LIFE - Bianet

LIFE

Page 125

"The President Cordially Invites..."

A wide variety of people were invited to the President Gül's reception at Cankaya.

11 September 2007 A. Nilüfer Zengin Kürkçü

Referendum Starts at Borders

The referendum on changes in general and presidential elections will begin at the borders tomorrow.

10 September 2007 Tolga Korkut

"Other" CHP tells Baykal to Go

"Other" CHP tells Baykal to Go

While Baykal was celebrating the CHP's 84th anniversary, his opponent Sarigül called for his resignation.

10 September 2007 A. Nilüfer Zengin Kürkçü

Sixtieth Government Receives Vote of Confidence

The new government has received its vote of confidence with 337 votes. ÖDP MP Uras has criticised the government programme.

6 September 2007

General Staff Warns of "Increase in Attacks"

In a website message for the 30 August Day of Victory, Büyükanit has warned of an increase in attacks on the Republic. He has reminded soldiers of their duty to protect the Republic.

28 August 2007 Erhan Üstündağ

Turkey Must Rethink Child Abuse Law

Following the recent controversy in France, where a Turkish child was raped by a child abuser released from prison, lawyer Akco evaluates Turkish legal provisions and finds them unsatisfactory.

23 August 2007 A. Nilüfer Zengin Kürkçü

Returning Villagers Sent Back

Villagers attempting to return to their villages after 12 years have been told to leave their village, again for "security reasons". They have lost their harvests.

20 August 2007 Tolga Korkut

No Votes for Those To Ignore Renewable Energy

Representatives of 144 environmental groups have met and vowed that they will not vote for those who neglect renewable energy. They have also called for the law on nuclear power stations scrapped. The provisional law has been passed by the parliament.

Joint Project to Tackle Child Labour Begins

By the end of 2007, 99 thousand hoseholds will be reached for the field research done within the Elimination of Worst Kinds of Child Labor Project. ILO, EU and government work together to direct working children back to the educational system.

6 December 2006

High Unemployment Keeps Minimum Wage Low

The Comission on Minimum Wage gathered to decide the amount for 2007. Current number is way below poverty line. Economist Sonmez says a strong political opposion is needed to challenge the government policies while workers unions are at disaccord.

1 December 2006 Kemal Özmen

Tariq Ali Diary on Diyarbakır and More

The PKK decision offers the possibility of genuine reforms and autonomy, but this will happen only if the Turkish army agrees to retire to its barracks. Economic conditions in the Kurdish areas are now desperate.

22 November 2006 Tariq Alı

Ties Between Peoples Are Tightened by Culture

I have been in Istanbul for two times, but did not feel I was in Turkey. In Diyarbakir I had that feeling that I am in Turkish land, although I met only Kurdish and Zaza people there, says Armenian intellectual Artsvi Bakhchinyan after visiting Turkey.

16 October 2006 Talin Suciyan

NGOs Say Ceasefire is a Chance for Peace

Approximately 70 organizations and individuals have issued an appeal for the PKK cease-fire period to be properly evaluated and for existing problems to be addressed without prejudice: PKK must put down arms for good

10 October 2006

Gay Rights Upheld By Prosecution Again

Public Prosecutors Office rejects request from Bursa Governorship to close down Rainbow Association saying homosexuality is not an offence and reiterates that there will be no prosecution with a reference to the European Convention on Human Rights.

10 October 2006

Left Military Ammunition Kills Another Child

Yet another child, this time, Kerem was killed when a piece of metal he was playing with exploded. Two other children were injured in the incident. There is still not sufficient work to educate children against military mines and abandoned ammunition.

26 September 2006 Kemal Özmen

Anti-War Week Picks Up

The Global Anti-War Week is to be marked with various activities following this weekends launch where Middle East situation and Bushs war policies were highlights. Activities to continue until Sept.30 as decided at the European and World Social Forum.

26 September 2006 Kemal Özmen

Athens Intolerant to Immigrants, Ankara Too

Amnesty International expert Kilic criticizes Turkey and Greece for practice of secretly deporting illegal immigrants into each others territorial waters after UNHCR spokesmen implies this is common practice: This is against the Refugee Law.

25 September 2006 Tolga Korkut

Swedish Foundation Grant Blocked at Customs

Olof Palme Foundations aid to the children in the form of story books and computers has been blocked at customs. Losing hope of laying hands on the grant, GOC DER has forfeited its rights on books and computers.

22 September 2006

Lawyer Investigated to Reveal Child Torture

An investigation was launched against lawyer Erkem for her statements as Bar Association official related to child torture in local prison. She given only 10 days to prepare her defense or forgo defense rights, but is denied access to court files.

21 September 2006 Tolga Korkut

Turks to Rally Against Troops to Lebanon

As Turkish MPs meet tomorrow to debate a government ruling to send troops to Lebanon, peace activists opposing the move will take to the streets in a major rally.. DISK calls for mass participation to prevent coffins coming back from Lebanon.

4 September 2006 Emine Özcan

Dont Send Soldiers to Lebanon

29 leading intellectuals sign open letter saying government should only send humanitarian aid to the Middle East. Baydar: Cease-Fire declared for countries to send soldiers while the function of the peace corps is to suppress Palestine and Lebanon.

15 August 2006 Emine Özcan

TBB Ends Free Counsel Strike

Union of Bar Associations ends its protest of obligatory counsel services after Prime Minister issues orders for a new law and payment plan. Services to offer government-sponsored counsel to victims and defendants resume as the Union welcome solution.

14 August 2006 Kemal Özmen

PM Set To Bury Ancient City

Despite protests and appeals, PM Erdogan is expected to lead a groundbreaking ceremony in the Southeast, launching the construction of the controversial Ilisu Dam at cost of immersing the town of Hasankeyf, the heart of ancient Mesopotamia, under water.

2 August 2006 Emine Özcan

Keep Children Out Of TMK!

Initiative to Structure Childrens Justice System writes to President and Main Opposition Leader asking them to take new Anti-Terror Law to Constitutional Court and have it expunged: Children cant be protected from terror by limiting rights.

31 July 2006 Kemal Özmen

Court Case Launched Against Elif Shafak

Novelist Shafak is to stand trial on September 21 at an Istanbul court, facing charges of insulting Turkishness in her new bestseller Father and Bastard. Shafak now faces up to 3 years imprisonment under article 301 of the Criminal Code.

Protests Against Israel Gain Momentum

Labor and women organizations, academics and students march from Taksim Gezi Park to Dolmabahce under a joint banner demanding Israel to stop. DISKs 3-day sit-in protest of Israeli aggression in the Middle East ends with public rally calling for peace.

31 July 2006 Emine Özcan

Court Seizes Gay Cultural Magazine

A gay and lesbian cultural magazine published by KAOS Gl was seized on grounds that it was against general morality for a cover story that analyzed pornography and homosexuality. Lawyer Aydin challenges the verdict.

26 July 2006 Tolga Korkut

Ankara Bar Association Stopping Free Counsel

The Ankara Bar Association has announced it will stop assigning free lawyers to suspects and victims involved in Criminal Procedural Code prosecutions after states failure to cover expenses.

60 Children Arrested in Gaziantep in 6 Months

60 out of 147 children involved in 560 separate offences were arrested in the southeast city of Gaziantep in the first 6 months of 2006, say local police. Dr. Yildiz says rapid rise in child offences in city is due to immigration and poverty.

14 July 2006 Murat Güreş

ECHR To Hear Appeal to Save Ancient City

European Court of Human Rights agrees to hear application made to stop Southeast Ilusu Dam which will flood historical town of Hasankeyf and hundreds of archeological sites while displacing tens of thousands of people at heart of ancient Mesopotamia.

Anthrax Quarantine in 5 Southeast Villages

Officials say 5 villages in Hakkaris Yuksekova district have been placed under quarantine in fear of anthrax outbreak after loss of 80 livestock. District Agriculture Director warns locals against contracting disease.

Children Get Police & Courts, Not Schools

Diyarbakir Bar Association reveals that out of 10 thousand 193 suspects brought before courts last year, 2,197 were children. Criticizing the lawyers say effective social policies to protect children need to be enforced.

5 July 2006 Kemal Özmen