Human Rights Organization Demands Release of Human Rights Defender Selçuk

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The Human Rights Organization (İHD) İskenderun Branch Chair Coşkun Selçuk, alongside a large number of political party and NGO members, was taken into custody during an operation in İskenderun, Hatay province this morning (January 18).

In a written statement, the İHD demanded the release of and Selçuk urged prosecutors to comply with the United Nations Convention on the Protection of Human Rights Defenders.

Ministry of Education relieved him of duty

Selçuk was previously suspended from his position as teacher by the Ministry of National Education (MEB).

Selçuk is one of the 11,218 Education Union member teachers who were relieved of their duties on September 9, 2016, a precautionary measure by the MEB.

İHD Vice Chair and Diyarbakır Branch Chair Raci Bilici, İHD Elazığ Branch Chair Behzat Hazır and many other İHD administrators are also among the suspended teachers.

In the same  statement, the İHD also drew attention to the increasing crackdowns on human rights defenders in the last few months. (AS/TK)