Mehdi Zana Akkaya from the Association of Lawyers for Freedom (ÖHD), a member of the Crisis Coordination Centre established in Hatay on February 7 under the leadership of the Peoples' Democratic Party (HDP), spoke to MA about the current situation in Hatay province.

Akkaya said: “We have received reports of the gendarmerie and law enforcement using violence against citizens in Hatay province, which was struck by a massive earthquake. Political parties and non-governmental organizations need to step in against them.”

TORTURE AGAINST QUAKE SURVIVORS

Akkaya said that violent incidents were reported after the government declared a state of emergency in response to the devastation caused by the earthquake. He stated: “Following the declaration of state of emergency, we received complaints that the gendarmerie (military police) and law enforcement used violence against citizens. Most of those who were battered and subjected to violence were refugee families. According to the reports we received, law enforcement officers beat them without question for alleged involvement in theft and their foreign nationality. 6 people were detained in house raids in the Altınözü district and Ahmet Güreşçi was tortured to death at a Gendarmerie Station. Likewise, his elder brother Sabri Güreşçi, who was tortured in the custody of state forces, was seriously injured and taken to a hospital. Moreover, there are foreign nationals who have been subjected to torture and are afraid to report it to us and to reveal their names for fear of being deported.”

MILITARY AND POLICE

Akkaya also revealed that police officers and soldiers with long-barrelled weapons patrolled the streets of Hatay in armoured and civilian vehicles without license plates. “Civilian vehicles are stopped by police officers and soldiers for no reason. We are stopped 3-4 times as we head for other coordination centres. Such arbitrary practices are in place.”

CALL AGAINST STATE OF EMERGENCY

Akkaya insisted that political parties and non-governmental organizations should step in against the violence and unlawfulness rampant in the city. He continued: “In connection with these arbitrary practices, we are doing what is supposed to be done in terms of human rights. Civil society and political parties should also make efforts for the state of emergency to be lifted. This is a disaster area. However, there is a frightening environment that needs to be eliminated.”