A report written by UN Special Rapporteurs Annalisa Ciampi and Koumbou Boly Barry presented to the 35th Session on Human Rights in the UN stated that the destruction in the Kurdish regions has continued since 2015 and the state is meddling with the ethnic, social and demographic makeup.

Criticisms of Turkey continue in the UN 35th Session on Human Rights. UN Special Rapporteurs Annalisa Ciampi and Koumbou Boly Barry stated that the right to assembly and organization is under threat in Turkey and warned the AKP government.

UN Human Rights Council’s 35th Session on Human Rights concluded with discussions on human rights violations in various countries.

In the last part of the sessions today, UN Special Rapporteurs Annalisa Ciampi and Koumbou Boly Barry announced their report on the violations of peaceful assembly and organization in various countries.

Violations from many countries are included in the report which also includes Turkey. 

“RIGHT TO ASSEMBLE AND ORGANIZE IS UNDER THREAT IN TURKEY”

The report states that the right to peaceful assembly and organization is under grave danger in Turkey and adds: “Human rights defenders, politicians, people legally protesting in the streets are facing great pressure.”

The report also states that many freedoms have been restricted in Turkey under the guise of “counter terrorism” after the July 15 coup attempt and continues: “Many media organs serving a critical function in the country have been shut down. Many journalists, academics, NGO and human rights representatives have either been imprisoned or prevented from doing their jobs. Several NGOs provided special information on the matter.”

DESTRUCTION IN SUR INCLUDED IN THE UN REPORT

The report also mentions the state sponsored massacre in Sur and states that the people who want to protest the destruction in Sur are subjected to “Anti-terror” laws.

“We receive many claims that since 2015, historic buildings and residential areas are being destroyed in many areas, including Sur and other districts with dense Kurdish population,” says the report and continues: “Through urban renovation and expropriation projects, the state is meddling with the ethnic, social, cultural and demographic makeup of the region.”

“INTERNATIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES MUST BE HEEDED”

The report calls the Turkish government to protect the right to assembly and organization and says: “We remind the Turkish state officials that rights of human rights defenders, politicians and people who want to make their voice heard through peaceful protest must be protected. We call on the authorities to heed their international responsibilities.”