How many people should die for peace?

HRFT-İHD Joint public Statement-15 July 2011

13 soldiers and 7 militants were killed and 7 soldiers and 7 militants were wounded in the clash between the Turkish Armed Forces and the Kurdistan Workers’ Party’s (PKK) armed wing the People’s Defence Forces (HPG) in the rural part of Silvan District of Diyarbakır Province on 14 July 2011. We would like to express our condolences to the families of the deceased. An immediate and effective investigation should be launched against the incident and every detail of it should be made public. It is important to investigate the source of the fire and the role that the aircrafts may have had in it. 

The reality that thousands of lives have been lost due to the deadlock in Kurdish Issue should not be forgotten. We, the human rights defenders, do not want more killings. We defend the right to life everywhere and in every situation. We call on both sides to stop the killings and to work towards a resolution of the Kurdish Issue.

The violence and operations should be brought to a halt and a permanent ceasefire should be established.

The Government, which has acknowledged the existence of the Kurdish Issue, should take the necessary legal and constitutional measures and the public officers should act in compliance with it as soon as possible.

We call on the Justice and Development Party (AKP), the Republican People Party (CHP) and the Peace and Democracy Party (BDP) to find a resolution to the ongoing political crisis.

The Grand National Assembly of Turkey (TBMM) should take the initiative to begin the necessary steps for the resolution of the issue via deliberations, should create an environment of trust in order to disable the violence, and should take urgent steps for peace and for a democratic constitution.

We want peace.

We want the right to life for everyone.

Is it too much?

Human Rights Association (HRA/IHD) Central Executive Board

Human Rights Foundation of Turkey (HRFT) Executive Board