LIFE - Bianet

LIFE

Page 119

Independent Expert Disproves Official Reports on Önkol's Death

Independent Expert Disproves Official Reports on Önkol's Death

Forensic Medicine expert Prof. Biçer prepared the first independent report on the death of 12-year old Ceylan Önkol, who died under controversial circumstances last year. The report reveals inaccuracies and deficiencies of the official reports.

26 August 2010 Semra Pelek

Children Remain in Detention without Further Amendments

Children Remain in Detention without Further Amendments

Lawyer Keresticioğlu stated that even after the amendments of the Anti-Terror Law, children still remain in detention under charges of "membership of an illegal organization" and "carrying explosives". The lawyer demanded amendments of the Turkish Criminal Law for the release of the children.

24 August 2010 Semra Pelek

Rehabilitation for Child Victims of Anti-Terror Law

Rehabilitation for Child Victims of Anti-Terror Law

A group of volunteers in Batman initiated a rehabilitation program for children who were recently released from prison after the amendments of the Anti-Terror Law. Coordinator Ipekyuz said that the children and their families need at least 2 years of therapy.

20 August 2010 Semra Pelek

Istanbul still not Prepared for a Major Earthquake

Istanbul still not Prepared for a Major Earthquake

Istanbul Branch Head of the Chamber of Construction Engineers Gökçe warns that 11 years after the major earthquake, many buildings in Istanbul are still not earthquake-proof. He emphasizes in particular the situation of school and hospital buildings.

18 August 2010 Berivan Tapan

"Releasing Children Not an End to Problems"

"Releasing Children Not an End to Problems"

A.A.’s son was released 11 months ago after staying in prison for 10 months: "A new period begins for children, who are released under the new law. Both the children and their families are in need of psychological-social support.”

11 August 2010 Burçin Belge

CIAC Volunteers Continue Advocacy as “Followers of Justice”

CIAC Volunteers Continue Advocacy as “Followers of Justice”

Aribas from CIAT says, “We are continuing down the road, so that children can live like children.” She says that the child victims of the anti-terrorism law cannot be released because the necessary amendments to the Turkish penal code have not been carried out. CIAT volunteers monitor the malfunctions of the implementations, and give psycho-social support to children.

7 August 2010 Burçin Belge

Newspapers Ignore Rights of the Child

Newspapers Ignore Rights of the Child

Turkish nationwide dailies published the unconcealed photographs of children released in the context of the latest amendments of the Anti-Terror Law. Showing pictures of children is forbidden since it stigmatizes the children as criminals and opposes ethic principles.

28 July 2010 Semra Pelek

Amendments of Anti-Terror Law Positive but not Sufficient

Amendments of Anti-Terror Law Positive but not Sufficient

AI appreciated the amendments of the Anti-Terror Law but also called the government to "investigate allegations of maltreatment of children in detention". Lawyer Aktar welcomed the amendments and urged to immediately release the imprisoned children.

27 July 2010 Semra Pelek

Newspapers Victimize Abused Child

Newspapers Victimize Abused Child

Turkish dailies ignored ethic principles and the laws when they reported about a mother and her four-year-old child who had been heavily abused. The papers published the names and the photographs of the victims and thus made them victims once more.

26 July 2010 Semra Pelek

Former High-Ranking Military Officer Doğan Arrested

Former High-Ranking Military Officer Doğan Arrested

Former 1st Army Commander Çetin Doğan was arrested on the Bodrum airport upon an arrest warrant related to the "Sledgehammer" coup plan trial. Chief of General Staff Başbuğ convoked a meeting after the court decided to issue a total of 102 arrests warrants.

26 July 2010 Erhan Üstündağ

Parliament Separated "Terror" Prosecution of Children and Adults

Parliament Separated "Terror" Prosecution of Children and Adults

The amendments related to juveniles prosecuted under the Anti-Terror law were adopted by the Turkish Parliament. Children convicted for "terror" crimes will be released pending trial. They will be prosecuted at juvenile courts instead of high criminal courts.

23 July 2010 Semra Pelek

Children no Longer Tried like Members of Terror Organizations

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.

22 July 2010 Semra Pelek

Anti-Terror Draft Law on the Parliamentary Agenda

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.

13 July 2010 Semra Pelek

Biji Keçe Kurdan

Biji Keçe Kurdan

I wasn’t sure what to expect about my trip to the Southeast of Turkey in March. Practically everything I’ve heard about this region is scary and summed up in the question I was most often asked when I told people I’m going there on a vacation: “What business do you have there?” At the time things were relatively calm so I felt comfortable enough to go with an open mind.

12 July 2010 Sue Marsh Akyel

Constitutional Court Partially Annulled Reform Package

Constitutional Court Partially Annulled Reform Package

The Constitutional Court annulled parts of the government's constitutional reform package that redefined the process of electing member to the Supreme Council of Judges and Prosecutors and the High Court. The package is to be approved in a referendum on 12 September.

9 July 2010 Erol Önderoğlu,Burçin Belge

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.

8 July 2010 Semra Pelek

"No Bureaucratic Procedure May Jeopardize a Person's Life!"

"No Bureaucratic Procedure May Jeopardize a Person's Life!"

18-year-old Abdullah Akçay is kept at the convicts ward of a SSK Hospital in Istanbul, even though he is in critical condition because he is suffering from blood cancer. Lawyer Taner expects the urgent release of Akçay and warned that valuable time has been lost.

7 July 2010 Erol Önderoğlu

Flood Warnings for 15 Provinces - at least 1 Person Drowned

Flood Warnings for 15 Provinces - at least 1 Person Drowned

Torrential rainfall in western Turkey and in south-east Anatolia left parts of the country under water.. In Gebze, one person drowned in his car in Gebze, another person is still missing. The State Meteorology Department issued flood and landslide warnings for 15 provinces.

25 June 2010 Berivan Tapan

"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.

15 June 2010 Erol Önderoğlu,Semra Pelek

'Children into School, Women into Employment'

'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.

11 June 2010 Tolga Korkut,Semra Pelek

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.

6 May 2010 Semra Pelek

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.

5 May 2010 Semra Pelek

"Witnesses Must not Remain Silent"

"Witnesses Must not Remain Silent"

The "Purple Roof" Women's Shelter Foundation pointed out that one out of four children is exposed to sexual abuse: "In order to prevent child abuse we have to accept the fact that it mostly happens within the family; silent witnesses should be mobilized".

3 May 2010 Burçin Belge

Abortion after Rape: Judge Ignored the Law

Abortion after Rape: Judge Ignored the Law

The Turkish law allows abortion until the 20th week of pregnancy in case a woman got pregnant because of rape. Yet, a judge dismissed the request for abortion, saying that he would not be exploited for murder. Rights defenders criticized the decision.

29 April 2010 Berivan Tapan

Children's Day in the Shadow of Violence

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.

26 April 2010 Semra Pelek

Constitutional Reform Package Part 2

The Constitutional Reform Package passed through the Constitutional Commission in Parliament. Read here a summary of the second part of the amendments.

21 April 2010 Tolga Korkut

Constitutional Reform Package Part 1

The Constitutional Reform Package passed through the Constitutional Commission in Parliament. The amendments will not be subject to a public referendum.

19 April 2010 Tolga Korkut

"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.

8 April 2010 Semra Pelek

More than 6 Years Imprisonment for 15-Year-Old

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.

5 April 2010 Semra Pelek

6 Children Sentenced to 7.5 Years in Jail

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.

1 April 2010 Semra Pelek

Constitutional Amendment for Protection of Children from all Kinds of Abuse

Constitutional Amendment for Protection of Children from all Kinds of Abuse

The constitutional draft law removed the term "The state protects children from sexism". The term will be exchanged by "protective measures against all kinds of child abuse", if the bill should be ratified. Lawyer Akço appreciated the amendment.

31 March 2010 Erhan Üstündağ

Poverty Line Increased, Minimum Wage Dramatically Low

Poverty Line Increased, Minimum Wage Dramatically Low

A study carried out by Türk-İş revealed that the current minimum monthly wage equals the amount a family of four needs for six days lead under humane living conditions. Both the poverty line and the "starvation line" have increased compared with last year's figures.

26 March 2010 Tolga Korkut