Turkey's Human Rights Record '12 - Part II

On the occasion of World Human Rights Day, Turkey's two main human rights organizations released their annual torture reports, complaining that impunity on several torture cases encouraged the ongoing human tragedy in Turkey.

Police brutality

In 2012, police brutality during various protest demonstrations took 4 lives and at least wounded 555, the report said. Human rights activists claimed that the killings were due to tear gas. Police detained 6529 protestors while 1831 were arrested. The detainees became subject to torture and ill-treatment.

Freedom of expression

The report said the publication of at least 17 periodicals were halted in 2012, while 564 were detained by the police. 22,536 internet content were blocked by the cyber police.

At least 301 individuals stood before trial for charges related to freedom of expression, and received sentences to a sum of 908 years 2 months 8 days. 1088 individuals are still being prosecuted.

Judges ruled 5 defendants to pay a sum of 20,000 Euros, while prosecution of 50 suspects were suspended due to the new amandement in penal code.

Sexual discrimination

According to Human Rights Association statistics, at least 216 women were reported killed, 96 wounded and other 519 either raped or became subject to violence.

According to data compiled by bianet, at least 147 women were reported killed, 123 raped, 208 battered and 126 harassed.

Roboski Massacre

The report also reminded the impunity on the Roboski Massacre, a Turkish air strike on Kurdish civilians resulting 34 people dead, including 19 children. (AS)