In #Hakkari# the state of emergency was implemented uninterruptedly. The year 2023 was marked by heavy human rights violations and arbitrary bans. Existing laws are suspended, and the people literally live in an open prison.
Hakkari (Colemêrg) has been under state of emergency for 7 years. In 2023, torture, detention, arrest, extrajudicial executions and special war practices continued uninterrupted. Border gates were closed and people were prohibited from trading. Plateaus and pastures were declared a Special Security Zone and an attempt was made to end agriculture and animal husbandry. Dozens of checkpoints were established on the Van-Hakkari highway and even travel was prevented. A military base has been set up on every hill surrounding the city, and the center is virtually under military and police blockade.
In the past 7 years, all protests and events have been banned with new prohibitions issued every 15 days. Political parties or civil society organizations other than AKP-MHP have to get permission when they want to carry out any action or activity. 15 people were killed, crashed by armored vehicles and fire opened by soldiers and police at the border. House raids, violence in custody, and arrest are routine.
Economic embargo implemented
The majority of the plateaus and valleys, which are important for agriculture and animal husbandry, were banned and closed off to people after being declared Special Security Zone. This heavily affected the population as animal husbandry and agriculture are their main source of income. Due to the restrictions, the villagers who could not take their animals to the plateaus and pastures had to abandon animal husbandry and migrate. Citizens who could not farm in their fields and gardens, were unable to produce anything, thus experiencing heavy economic crises.
The Turkish government murdered many citizens who wanted to do business in rural and border areas. They also tried to suppress tradesmen by preventing trade at the border gates in Gever and Çelê districts.
Many citizens were killed or injured as a result of fire opened by soldiers and police while going to their fields, grazing their animals or even while going on a picnic with their families.
Suicide cases increased
Hakkari experienced a period with the highest number of suicide cases in 2023. Hakkari has the youngest population but ranks last when it comes to unemployment and poverty. According to the Human Rights Association (IHD), there were 25 suicide attempts in 10 months and 12 people died as a result of those attempts. Those who committed suicide were young men and women between the ages of 17 and 30.
The IHD said in a report that it has been proved that people, including law enforcement officers, sexually abused some women. The deaths of some of the women who were sexually abused were treated as ‘suicide’ whereas they were suspicious deaths.[1]