Emergency Rule Lifted

DIYARBAKIR - Emergency rule (OHAL) in southeastern Diyarbakir and Sirnak provinces was lifted on Saturday.
The emergency rule which continued in the region for 15 years ended as of 5.00 p.m. on Saturday.
Emergency rule started to be implemented in Bingol, Diyarbakir, Elazig, Hakkari, Mardin, Siirt, Tunceli and Van provinces on July 19, 1987 under a decree with the force of law no 285 to prevent bloody attacks of the terrorist organization PKK.
The emergency rule was lifted gradually in some provinces as of 1994.
In the parliamentary session on July 19, 2002, it was decided to extend emergency rule in Diyarbakir and Sirnak for a last time for four more months as of July 30, 2002.
Thus, the emergency rule ended in Diyarbakir and Sirnak as of 5.00 p.m. on November 30, 2002.