Human Rights Association (IHD) held a press conference and released its report on the human rights violations committed in North Kurdistan over the past 6 months. İHD emphasized the massacre of civilians at the hands of state forces as well as the need for an independent committee meeting with Öcalan.

In the press conference, IHD representatives voiced their concerns over the ongoing debates on the death penalty after the recent coup attempt, and described the death penalty as a violation of the right to life.

'A STATE COMMITTING CRIMES AGAINST HUMANITY'

IHD stated that hundreds of people including civilians have been killed so far since July 24, 2015, and the operations of state forces over the past year show that Turkey is a state committing crimes against humanity and ignoring all universal values.

IHD called upon state and government officials to put an end to state of emergency measures and military operations immediately, and resume the peace negotiations. IHD also called upon the PKK to reopen the channels of political dialogue.

'AN INDEPENDENT COMMITTEE SHOULD MEET WITH ÖCALAN'

IHD called for ending the heavy isolation of Kurdish People’s Leader Abdullah Öcalan, and said that his prison conditions should be improved because he can contribute to the establishment of social peace as an important actor of the peace process.

IHD recalled the claims on the threats against the safety of Öcalan, and said that an independent committee should meet with Öcalan in İmralı Island because the statements of state officials on the issue have not been able to quell the concerns regarding Öcalan.

HEAVY TOLL

In its report, IHD noted that 296 people have been killed and 110 people have been injured during the curfews in North Kurdistan in 2016. IHD stated that state forces used excessive force during 60 protests and wounded 26 civilians. 1900 houses and businesses have been raided and 3860 people, 112 of whom are children, have been detained and 1045 people, 34 of whom are children, have been arrested in North Kurdistan since the beginning of 2016.

According to the IHD report, at least 184 arrested civilians experienced torture and sexual violence, and at least 85 civilians experienced state violence during house raids or on the streets.

At least 450 political prisoners serving time in the region have been exiled to other prisons away from their families without any explanation during the first 6 months of 2016. 176 political prisoners experienced torture and mistreatment in 2016, and the right to health of 756 sick prisoners, 300 of whom are in critical condition, have been violated as they are forced to serve time despite their conditions.

20 women were massacred and 7 women committed suicide as a result of domestic violence in the region during the first half of 2016, and 5 children were killed, 4 children committed suicide, and 67 children experienced sexual abuse.

683 university students and politicians have been sued and prosecuted, and 83 of these people have been unjustly sentenced during the first half of 2016. 13 thousand civil servants have been investigated, 77 civil servants have been punished, 15 people have been exiled and 904 people have been fired unjustly for having participated in strikes.

Lastly, IHD called for an end to the clashes in the region and demanded the continuation of the peace process as well as the establishment of a permanent ceasefire.