conscientious and put an end to this dishonour. Let us come together and work out a solution regarding the expropriation of this property as well as compensation for the losses. Let’s continue to be the voice of the families that are lying silently here.

'THE SHAME OF HUMANITY LIES HERE'

Speaking after, HDP Kocaeli Deputy Ömer Faruk Gergerlioğlu said that "7 HDP deputies wanted to make a speech in Newala Qesaba today, but they were obstructed by the officials of the AKP-MHP public alliance of cruelty.”  

Gergerlioğlu continued, “They can illegally push the deputies 50 meters away, but they can't cover up this shame of humanity. They cannot conceal their shame. We will not let this heinous crime be covered up. We are declaring to the entire world from all over Turkey. We should maintain our sensitivity. Everyone should be aware that the rule of law will one day be implemented in our country. They obeyed their superiors' illegal and unconstitutional directives."

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