Turkey must safeguard rights battling militants: European body

ANKARA – The Associated Press

A child flashes the victory sign at a Turkish soldier following clashes between Turkish forces and outlawed PKK militans in Silvan on November 14, 2015. AFP Photo

A European human rights body has criticized Turkey for imposing days-long curfews in towns in southeast Turkey as its security forces battle outlawed Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) militants, calling on the country to uphold human rights even as it battles the PKK.

A soldier and six civilians were killed during the latest 12-day curfew imposed in the southeastern town of Silvan which ended on Nov. 14, human rights organizations said. The government said only two victims were civilians.

Nils Muiznieks, the human rights commissioner for the Council of Europe, said Nov. 18 Turkey’s “frequent and widespread” use of curfews were disproportionate and unnecessary. He called on Turkey to compensate victims and ensure that allegations of human rights violations by security forces were investigated.

Renewed fighting with PKK militants has killed hundreds since July.