Enforced disappearance of Diril couple

Exactly 2 years ago, Chaldean couple Shimuni and Hurmüz Diril have been abducted/disappeared in their native village Meer/Kovankaya in Şırnak province in south-south Turkey. Two months later, family members found the lifeless and tortured corpse of Shimuni Diril during their search with their own efforts while the whereabouts of Hurmüz Diril remains unknown up to today.

Since few years our people from various backgrounds and diasporas raised intentions and will to return back and establish in their native villages and towns while challenges and obstacles remain on the place. Despite all, whether as visitors or as fully returners, our people showed great courage regarding their homeland. They constructed and restored their homes, churches and villages mostly by their own meanings and created new conditions. During this period, our people simultaneously faced difficulties, harassments, abductions and killings while chronic issues remain unsolved. In this perilous period, enforced disappearance of Diril couple is grave human right violation.

European Syriac Union, ESU call on local and governmental authorities to fully adhere human rights obligations and maintain full, transparent and deep investigation regarding Diril couple and offer clear message to family and our people. We in the ESU continue to follow this issue and support Diril family in this period.