Torture Claims Should Be Cleared

The Istanbul branch of the Human Rights Association (IHD)made a press statement in front of the downtown Galatasaray post office on Tuesday and then sent a letter to the Prime Minister. The Democratic People's Party (DEHAP), Labor Party (EMEP), Peace Mothers, Socialist Democracy Party (SDP) and Association of Families of Prisoners (TUAD) also signed the letter.

"We are seeing that the Kurdish guerillas who have been detained in operations or clashes recently are going through brutal torture," said the letter by IHD. "Militarist policies (on the Kurdish issue) which which cause violence rather than resolving the issue should be abandoned," they said.."We demand democracy not for the European Union, but for our people."

IHD urged Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan order investigate allegations of torture and prevent further violence. (EU/BB/EA/EK)