The protesters gathered to express their dissatisfaction with the government’s heavy-handed activity in the southeastern part of the country, which is populated predominantly by Kurds. The Turkish military has launched a so called 'anti-terrorist operation' in that region, having deployed about 10,000 servicemen supported by armored units and attack helicopters.
About 100 civilians have already been killed during this campaign, according to media reports.
All in all, the situation in the country continues to deteriorate, according to Feleknas Uca, a Turkish MP of Yazidi descent representing Diyarbakir, and member of the HDP.
"I’m currently in the city of Diyarbakir, where the police are using tear gas against civilians every day. There are dead bodies lying in the streets," she told RT. "A 16-years old kid was killed only a few days ago. The families of the victims went on a hunger strike in protest."
Uca said that the Turkish government must put an end to these reprisals against civilians, and that Europe should provide assistance in that matter.
"This country wants to join the EU, while Europe wants Turkey to become a safe place for the refugees. But when a government deploys tanks and armed forces against its people, I call it a war. This is why I call upon Europe to break the silence. The people must open their eyes to what’s happening here, to see how civilians are being killed," she said.
