28/02/2024 | Writer: Selma Koçak
In her parliamentary question, Çubuk asked whether any action had been taken against the police officers who carried out the racist and homophobic attacks.
Peoples’ Equality and Democracy Party (DEM Party) İzmir MP Burcugül Çubuk submitted a parliamentary question regarding the detentions and police attack after the protest held as part of İstanbul Trans Pride Week on February 10.
Çubuk’s parliamentary question included the following statements:
“On February 10, 2024, Trans Pride Week Committee staged a protest in front of the Süreyya Opera House in Istanbul’s Kadıköy district under slogan ‘Against Discrimination and In Memory of Earthquake Victims’. Despite the modest participation of 11 individuals, police arrived with eight arrest vans, outnumbering the protesters. Following the issuance of a press statement, all 11 demonstrators were detained and kept waiting handcuffed behind their backs for several hours. Disturbingly, during the initial arrest, police officers resorted to violent tactics, including flying kicks, slamming heads against windows, punching one individual in the eye and ear, and subjecting another to physical abuse. One protester suffered facial injuries and risked permanent sight loss. Furthermore, while being transported to the hospital, the detainees were split into two vehicles, with one group enduring the distressing experience of listening to racist, fascist anthems and enduring numerous sexist and discriminatory insults.”
Çubuk asked the following questions to Minister of Interior Ali Yerlikaya:
Why were 8 detention vehicles brought for just 11 protesters?
Why were the protesters detained even though they didn't show any resistance?
Have any proceedings been initiated against the police officers who used violence against the protesters?
Have any proceedings been initiated against the police officers who committed homophobic and racist attacks against the protesters?
Considering how these attacks organize hatred and discrimination in society, have any efforts been initiated to end such practices?
What justification can there be for reverse handcuffing, and what are the reasons for applying this procedure for an extended period, given that it can cause serious health problems?
On what grounds can a strip search be conducted in the detention vehicle?
Tags: human rights
