ANKARA: European human rights body has called on Turkey to allow independent observers into a mainly-Kurdish town where the government has imposed a curfew as security forces battle suspected Kurdish militants.
Nils Muiznieks, human rights commissioner for the Council of Europe, said Friday he was concerned about allegations of “disproportionate use of force” against civilians in Cizre, which has been under a curfew since Sept. 4.
Interior Minister Selami Altinok said seven suspected Kurdish rebels and one civilian have died in clashes there. A pro-Kurdish opposition party says 21 civilians were killed.
Authorities have barred a delegation of pro-Kurdish party officials from entering Cizre.
Scores of people have been killed in the renewed conflict between the Kurdistan Workers’ Party, or the PKK, and the security forces since July.