Human rights associations present report on burned villages
Human rights associations present report on burned villages
It has been established that the villages of Keçeli (Bizinka) and Palamutlu (Xirbekûr) in Hasankeyf district of Batman and Gunesli (Semsê) in Siirt had been burnt deliberately and arbitrary by soldiers. This is the conclusion reached by the Human Rights Association (IHD) which had sent a committee to investigate the allegations. It was alleged that the mentioned villages have been set on fire on June 23 and five thousand square meters of cultivated land reduced to ashes during the fire.
IHD Committee organized to investigate the allegation concluded the work in the area. According to the Committee the mentioned villages have been deliberately and arbitrary set on fire by soldiers. It was said on the report that the responsible people have to be identified and punished immediately.
The lawyer Selahattin Coban from MAZLUMDER Diyarbakýr branch, other lawyers and representatives from various NGOs like IHD, GOC- DER also had taken part in the investigation of the IHD’s committee. The Committee has held a press meeting in Diyarbakir to publish the consequences obtained from investigation.
Lawyer Selahattin Coban spoke on behalf of Committee at the meeting: We determined that the fire began around Mava Mountains skirts near the military base and soldiers have not try to extinguish it. We have also certainly stated that the operation was not the reason of fire. Regarding these evidences, the fire was high likely set on by soldiers without any reason related security. According to our opinion, it is necessary to have more comprehensive and operative investigation on this case. The conflicted environment and military operation in the region is going to be the reason for more cases like this as we worried. Just yesterday, two villagers had been killed by soldiers who assumed them member of illegal organization. This is certainly extrajudicial killings which we might face more since soldiers’ panicked atmosphere continues. We need to stop this situation and lift all barricades in front of dialogue.
Besides investigation, the committee wanted to meet with authorities like military, Governor and prosecutors but our request have been rejected, said Lawyer Serdar Celebi, IHD Diyarbakir Branch manager.
Celebi read the data about consequences of the fire stated on the report:
-2000 registered, 5000-7000 unregistered land has been burnt.
-There was no death due to fire since the villages have already been emptied in 1993.
- The forest and cultivated land around the villages have been totally burnt.
-Villagers of Palamut, which totally damaged due to fire, did not speak with members of committee, highly likely they were seriously suppressed by soldiers.
-Fired area is within sight of soldiers put no effort to extinguish.
-All kind of communication during the fire need to be investigated for making clear the soldiers’ action.
IHD Committee organized to investigate the allegation concluded the work in the area. According to the Committee the mentioned villages have been deliberately and arbitrary set on fire by soldiers. It was said on the report that the responsible people have to be identified and punished immediately.
The lawyer Selahattin Coban from MAZLUMDER Diyarbakýr branch, other lawyers and representatives from various NGOs like IHD, GOC- DER also had taken part in the investigation of the IHD’s committee. The Committee has held a press meeting in Diyarbakir to publish the consequences obtained from investigation.
Lawyer Selahattin Coban spoke on behalf of Committee at the meeting: We determined that the fire began around Mava Mountains skirts near the military base and soldiers have not try to extinguish it. We have also certainly stated that the operation was not the reason of fire. Regarding these evidences, the fire was high likely set on by soldiers without any reason related security. According to our opinion, it is necessary to have more comprehensive and operative investigation on this case. The conflicted environment and military operation in the region is going to be the reason for more cases like this as we worried. Just yesterday, two villagers had been killed by soldiers who assumed them member of illegal organization. This is certainly extrajudicial killings which we might face more since soldiers’ panicked atmosphere continues. We need to stop this situation and lift all barricades in front of dialogue.
Besides investigation, the committee wanted to meet with authorities like military, Governor and prosecutors but our request have been rejected, said Lawyer Serdar Celebi, IHD Diyarbakir Branch manager.
Celebi read the data about consequences of the fire stated on the report:
-2000 registered, 5000-7000 unregistered land has been burnt.
-There was no death due to fire since the villages have already been emptied in 1993.
- The forest and cultivated land around the villages have been totally burnt.
-Villagers of Palamut, which totally damaged due to fire, did not speak with members of committee, highly likely they were seriously suppressed by soldiers.
-Fired area is within sight of soldiers put no effort to extinguish.
-All kind of communication during the fire need to be investigated for making clear the soldiers’ action.
