The Bar Association of Van has released its report on the recent killing of a civilian, Nurettin Karakoç (21), who was shot by Turkish soldiers on the grounds that he smuggled fuel from across the border of Beydoğan (Şêxsucu) village in Van's Çaldıran district.

20 year-old Feyyaz Karadeniz who was accompanying Karakoç was also seriously wounded in the attack on 15 August.

Reading the press statement for the report, Van Bar Association's Human Rights Commission Chair Cahit Ertan said that the report was prepared following an examinination made on-site by members of the Commission, Mazlum-Der Van Branch and Van Chamber of Doctors.

Ertan said the incident reminded them of the Roboski massacre and pointed out that no legal action has been taken against the perpetrators of killing of 92 people who -according to official records- were shot dead between 2003 and 2013.

Ertan urged the government to stop evading responsibility and to come up with an immediate solution to the problem.

The report listed the following questions needed to be answered in this regard;

- Were civilians ambushed and deliberately shot at short range with the intention of killing?

- Were the evidences of the incidents that ended in casualties collected as required?

- Did any intervention take place after these incidents? Were those seriously wounded rushed to hospitals, which actions were taken in this respect?

- Has there been any investigation into the allegations that the ambush in the most recent incident was aimed at killing the civilian?

- There are also suspects over bribes border security officers accept for border crossings and over the incident's links to this allegation. Has the state taken any measures in respect of these widespreading reports?

- Has there been any investigation into the reason why relevant authorities have failed to realise the project for small cattle provision for villagers aimed at the prevention of smuggling?

- Has the state conducted a serious research on the social reasons of smuggling (border trade) which has caused hundreds of deaths?

- The misuse of the authority to use arms in defiance of the right to live is an often experienced case in the incidents of smuggling on eastern and southeastern borders. Has the state taken any measures for the restriction of the right to use arms?

-Does the state consider doing any legal arrangements to secure the border trade which stands as one of the major source of income, as is also expressed by authorities?

Ertan pointed out that Karakoç who was wounded in the attack was subjected to no medical intervention after the attack, and that he was dragged on the floor until he was brought from the hill to the road.

Ertan demanded an effective investigation into the incident.