ISTANBUL – Saturday Mothers demanded that the statute of limitations decision for the file of Mehmet Nezir Duman, who was disappeared in custody, be abolished and an effective investigation and prosecution be carried out.
Saturday Mothers/People came together for the 985th time in Galatasaray Square to ask about the fate of their relatives who were disappeared and murdered in custody and to demand that the perpetrators be tried. In addition to Saturday Mothers, representatives of the Human Rights Association (IHD) Istanbul Branch and the Turkish Human Rights Foundation (TIHV) participated in the action and banners with photographs of those disappeared in custody were carried. In this week's actions, Saturday Mothers asked about the fate of Mehmet Nezir Duman, who was kidnapped by 4 armed men on his way from Midyad to Hezex (İdil) on February 13, 1993 and was not heard from for 31 years.
Reading the press release, TIHV Istanbul Representative Ümit Efe stated that time must not be used as a purpose to conceal the crime.
Addressing the judicial authorities, Efe said: “Remove all statute of limitations decisions made in the Mehmet Nezir Duman file. Reveal the truth and ensure justice by conducting an effective investigation and prosecution."
NEZİR DUMAN'S WIFE'S LETTER WAS READ
Duman's wife, who lives in Germany, sent a letter asking for Duman's fate and finding the perpetrators. The following statements were included in the letter sent by Duman's wife: "When my husband came home that day, she said, 'I was saved from death today too.' Our lives were full of these and similar threats. My husband knew he was under threat. After every incident that took place in İdil district, the police raided our house and my wife was detained several times. After his disappearance, an investigation was not opened until 2008. We didn't stop looking for my husband. But at that time, there was no place we could apply to or know of in İdil, Şırnak or the region. We went left and right, lacking legal support. We searched for my husband in Midyat, Batman and the whole region with our own means, but we could not get any news. My husband’s mother could not bear the pain of her son and passed away. Before my husband’s mother passed away, she said, ‘If one day you find Mehmet Nezir, come to my grave and shout Mehmet Nezir's name 3 times and say that Nezir came home."
The action ended after carnations were left in Galatasaray Square.