This paper describes Amnesty International’s concern about reports of repressive measures taken by the security forces against the villagers of Payamli (Deravit) near Siirt in southeast Turkey. The authorities apparently suspect the villagers of sympathizing with the armed opposition group the Kurdish Workers’ Party (PKK). Villagers are reported to be under curfew during hours of darkness and members of the gendarmerie are reported to take the villagers’ livestock and crops to eat, without paying for them. Elderly villagers have been forced to spend nights outside the gendarmerie post, in the cold and rain, and young girls have been held incommunicado. Beating and other ill-treatment of villagers, including women, children and elderly people, is also reported.
