Sur Report by HDP: ‘Cultural Heritage’ Turned into Ruin

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The Peoples’ Democratic Party (HDP) has released its report on Diyarbakır’s Sur district, in which still curfews and operations are ongoing.

Sur is described in the report as “Diyarbakır’s cultural, social, economic and historical heart”.

According to the 196-page report, a curfew was declared for the sixth time in Sur on December 2, 2015, but despite the fact that officials declared an end to the operations on March 9, 2016 the curfew is still in effect.

The report states that during the operations as many as 90 people have been killed -- 55 of whom have been identified -- and many historical buildings have been wrecked.

From “Cultural heritage” to ruin…

The following information was given in the conclusion chapter of the report:

The entire Suriçi area was declared an “urban archeological site”. In July 2015, Diyarbakır Fortress and Hevsel Gardens Cultural Landscape were included in the UNESCO World Cultural Heritage list.

There are 602 registered buildings in Sur, of which are 454 are civil, and 148 are monumental constructions. There are 40 mosques and small mosques, 19 shrines, 11 churches and four madrasas among these buildings.

Curfews declared in Sur have led to huge cultural and humanitarian destruction. The holy places, which are considered humanity’s common religious and cultural heritage, have been turned into ruins. Diyarbakır Fortress, which was included on the UNESCO cultural heritage list, has been damaged by tank and artillery shells.

The 500 year-old Kurşunlu Mosque, Four-Legged Minaret, Hasırlı Mosque, Paşa Hammam, Hasırlı Community Assembly, Yoğurtlu Bazaar, 1700 year-old Saint Mary Church, Surp Gragos Armenian Church and Protestant churches, Hacı Hamit Mosque and Dengbêj House are only some of the historical buildings that have become unusable.

90 civilians have lost their lives in the blockade on the district since July 2015, 55 of whom have been killed since July this year.

The most basic universal human rights such as right to life, right to receive medical treatment, right to education, and right to travel have been clearly by means of the curfews.

71 security staff have been killed

According to a statement by the General Staff, 53 soldiers and 71 security staff have lost their lives, and 523 others have been wounded during the operations. (AS/TK)