HÜDA PAR Deputy Chairman calls for an investigation into the Başbağlar Massacre

HÜDA PAR Deputy Chairman Metin Kaya called for the establishment of an investigation commission in the parliament to re-examine the Başbağlar Massacre, which took place on July 5, 1993, in which 33 villagers were killed.

Ekleme: 06.07.2023 12:51:29 / Güncelleme: 06.07.2023 12:51:29 / English News / Erzincan Haberleri
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Kaya made the call during a commemoration ceremony held in the village on the anniversary of the massacre. He said that many questions regarding the before and after of the massacre have yet to be clarified and that the perpetrators have still not been found.

Engaging in personal conversations with the families of the martyrs at the Başbağlar Martyrs' Cemetery, Kaya assured them that the perpetrators would face justice, both in this world and the hereafter.

Expressing his condolences to the grieving families, Kaya also had a brief discussion with the village headman, Ali Akarpnar, who informed him about certain incidents related to the massacre.

Following his visit and meetings, Kaya spoke to Ilke News Agency, saying: "Today, on the anniversary of the Başbağlar Massacre on July 5, we are here in Başbağlar." We visited the village first and participated in the program organized there. Now we are at the cemetery where our martyred brothers rest. Due to the lack of burial space in the village on the day of the massacre, they were brought here to Başpınar village, located 30 km away. We visited our martyrs, offered prayers, and shared the grief of their families. Alongside this sorrow, what truly saddens us is the fact that the perpetrators of this massacre have not yet been identified and that adequate efforts have not been made in this regard. This is also disheartening. Furthermore, the attention given to the Başbağlar Massacre is much weaker and less significant compared to other massacres. While there has been some recent involvement from state authorities, we believe that more needs to be done to uncover the truth and ensure that this tragedy is not forgotten."

He emphasized the need for the establishment of a parliamentary investigation commission to comprehensively examine the massacre, including the events leading up to it and the aftermath.

"A parliamentary investigation commission should be formed to re-examine this massacre from the start. There are serious questions raised by people in neighboring villages about these events. The people we spoke to have mentioned different accounts. It is worth noting that some villagers claim that certain military units in the region were involved in religious activities before the massacre, and there are even allegations that they forced young men to shave their beards. These allegations should be taken seriously and thoroughly investigated. There are also reports of propaganda about religious activities being spread in Başbağlar Village prior to the massacre, which also needs to be explored. We hope that the perpetrators are identified and brought to justice promptly. In addition, the main culprits, those who directed them, and those who used them as pawns should also be identified," he said. (ILKHA)

https://ilkha.com/english/analysis/30-years-since-pkks-basbaglar-massacre-painful-memories-linger-337709