Two new mass graves have been discovered in Bitlis. It was disclosed that 21 guerillas were buried in two mass graves found in Orans (Anadere) village of Tatvan district and Mirmend village of Hizan district.

The news of two mass graves came shortly after the discovery of a mass grave where 120 guerillas were buried in Hizan dumpsite between the years 1991-1998. Yaka-Der employee Alaattin Altýnbaþ gave information to ANF about the mass graves they discovered during their investigations in Bitlis.

Altýnbaþ told that 18 guerillas, who lost their lives in a clash in 1996, were buried in mass in Çîlkani hamlet of Orans village, while three guerillas, who lost their lives in an ambush by village-guards in 1995, were found buried in Avarbêrxan countryside of Mirmend village. Altýnbaþ said; "The ambush was organized by village-guard head Mehmet Ali Çelebi who masqueraded as a militia. The guerillas were ambushed by Çelebi who afterwards with other village-guards buried them at the place of the ambush."

Remarking that the number of mass graves in Hizan region is much higher than four, discovered so far, Altýnbaþ called on prosecutors to take action immediately for the urgently opening of mass graves under circumstances in compliance with European standards.

CEYLAN: THE STATE SHOULD OPEN ITS ARCHIVES

On the other hand, IHD Bitlis Representative Hasan Ceylan stated that the number of applications to IHD (Human Rights Association) has increased since the excavations in Mutki. Ceylan demanded the application of the people who have knowledge of mass graves.

Pointing out that the state, politics and public opinion don't lay enough weight on the mass graves in Mutki, Ceylan made the following statements to ANF; "While the Prime Minister is sermonizing in Sarajevo about humanity, the Turkish government doesn't take even one small step about the mass graves in the country where massively buried bodies are found at every step. Despite the existence of tens of various boards such as Parliament's Human Rights Commission and Human Rights Advisory Board of the Prime Ministry, the government hasn't displayed any will in Mutki. The issue is invoked on the court. The society can't take courage without a strong political will behind the subject. The mission is undertaken by human rights organizations and civil society organizations while the government is supposed to examine the case and continue the research into the the issue. The event of the mass graves also has official records, the state should bring its archives into open."