03 Apr 2024 | 03:23 PM UTC
Turkiye: Protests likely to continue in cities nationwide in reaction to alleged vote dismissal during March 31 local elections in Van /update 1
Post-election protests likely across Turkiye through at least early April; protest bans in effect in Bitlis, Sirnak, Van provinces.
Protests are possible in several cities across Turkiye through at least early April in reaction to alleged irregularities during the March 31 local elections in Van. Thousands of activists have taken to the streets and clashed with police in Batman, Bitlis, Diyarbakir, Hakkari, and Van after the Van Provincial Election Board declared the candidate from the ruling Development and Justice Party (AKP), Abdulahat Arvas, the city's new mayor despite his having won only 27 percent of the vote, with the opposition Peoples' Equality and Democracy Party (DEM Parti) candidate Abdullah Zeydan taking 55 percent. DEM Parti leadership has threatened to continue protest action in the city of Van until the Provincial Election Board reverses its decision; demonstrations in Van have largely been focused around Republic Avenue (Cumhuriyet Caddesi) in the city center.
Authorities in Bitlis, Siirt, Sirnak, and Van provinces have imposed a ban on demonstrations and related activities through at least April 17; public gatherings, setting up tents and stands, conducting surveys, and distributing leaflets and flyers are prohibited. Authorities will implement heightened security at province borders and may restrict entry and exit. In the Pervari District in Siirt Province, armed clashes that broke out late April 2 between supporters of the winning AKP mayoral candidate and the losing contender from the Democracy and Progress Party (Demokrasi ve Atilim Partisi, DEVA) left one person dead and five others injured. The violence prompted Siirt's provincial governor to impose a district-wide curfew from 00:01 April 3 through at least 09:30 April 4; the measure could be extended with little to no notice.
Related demonstrations have also taken place in some major western Turkish cities, including Istanbul and Izmir; while these will probably continue, further rallies are especially likely in the nation's largely ethnic Kurdish southeastern provinces. Additional clashes are likely during any such gatherings that may materialize; Turkish police are often quick to deploy tear gas and water cannons to disperse opposition protests. Protests will likely continue in districts where demonstrations are banned; clashes between demonstrators and law enforcement officers are particularly likely in these areas. Further protest bans and curfews are possible, particularly in southeastern regions.
Exercise increased situational awareness if operating in Turkiye's southeastern provinces, including Batman, Bitlis, Diyarbakir, Hakkari, Siirt, Sirnak, and Van through at least early April. Avoid all protests in Turkiye. Keep away from locations where demonstrators or security forces appear to be assembling. Leave the area at the first sign of any security disturbance. Allow additional time if traveling into or out of Bitlis, Sirnak, or Van provinces. Remain patient and courteous if stopped by law enforcement officers. Strictly heed all instructions from authorities, including curfew orders.
