News Center- The Turkish government declared a food embargo and curfew in the Digor district of Kars province. On August 14, 1993, a protest march against the government's repressive policies was held with the participation of more than 5,000 civilians. However, riot police opened fire on them, killing 17, including six children and injured 63.

The names of killed people are: Gülcan Çağdavul (8), Selvi Çağdavul (14), Yeter Kerenciler (13), Necla Geçener (14), Zarife Boylu (15), Erdal Buğan (17), Zeynep Çağdavul (19), Hacer Hacıoğlu (20), Suna Çidemal (21), Fatma Parlak (22), Faruk Aydın (27), Cemil Özvarış (39), Gıyasettin Çalışçı (41), Hasan Çağdavul (43), Süleyman Taş (47), Nurettin Orun (80) and Tütiye Talan (66).

Today, the victims of the massacre, known as Digor Massacre, were commemorated by the Party of Greens and the Left Future (Green Left Party).

‘The massacre was covered up’

Green Left Party Kars MP Gülistan Kılıç Koçyiğit made a speech at the commemoration held where the civilians were killed. “The injured people were subjected to ill-treatment at hospital. The ruling party and the state covered up the massacre by using the judiciary and law enforcement forces. The perpetrators did not stand trial for years. Then, they were acquitted,” she said in her speech.

‘No peace can be achieved without confrontation’

Gülistan Kılıç Koçyiğit emphasized that the state (The Turkish state) should confront the Digor Massacre and said, “No peace or democracy can be achieved in the country without confrontation with the massacres against minorities. The only way to live together is to confront the massacres. Those who are responsible for the massacres must be punished.”