VAN - The Van Bar Association Human Rights Commission, the Lawyers Association for Freedom (ÖHD) and the Human Rights Association (IHD) released their report on the attack on the attacks on graveyards in Erciş.

 

The report, which was prepared as a result of visits and examinations carried out by the delegation of lawyers and human rights defenders to various cemeteries on 28 May, also included interviews with families.

 

After the meetings with families the delegation went on to observe the destroyed tombstones in Şarbazar (Şehripazar), Panî (Taşlıçay) and Soskên (Keklikova) in the district of Erciş, Van.

 

The report said: "According to the declarations of the relatives, it was determined that the military personnel who carried out the destruction of the tombstones had a threatening attitude with the families.

 

The report also listed the following observations: “It has been determined that the families are punished by the law enforcement forces of the state through the destruction of tombstones, breaking the Qur'an holders, etc. without legal reasons and against basic human values.

 

Symbols on the graves are said to be “propaganda for an illegal organisation”.

 

As far as it is known, in both local and international law, there are no standards for symbols allowed in cemeteries, the language used in the tombstone and related issues. Unless the spiritual feelings of the society are not hurt, symbols can be put on graves. Many tombstones contain writings and poems in different alphabets and languages, some tombs have monuments and sculptures.”

 

The report noted that “graveyards and graves are private spaces for relatives and families and any intervention on the graves should be made within the framework of the laws and international agreements, and any other intervention will be illegal and will constitute grounds for violation of rights.”