Ayça Örer

Ayça Örer

"From the Classroom to the News Room"

BIA: Positive Discrimination, Follow-Up and Visibility

Kürkcü, Mater, Üstündag and Korkut described the Independent Communication Network (BIA) project, saying that "the invisible has to be made visible".

5 September 2007

Peace Day: We Need New Policies

On Peace Day (1 September), Turkish organisations called on the newly-formed government to follow policies based on rights and to protect democracy.

3 September 2007

Stop Discrimination say Transsexuals

The recent murder of transsexual Ece in Bursa has again highlighted the plight of transvestites and transsexuals in Turkey. Deprived of education and work, they are forced into prostitution.

US Crisis: Capitalists Win, Workers Lose

US Crisis: Capitalists Win, Workers Lose

Turkey has been one of the countries worst affected by the current financial crisis in the USA. Economists Ercan and Tören predict the success of capitalists and a weakening of labour movements.

Presidency not an Issue on the Street

Abdullah Gül has hinted at a renewed candidacy for president after the election results. However, in our street survey we found that even those who voted for the AKP are not particularly interested in the office of president.

Missing Witnesses in Return to Life Case

Third party lawyer Ömer Kavili has complained about the lack of transparency in the Return to Life trial, as well as the disappearance of hundreds of witnesses. More than 30 people died when security forces raided prison facilities in 2000.

Turkish Women Celebrate Feminist Anniversary

The 20th anniversary of the first womens march against domestic violence in Turkey was marked with a new protest meeting and a concert in Istanbul. Women agree that a lot remains to be done. Female intellectuals interpret Turkeys womens movement.

Homosexuals Fed Up with Media Bias

At the Second International Meeting against Homophobia in Ankara this week, representatives of gay and lesbian NGOs have criticised the medias treatment of homosexual news. As a reaction to sexism, they have developed a regional reporter network.

Women Pushed to The Bottom in Election Lists

In spite of widespread belief that the percentage of women candidates will increase in the forthcoming general elections, no party has yet got a woman candidate in the top three of their election tickets.

BIA Journalism Seminar to Young Reporters

BIA organizes a rights journalism seminar for a dozen of voluntary young reporters for the Armenian-Turkish weekly Agos. Following the murder of its founder Hrant Dink, last January, all participants say this is a show of solidarity with Agos.

Students Condemned to 60 Years Imprisonment

An Ankara court condems 28 university students to a total of more than 60 years imprisonment following the demonstrations in 2005 against the Council of Higher Education, which is seen as a legacy of the military coup of 1980.

Too Late Too Little in Torture Case

A court decision condemns four police officers to eight years in prison for torturing a university student to death while under custody. The trial lasted 16 years and all suspects got the minimum sentences. Lawyer Aydın and TİHV chair Önen comment:

Global Protests Against US Invasion of Iraq

Five thousand people gathered in Istanbul on the Global Day of Action, to protest the US invasion of Iraq on its 4th anniversary. Protests were organized all around Europe in the US and in Australia. Drop Bush, Not Bombs said protesters in New York.

Campaign for Gender Equality in Politics

Association for Supporting and Educating Women Candidates begins its campaign to increase women representation in politics before upcoming elections later this year. Only 5 percent of the MPs in the National Assembly are women.

Health Workers Mobilize For Rights

Throughout March, health workers stage protests and strikes against government policies. This year on March 14, Day of Medicine, we focus on gender discrimination in the field. Women doctors come together to address their problems.

Prosecution Rejects GLBT Association Closure

Public Prosecutors Office rejected Istanbul Governorships complaint regarding the closure of Lambda GLBT association saying homosexuality isnt immoral in an era when gender discrimination is debated in society.

Peace Fair Gathered 15 Thousand People

Activists, artists, writers and academics organized a Peace Fair this weekend to remember and protest once again the war in Iraq. For three days, theatre and music performances, gatherings voiced hopes for peace, deeming war.

Women Marched Against Patriarchy

A thousand women marched through the busiest avenue in Istanbul to voice their reaction and objection to the male-dominated society and their solidarity with all women, exploited or subjected to violence. March 8 celebrations continue.

Political Parties Lack Gender Awareness

Political parties in Turkey have different approaches to womens issues and the general elections later this year would be a testing ground for their sincerety. Several parties have introoduced quotas to increase womens representation in politics.

Womens Day Celebrations Begin on Streets

Thousands of women took to the streets this weekend to voice their demands as celebrations for March 8, Womens Day begin. From honor killings, sexual harassment and violence to gender discrimination at work, women chanted for another world.

Police Torture Case Outlast Again

University student Birtan Altinbas had been murdered in 1991, while under police custody. After 16 years the case still continues. On the last sitting, defendant police officers claimed that they were absent during his interrogation.

19 February 2007

Controversial Ban on Radio Station

Radio and Television Supreme Council ruled for a complete ban on the Voice of Anatolia radio station on grounds that it continiously broadcasted programmes that would cause discrimination and hatred among people of different ethnicity in the country.

13 February 2007

Mobbing Enters Turkish Legal Lexicon

A Turkish court ruling recognizes for the first time mobbing, or workplace bullying as grounds for condemnation on the side of the employer. Given its approbation, this decision may constitute a precedent for similar cases, said lawyer Habibe Yilmaz.

8 February 2007

A Hopeful Year Ahead for Womens Rights

Womens rights activist say 2006 was a year of legislative improvements and escalating solidarity among different organizations and hope to see those improvements realized in 2007. Demir, Yilmaz, Akkoc and Selek talks to bianet...

Journalists Join the Demand for Peace

Prominent journalists give support to the petition calling for peace on the Kurdish conflict, signed by 322 intellectuals last week. The group repeated their call to all parties to end violence and start a dialogue which will lead to a political solution.

28 December 2006

Lynchers Go Free While Lynched is Condemned

11 people accused of taking part in the lynching of five TAYAD members back in April are acquitted while one of the aggrieved is condemned to imprisonment for insulting the police. Lawyer Tanay says this ruling can encourage further lynchings.

27 December 2006

Law Didnt Protect Woman Killed by Ex-Lover

A woman was killed by ex-lover following several threats and legal authorities failure to act. Rights activists and jurists say the legislation cant protect unmarried women against violence and legal processes dont work for women faced with violence.

27 December 2006

A Noel Without Snow in Istanbul

A chorus of three are singing as I enter. Candles, lights and fumes illuminate the interior. Frescoes look brighter than ever. Everybody stays silent as the chorus goes on. This small community further introverts in their solitude.

25 December 2006

Journalists Acquitted on Insulting Ataturk

Journalist Calislar got acquitted from insulting Ataturk in her last book, biography of his partner Latife Hanim. Calislar welcomed the verdict but criticized the prosecutors claim as discriminating against women. Tatlican also acquitted in the case.

20 December 2006

Conscientious Objector Arrested Once Again

Conscientious objector Savda is arrested by Corlu Martial Court where hes tried with intentionally avoiding duty. As hes sent to prison, his lawyer Coskun says that the government keeps the issue on hold obliging likes of Savda to live as fugitives.

7 December 2006

Land Mines Undermine Relocation Efforts

Talking on TESEVs international symposium on internal displacement, Muteber Ogreten told that land mines are constitute an obstacle on relocation of populations. There are at least 984 000 mines fitted on Turkish soil. 29 civilians died of mines in 2005.

6 December 2006

Women Getting Results Against Violence

Expert consultant Isik says Turkey getting results after 20 years of struggle for women rights but calls for stronger stance to advance further. The definition of violence should be broadened to include all forms of obstacles placed in front of women.

27 November 2006

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