ISTANBUL - Stating that the images on the use of chemical weapons are an important source, Professor Doctor Ümit Biçer said: "The chemical weapons should be investigated immediately. The forensic experts should examine the deaths in accordance with the Minnesota Protocol."

 

As a result of Turkey's use of chemical weapons in the attacks against Zap, Metina and Avaşîn, 17 HPG and YJA-Star members lost their lives in the last 3 months. Despite the war balance sheets, documents and images announced by HPG, the silence that lasted for 6 months was broken after the Fırat News Agency (ANF) published the images of HPG members exposed to chemical weapons.

 

INVESTIGATION SHOULD BE STARTED IMMEDIATELY

 

Examining the images of HPG members exposed to chemical weapons, Human Rights Foundation of Turkey (TİHV) Board member and Forensic Medicine Specialist Prof. Dr. Ümit Biçer said:"Investigation should be started. The footage is an important resource for making and initiating an evaluation. As a Forensic Medicine expert, a physician and a human rights defender, when we are faced with such an allegation, we first of all do our best to investigate these allegations immediately and reveal the truth. We recommend that they should make the best effort.”

 

MINNESOTA PROTOCOL

 

Underlining that after this stage, forensic medicine experts should conduct an examination on death in accordance with the Minnesota Protocol, which is "the model protocol for the legal investigation of extrajudicial, arbitrary and extrajudicial executions", Biçer said: "We are here for an evaluation that will convince the society to reveal the truth. We say that it is necessary to act in accordance with the specified standards and that independent experts must be involved in the examination and research processes. It is the responsibility of all parties to promptly clarify this allegation.”

 

HE CONDEMNED THAT FINCANCI IS BEING TARGETED

 

Condemning that the opening of an investigation against Şebnem Korur Fincancı, President of the Central Council of the Turkish Medical Association (TTB), who was targeted for her statements on the use of chemical weapons, Biçer said: “Şebnem Korur Fincancı is a world-renowned Forensic Medicine expert. She is a person respected by the world due to her work as a forensic medicine specialist and his responsibilities regarding the Istanbul Protocol. As an ATK expert and human rights defender, Şebnem Korur Fincancı is, of course, expected to make a recommendation regarding the Minnesota Protocol in order to find out the cause of death, that this allegation should be investigated, and it is her responsibility as a scientist to make such a suggestion. Initiating an investigation against Şebnem Korur Fincancı hastily would not only be an appropriate method, but would also mean pressure on scientists to express their opinions, as well as pressure on freedom of thought and expression. It is not right to take an attitude such as throwing the responsibility on Şebnem Korur Fincancı, marginalizing and making her hostile."

 

THE ALLEGATIONS OF CHEMICAL WEAPONS ARE AGAINST HUMANITY AND HUMAN DIGNITY

 

Biçer continued his words as follows: “The allegations of chemical weapons are within the scope of practices against humanity and human dignity, affect all living things in nature as well as humans, cause long-term chronic effects and damages, it is important to clarify the concrete situation for all parties, and to ensure that such acts never happen. It is necessary to make a sincere and genuine effort to convince the society that it will not happen. Therefore, instead of taking a reactionary stance and targeting human rights defenders and scientists, everyone should take responsibility for informing the public and take appropriate steps in accordance with international conventions and universal human rights principles. This is what we expect today.”

 

MA / Esra Solin Dal