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Turkey Kurds: Boy Mehmet Ezer critically injured | Turkey Kurds: Boy Mehmet Ezer critically injured |
(about 9 hours later) | |
A boy aged 10 has been critically injured after reportedly being hit by a police tear gas canister at a rally in the Turkish city of Diyarbakir. | A boy aged 10 has been critically injured after reportedly being hit by a police tear gas canister at a rally in the Turkish city of Diyarbakir. |
His father, Nazmi Ezer, told BBC News his son had been hit at close range at the end of the rally held by the pro-Kurdish Peace and Democracy Party. | |
A photo taken in hospital shows the child with his face covered in blood. | A photo taken in hospital shows the child with his face covered in blood. |
The death of another boy hit by a tear gas canister, after a nine-month coma, sparked protests earlier this month. | The death of another boy hit by a tear gas canister, after a nine-month coma, sparked protests earlier this month. |
The Peace and Democracy Party has been campaigning in a mayoral election to be held in Diyarbakir, in south-west Turkey, on Sunday. | The Peace and Democracy Party has been campaigning in a mayoral election to be held in Diyarbakir, in south-west Turkey, on Sunday. |
Among the party's demands is the establishment of a regional parliament in the city as a move towards autonomy for the Kurds. | Among the party's demands is the establishment of a regional parliament in the city as a move towards autonomy for the Kurds. |
The Kurdish rebel group, the PKK, has been on ceasefire for a year. | The Kurdish rebel group, the PKK, has been on ceasefire for a year. |
But frustration is growing among Turkish Kurds at the slow pace of the reforms they expected in return for peace. | But frustration is growing among Turkish Kurds at the slow pace of the reforms they expected in return for peace. |
More than 40,000 people have died since the PKK launched its insurgency 30 years ago. | More than 40,000 people have died since the PKK launched its insurgency 30 years ago. |
'At close range' | 'At close range' |
In the latest incident, the 10-year-old, Mehmet Ezer, apparently ventured outside after the rally ended peacefully on Tuesday. | |
"We were at home with his mother," his father said. | "We were at home with his mother," his father said. |
"Suddenly he wasn't at home. Apparently my son went out in the street along with other kids. He was shot at from a short distance. This is what people next to him were telling me." | "Suddenly he wasn't at home. Apparently my son went out in the street along with other kids. He was shot at from a short distance. This is what people next to him were telling me." |
Mr Ezer said doctors had told him his child would have to remain in intensive care for 24 hours for his condition to be assessed. | Mr Ezer said doctors had told him his child would have to remain in intensive care for 24 hours for his condition to be assessed. |
"My message to the authorities is this: enough is enough," he said. | "My message to the authorities is this: enough is enough," he said. |
"He is just a child in the end. What can a child do? Was it necessary for them to shoot at him?" | "He is just a child in the end. What can a child do? Was it necessary for them to shoot at him?" |
Interior Minister Efkan Ala launched an inquiry, saying action would be taken if anyone was found to be at fault. | Interior Minister Efkan Ala launched an inquiry, saying action would be taken if anyone was found to be at fault. |
Another boy, Berkin Elvan, was 14 when he was struck in the head by a canister during mass unrest over the redevelopment of an Istanbul district, Gezi Park, in June. He had reportedly been on his way to buy bread at the time. | Another boy, Berkin Elvan, was 14 when he was struck in the head by a canister during mass unrest over the redevelopment of an Istanbul district, Gezi Park, in June. He had reportedly been on his way to buy bread at the time. |
When he died on 11 March, having turned 15, the news drew demonstrators out in cities across Turkey, with crowds chanting "Berkin Elvan was only 15". | When he died on 11 March, having turned 15, the news drew demonstrators out in cities across Turkey, with crowds chanting "Berkin Elvan was only 15". |
He was one of thousands of people to be hurt during last year's protests. Demonstrators were initially angered by plans to raze Gezi Park but a police crackdown galvanised anti-government demonstrators in several cities. | He was one of thousands of people to be hurt during last year's protests. Demonstrators were initially angered by plans to raze Gezi Park but a police crackdown galvanised anti-government demonstrators in several cities. |
Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, in power for nearly 13 years, was widely criticised for his hard line towards protesters. | Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, in power for nearly 13 years, was widely criticised for his hard line towards protesters. |
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