Elvan Kısmet

Elvan Kısmet

Turkey Convicted of Restricting Defence in Kurdish

EUROPEAN COURT OF HUMAN RIGHTS

Turkey Convicted of Restricting Defence in Kurdish

The ECHR saw a violation of the right to a fair trial in the case of Sultan Şaman who was not allowed to see a lawyer or a translator when she was in police custody. Şaman was convicted of "membership in the PKK" by a domestic court. Turkey has to pay € 1,800 in compensation.

46 Women Killed for "Honour" in 2010

HUMAN RIGHTS ASSOCIATION

46 Women Killed for "Honour" in 2010

According to a report of the Human Rights Association, 46 women were killed by men in 2010 for reasons of "honour". 281 women and children applied to courts because of sexual harassment; 182 women and children were raped.

Kurdish in Election Campaigns Lands Nobody in Jail any More

"ADVANCED DEMOCRACY"

Kurdish in Election Campaigns Lands Nobody in Jail any More

Due to a legal amendment, propaganda in the run-up to the elections in languages other than Turkish does not carry prison sentences any more, but the related ban in the Political Parties Law has not been lifted.

16 February 2011

"General Amnesty Would be Important Starting Point"

NEW CONSTITUTION SYMPOSIUM

"General Amnesty Would be Important Starting Point"

The 'Initiative for a Constitution from All for All' organized a symposium on a new constitution in Istanbul. Politicians, journalists, members of NGOs and religious representatives gave their views on the essentials of a new constitution.

1 February 2011

Kurdish Folk Singer Sentenced after Appeal

Kurdish Folk Singer Sentenced after Appeal

A Malatya court sentenced Kurdish folk musician Tunç to one month imprisonment on the grounds of his statement at a festival and postponed the pronouncement of judgement. The Court of Appeals had quashed the first verdict of the local court for Tunç's acquittal.

28 January 2011

Dispute on "Monstrous" Statue Peaks in Law Suit

Dispute on "Monstrous" Statue Peaks in Law Suit

Sculptor Mehmet Aksoy applied to court to stop the destruction of his "Statue of Humanity" that is supposed to be removed upon the directive of PM Erdoğan. He had called the statue a "monstrosity". Aksoy argued, "Turkey must not convey such an image to the world".

27 January 2011