IHD: At least 27,984 people taken into custody in 9 years

The Human Rights Association (IHD) in Amed has presented a report on the “violations of the rights to freedom of assembly and demonstration as well as to freedom and security of the person” in the Kurdish areas of Turkey. The report covers the period from 24 July 2015 to 24 July 2024. According to the report, since the war against the Kurdish freedom movement resumed, at least 27,984 people have been taken into custody, 5,677 people have been arrested and 18,248 homes and workplaces have been searched. At least 361 demonstrations have been attacked, 436 people have been injured, and 570 demonstrations have been banned or postponed.

Ercan Yilmaz, chair of the IHD office in Amed, said that over the past nine years the Human Rights Association has repeatedly called for the Kurdish question to be resolved through dialogue and negotiations. The report shows the shocking extent of the violations of legally enshrined rights in the Kurdish areas. “We want to show the whole world the democratic reality in this country and would like to once again call on the political authorities to find a peaceful solution to the Kurdish question,” explained Yilmaz.