AMED – On the first anniversary of murder of Tahir Elçi, people wanted to commemorate Diyarbakır Bar Association Chair Tahir Elçi in front of Four-legged Minaret, where he was killed; however they weren’t allowed because the area is “forbidden zone”. The new Diyarbakır Bar Association Chair Ahmet Özmen emphasized that they would stand up for the heritage left by Elçi to the end.

Diyarbakır Bar Association Chair Tahir Elçi was murdered last year on November 28 during a clash broke out just after reading a press statement in front of the Four-legged Minaret in Diyarbakır’s Sur district. On the first anniversary of his death, Diyarbakır Bar administrators and members commemorated him. However, the commemoration wasn’t allowed to be held in Yenikapı Street, where Tahir Elçi killed. Police didn’t allow the commemoration because the area is still in the “forbidden zone”. The commemoration was held at the beginning of the street where Tahir Elçi was shot.

Türkan Elçi, the Republican's People Party (CHP), Peoples’ Democratic Party (HDP) MPs, Diyarbakır Bar Association Chair Ahmet Özmen, NGOs and political parties’ representatives and many lawyers attended the commemoration.
A banner read, “We will not forget you” in Kurdish and Turkish was unfurled. People shouted slogan, “Tahir Elçi is immortal” and sound record of press statement made by Tahir Elçi in front of Four-legged Minaret last year was listened during the commemoration.

Diyarbakır Bar Association Chair Ahmet Özmen made a speech and said, “Tahir was the guide of seeking justice for the oppressed people and of course the voice of peace. Tahir Elçi was the echo of the scream of people who lost their relatives in court records; he was wisdom, grace and haste without no place and time.” Ahmet promised to stand up for the heritage left by Elçi to the end and emphasized that they would continue his struggle for peace, democracy and freedom.

After the speech, Tahir Elçi’s wife Türkan Elçi put Tahir’s picture and red carnations on the canvas covers the street and police barriers.

At the same time, lawyers threw carnations towards the Four-legged Minaret over the canvas. Then, lawyers, MPs and hundreds of people marched to the office of Diyarbakır Bar and shouted slogans in Kurdish and Turkish such as, “Tahir Elçi is immortal” and “Martyrs are immortal”