The Van branches of the Association of Lawyers for Freedom (ÖHD), Bar Association, Human Rights Association (İHD) and Human Rights Foundation of Turkey (TİHV) announced the report on police torture, rights violations and detentions during the protests that started in the city after the appointment of a trustee to the Metropolitan Municipality. The press conference at Tahir Elçi Conference Hall of the Van Bar Association was attended by representatives of many civil society organizations and political parties.

Hatice İslamoğlu, Co-Chair of the Human Rights Center of the Van Bar Association, read the press statement and said: “On February 15, 2025, the Ministry of Interior appointed a trustee to the Van Metropolitan Municipality in the morning hours, after which the law enforcement forces intervened with physical violence against the citizens who had been peacefully protesting for four days within the scope of the freedom of assembly and demonstration, which forms the basis of a democratic society along with the freedom of expression, and is guaranteed by the Constitution and the international conventions to which Turkey is a party.”

İslamoğlu stated that serious violations of rights took place as a result of the unlawful violence by the Turkish state forces, which went far beyond the authority to use force as defined in universal and domestic law: “Severe and serious human rights violations, particularly torture and other forms of ill-treatment, have been experienced. Arbitrary interventions and obstructions by law enforcement forces against the exercise of fundamental rights and freedoms and the accompanying violations of rights have continued from February 15, 2025 until today. As a result of the disproportionate use of force by the security forces inside and outside the municipality service building and in the areas where peaceful demonstrations were held without any warning to disperse, many citizens were subjected to torture and acts of ill-treatment such as beating, swearing, insulting, dragging on the ground, handcuffing behind the back, etc. As a result of the interventions, at least 55 citizens were injured in different parts of their bodies, including the head and chest, as a result of targeted shooting with plastic bullets and pepper gas. At least 20 of these injuries were bone fractures. 

The citizens detained on February 15 were not allowed to see their lawyers despite their requests. Some of them were subjected to threats such as 'If you call your lawyer, you will remain in custody for another 3 days'. They were thus denied the right to have the torture and ill-treatment they suffered recorded. 

While 70 children were among those detained, 44 people, including 5 children, were remanded in custody and 76 people were released on judicial control conditions. 

The Van Metropolitan Municipality building and DEM Party Van Provincial Building were blockaded, and elected municipal executives, party executives, MPs and citizens were subjected to tear gas, water cannons and rubber bullets.

Similarly, MPs, co-mayors and other elected officials who were staging peaceful demonstrations and marches in the city were blockaded by law enforcement forces with shields and efforts were made to cut off their contact with the public. Again, law enforcement forces resorted to acts of violence against elected officials; co-mayors, MPs and other elected officials were injured in various parts of their bodies. Peaceful demonstrations at various points in the city were interfered by law enforcement forces without any warning, streets and avenues were rendered unusable, working life in the city was negatively affected, tradesmen in the city center had to close their workplaces and commercial life was disrupted. During these developments, security forces prevented journalists from covering the incidents and 6 journalists were taken into custody. 

During the process, the freedom of expression, the right to demonstrate, personal security and freedom, and the prohibition of torture and ill-treatment have been violated. Access to lawyers and the right to a fair trial have been prevented, and an unlawful practice has been implemented. We declare that we will stand against the violations of rights and the unlawfulness experienced in this process and apply to all competent authorities for the necessary legal processes to be carried out against those responsible. We call for the immediate cessation of the suspension of human rights by the state.”