Committee for release of soldiers asks to stop operations
Committee for release of soldiers asks to stop operations
The committee for the release of two soldiers and a civilian, who were detained by HPG guerrillas, made its first call to the government to “stop military operations”. The committee which consists of kidnapped soldiers’ families, human rights defenders, artists, intellectuals, and representatives of democratic organizations such as ÝHD, TÝHV, TBM and Hacý Bektaþý Veli Cultural Foundation, held a press conference today at IHD Istanbul Branch building.
Making the first speech at the conference, IHD Chairman Öztürk Türkdoðan gave the following information about the committee; “Our goal is to deliver the captives safely to their families. As the committee, we will endeavor to fulfill the humanitarian law. We will soon appeal to the Interior Ministry with a petition about the formation of our committee and make a call to the PKK through the press, starting with this press conference. The first need is to create the appropriate environment for the fulfillment of the right to life and the safe delivery of the captured soldiers to their families. The second step is to ensure the cessation of operations for meeting these conditions. We will expect news and move in accordance with the developments to come after our call through this statement.
Speaking after Türkdoðan, committee member artist Ferhat Tunç said the followings; “In similar situations of prior years, we saw that the state didn’t show a humanistic approach. The mentality that ‘a martyr soldier is the best soldier’ should be abandoned now. Besides, necessary conditions should be provided and military operations should be stopped for the delivery of the captured soldiers. Although it is difficult to get a reply under these conditions, we will also make a call to the PKK to deliver the soldiers to the committee.”
Captive Sergeant Abdullah Sökçeler’s father Veysel Sökçeler, speaking on behalf of the families of captured soldiers, expressed their demand as the ending of the bloodshed and tears of mothers. Sökçeler called civil society organizations, the PKK and state officials to take the necessary steps towards the cessation of military operations and the release of soldiers.
Sergeant Abdullah Sökçeler, specialist sergeant Zihni Koç and health technician Aytekin Turhan were detained by HPG guerillas at Diyarbakir-Bingol highway on July 9.
Making the first speech at the conference, IHD Chairman Öztürk Türkdoðan gave the following information about the committee; “Our goal is to deliver the captives safely to their families. As the committee, we will endeavor to fulfill the humanitarian law. We will soon appeal to the Interior Ministry with a petition about the formation of our committee and make a call to the PKK through the press, starting with this press conference. The first need is to create the appropriate environment for the fulfillment of the right to life and the safe delivery of the captured soldiers to their families. The second step is to ensure the cessation of operations for meeting these conditions. We will expect news and move in accordance with the developments to come after our call through this statement.
Speaking after Türkdoðan, committee member artist Ferhat Tunç said the followings; “In similar situations of prior years, we saw that the state didn’t show a humanistic approach. The mentality that ‘a martyr soldier is the best soldier’ should be abandoned now. Besides, necessary conditions should be provided and military operations should be stopped for the delivery of the captured soldiers. Although it is difficult to get a reply under these conditions, we will also make a call to the PKK to deliver the soldiers to the committee.”
Captive Sergeant Abdullah Sökçeler’s father Veysel Sökçeler, speaking on behalf of the families of captured soldiers, expressed their demand as the ending of the bloodshed and tears of mothers. Sökçeler called civil society organizations, the PKK and state officials to take the necessary steps towards the cessation of military operations and the release of soldiers.
Sergeant Abdullah Sökçeler, specialist sergeant Zihni Koç and health technician Aytekin Turhan were detained by HPG guerillas at Diyarbakir-Bingol highway on July 9.
