World Bulletin/News Desk

The Diyarbakır Branch of the Human Rights Association (IHD), the organization which has compiled data from applications regarding the human rights violations which has ensued from the conflict around the Kurdish problem over the last 30 years, has announced that the best balance sheet has emerged over the period of the solution process.

Indicating that in 30 years he had not seen a balance sheet as positive as the one derived from the last four months of this year, Branch President Raci Bilici said, “The number of conflict-related deaths and injuries over the last 4 months is zero. We have never come across such a beautiful total.

“Social events, interventions, detentions, arrests and violations resulting from the Kurdish question have also drastically declined with the solution process over the last 4 months. If the process continues like this and there is a change in the bureaucracy’s mentality, as an association we might conduct symbolic activities in 2 to 3 years.”

The IHD Diyarbakir Branch, which would compile balance sheets from the data in applications on human rights violations stemming from the regional environment of violence, has announced its most positive balance sheet in 30 years.

Branch President Raci Bilici stated that there was a significant decrease in violations since the last 4 months during which the solution process has continued, in comparison to the same period last year.

"Very serious violations have occurred in the area and making terrible figures would appear when we looked at the statistical data. When we look at the first 4 months of 2012 and the latest 4 months of 2013, are very serious decreases under some headings. These headings are not insignificant one. One is the right to life. Looking at the first 4 months of 2012, the number of security forces and PKK members who lost their lives in armed conflicts is 128. But with the start of the process this year, there are no deaths. We can easily say mortality rate is zero. The same goes for injuries. There were many detentions and arbitrary arrests in the region. But during the first 4 months of 2013 this percentage has a serious decline. In the first four months of 2012, 19,721 persons were taken into custody. The 2013 data is much less. Arrests were numerous, now they’ve decreased. There is a serious decline in police intervention in public demonstrations. In the first 4 months of last year, there were interventions into 124 meetings and demonstrations. This number has almost dropped to zero. There is prevention, but it is very little. Compared as a whole, there is a major decline in violations stemming from war and conflict.”

"We don’t want to see anything that will provoke conflict, violence and war"

IHD Diyarbakir Branch Raci Bilici indicated that some of the violations in previous years were continuing, giving the example of sick persons detained in prisons and arrested politicians. Bilici said, "Government officials and security forces in the region must understand that they need to begin to normalize and behave in such a manner. They must behave in a manner appropriate to the spirit of the times. Because we no longer want to see anything that will provoke conflict, violence and war. When a democratic demonstration or announcement is made, there is no reason for there to be armored vehicles nearby.”

"If it continues like this, this association will do other work in 2 to 3 years”

Indicating the recent positive data, Bilici stated:

"We constantly said that the question must be solved through dialogue and negotiation, and we strove in this direction. Ever since the solution process has been embarked upon, no period has had so few rights violations… I hope and wish that it will continue as such, and there will be no breach of the rights, no troubles will be encountered, serious steps will be taken towards democratization, maybe after 2-3 years this association will remain as a symbol or will deal with other rights. This will make us extremely happy. "

"The state and PKK should open the archives"

Indicating that over the last 30 years there had been many violations involving massacres, disappearances and, Bilici expressed that studies on these issues were ongoing. He said, "We need to work for years on one missing person. However, if the state and the PKK open the archives, we can execute our work on past human rights violations in a more convenient and fast manner. We have made calls on this subject. Because so long we have not drawn out the truth and secured justice, it cannot be said that a lasting peace will be provided for the future of the country. If we open government and organizational archives, our job will be easier."