Country of origin information report Turkey March 2007

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19.49 The USSD 2005 recorded that “According to the HRF [Human Rights Foundation], landmines and unattended explosives killed 19 civilians and injured 49 during the year [2005]. Both security forces and the PKK used landmines. According to the government, 34 civilians, 100 members of the security forces, and 160 terrorists were killed in armed clashes during the year through November. Most of the clashes occurred in the southeast.” [5b] (Section 1a)
19.50 The IHD (Human Rights Association) 2005 Balance Sheet on Human Rights Violations in Turkey recorded 316 deaths amongst the Security Forces; 179 armed militants and one civilian as well as 69 people killed by landmines. The figures for those injured were respectively 243 for the security personnel; one for armed militants; nine for civilians and 161 for injuries caused by landmines. [73a] (Violations of right to live - Mines and free explosive incidents)
Newroz/Nevruz celebrations
19.51 As outlined by the Netherlands Ministry of Foreign Affairs report 2002 Newroz (or in Turkish Nevruz) is the New Year celebrated by Kurds, Persians and in Central Asia on the 21 March. [2a] (p87)
19.52 The USSD 2005 report recorded that in March 2005 police had intervened in Nevruz celebrations in a number of cities. Clashes between police and celebrants were reported by HRF in Siirt Province. In Edirne a number of local DEHAP officials and students were detained in connection with Nevruz celebrations. According to HRF in Siirt police beat juveniles who had stoned the police station after police had prevented Nevruz celebrations. [5b] (Section 2b)
19.53 The European Commission 2005 report recorded that “While this year’s [2005] Newroz celebrations in March were authorised and peaceful in most provinces, an incident in Mersin related to the tearing of the Turkish flag by two children ignited certain nationalist reactions.” [71d] (p38)
19.54 As noted in a Country of Origin Research of the Canada Immigration and Refugee Board, Ottawa dated 20 April 2005, entitled ‘Turkey: The situation of Kurds, including the extent to which legislative reform packages have been implemented (August 2004 - April 2005)’, one Turkish-language newspaper (Ozgur Politika 21 March 2005) reported that large celebrations were held on 21 March 2005 in cities throughout Turkey by Kurds on the occasion of the Newroz festival and that these celebrations were carried out without incident, except in Tunceli, Mersin and the Ulus district of Siirt. [7g]