KHRP condemns the car bomb attack that took place in Diyarbakır on Thursday 3 January, which caused the death of four people and wounded 68.

On receiving news of the bombing, KHRP Executive Director Kerim Yildiz stated: “Armed conflict in Turkey’s Kurdish regions over the past two decades has resulted in innumerable violations of the human rights of civilians. All parties to the conflict are responsible for these violations and none of these actions reflects the will of the majority of Turkey’s Kurdish citizens.  The bombing in Diyarbakır is another example of why a military approach to the resolution of the political, social and cultural problems plaguing Turkey will not work.  The disregard for civilian life and property and the constant threat of violence permeating Turkey, especially in its Kurdish regions, runs counter to all international norms guaranteeing basic human rights.  KHRP calls on the Turkish government to initiate a swift, fair and transparent investigation of the bombing in order to bring those responsible to justice.

Bringing the perpetrators of this particular act to justice will do nothing however to prevent the recurrence of such a senseless loss of life and will not stop the continuation of human rights violations by all sides.  Therefore, KHRP further calls on all parties immediately to cease armed activity, including Turkish cross-border bombings in Kurdistan, Iraq, and calls on the international community to use all political and non-violent resources available to support the growth of dialogue, democracy and an end to violence in the Kurdish regions.”