A delegation from DİSK (Confederation of Progressive Trade Unions), KESK (Confederation of Public Employees' Trade Unions), TMMOB (Union of Chambers of Turkish Engineers and Architects), TTB (Turkish Medical Association) and IHD (Human Rights Association) has left Hakkari for Şemdinli district which witnessed intensified attacks and clashes last week.

The delegation was stopped by security forces at the entrance of Yüksekova district where attacks by security forces and clashes with self-defense units are going on at the moment.

Delegation member DİSK Secretary General Arzu Çerkezoğlu told that; “We are in Hakkari for the past two days. We were planning to go to Şemdinli today and have talks with the local people and district governor before turning back to Yüksekova to see the situation there. On our way to Şemdinli, we have been stopped at the entrance of Yüksekova district, which is on our route on the way to Şemdinli, and we are not being allowed to move further.”

Çerkezoğlu said they were denied permission to pass through Yüksekova on the grounds of “ongoing clashes and no security of life”.

DİSK Secretary General stated that they have managed to reach the State Hospital at the entrance of the district, where they wanted to talk to the hospital staff, who are members of the Confederation, but were prevented by special operation police teams.

Çerkezoğlu said they have held talks with the local people, representatives of democratic mass organizations, municipality executives and the governor during the past two days in Hakkari. She added; “The reality we have witnessed here at scene is the fact that there is a war going on here. We have received reports that three people have lost their lives and dozens were injured in the ongoing conflict in Yüksekova. I hope we will not face heavier consequences. Our talks with officials continue.”