Der Spiegel: Turkish army used chemical weapons against Kurdish guerrillas
Der Spiegel: Turkish army used chemical weapons against Kurdish guerrillas
Shocking images of dead Kurdish fighters” whose bodies have been “burned, maimed and scorched” by the Turkish Army “are scarcely recognizable as human beings” reported German Der Spiegel.
German press reported that Turkish army used chemical weapons against the Kurdish guerrillas of HPG in the ongoing clashes in Kurdistan. While German human rights defenders and politicians called for an international investigation, Hamburg University documented the chemicals used by the Turkish Army.
German newspapers and magazines like “Der Spiegel”, “Die Welt” and “Die Tageszeitung“ (TAZ) while have been covering the clashes getting harder sine 1 June also drew attention on the chemical weapons used against Kurdish guerrillas and the brutality over their dead bodies chopped by the Turkish soldiers.
German Der Spiegel also reported that pictures of dead bodies of Kurdish guerrillas given to a human rights delegations in March during their visit to Kurdistan are showing that chemicals used against the Kurdish fighters. “Hans Baumann, a German expert on photo forgeries has confirmed the authenticity of the photos, and a forensics report released by the Hamburg University Hospital has backed the initial suspicion, saying that it is highly probable that the eight Kurds died ‘due to the use of chemical substances’.” wrote Der Spiegel.
While German politicians and human rights experts are demanding an thorough investigation regarding the incidents Claudia Roth, the co-chair of Germany's Green Party said there have been repeated ‘mysterious incidents of this type’ and Turkey needs to make an explanation regarding pictures and issue an official statement. "It is impossible to understand why an autopsy of the PKK fighters was ordered but the results kept under seal." added Roth.
Ruprecht Polenz, a German MP of Christian Democratic Union (CDU) and the chairman of the Parliamentary Foreign Relations Committee also said an “international investigation would be the best approach”.
Gisela Penteker, an expert on Turkey with the international medical organization International Physicians for the Prevention of Nuclear War (IPPNW) said because the bodies were released so late it was hardly possible to carry out a thorough autopsy. She also pointed out the lack of diplomatic pressure on Turkey.
Der Spiegel further reported that the investigation demanded by national human rights organisations have been constantly ignored and manipulated by the Turkish officials. “The government of Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan has been stubbornly silent or tried to portray the accusations of war crimes as ‘PKK propaganda’.” added the magazine.
Speaking to TAZ Uta Zapf of SPD said it is a clear violation of the international law.
The Junge Welt newspaper also reported that the bodies belonged to six Kurdish guerrillas including two females who were found dead in a cave in Cukurca district of Hakkari in September 2009.
German press reported that Turkish army used chemical weapons against the Kurdish guerrillas of HPG in the ongoing clashes in Kurdistan. While German human rights defenders and politicians called for an international investigation, Hamburg University documented the chemicals used by the Turkish Army.
German newspapers and magazines like “Der Spiegel”, “Die Welt” and “Die Tageszeitung“ (TAZ) while have been covering the clashes getting harder sine 1 June also drew attention on the chemical weapons used against Kurdish guerrillas and the brutality over their dead bodies chopped by the Turkish soldiers.
German Der Spiegel also reported that pictures of dead bodies of Kurdish guerrillas given to a human rights delegations in March during their visit to Kurdistan are showing that chemicals used against the Kurdish fighters. “Hans Baumann, a German expert on photo forgeries has confirmed the authenticity of the photos, and a forensics report released by the Hamburg University Hospital has backed the initial suspicion, saying that it is highly probable that the eight Kurds died ‘due to the use of chemical substances’.” wrote Der Spiegel.
While German politicians and human rights experts are demanding an thorough investigation regarding the incidents Claudia Roth, the co-chair of Germany's Green Party said there have been repeated ‘mysterious incidents of this type’ and Turkey needs to make an explanation regarding pictures and issue an official statement. "It is impossible to understand why an autopsy of the PKK fighters was ordered but the results kept under seal." added Roth.
Ruprecht Polenz, a German MP of Christian Democratic Union (CDU) and the chairman of the Parliamentary Foreign Relations Committee also said an “international investigation would be the best approach”.
Gisela Penteker, an expert on Turkey with the international medical organization International Physicians for the Prevention of Nuclear War (IPPNW) said because the bodies were released so late it was hardly possible to carry out a thorough autopsy. She also pointed out the lack of diplomatic pressure on Turkey.
Der Spiegel further reported that the investigation demanded by national human rights organisations have been constantly ignored and manipulated by the Turkish officials. “The government of Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan has been stubbornly silent or tried to portray the accusations of war crimes as ‘PKK propaganda’.” added the magazine.
Speaking to TAZ Uta Zapf of SPD said it is a clear violation of the international law.
The Junge Welt newspaper also reported that the bodies belonged to six Kurdish guerrillas including two females who were found dead in a cave in Cukurca district of Hakkari in September 2009.
