Turkish government forces established the Serhatkale Camp in 1998 to combine five villages for security reasons. The population of the camp is 400 people living in 100 houses. It is impoverished.
The explosion occurred on a road in front of a house belonging to Mr. Bayram Aslan. An unexploded ordinance, believed to be a cannon shell lodged beneath the ground, caused the explosion.
Those killed were 12-year-old Selam Deren, 14-year old Hadi Yıldız and 24-year-old Bayram Aslan, all of whom died instantly. A three-year-old child, Sehriye Aslan, along with 60-year-old Ayse Aslan and 23-year-old Seyfi Güven, was wounded. The wounded were taken to the Hakkari State Hospital and are under treatment.
Except for Mr. Bayram Aslan, Mrs. Ayse Aslan and Sehriye Aslan, the casualties were from separate families and live in nearby houses. Their presence there was a coincidence. They were passing on the roadway used by all camp residents.
The loss of lives has created a deep sadness in the community, and increased the terror of abandoned unexploded ordinances and landmines. Many villagers say that they were afraid to go around the village for their daily tasks.
It was the most recent of frequent explosions in Hakkari, an area heavily polluted by anti-personnel landmines and other unexploded ordinances during the conflict between PKK guerrillas and Turkish security forces. The situation is a major concern to the region's residents. The bombs are deemed a serious problem because many internally displaced persons (IDP) are trying to return to their villages and normal lives.
These explosives must be surveyed and removed. As a first step, the areas that are suspected of being mined or having unexploded ordinances must be immediately marked with clear signs, understandable to area inhabitants, and entry to these locations must be banned.
Equally important is a public information campaign, in the language of the region, to create awareness among people about landmines. The approach to the language and style of the campaign is especially important, because many women and children in the area are illiterate and understand only Kurdish.
The use of new landmines must immediately end. After armed clashes, trained elements of security forces should be sent to the area to look for and remove any unexploded devices.
The ultimate goal needs to be complete elimination of such explosives. To that end, it is crucial that the government live up to its duties and responsibilities under the Ottawa Mine Ban Treaty. (YE)
