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Click here for an overview of the Women's Arab Spring Revolt 1.2 2024 and 2023

 When one hurts or kills a women
one hurts or kills hummanity and is an antrocitie.
Gino d'Artali
and: My mother (1931-1997) always said to me <Mi figlio, non esistono notizie <vecchie> perche puoi imparare qualcosa da qualsiasi notizia.> Translated: <My son, there is no such thing as so called 'old' news because you can learn something from any news.>
Gianna d'Artali.

Serra Bucak
Jinha - Womens News Agency - Nov. 4, 2024
<<Amed Co-mayor: You cannot make people kneel down
"No pasaran to trustees!" said Amed (Diyarbakır) Co-mayor Serra Bucak, reacting to the appointment of trustees to three Kurdish municipalities.
News Center- Turkish Ministry of Internal Affairs announced Monday that the Co-mayors of Mardin, Elih (Batman) and Xelfeti (Halfeti), three municipalities run by the Peoples' Equality and Democracy Party (DEM Party), have been removed from office and trustees have been appointed in their place. Following the appointment of the trustees to three Kurdish municipalities, many politicians, activists and NGOs have released statements, condemning the state-appointed trustees.
'You cannot make people kneel down!'
"On the anniversary of the political coup of November 4, 2016, the trustees appointed to municipalities of Mardin, Batman and Halfeti and the mindset that insists on this coup should know that you cannot make people kneel down!" said Amed (Diayrbakır) Co-mayor Serra Bucak on the social media platform X. “The will that comes out of the ballot box in local elections is the will of the people and this should not be forgotten that how much anti-democratic practices and oppression intensify, the Kurdish and Turkish people will definitely say stop to this order and this state of affairs. No pasaran to trustees!" >>
Source: https://jinhaagency.com/en/actual/amed-co-mayor-you-cannot-make-people-kneel-down-35928?page=1


TJA
Jinha - Womens News Agency - Nov. 4, 2024
<<TJA: Women will stay and you will go
"Women will stay and you will go," the Free Women's Movement (Kurdish: Tevgera Jinen Azad-TJA) said Monday in a statement regarding the state-appointed trustees to municipalities of Mardin, Elih and Xalfeti.
News Center- The Free Women's Movement (Kurdish: Tevgera Jinen Azad-TJA) has published a statement on the social media platform X, condemning the appointment of trustees to the municipalities of Mardin, Elih (Batman) and Xalfeti (Halfeti) by Turkish Ministry of Internal Affairs on Monday.
"What is notified to the co-mayors elected by women is the oppression and violence through a coup," the statement said. "We did not and will not bow down to the coup plotters. We will take back what belongs to us from you under any circumstances. Women will stay and you will go." >>
Source: https://jinhaagency.com/en/actual/tja-women-will-stay-and-you-will-go-35927?page=1
Related a Statement by DEM Party: We will never bow down:
Source: https://jinhaagency.com/en/actual/statement-by-dem-party-we-will-never-bow-down-35926


Gulistan Sonuk
Jinha - Womens News Agency - Nov. 4, 2024
<<Gulistan Sonuk: We will not accept this usurping regime
"We did not and will not accept this plundering and usurping regime," said Elih (Batman) Co-mayor Gulistan Sonuk, condemning the appointment of the trustees to three DEM Party-run municipalities.
News Center- Early Monday morning, Turkish Ministry of Internal Affairs announced that the Co-mayors of Mardin, Elih (Batman) and Xelfeti (Halfeti), three municipalities run by the Peoples' Equality and Democracy Party (DEM Party), have been removed from office and trustees have been appointed in their place. "We won the municipality by receiving majority of votes in the local elections held on March 31 in Turkiye thanks to the efforts of women, youth and our people," Elih (Batman) Co-mayor Gulistan Sonuk said in a post on social media platform X. "However, our municipality has been usurped as of this morning without any notification. We did not and will not accept this plundering and usurping regime. Municipalities belong to the people." >>
Source: https://jinhaagency.com/en/actual/gulistan-sonuk-we-will-not-accept-this-usurping-regime-35924


War crimes allegations against Erdogan
Medyanews - Nov. 2, 2024
<<War crimes allegations brought against Erdoğan in Germany over Turkish military actions in Syria
Two German organisations have filed a complaint in Germany against Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and other senior Turkish officials, accusing them of war crimes in North and East Syria. The complaint, filed with the Federal Prosecutor's Office, cites targeted attacks on civilian infrastructure and medical facilities between October 2023 and January 2024, and raises concerns about the humanitarian impact on Kurdish civilians in the region. Two German organisations have filed a criminal complaint against Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and several top Turkish officials, accusing them of war crimes and crimes against humanity in connection with Turkish military actions in North and East Syria. The complaint, filed with the Federal Prosecutor's Office in Karlsruhe, names Erdogan alongside Defence Minister Yaşar Guler, Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, MIT Intelligence Chief İbrahim Kalın and several senior military commanders, including General Metin Gurak and Air Force Commander Ziya Cemal Kadıoglu. The complaint was initiated by the International Association for Democracy and Law (MAF-DAD) and the Network of Kurdish Academics (KURD-AKAD) and announced at a press conference in Berlin. The organisations argue that Turkish forces have systematically attacked Kurdish civilian infrastructure, targeting medical facilities, water stations and other essential services in what they describe as a widespread and deliberate campaign. Key representatives, including MAF-DAD Co-chair Heike Geisweid and KURD-AKAD Co-chair Dr Dersim Dagdeviren, stressed the critical impact of these actions on the health and well-being of civilians in the region. According to the complaint, the Turkish military's attacks peaked between October 2023 and January 2024, with attacks on critical health facilities such as the Kobani Medical Centre, the Meshtanour Medical Centre and a dialysis centre in Qamislo. These facilities were vital to the civilian population, particularly those with chronic health needs such as diabetes and dialysis treatment. The plaintiffs state that the destruction of these centres has left many without essential medical care, forcing some to seek treatment in Aleppo or abroad and reportedly resulting in patient deaths. Ankara has justified its military actions in Syrian Kurdistan by citing Article 51 of the UN Charter, which allows for self-defence. However, the plaintiffs and legal experts dispute this justification, arguing that there is no evidence linking the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) or the Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria (AANES) to any direct threat to Turkey.
Reports from the AANES recorded a staggering 1,031 attacks in a four-day period from 24 to 27 October 2024. These attacks resulted in the deaths of 17 civilians, including women and children, and injured 65 others. The attacks targeted health and education centres, bakeries, grain stores, electricity plants and water facilities, causing widespread shortages of essential resources such as electricity, water, fuel and food. The plaintiffs claim that such actions are not collateral damage, but a calculated attempt to undermine Kurdish civilian life in violation of international humanitarian law. Dr Dersim Dagdeviren of KURD-AKAD noted that the complaint is unlikely to lead to a trial but aims to draw international attention to Turkey's actions in the Kurdish regions. She criticised Germany’s approach and called for a stronger stance, including possible sanctions. MAF-DAD's Heike Geisweid also stressed that Turkey's military actions, which reportedly affect civilians and medical facilities, raise serious concerns under German law on war crimes and crimes against humanity. She noted that the frequent targeting of hospitals and civilian areas underlined the need for accountability. Prof Dr Gerhard Trabert, a representative of the Association for Poverty and Health, which supports the Kobani Medical Centre, condemned the targeting of health facilities. "Health care is a humanitarian necessity, not a military strategy," Trabert said. The complaint highlights the broader context of Turkey's actions against Kurdish regions and underlines the need for peace and stability in North and East Syria. As international attention grows, the organisations behind the complaint hope to highlight the humanitarian impact of Turkey's military interventions and push for accountability on the international stage.>>
Source: https://medyanews.net/war-crimes-allegations-brought-against-erdogan-in-germany-over-turkish-military-actions-in-syria/

Medyanews - Nov. 2, 2024
<<Inaugural Chicago Kurdish Film Festival revisits ancient Kurdish culture
Chicago's first Kurdish film festival, focused on showcasing Kurdish culture and identity, runs from 2-3 November at Loyola University Chicago's Damen Center Cinema. Featuring 18 films in Kurdish with English subtitles, the two-day lineup highlights diverse Kurdish stories and perspectives.
At the launch of the first Kurdish film festival in Chicago, running from 2-3 November, Ridwan Zozani, co-president of the Kurdish Cultural Center of Illinois, noted that the team had long envisioned a festival dedicated to Kurdish cinema and has now brought that vision to life. Inspired by global film festivals, such as the Palestine Film Festival and the annual New York Kurdish Film Festival, Zozani stated, "Finally, we were able to organise the first Chicago Kurdish film festival." Reflecting on the challenges that Kurds face by being divided between the four countries of Iran, Iraq, Turkey and Syria and how that affected the organisation of the festival, Zozani noted that "Because Kurdish people are spread out within the Kurdistan region, which is split between four countries, and the diaspora, it was a very difficult process." He worked closely with a jury of organisers to curate a lineup that would resonate with diverse Kurdish experiences. "The Kurdish community is an underrepresented community," Zozani emphasised. He expressed hopes that the festival would promote Kurdish culture and create connections, saying, "[It] will be important to have a film festival that can help us to promote the culture and introduce ourselves to other people." The festival will feature 18 films spanning documentaries, features, and short films that capture aspects of Kurdish culture and pressing contemporary issues. Films include "The Suitcase", a short by Saman Hosseinpuor and Ako Zandkarimi; "Seven Symphonies of the Zagros" by Perwiz Rostemi from Iranian Kurdistan (Rojhilat); "Skala" by Kae Bahar, the 1988 movie based on true event by Reman Shewket; "Syria's Ticking Time Bomb" by Gulan Akrawi and Kawa Akrawi; and "Khalil" by Payam Hosseini.
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Highlighting Kurdish identity and the significance of the films, Zozani commented, "For people who come to see the films, the first opportunity is cultural insight." To emphasise the importance of visibility, he added that "The festival showcases Kurdish culture, stories, and perspectives, offering a chance to learn about a rich and diverse heritage that is often underrepresented in mainstream cinema or media in general." >>
Read here more about the movies incl. video:
https://medyanews.net/inaugural-chicago-kurdish-film-festival-revisits-ancient-kurdish-culture/

Medyanews - Nov. 2, 2024
<<Kurdish activist Ali Çeven arrested amid allegations of ill-treatment in custody
Kurdish activist Ali Çeven has been arrested in Istanbul for the second time in three days. His street interview, which attracted considerable attention on social media, led to charges of 'terrorist propaganda'. His lawyer claims that Çeven was assaulted in custody, prompting calls from human rights defenders for transparency and accountability as Turkey's debate over the Kurdish issue intensifies. Kurdish activist Ali Çeven was detained in Istanbul on 1 November for the second time in three days and subsequently arrested on charges of <making terrorist propaganda>. Çeven's first detention followed comments he made in a street interview, in which he stated "I am not a Turk", amid ongoing discussions in Turkey about a possible solution to the Kurdish question. The interview attracted widespread attention on social media, with users both supporting and criticising his comments. Çeven's lawyer, Suphi Ozgen, reported that his client was subjected to physical violence while in custody and announced plans to file a complaint about the mistreatment. "Ali Çeven was assaulted during his detention, despite a ban on such treatment. We will take legal action against those responsible," Ozgen said. He later confirmed that Çeven had been officially charged with promoting an armed organisation and expressed his disappointment at the court's decision. Çeven's arrest has drawn considerable reaction from political figures and human rights groups. Members of the Peoples' Equality and Democracy (DEM) Party criticised his treatment, saying it was an attempt to silence Kurdish perspectives. DEM Party MP Meral Danış Beştaş commented: "Ali Çeven has been detained twice, mistreated and now arrested just for saying 'I am not Turkish'... Is there anything more to be said?" Similarly, Omer Faruk Gergerlioglu, a DEM Party MP, said: "You kept asking me, 'What do the Kurds want?' Ali Çeven was trying to explain what the Kurds want. He was detained multiple times, assaulted, and finally arrested." The Urfa Bar Association also condemned Çeven's treatment and called for an investigation. "Ali Çeven was detained twice within a few days for expressing his views on the Kurdish issue. His lawyer reports that he was subjected to violence during his second detention. The law enforcement agencies have no authority to impose punishment; the officers involved must be identified and subjected to judicial and administrative investigation," the Bar Association statement said. The Lawyers for Freedom Association in Istanbul issued a statement condemning the actions of the police, saying Çeven's arrest "exceeds the limits of the law and appears to be intended as punishment". They stressed Turkey's obligations under international treaties prohibiting torture and ill-treatment, and warned that a culture of impunity encourages such violations. "Torture is a crime against humanity. The officers responsible for Çeven's mistreatment must be immediately suspended and investigated". The incident comes amid a heated public debate in Turkey about possible solutions to the Kurdish question, with Çeven's comments closely aligned with the ongoing discourse. His comments, which expressed clear views on this sensitive issue, have now led to his arrest, raising concerns about freedom of expression and the state's approach to dissent.>>
Source incl. video: https://medyanews.net/kurdish-activist-ali-ceven-arrested-amid-allegations-of-ill-treatment-in-custody/


Death toll from Sudan cholera
Jinha - Womens News Agency - Nov. 1, 2024
<<Death toll from Sudan cholera outbreak rises to 852
Death toll from the Sudan cholera outbreak has risen to 852, with the total number of cases reaching 29,000 cases, Sudan's health ministry said in a statement on Thursday.
News Center- The death toll from a cholera outbreak in war-torn Sudan has risen to 852, Sudan's health ministry said in a statement on Thursday.
The total number of cholera cases in the country has reached 29,000, the ministry added. The ministry also gave information about the number of displaced people since last week. "2,500 people (502 households) have been displaced to the Jebel Marra region from El Fasher. The living conditions of displaced people have been deteriorating due to the lack of food, drinking water and medicine," said the Spokesperson of Sudan's Health Ministry, calling on international organizations to provide urgent humanitarian assistance and the necessary needs for those fleeing the ongoing clashes in El Fasher. According to IOM, about 410,000 people were displaced from El Fasher to other localities (mostly Jabbal Marrah) between May 2024 and October 2024. The conflict that started in Sudan between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces in Sudan on April 15, 2023 continues. The intensified conflict causes humanitarian crises and human rights violations in the country. Since June 2024, heavy rains and floods in Sudan have contributed to the spread of cholera. On August 12, Sudanese officials declared a cholera outbreak.>>
Source: https://jinhaagency.com/en/actual/death-toll-from-sudan-cholera-outbreak-rises-to-852-35918?page=1


DEM Party Women's Council
Jinha - Womens News Agency - Nov. 1, 2024
<<Message from DEM Party Women's Council about World Kobane Day
"Targeting on Kobane is an attack on women's gains and equal and free life that has been built," the Peoples' Equality and Democracy Party (DEM Party) Women's Council said in a statement on World Kobanê Day.
Ankara- The Peoples' Equality and Democracy Party (DEM Party) Women's Council has released a statement on World Kobane Day. "We salute the resistance and revolution led by women against the attacks of ISIS on Kobanê in 2014," the statement said. The new life built based on a democratic, ecological, women's freedom paradigm has been the source of inspiration for women all over the world, the statement indicated. "We will continue to be in solidarity with the women of Kobane, who fight for an equal and free life. The airstrikes by the AKP-MHP war alliance on North and East Syria are an attack on women's gains. Those who always attack the people and women of Kobanê to maintain their power will never be successful. Targeting Kobane is an attack on women's gains and equal and free life that has been built (in Kobane).
'We will frustrate the attacks'
"Women will not allow you to maintain your power through war politics. Together with the women of Kobane, we will frustrate the attacks of the fascist government, which cannot tolerate the life built based on women’s freedom in Kobane. Today is a day of solidarity with women, who light the darkness with their historic resistance and courage against rising misogyny and the walls of fear built all over the world, especially in the Middle East. Long live the Kobane Revolution." >>
Source: https://jinhaagency.com/en/actual/message-from-dem-party-women-s-council-about-world-kobane-day-35917?page=1


The Kobane Resistance
Jinha - Womens News Agency - Nov. 1, 2024 - by BERÇEM CUDI
<<'The Kobane Resistance gave hope to humanity and became universal'
"The Kobane Resistance gave hope to humanity and became universal," said Zozan Bekir, member of Kongra Star, speaking about World Kobanê Day and 134-day Kobane Resistance.
Kobane- ISIS attacked the city of Kobane in North and East Syria on September 15, 2014; however, it found the resistance of the fighters of the YPJ and YPG, internationalists and residents of Kobane, including women. Upon the call of Kurdish leader Abdullah Ocalan, hundreds of women and young people went to Kobane to defend the city. After a 134-day resistance, the liberation of Kobane was declared on January 26, 2015. On November 1, 2014, the International Day of Solidarity with Kobane was declared with the call of thousands of people, including Nobel Peace Prize laureates, academics, intellectuals, writers, and representatives of civil society organizations. After the declaration, people from 30 countries and 92 cities flocked to the streets to be in solidarity with Kobane. Since then, November 1 has been observed as World Kobane Day. In an interview with NuJINHA, Zozan Bekir, coordinating member of Kongra Star in Euphrates Canton of North and East Syria, commented on the International Day of Solidarity with Kobane, World Kobane Day and the resistance of women in Kobane.
'What happened in Kobane was an unprecedented event in history'
"Actually, November 1st is a special day, very meaningful and important for people," she said. "Being a part of this resistance, witnessing this resistance makes people have a different spirit and feeling. The attacks on Kobane were a spark spreading all over the world. Undoubtedly, the whole world, especially the Middle East, suffers crises, conflicts and attacks. However, what happened in Kobane was an unprecedented event in history, and can be described as a rebirth for humanity. The resistance to extinction versus extinction took place in Kobane. Despite the violent conflicts and attacks, many journalists, politicians, activists and internationalists came to Kobanê and witnessed the resistance and how women fought against ISIS." At a time when ISIS spread fear among people all around the world, everyone was following what was happening in Kobane, Zozan Bekir said. "The resistance and struggle that emerged in Kobane changed the destiny of all humanity. ISIS caused a great fear among people by abducting women and beheading people in Iraq, Shengal and Syria. In such a period, no one believed that the resistance in Kobane would be crowned with victory. Countries that supported ISIS, especially the Turkish state, used the media outlets to say that Kobane would fall. Despite everything, Kobane was liberated from ISIS.'
'The revolution led by women prevailed'
Although years have passed since the Kobane resistance, the Turkish state does not accept the victory in Kobane, Zozan Bekir stressed. "The revolution led by women in Rojava prevailed. However, the Turkish state aims to break the will of the people in the region and destroy the gains of the revolution by attacking North and East Syria. Despite everything, we will stand against all methods of genocidal attacks with the spirit of November 1st and the 'Jin Jiyan Azadi' philosophy." >>
Source incl. video: https://jinhaagency.com/en/actual/the-kobane-resistance-gave-hope-to-humanity-and-became-universal-35916?page=1


The good politicians
Jinha - Womens News Agency - Nov. 1, 2024 - by DELAL RAMAZAN
<<Politicians: The aim of the attacks is to change the demographic structure
Female politicians of the Syria Homeland Party condemned the intensified Turkish attacks on North and East Syria and said, "The aim of the attacks is to change the demographic structure" of the region.
Hasakah- Between October 23 and 27, the Turkish state conducted about 700 attacks on North and East Syria by using its drones and warplanes, killing 17 people, including women and children, and injuring dozens of civilians.
Call for unity and solidarity
"This is not the first time that Turkiye has targeted the civilian infrastructure in our region," said Esma El-Mela, Deputy Chair of the Syria Homeland Party Youth Office. "The Turkish state is a state known for its massacres throughout history." Esma El-Mela thinks that the aim of the attacks is to create chaos and an insecure environment in northeastern Syria. "The ongoing Turkish attacks on our region aim to depopulate the region by causing fear and panic among the people," she said, stressing that Turkiye's excuses are baseless. "They produce excuses to legitimize their attacks and get support from the international community." Esma El-Mela called on people to unite and be in solidarity with each other against the attacks targeting their freedoms and will. "We call on everyone in the region to support the Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria (AANES). The system of the AANES is based on democracy and equality."
'The aim of the Turkish state is to deteriorate living conditions in the region'
Şeyma Khalaf, member of the Syria Homeland Party Central Committee, also condemned the recent Turkish attacks on northeastern Syria. "For 13 years, the Turkish state has targeted our region. But recently, it has targeted critical civilian infrastructure, even bakeries. Its aim is to deteriorate living conditions in the region in order to depopulate the region. The Turkish state targets women and children in its attacks in order to destroy the gains of the Rojava Revolution."
'We seek a political solution to build a free Syria'
Şeyma Khalaf also condemned the ongoing silence of the international community against the Turkish attacks on North and East Syria. "States remain silent against the attacks without expressing any opinion. These attacks are conducted with the approval of states," she said, calling on the people of the region to fight against the attacks. "As the people of the region, we must act shoulder to shoulder because our aim is to solve the Syrian crisis, preventing it from getting worse. We always seek a political solution to build a free and democratic Syria." >>
Source incl. video: https://jinhaagency.com/en/actual/politicians-the-aim-of-the-attacks-is-to-change-the-demographic-structure-35915?page=1


Yeni Yaşam
Jinha - Womens News Agency - Nov. 1, 2024
<<Yeni Yaşam newspaper employee Azime Bozkurt released
Azime Bozkurt, an employee of Yeni Yaşam newspaper who was detained in Dersim on Thursday, has been released under judicial control.
Dersim (Tunceli)- Azime Bozkurt, an employee of the pro-Kurdish Yeni Yaşam newspaper, was detained in a dawn house raid in Dersim on Thursday on charges of <Propagandizing for a (terrorist) organization> for distributing the newspaper in the city. At the prosecutor's office, Azime Bozkurt denied the charges against her, saying that the Yeni Yaşam newspaper is a legal newspaper. Her lawyer Dogukan Kudat, also the head of the Dersim Bar Association, also said that the newspaper was a legal newspaper and that his client just distributed the newspaper. The prosecutor's office requested that Azime Bozkurt be released under judicial control. Tunceli Criminal Court of Peace ruled the release of Azime Bozkurt under judicial control with a ban on travelling abroad.>>
Source: https://jinhaagency.com/en/actual/yeni-yasam-newspaper-employee-azime-bozkurt-released-35914?page=1


Dargeçit disappearances
Medyanews - October 31, 2024 - By Eren Keskin
<<Dargeçit disappearances of 29 October 1995 revisited by Eren Keskin
The story of seven people arrested on 29 October 1995 in Dargeçit (Kerboran), located in Mardin (Merdîn) province in Kurdish-majority southeastern Turkey, marks a dark moment in history, as recounted by human rights defender Eren Keskin. Human rights defender Eren Keskin draws attention to the immense suffering caused by decades of conflict and war in the Kurdish region. Through her accounts, Keskin reveals abuses-including village burnings, torture and enforced disappearances-that remain unknown or forgotten by much of society. The story of seven people arrested on 29 October 1995 in Dargeçit (Kerboran), located in Mardin (Merdin) province in southeastern Turkey, never to be heard from again, compels families and lawyers like Keskin to continue their relentless struggle. The original article, titled "Bir 29 Ekim Gunu" ("One 29 October Day"), from Yeni Yaşam Gazetesi has been translated by Medya News. As human rights defenders, we have been eyewitnesses to the deep suffering and conflict in Kurdistan for years. So many immense tragedies have unfolded before our eyes that words are hardly enough to convey them. Sadly, the vast majority of people in this region remain unaware of the pain endured, either because they do not want to know or because these truths have never reached the public. Nevertheless, we have witnessed with our eyes and our hearts countless profound sufferings. Among those who died in the violence were many members, including leaders, of the Human Rights Association. Many of our people were arrested and then disappeared without trace. Villages were burned and bombed, and we endured unspeakable pain. As human rights defenders, we tried to reach every place where human rights were violated, documenting every incident. When history tells the story of the 1990s, it will be thanks to the reports produced by the Human Rights Association, as it was the only organisation that dared to enter the conflict zones and document the suffering. We produced these reports under immense pressure, often with guns pointed at us, in unforgettable days of hardship. Today, there is renewed hope with talk of a new peace process. In a surprising turn of events, the leader of the Nationalist Movement Party has made statements suggesting that such a process could begin. While those of us familiar with the state’s approach remain cautious, any mention of peace inevitably inspires hope in us. For this reason, I believe the public should be ready to embrace such a process and approach it with a supportive outlook. However, the Kurdish issue remains an international issue and a solution requires action in all parts - Iran, Iraq, Syria and Turkey - as developments in the Middle East continue to bring the issue to the forefront. Today I would like to give a concrete example of why we need peace, a tragedy that has left an indelible mark on us and underlined our insistence on peace. I am writing to you on 29 October, a day which I remember with deep sadness. It was 29 October 1995 in Dargeçit, Mardin - known as Kerboran - when the doors of several houses were knocked on by the gendarmerie and seven people, including three children, were arrested. The children were Hazni, aged nine, his brother Seyhan, aged thirteen, and Davut, aged twelve. They were detained with other adults. Nine-year-old Hazni was tortured, even hung up in the interrogation centre, where another young child entered to ask his father, a commander, for money to buy chocolate, just to see his classmate Hazni in such a distressing state. Perhaps it was shame that finally led to Hazni's release; otherwise, there can be no justification for the torture of a nine-year-old child. While Hazni was released, the others disappeared, never to be heard from again, as in so many other cases. In time, an officer called Bilal Batır began to talk about what he knew. He revealed that detainees had been severely tortured and burned in ovens. His testimony reached the commanding officers, who also disappeared Bilal Batır. Batır paid the price for having a shred of conscience. As human rights activists and the Saturday Mothers, we spent years investigating the fate of the Dargeçit disappeared. Finally, our efforts bore fruit and in 2012 a mass grave, identified by locals as the final resting place of the Dargeçit disappeared, was exhumed. Indeed, the remains of those who had been brutally tortured before burial were uncovered, and DNA from the bones matched the families of the missing. The officer responsible for these heinous acts later became mayor of Gumuşluk, Bodrum. It is a harrowing but true story - one of countless tragedies in this country, with the majority of society largely unaware of these painful truths. Despite years of advocacy by human rights defenders, nothing changed and the case was eventually closed due to the statute of limitations, which often serves as a loophole for impunity in cases of enforced disappearance. When we speak of peace, we also speak for the families who have endured this pain. Despite all they have been through, these families want to see an end to the violence. Their voices deserve to be heard. On a day when others celebrate 29 October, for us human rights defenders it is a day to remember a profound tragedy.>>
Source: https://medyanews.net/dargecit-disappearances-of-29-october-1995-revisited-by-eren-keskin/

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