BDP called on the PKK and the TSK to ceasefire

NEWSCENTRE (DİHA) Peace and Democracy Party (BDP) called on the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) and the Turkish Military Forces (TSK) to silence the guns. BDP Chair Selahattin Demirtas who spoke at a press conference in Diyarbakir, said TSK and PKK must declare a bilateral ceasefire to solve the Kurdish Question.

"We call PKK and the government to declare ceasefire to give a chance for a peaceful and democratic solution of the Kurdish Question" he said.

He also called all political powers and NGO's to take responsibility in the peace making process.

Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) escalated attacks against military since June 1, the end date for 17 month old unilateral ceasefire and at least 140 soldiers and Kurds lost their lives since then.
Furthermore, intellectuals, writers, trade unions and political parties supported the call to announce bilateral ceasefire.

Turkish Embassy rejected Desmond Tutu's letter to Erdogan
Turkish Embassy London rejected a visit by a delegation carrying Archbishop Desmond Tutu's letter to PM R. Tayyip Erdoğan.

Security guards of the Turkish embassy barred the delegation from entering the building. The delegation made a short statement afterward saying that they cannot understand the attitude of the Turkish officials.

"Like the situation in the Middle East, where “peaceful negotiations are the only lasting solution to their problems, we are firmly of the view that the Kurdish question can likewise be resolved through peaceful negotiations with the genuine leadership of the Kurdish people" Tutu told in his letter addressed to Erdogan.

Clashes between police and protesters continue in Yuksekova, Şemdinli and Batman
Clashes between police and protesters continue in Yuksekova. Following the funeral of four members of People’s Defense Force (HPG) in Yuksekova/Hakkari province, the Kurdish protesters clashed with police.
Six members of HPG were killed Friday when HPG attacked a Turkish police outpost in Van. Bodies of four members of HPG were buried in Hakkari cemetery yesterday.

Clashes reportedly broke out early in the morning in Yuksekova in protest of the killings. Hundreds of demonstrators hurl paving stones and Molotov cocktails at police. The intense atmosphere is still on in Yuksekova, reported locals.
In addition, shop keepers in Şemdinli, district of Hakkari, did not open the shutters to protest the clashes in Şemdinli erupted right after march to support democratic autonomy decision of Democratic Society Congress (DTK) in Diyarbakır.
On the other hand, protest and clashes in Batman is still continuing since Sunday when five HPG members were also killed and burned or burned to death in Batman. The bodies cannot be identified by their families since the bodies become beyond recognition. Now families demand medical tests to certain identification of the brutally burned bodies.
Batman Public Initiative issued a statement and called the residents to stand against "brutality" of military.

Bodies of 5 members of HPG who had been killed during the clashes broke out between HPG members and TSK on Sunday in Hicre.

Nine Kurds detained in Dicle
Mostly members or executives of the Peace and Democracy Party (BDP) Dicle Branch in Diyarbakır, nine Kurds were arrested following simultaneous house raids in Dicle. The raids were held early morning and detainees were taken to police department while high level security measures were taken in the town.

In addition three young Kurds in Silopi were also taken into custody in Silopi district of Şırnak. Police interrogation is still continuing according to the report. Questioneering

(gü)