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Death of Boy Caught in Melee Spurs Protests Across Turkey Death of Boy Caught in Melee Spurs Protests Across Turkey
(6 months later)
ISTANBUL — In the largest protests since last summer, thousands of people hit the streets in more than 15 Turkish cities on Tuesday to protest the death of a 15-year-old boy who became a symbol of civilian resistance after he was struck in the head by a tear-gas canister fired by the police during antigovernment demonstrations and slipped into a coma. ISTANBUL — In the largest protests since last summer, thousands of people hit the streets in more than 15 Turkish cities on Tuesday to protest the death of a 15-year-old boy who became a symbol of civilian resistance after he was struck in the head by a tear-gas canister fired by the police during antigovernment demonstrations and slipped into a coma.
The boy, Berkin Elvan, had left home June 16 to buy bread and was caught in a demonstration. His condition worsened last week, and news of his death reached social media outlets early Tuesday, triggering large gatherings in several cities, including here, Izmir and Ankara, where the police confronted protesters with tear gas and water cannons.The boy, Berkin Elvan, had left home June 16 to buy bread and was caught in a demonstration. His condition worsened last week, and news of his death reached social media outlets early Tuesday, triggering large gatherings in several cities, including here, Izmir and Ankara, where the police confronted protesters with tear gas and water cannons.
“To our people; we lost our son. May he rest in peace,” his family wrote on a Twitter account named after Berkin, and hundreds flocked to Istanbul’s Okmeydani hospital to join a crowd that had been camping there as Berkin’s condition deteriorated.“To our people; we lost our son. May he rest in peace,” his family wrote on a Twitter account named after Berkin, and hundreds flocked to Istanbul’s Okmeydani hospital to join a crowd that had been camping there as Berkin’s condition deteriorated.
Riot police officers arrived at the hospital to contain the crowd and fired rubber bullets, tear gas and water cannons at angry mourners, CNN Turk reported.Riot police officers arrived at the hospital to contain the crowd and fired rubber bullets, tear gas and water cannons at angry mourners, CNN Turk reported.
Berkin was the ninth person to die in connection with the June disturbances, including a police officer who was fatally injured when he accidentally fell into a ditch.Berkin was the ninth person to die in connection with the June disturbances, including a police officer who was fatally injured when he accidentally fell into a ditch.
Television pictures showed thousands of people running in the streets of central Ankara through tear-gas smoke, while students chanted, “Youth will seek justice for the slain,” before the police forcibly dispersed the crowd.Television pictures showed thousands of people running in the streets of central Ankara through tear-gas smoke, while students chanted, “Youth will seek justice for the slain,” before the police forcibly dispersed the crowd.
On Twitter, the #BerkinElvanOlumsuzdur hashtag, translated as “Berkin Elvan is immortal,” became a top global trend as well as a chant in the streets. Demonstrations were also held in European cities, including Stockholm, London and Paris.On Twitter, the #BerkinElvanOlumsuzdur hashtag, translated as “Berkin Elvan is immortal,” became a top global trend as well as a chant in the streets. Demonstrations were also held in European cities, including Stockholm, London and Paris.
In towns across Turkey, people joined the mourning, laying flowers and bread next to Berkin’s photographs. Some protesters noted that two policemen who were on duty in the district where Berkin was hurt testified in January and, according to reports, said they could not remember firing at the boy.In towns across Turkey, people joined the mourning, laying flowers and bread next to Berkin’s photographs. Some protesters noted that two policemen who were on duty in the district where Berkin was hurt testified in January and, according to reports, said they could not remember firing at the boy.
“There is an urgent need to identify which officers used tear-gas launchers to determine who shot Berkin and to examine the whole episode in terms of the command responsibility of senior officers,” Emma Sinclair of the New York-based Human Rights Watch said in a written statement on Tuesday.“There is an urgent need to identify which officers used tear-gas launchers to determine who shot Berkin and to examine the whole episode in terms of the command responsibility of senior officers,” Emma Sinclair of the New York-based Human Rights Watch said in a written statement on Tuesday.
“Berkin Elvan, the boy in the coma who never woke up, has become a symbol of Turkey’s record of police violence and lack of accountability,” the statement said. “Berkin and his family deserve justice.”“Berkin Elvan, the boy in the coma who never woke up, has become a symbol of Turkey’s record of police violence and lack of accountability,” the statement said. “Berkin and his family deserve justice.”
Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan has defended the use of police force during protests. He made no comments about Berkin’s death, while President Abdullah Gul sent condolences to the boy’s family.Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan has defended the use of police force during protests. He made no comments about Berkin’s death, while President Abdullah Gul sent condolences to the boy’s family.
Several international organizations have documented injuries caused the use of tear gas by the Turkish police.Several international organizations have documented injuries caused the use of tear gas by the Turkish police.
At least 11 people have lost eyes from canisters directly fired at their faces at close range, and thousands have suffered respiratory complications. The European Court has ruled in a recent case that the firing of tear gas by the Turkish police violated international legal standards.At least 11 people have lost eyes from canisters directly fired at their faces at close range, and thousands have suffered respiratory complications. The European Court has ruled in a recent case that the firing of tear gas by the Turkish police violated international legal standards.
Late Tuesday, Berkin’s coffin, wrapped with red cloth and adorned with red carnations, reached a temple of the Alevi Muslim sect in the Okmeydani district for preparations.Late Tuesday, Berkin’s coffin, wrapped with red cloth and adorned with red carnations, reached a temple of the Alevi Muslim sect in the Okmeydani district for preparations.