European court dismisses request to lift Turkey curfew

ANKARA

The European Court of Human Rights has dismissed demands for an interim injunction to lift ongoing curfews in Turkey's two southeastern districts where an anti-PKK operations are underway.

The court made its ruling Tuesday in response to applications filed by attorneys of five Turkish citizens from Diyarbakir's Sur and Sirnak's Cizre districts where Turkish security forces imposed curfews since early December as part of its anti-PKK operations in the area.

The applicants had requested the European court to impose an interlocutory injunction so that the curfew could be lifted, Turkish operations stopped or "conducted in line with international standards".

On Jan. 8, Turkish Interior Ministry sent its opinion regarding the issue to the European court.

According to the ministry sources, the court had now decided to dismiss the applications after ruling that it lacked the necessary data for such an interim injunction at this phase.

"The court voices its belief that the [Turkish] government will take reasonable steps to provide necessary care and enable the applicants to seek help if they demand it, considering the situation in the region," the ministry quoting the verdict said.