KurdistanObserver.com

Pro Kurdish Sit-In At Turkish Embassy

Rome, 6 April (AKI) - Several Italian human rights groups have said they will join Kurdish activists in staging a demonstration on Wednesday in front of the Turkish embassy in Rome to protest against Turkey's handling of recent riots in a Kurdish part of the country. "For days, the Turkish military has carried out a ruthless repression against the civilian Kurdish population, including mass arrests and killings," the groups said in a statement.

The riots in the city of Diyarbakir, in eastern Turkey began last week during the funeral of a Kurdish militant killed by Turkish security forces, when Kurdish youths clashed with police. The violence then spread to neighbouring towns

In their statement the Italian groups accused Turkish authorities of provoking the violence by preventing the funeral of the militant and three comrades who were also killed by security forces. The statement said that at least 10 civilians including two children were killed in the riots.

"The Turkish government must halt its repression and violence against the Kurdish population who is demanding peace, justice and democracy". The statement said.