Semra Pelek - Bianet

Semra Pelek

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Children no Longer Tried like Members of Terror Organizations

ADOPTON OF ANTI-TERROR LAW AMENDMENTS

Children no Longer Tried like Members of Terror Organizations

The Turkish Parliament passed clauses 1 to 7 of the first part of the amendments of the Anti-Terror Law. Children shall no longer be tried as if they were members of a terrorist organization. UNICEF appreciated the adoption of the amendments.

No Improvement in Discrimination against Women

CEDAW SHADOW REPORT

No Improvement in Discrimination against Women

The Turkish government presents their country report to CEDAW on Wednesday, while women organizations present their alternative Shadow Report to the UN committee. According to the alternative report, gender inequality and discrimination have not improved.

Women's Rights Defender İlkkaracan: We Insist on Our Requests

DEMOCRATIC INITIATIVE MEETINGS

Women's Rights Defender İlkkaracan: We Insist on Our Requests

Prime Minister Erdoğan met with 80 representatives of women organizations in Istanbul to discuss the democratic initiative. Women's rights advocator İlkkaracan and other participants criticized that the Prime Minister dismissed all proposals put forward by the women.

Children on Air for Their Rights

CHILD STUDY UNIT ÇOÇA

Children on Air for Their Rights

Children learn a lot about fundamental rights in workshops of the Child Study Unit of Bilgi University. They address their questions to adults in their own weekly radio program. Projects are developed for schools and for the environment.

Anti-Terror Draft Law on the Parliamentary Agenda

CHIDREN TRIED UNDER ANTI-TERROR LAW

Anti-Terror Draft Law on the Parliamentary Agenda

The draft law of the Anti-Terror Act concerned with the situation of children on trial will be discussed in the Turkish Parliament this week. Children's rights advocators still find the amendments insufficient and urge the MPs to recognize related international agreements.

Imprisoned Juveniles Punished and Transferred after Protest

Imprisoned Juveniles Punished and Transferred after Protest

The Directorate of Prisons and Detention Houses declared that the cells of the juveniles who protested against conditions of detention were closed. A criminal investigation was launched into the juveniles involved. Then, they were all transferred to different institutions.

Press Council Deems "Punch" Article in the Limits of Press Freedom

Press Council Deems "Punch" Article in the Limits of Press Freedom

The Press Council accounted the praise of violence as an "idea". The Council assessed the article of Hürriyet writer Özdil as part of "press freedom". Özdil had "approved" the punch attack on Kurdish politician Türk, The Council decided to dismiss the complaint.

"Child friendly" Draft of the Anti-Terror Law

"Child friendly" Draft of the Anti-Terror Law

Important changes have been made in the new version of the Anti-Terror Law. Children are tried at juvenile courts and stones do no longer account as weapons. Some anticipated increases of crimes and punishments will be lifted.

'Children into School, Women into Employment'

CHILD LABOUR

'Children into School, Women into Employment'

Data compiled by the Turkish Statistical Institute reveals that there are 958,000 child workers in Turkey. Children rights advocator Fişek demands to increase primary education to 12 years and take women confined at home into employment.

Criticism on Military Partnership between Turkey and Israel

Criticism on Military Partnership between Turkey and Israel

The Turkish rights organization Küresel BAK demands to end the bilateral military agreement between Turkey and Israel after the recent Israeli attack on aid ships. The military co-operation between both countries is worth billions of dollars.

MP Kaplan: Systematic Plan against Kurdish Students

MP Kaplan: Systematic Plan against Kurdish Students

Peace and Democracy Party Şırnak MP Kaplan described the "Action Plan" sent to universities by the Council of Higher Education as "Five-Year Medium-Term Plan" aimed at "systematically arresting and detaining Kurdish university students.

Saturday Mothers: "Turkey Does not Recognize ECHR Decision"

Saturday Mothers: "Turkey Does not Recognize ECHR Decision"

In their 269th gathering on the Galatasaray Square in Istanbul, the Saturday Mothers/People demanded the prosecution of the perpetrators responsible for the disappearance of İkram and Servet İpek, a case recognized by the European Court of Human Rights.

Saturday Mothers: "Turkey Does not Recognize ECHR Decision"

Saturday Mothers: "Turkey Does not Recognize ECHR Decision"

In their 269th gathering on the Galatasaray Square in Istanbul, the Saturday Mothers/People demanded the prosecution of the perpetrators responsible for the disappearance of İkram and Servet İpek, a case recognized by the European Court of Human Rights.

At least 28 Casualties in Mining Explosion

At least 28 Casualties in Mining Explosion

The bodies of 28 mine workers who died in a gas explosion on 17 May were found on Thursday. The explosion happened in a mine of the Turkish Coal Corporation Karadon Enterprise Directorate in Zonguldak (Black Sea coast). Two workers are still missing.

Too Many Obstacles for Youth Associations

YOUTH REPORT

Too Many Obstacles for Youth Associations

It is almost impossible to found an association for young people in Turkey. There are 614 youth associations, which amounts to a mere 0.7 percent of all Turkish associations. Young people can open "clubs" upon the approval of the Home Office, universities face prohibitions.

Identified Suspect Osman Hayal Not Detained

HRANT DINK MURDER CASE

Identified Suspect Osman Hayal Not Detained

Two detained defendants of the murder case of Turkish-Armenian journalist Dink were released in the latest hearing. Osman Hayal was identified by a secret witness, though the court did not take the suspect into detention. Former head of the Police Intelligence Department will not be heard.

Secret Witness Incriminates Three Suspects as The Killers of Dink

HRANT DINK MURDER CASE

Secret Witness Incriminates Three Suspects as The Killers of Dink

The secret witness of the murder of Turkish-Armenian journalist Hrant Dink stated that defendant Osman Hayal was there to when Dink was shot. The e-mail accounts of defendant Tuncel were deleted. The hearing was monitored by international observers.

Güler Zere Passed Away

Güler Zere Passed Away

Five months after her release from prison, former political prisoner Güler Zere died of cancer. Zere had been granted pardon by President Gül in November 2009 after having waited for her release for months under conditions of insufficient medical treatment.

Unbearable Situation in Regional Primary Boarding Schools

Unbearable Situation in Regional Primary Boarding Schools

After incidents of multiple child abuse recently emerged in the south-eastern city of Siirt, criticism rose regarding the Regional Primary Boarding Schools. Zübeyde Kılıç from the teachers union talked to bianet about the problematic situations at the schools.

Defendants in Child Abuse Case Face 15 Years' Sentence

Defendants in Child Abuse Case Face 15 Years' Sentence

19 of the 20 defendants face aggravated prison sentences of at least 15 years each under charges of "aggravated sexual abuse" in the case of sexual abuse and harassment of 9 girls over the duration of 2 years in the south-eastern province of Siirt.

Labour Day Finally Back in Taksim Square!

1 May 2010

Labour Day Finally Back in Taksim Square!

For the first time in 32 years, Taksim Square was open to the public for a celebration of the labour movement and a call for more rights.

Children's Day in the Shadow of Violence

23 APRIL

Children's Day in the Shadow of Violence

This year's national Children's Day celebrated in Turkey on 23 April was shadowed by recent incidents of violence against children, abuse, rape and death besides punishments against children decreed by courts.

ECHR Convicted Turkey of Extrajudicial Killings

ECHR Convicted Turkey of Extrajudicial Killings

The European Court of Human Rights convicted Turkey based on extrajudicial killings by the police. Turkey was sentenced to a € 103,000 fine for "violating the right to life" regarding the killing of an innocent bystander during a police raid of a private home.

Teacher Tortures Primary School Student in Class

VIOLENCE AT SCHOOL

Teacher Tortures Primary School Student in Class

Primary school teacher F.N. was suspended after she had kicked a six-year-old student in class. The teachers' union demands a thorough investigation of the general situation at the school in southern Turkey and emphasized that the resignation of one or two people is not enough.

Disproportionate Police Intervention after Attack on Kurdish Politician

POLICE VIOLENCE

Disproportionate Police Intervention after Attack on Kurdish Politician

A 14-year-old had his cheek bone broken when he was dragged along by the police in Hakkari. His family filed a complaint about the police officers. The Peace and Democracy Party and the Human Rights Foundation call for the suspension of the Governor and the Chief of Police.

"Children Were Tortured in Maltepe Prison"

"Children Were Tortured in Maltepe Prison"

While the according draft law prepared in the scope of the government's democratic initiative is still pending in parliament, children accused of terror crimes are exposed to maltreatment in prison. 18 children in the Maltepe Children Prison started a hunger strike. Apparently, they were beaten and threatened by prison guards.

More than 6 Years Imprisonment for 15-Year-Old

CHILDREN TRIED UNDER ANTI-TERROR LAW

More than 6 Years Imprisonment for 15-Year-Old

In a single hearing, a 15-year-old child was sentenced to imprionment of more than six years. The conviction was based on police statements and a photo showing a child from behind. Lawyer Turgay Berk appealed to the decision.

6 Children Sentenced to 7.5 Years in Jail

CHILDREN CONVICTED UNDER ANTI-TERROR LAW

6 Children Sentenced to 7.5 Years in Jail

Six children received a 7.5-year prison sentence each under charges of "membership of an illegal organization and spreading its propaganda". The decision was based on police statements only. Lawyer Güngör criticized the conviction.

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