ANKARA (DIHA) – Justice and Development Party (AKP) took over by claiming to condemn torture in Turkey.

PM Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s propaganda was based on his administration as the champion of human rights. “Zero tolerance for torture” may have gained many people’ votes since a great number of people had been previously tortured in Turkey. However, AKP administration’s candor about torture appears a chimera as the Ministry of Justice’s report, presented at the best of Nuri Yaman, DTP Mus deputy, proves otherwise.

Individuals have lodged complaints against 34,931 security officers, including 29,511 police, during the AKP administration period. Only 8,415 of them have been investigated and 90% were acquitted.

Since 2003, the number of complaints by victims of torture has increased to 23,539. Applicants’ ages decreased since the Anti-Terror Law came into effect after 2006. Since 2006, 605 under age individuals made denouncement because of maltreatment and torture during the custody.
In totally, 20,032 of 34,000 defendants haven’t been investigated; while 7,500 of 8,415 investigated security officers were acquitted. The rest of the defendants, around 5,000, have been convicted for cases other than torture. Only 484 defendants have been sentenced to prison and 569 defendants were served with fines. Finally, 620 defendants’ punishments have been delayed or dismissed.

(gü/bk)