Peace and Democracy Party (BDP) Istanbul deputy Sebahat Tuncel has tabled a motion to the speaker’s office of the parliament demanding a Parliamentary Inquiry to investigate mass graves across the country.

Tuncel demanded the establishment of commissions in order to ensure the opening of  mass graves in accordance with the Minnesota Protocol and the exposure and punishment of those responsible for the death of victims.

BDP deputy put emphasis on the essentiality of facing the mass graves reality in order to establish social peace in the country. She remarked that opening the mass graves, identifying those buried in them and the punishment of those responsible made up the most significant part of facing the mass graves reality.

Quoting the interactive map of the mass graves  IHD (Human Rights Association) released in 2011, Tuncel noted that; “29 mass graves have been opened so far, while there are alleged to be a total of 253 separate mass graves with 3,248 people thought to be buried in.”

BDP deputy added that the opening of some mass graves has been achieved thanks to the efforts of human rights associations and families, and that some others were located during construction works, because of which graves are being subject to unhealthy and unscientific means and methods of excavation and opening.

Tuncel said that Turkey should adopt the UN Minnesota Protocol in order to prevent the arbitrary practices and implementations legal gaps cause for the opening of mass graves, and conduct researches and legal arrangements in line with the protocol.

Tuncel demanded the establishment of an independent commission to monitor the opening of mass graves, remarking that each excavation area should be turned into a judicial site.

BDP deputy also demanded the formation of a Truth Commission to serve as a mechanism not subjected to state repression and to reassure witnesses about bearing testimony in safety.

Tuncel added that all these processes should be accompanied by security precautions in order to ensure a healthy progress.

BDP deputy added that the opening of mass graves in line with the Minnesota Protocol would also make a contribution to the solution of the Kurdish issue in Turkey.