Investigate into Killing of Kurdish Girl
In a statement on the incident, the Batman Governor's Office said she was caught up in a cross-fire between security forces and terrorists. Her mother, Samiye Ozbek says their vehicle was sprayed with bullets. Wounded in the same attack, she is under treatment in hospital.
Two of Turkey's most leading human rights organizations, the Human Rights Association (IHD) and the Association for Human Rights and Solidarity with the Oppressed (MAZLUMDER) have joined forces with the Bar Association and set up a fact-find mission to investigate the incident.
Batman IHD chairman Saadet Becerikli has told bianet they regard the case as a violation of the right to life for three individuals while raising concern that the country's controversial new Anti-Terror Law may be leading to extrajudicial killings. He said the fact-finding delegation would investigate the scene of incident and interview witnesses before sharing its findings with the public in the coming days.
Contrasting Statements
According to the statement issued by the Batman Governor's Office, a clash took place in a rural zone of the Taslidere village of Batman's Kozluk district when two suspects opened fire on security forces patrolling the road with long range weapons.
During the clash, the statement said, Mizgin Ozbek who was in a car was killed and her other Samiye was wounded and later taken to the Batman State Hospital. The two "terrorists" meanwhile, were killed and their weapons alongside 2 kilogram of C-4 explosives were confiscated.
But Becerikli, who visited mother Samiye Ozbek in hospital the same day, quoted her saying: "I was ill. Together with my son Hadi and daughter Mizgin we were going to the hospital in Batman. On the way, two teenagers hitchhiked. We picked them up. As we were carrying on on our way, suddenly bullets started to rain on us. Our car was sprayed with bullets."
GUNDEM COCUK: No Justification
A statement made by the GUNDEM COCUK (Child) Association to bianet stressed that the most important aspect of this incident was that a child had lost her life in a conflict where she could not have taken sides.
"It should not be forgotten that however this incident may have happened, the violation of right to life for Mizgin is an issue. And this death cannot be declared as just or justified", the statement said.
The Association called for a thorough investigation into the incident and for those who may have through negligence or their responsibility caused the death of Mizgin Mizgin Ozbek to be identified and the public be informed of the findings.
Brother released
IHD's Becerikli said that the car's driver and Mizgin Ozbek's brother Hadi Ozbek who previously appeared at the Prosecutor's Office under heavy security measures was brought before court on Wednesday and released. (KO/TK/II/YE)