FIGHTING IN SOUTH-EAST TURKEY AND CASE OF TAHIR ELCI

That this House is deeply concerned by the sharp escalation in fighting in South East Turkey and the negative effect on the civilian population caught between the PKK and the Turkish Government forces, especially in Cizre, Silopi, Sur and Diyarbakir; notes with considerable alarm that the imposition of numerous temporary security zones and curfews are severely restricting people's access to basic services, such as medical care, water, food, and electricity, and that non-state actors opposing Government forces have reportedly also dug trenches, which have impeded access to medical care as well as other emergency services; is troubled in connection with the investigation into the killing of eminent human rights lawyer Tahir Elci on 28 November 2015 in Diyarbakir by reports that the crime scene was not secured and crucial evidence has proved difficult to obtain; calls on the Government of Turkey to ensure that force used against the PKK is proportionate and in compliance with its international obligations, to allow independent observers to enter areas under curfew and report on the situation, and to ensure that there is a full and transparent investigation into the murder of Tahir Elci; and urges the UK Government to make such representations to the government of Turkey as a matter of urgency.