All events banned in Bitlis for 15 days

The statement from the Governor's Office said, "Regarding the events/developments following the Local Administration General Elections held on Sunday, March 31, 2024, which have occupied the national agenda, it is observed that, as in many other places, some political parties, trade unions, non-governmental organizations, and individuals in our province have been organizing actions/events such as press statements, open-air meetings, protest marches, setting up stands, and distributing leaflets/brochures collectively to inform the public and create public opinion on certain issues, which are indispensable methods of seeking rights in a democratic society; it is also observed that these actions and events are frequently attempted to be used as a form of action by terrorist organizations and left-wing/marginal/provocative groups."

The statement continued by noting that all events have been banned for 15 days in order to prevent actions and attacks, ensure the safety of citizens' lives and property, thwart the plans of terrorist organizations, and in this context, to ensure national security, protect public order and general health, prevent the commission of crimes, safeguard fundamental rights and freedoms as well as the rights and freedoms of others, maintain general public safety, and prevent the spread of violent incidents.

The statement further declared, "Within the geographical boundaries of Bitlis, from 00:01 on 03/04/2024 to 23:59 on 17/04/2024, for a period of (15) days, it has been decided to ban, pursuant to the relevant provisions of Law No. 2911 on Meetings and Demonstration Marches, all demonstration marches, open-air meetings, and indoor meetings, except for those deemed appropriate by the Governor's Office and District Governorships; to ban activities such as press statements, sit-ins, conducting surveys, setting up/opening tents and stands, organizing signature campaigns, distributing leaflets, brochures, and flyers, and all kinds of protest actions, pursuant to the provisions of Article 11, paragraphs (a) and (c) of the Provincial Administration Law No. 5442, between the specified dates; and furthermore, to prevent the participation of individuals/groups likely to join unlawful actions/events in any unlawful actions/events related to the aforementioned organizational calls and similar topics, whether individually or collectively, from our districts or surrounding provinces, or by using our province as a route, it has been decided not to permit their entry into or exit from our province and districts, individually or collectively, pursuant to the provisions of Article 11, paragraph (c) of the Provincial Administration Law No. 5442, between the dates mentioned above."