There is concern at escalating violence occurring in the district of Hakkari, Turkey, following three civilian fatalities and 24 casualties incurred during protests in the past week.

According to news reports, two civilians died and twelve incurred serious injuries when police intervened to break up a demonstration in the Yüksekova district of Hakkari today, exacerbating a widespread feeling of distrust between officials and civilians in the region.  According to news reports, police opened fire on the demonstration which had gathered to commemorate the victims of the violence in Semdinli, Hakkari province, earlier this week.  Clashes between the protestors and police are continuing, with civilians reported to have taken a senior sergeant hostage.

The violence was prompted by the rumoured discovery of arms, identity documents belonging to Gendarme Intelligence (JIS), a map and a list of names in a car belonging to a police sergeant.  The list of names included that of the owner of a bookstall that had been subject to a violent bomb attack. The discovery - alluding to collusion between the police and gendarmerie in extra-judicial killings of civilians - provides a chilling reminder of the violence which marred the region during the 1980s and 1990s.

KHRP is concerned at the escalating violence and urges authorities to conduct a swift, effective and independent investigation into incidents. 

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