Report prepared by Diyarbakır Bar Association covers a detailed examination of all the facts and incidents took place in Cizre town between 4 and 12 September 2015.
The curfew declared by Şırnak Governorship Office in Cizre town on 4 September 2015 lasted until 12 September 2015 and during this time all communication means connecting Cizre to the outside world had been cut with a very few exceptions.
Within the same period all the roads to Cizre town have been blocked by barricades of security forces. The armoured military or police vehicles and tanks besieged all around the town. All public services including water, electricity, garbage collection, health, education, legal services had been interrupted altogether during the curfew. Dwellers had been deprived of all basic life needs such as food, medicine, milk, infant formula etc.
Especially disruptions in water, electricity, health services like ambulances had significantly affected the public health and caused deaths in some instances. During the period of curfew, in some districts (Nur, Cudi, Sur and Yafes) security operations had been performed by military tanks, police panzers and the military with heavy weaponry.
16 civilians died
The officials had announced the aim of operation as removing trenches and barricades and arresting some armed suspects. At the end of the operations carried out and conflicts happened during the period of curfew sixteen civilians died of gunshots or shrapnel pieces; dozens of people were injured and six people lost their lives due to not having access to hospitals. Ambulances had not been running and some people bled to death.
Despite a series of actions relating to the right to life and other grave human rights violations, no CSI or forensic examination and evidence collection process has taken place; victims and witnesses have not been heard.
The curfew has violated constitutional and basic rights of citizens like right to live, prohibition of inhumane treatment, right to freedom and security, inviolability of private and family lives.
Click here to access the report.
