LIFE - Bianet

LIFE

Page 123

17 Under Custody Protesting World Water Forum

Police uses force against activists protesting the Forum which begins in Istanbul today. NGOs and rights activists demand an end to the comodification of water and introduction of social policies.

"Dam Project In Munzur Would Even Change Seasons"

A water tribunal, bringing together activists and experts from around the world begins in Istanbul. Turkey's Greens co-chair Dr. Şahin explains the threat of an ecological disaster in Tunceli, in case planned dam projects realize.

11 March 2009 Bawer Çakır

Act Now, Cease Trying Children With Terror Charges

In a coordinated event in five cities, an initiative of nearly 40 NGOs sent letters to relevant authorities demanding an end to taking children to court on terror charges.

10 March 2009 Erhan Üstündağ

“I Feel Stupid for Paying for Drinking Water”

Housewife Demir complains about the fact that water is so expensive, and that she has to pay for bottled drinking water.

10 March 2009 Bawer Çakır

Minister of Labour: 60 Denim Workshops to Be Closed

Minister of Labour: 60 Denim Workshops to Be Closed

This week another denim sandblasting worker lost his life at a young age. Minister of Labour Faruk Çelik has announced the closure of many workshops operating in unhealthy conditions.

7 March 2009 Bawer Çakır

265 Intellectuals Demand Justice For Children

Actress Yıldırımlar calls for the immediate release of children tried with terror charges for participating in protests and demands amendments to law, in a conference which a petition is revealed to public.

5 March 2009 Erhan Üstündağ

Judges Withdraw from Torture Case

Lawyers for the Çeber family have accused the judges of leniency towards the accused police officers. The judges have withdrawn, and it is yet to be decided which court will take on the case.

5 March 2009 Tolga Korkut

Erdogan and Merkel Will be Indicted in "The Water Tribunal" in Istanbul

Politicians and financiers of dam projects, which violate people's right to water will be tried by activists on 10 and 11 March. The tribunal aims at formulating rights-based solutions to existing problems.

4 March 2009 Bawer Çakır

Denim Workers Continue to Die for Sake of "Faded Look"

Denim Workers Continue to Die for Sake of "Faded Look"

Silicosis patient Ruhat Yıldırak (24) is the 39th denim sand blasting worker to have died. He had been given oxygen for the last year.

4 March 2009 Bawer Çakır

Death of Special Branch Head Oktay

According to news reports, Oktay, head of the Police Special Branch shot himself and later died in hospital. He was implicated by other suspects in the Ergenekon trial, who said that he had collaborated on creating a secret team.

26 February 2009 Tolga Korkut

Youth Shot by Police is Permanently Paralysed

After being shot by a police officer, Kirbaş’s treatment was obstructed for months. It has now become clear that his paralysis is permanent. The court case starts on 26 March.

25 February 2009 Emine Özcan

“Lose No More Time in Clearing Mines”

“Lose No More Time in Clearing Mines”

Human rights organisations have accused Turkey of shirking the responsibilities brought by its signature under the Ottawa Agreement on the ban on mines five years ago.

24 February 2009 Bawer Çakır

Yet Another Death at a Shipyard

The second shipyard death this year is "only" one in a long tragic chain of deaths. Worker Cemil Akgül died on 18 February after being electrocuted at the Tuzla Shipyards on the outskirts of Istanbul.

19 February 2009 Emine Özcan

"Psychological Support Needed for the Unemployed"

Turkish Psychiatry Association calls for free and accessible preventive mental health services for all, warning against a widespread social problem caused by rising unemployment.

17 February 2009

Rights Activists React as Children Crowd Prisons

More than a hundred children have been taken under custody during protests in several cities against PKK leader Ocalan's arrest on Feb. 15th, 1999. Ministry of Justice reveals that more than 1 500 were children tried with terror charges in 2006 and 2007.

17 February 2009

“Saturday Mothers”: Government Must Find Bodies of Disappeared

Hanife Yıldız stood at Galatasaray Square to demand her son from the state. The Saturday Mothers, relatives of political activists who disappeared, have restarted their protests which began 24 years ago.

16 February 2009

Rights of The Child in The University Curriculum

UNICEF and deans of faculties of communication sign a joint protocol to include rights of the child in their curricula. Courses will begin in September 2009. bianet's efforts to introduce children's rights-based journalism contributed to the incentive.

15 February 2009 Bawer Çakır

Yet Another Child Convicted on "Terror" Charges

An Adana court condemns a 15-year-old to imprisonment on terror charges. The child is accused of membership to pro-Kurdish PKK on grounds he had participated in a street protest. Rights activists demand child justice system.

5 February 2009 Bawer Çakır

Worrying “Record” in Agricultural Imports

Recently published statistics show that Turkey has been forced to increase its agricultural imports to a record high in the history of the Turkish Republic.

4 February 2009 Necdet Oral

“No More Motorcycle Deaths!”

Kaşıkçı of the Turkish Motorcycling Federation (TMF) has criticised the fact that traffic is regulated according to the need of cars and that this can cause motorcycle deaths.

3 February 2009 Bawer Çakır

17 Percent Decrease in Natural Gas Bills

Prime Minister Erdoğan has announced that gas prices will decrease by 17 percent for domestic use and 18 percent for industrial use.

3 February 2009 Erhan Üstündağ

ECHR: Turkey Violated Child's Rights

The European Court of Human Rights has penalised Turkey for arresting and prosecuting an under-fifteen year old for alleged PKK membership.

28 January 2009

Increased Gas Prises: Consumers Revert to Coal

Gas heating bills have increased dramatically this year. People complain of having to turn down the heating. Many are returning to coal stoves.

20 January 2009

2920 HIV/AIDS Cases Since 1985

The number of those who live with HIV/AIDS has become 376 last year. 892 of the cases are women and 118 of them under eighteen. The Positive Life Association (PYD) advises immediate measures in Turkey where most of the population consists of young people.

1 December 2008 Emine Özcan

Retrial Of Child Molestation Case Rejected

The official objection to the release of Hüseyin Üzmez, accused for child molesting, has been denied. The suspect was released thanks to the highly questionable report by the Medical Examiner’s Office.

6 November 2008

Professional Inspection Declares Medical Examiner’s Report Void

The Union of Turkish Medical Doctors (TTB) concludes that the Medical Examiner’s report that led to the release of Hüseyin Üzmez in the trial for sexually abusing a child void and not usable in a court of law.

4 November 2008

Challenged Children Cry For More Resources

York Duchess tapes secretly the inhumane conditions in the two Turkish rehabilitation centers where challenged children are also “cared”. Social services expert Karatay points to the lack of resources, although the mentality is slowly changing.

3 November 2008 Erhan Üstündağ

Ministry Investigates The Questionable Medical Examiner’s Report

Ministry of Justice launches an investigation regarding the Medical Examiner’s Report that led to the release of Hüseyin Üzmez, a writer for daily Islamic Vakit, who was accused of sexual abuse of a fourteen year old girl.

3 November 2008 Emine Özcan,Bawer Çakır

The Case About Sexual Abuse Of 14 Year Old Girl May Re-Open

Minister of State Nimet Çubukçu says they will object to the report that led to the release of Üzmez, writer for daily Vakit, who was accused of sexually abusing a fourteen-year-old girl.

30 October 2008

Are The Forests Fires In Eastern And Southeastern Turkey Set Intentionally?

Hakkari deputy for the Democratic Society Party questions the Forestry Minister about the forest fires in eastern and southeastern Turkey, claiming that they are done intentionally for security reasons.

18 September 2008 Erkan Çapraz

Moda Residents Protest The Alcohol Ban

Moda residents of Istanbul demonstrate every week against the alcohol ban that started in their Pier with the new management since last July. They condemn the interference in their way of living.

“Idle Environmentalists” Released From Custody, After Protest

“Idle Environmentalists” Released From Custody, After Protest

The 33 environmentalist who protested the Gendarmerie raid of the Ekotopya Youth Park in Sinop in front of the governorship are released. The Prime Minister calls them “idle environmentalists”.