96 people killed, 227 detained in Turkey last month

Serkan Alan / DUVAR

Ninety-six people were killed in Turkey during the month of February, according to a human rights report prepared by main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) deputy Sezgin Tanrıkulu.

Twenty-two women were killed by men last month, while at least 12 women were killed in a suspicious manner. The report also stated that 115 people were tortured or improperly treated while in prison, and 227 people were taken into custody at 64 events, including press conferences, meetings, flyer distributions, and demonstrations. 

Nine politicians from the pro-Kurdish People's Democratic Party (HDP), were arrested during February, including co-mayors and city council members. Since the March 2019 local elections, the government has removed more than 30 HDP mayors from their posts on terror charges and replaced them with appointed trustees. 

On February 9, 10 Afghan and three Syrian refugees froze to death in the Çaldıran district of the eastern province of Van, which borders Iran. A total of 14 refugees died during February. 

At least two journalists were formally arrested in February while 16 were taken into custody. Five journalists were handed fines or criminal sentences due to their work, while current figures from the Independent Journalists Platform indicate that 98 journalists are currently in jail in Turkey as of February 28.