DTP Moves to Interpellate MoI
Democratic Society Party (DTP) files a motion of censure against the Minister of Interior Beşir Atalay. DTP's parliamentary group vice-chairs Selahattin Demirtaş and Fatma Kurtulan noted that the police have killed nine people as a result of disproportionate use of force during protests held since 15 February 2008. They claim Atalay failed to take necessary precautions to avoid those deaths.
"Failing to take effective action against security forces' shooting civilians in street protests, Atalay caused increased violations of the right to life and laid the ground for conflicts, therefore threatening social peace."
The murders by police officers quoted at the motion are as follows,
- On 15 February 2008, a child, Yahya Menekşe was killed when a police armed combat car runs over him.
- On 5 March 2008, Mehmet Deniz was hit on the head and lost his life when the police intervened in a Women's Day event in Van-Erciş.
- On 22 March 2008, police targeted and killed Zeki Erinç and Ramazan Dal during the Newroz celebrations in Van.
- On 23 March 2008 İkbal Yaşar and Fahrettin Şedal were killed by police fire, during the Newroz celebrations in Hakkari, Yüksekova.
- On 20 October 2008, police targeted and killed Ahmet Özkan during a press statement in Ağrı, Doğubeyazıt.
- Lastly, on 4 April 2009, Mahsum Karaoğlan and Mustafa Dağ were killed when the police attacked a crowd with tear gas bombs and plastic bullets in Şanlıurfa, Halfeti.
The motion is distributed to all MPs and the parliament will hold a meeting to accept or reject it.(TK/AGÜ)
