281 people subjected to torture in Kurdish region in 2012
281 people subjected to torture in Kurdish region in 2012
In a press statement on June 26 International Day in Support of Victims of Torture, Human Rights Association (IHD) Diyarbakýr Branch reported that 281 people in Eastern and Southeastern Anatolia Regions were subjected to torture and ill treatment in the first four months of this year.
The press statement in Diyarbakýr was read by IHD Diyarbakýr Branch Executive Ercan Dönmez who called attention to the importance of supporting victims of torture in the fight against torture. Dönmez underlined that instances of torture and ill treatment continue to be on the rise in Turkey, in the Kurdish region in particular, despite the AKP governments declaration of zero tolerance against torture in 2004.
Dönmez underlined that; Cases of torture and ill treatment, which remarkably decreased in early 2000s within the scope of law of harmonization code of the EU, have recorded an increase since the inurement of the new Turkish Penal Code in 2005, the amendments made in Anti-Terror Law in 2006 and in the Law of Police Powers in 2007. Police powers not only intervene in almost all activities and meetings but also use disproportionate force on people. As intense torture and ill treatment continue after social events as well, the most recent instance was seen in Diyarbakýr where a citizen was subjected to torture both during and after his detention. One other case was experienced in Istanbul where a citizen suffered brutal violence of a group of police officers on street.. Dönmez also called attention to the number of cases of torture and ill treatment in Eastern and Southeastern Anatolia Regions, which was 741 in 2010 and rose to 1555 in 2011.
Referring to the cases of torture and ill treatment in 2012, Dönmez reminded of recent Urfa Prison incident which led to riots and deaths of some prisoners who protested against the torture-like practices in most of Turkish prisons. Dönmez underlined that all these unfavorable incidents were a consequence of the fact that government officials arent changing their opinion about torture and ill treatment.
Impunity of public officials who practice torture and ill treatment, as well as the lack of effective investigation into perpetrators encourages torturers. We, as associations defending human rights, are deeply concerned over a potential increase of cases of torture and ill treatment in our country which has a remarkable rate of right violations., added Dönmez.
The press statement in Diyarbakýr was read by IHD Diyarbakýr Branch Executive Ercan Dönmez who called attention to the importance of supporting victims of torture in the fight against torture. Dönmez underlined that instances of torture and ill treatment continue to be on the rise in Turkey, in the Kurdish region in particular, despite the AKP governments declaration of zero tolerance against torture in 2004.
Dönmez underlined that; Cases of torture and ill treatment, which remarkably decreased in early 2000s within the scope of law of harmonization code of the EU, have recorded an increase since the inurement of the new Turkish Penal Code in 2005, the amendments made in Anti-Terror Law in 2006 and in the Law of Police Powers in 2007. Police powers not only intervene in almost all activities and meetings but also use disproportionate force on people. As intense torture and ill treatment continue after social events as well, the most recent instance was seen in Diyarbakýr where a citizen was subjected to torture both during and after his detention. One other case was experienced in Istanbul where a citizen suffered brutal violence of a group of police officers on street.. Dönmez also called attention to the number of cases of torture and ill treatment in Eastern and Southeastern Anatolia Regions, which was 741 in 2010 and rose to 1555 in 2011.
Referring to the cases of torture and ill treatment in 2012, Dönmez reminded of recent Urfa Prison incident which led to riots and deaths of some prisoners who protested against the torture-like practices in most of Turkish prisons. Dönmez underlined that all these unfavorable incidents were a consequence of the fact that government officials arent changing their opinion about torture and ill treatment.
Impunity of public officials who practice torture and ill treatment, as well as the lack of effective investigation into perpetrators encourages torturers. We, as associations defending human rights, are deeply concerned over a potential increase of cases of torture and ill treatment in our country which has a remarkable rate of right violations., added Dönmez.
