NEWS - Bianet

NEWS

Page 306

The Dream of a Civil Constitution

When one looks at pre-election promises, mainstream political parties are suddenly keen to promise a new, more democratic constitution. The track record of the current government and other parties suggests that many of these promises will not be kept.

17 July 2007 Tolga Korkut

Military Warning Was a Press Release

An administrative court has decided that the Internet warning published on the General Staff website during the night of 27 April was a press release. The complaint has been referred to the Ministry of Defence.

Rapprochement of CHP and MHP

Academic Baskaya and politician Sarisozen agree that the nominally social democratic CHP and the nationalist MHP are increasingly similar in their political discourses. The CHP creates fear in order to ensure its hold on power.

Election Predictions Around Turkey

Local journalists in Diyarbakir and Bursa have evaluated the election campaigns there. Independent candidates stand a good chance in Kurdish Diyarbakir, while nationalism is on the rise in Bursa.

Gündem Newspaper Closed for Fifteen Days

After an article on pre-election opinions in Batman, a south-eastern province, was published in the Gündem newspaper on 12 July, an Istanbul heavy penal court has closed the newspaper for 15 days.

Election Campaign in Eastern Turkey - 3

Although it is likely that several independent candidates in Van will get enough votes to enter parliament, many people are still betting on candidates with tribal connections. Van is a poor underdeveloped province with high unemployment.

16 July 2007 Anna Grabolle Çeliker

Agos Writers Trial on the 18th

Three journalists of Agos newspaper, previously run by murdered journalist Hrant Dink, have a court hearing again this week. Hrant Dinks son Arat Dink, Serkis Seropyan and Aydin Engin will appear in court on 18 July.

Cyanide Using Gold Mine in to Be Closed

A gold mine using cyanide in its extraction process has been poisoning thousands of people in the province of Usak since last year. A court has decreed that the mine be closed.

Professional Army Would Serve the Capital

According to writer Sen, the concept of a professional army serves less the fight against PKK terror, but more Turkeys bid for regional dominance by protecting the flow of global capital in the Middle East, the Caucasus and in the Balkans

16 July 2007 Tolga Korkut

BIA Media Report-Full Text

The second quarterly BIA media report has been published, making for sobering reading. Journalists, newspapers, radio stations and television channels are still often obstructed when trying to make use of the right of freedom of expression.

12 July 2007 Erol Önderoğlu

Violence Would Not Solve Kurdish Issue

Independent candidates of the left Uras and Oran are criticizing the decision of the General Staff of founding professional military units to operate in the south-east of the country by 2009: This is result of defining Kurdish issue as a security problem.

No Votes for Those Ignoring Alevites

Alevites, traditionally courted in pre-election campaigns and often ignored thereafter, have published a statement in which they express their disillusionment with political parties and their support of left parties and independent candidates.

Left and Right Both Nationalist

The election campaigns and the accompanying rhetoric show that many parties are exploiting an increase in nationalism. CHP, traditionally referred to as centre-left and the nationalist MHP are displaying an unprecedented degree of rapprochement.

Politicians Clamouring for Death Penalty

Recent mud slinging between the ruling AKP and the nationalist MHP has widened into a national discourse on the possibility of reintroducing the death penalty. Öcalan has become part of the election campaign and people in favour of the death penalty.

11 July 2007 Tolga Korkut

Dink, Zarakolu and Cayligil Awarded

The Turkey Journalists Society is awarding its Press Freedom Prize for the 19th time this year. Representive for all victims of Article 301, the prize will be awarded to journalist Hrant Dink, publisher Ragip Zarakolu and lawyer Gülcin Cayligil.

Election Campaign in Eastern Turkey - 2

In the light of the consistent failure to enter parliament as a party, Kurdish-interest party DTP -successor of HADEP and DEHAP- has decided to enter these elections with independent candidates. In Van there are 3 independent candidates supported by DTP.

11 July 2007 Anna Grabolle Çeliker

Appeal Against Evictions in Dink Case

Joint attorneys in the Dink murder case have demanded that four defendants who were released last week be rearrested. They argue that the case can only be investigated properly with these suspects.

Supreme Court Devalues Housework

In the divorce case of Fatma and Mehmet A., the Supreme Court of Appeals has ruled against the previous court decision, which acknowledged the contributions which a housewife and mother makes.

BİA² Media Report: State Violates, Who Pays?

The quarterly bianet report for April to June of this year reveals that journalists and reporters in Turkey still face harassment and legal consequences for informing the public. Four journalists are awaiting trial under Article 301.

10 July 2007 Erol Önderoğlu

Electoral Campaign in Eastern Turkey - 1

The upcoming elections can be felt all over Turkey. In Van, a Kurdish-majority province in the very east of Turkey, this is no different. In the past, the Kurdish vote has been wasted because pro-Kurdish parties couldnt pass the electoral threshold.

9 July 2007 Anna Grabolle Çeliker

Kurdish Politicians Harassed During Campaigns

The election campaign of the independent candidates supported by the pro-Kurdish DTP has been obstructed by police and gendarmerie. Particularly in the South-east, candidates have been prevented from putting up posters or opening election offices.

Referendum on 21 October

The Constitutional Court has rejected the appeals of president Sezer and the opposition CHP against a package changing presidential time in office, the election of the president and general elections. Thus, the package will be voted on in a referendum

AI: Torture and Killings Continue

The international human rights organisation AI has published a report on continuing torture, maltreatment and killings of civilians by law-enforcement officers. These crimes often go unpunished. AI has prepared a list of urgent steps that need to be taken

Streets Witnesses Election Campaigns

Every day, several parties are campaigning in Istanbuls main pedestrian precinct, Istiklal Street. ANAP has not joined these elections. Supporters of pro-Kurdish independent candidates have been stopped from setting up a campaign stall.

Turkey Guilty of Hindering Communication

After a prisoner in one of Turkeys notorious F-type prisons was stopped from sending a letter to the Radikal newspaper, the European Court of Human Rights has found Turkey guilty of violating the prisoners right to communication.

Campaigns Based on Security Fears

Particularly the ruling AKP and the nationalist MHP are using increasing nationalism and anger over the continuing deaths of soldiers in battles with the PKK to score points. The main parties are unanimous in their support for cross-border operations.

Controversial Job Cuts at Radikal Newspaper

The announcement that the Radikal newspaper will cut 41 jobs has been greeted with shock by its employers. Radikal is owned by the Dogan Media Group, as are Posta and Fanatik newspapers, which have already faced job losses.

5 July 2007 Tolga Korkut

Death Penalty Becomes Election Fodder

In the light of the approaching elections, political parties are competing in cheap populism, pandering to the increase in nationalism in Turkey.

Dink Lawyers Want Decisive Judiciary

The Dink family lawyers emphasise that the investigation has stopped short of finding or trying those who are really responsible for journalist Hrant Dinks murder. The court has demanded access to more video recordings and documents, as well as names.

Dink Trial: What is in the Indictment?

In the 31-page indictment there is no mention of the accusations against the police and gendarmerie officers in Trabzon and Samsun. Tuncel and Hayal are accused of incitement to murder. The prosecution demands 14-20 yearsfor suspected gunman.

Gay Pride March: Homosexuals Exist

In the fourth Gay Pride March in Istanbul on 1 July, gays, lesbians, bisexuals, transvestites and transsexuals demanded that their existence be acknowledged and that an end be put to discrimination.

Dink Murder Trial: Two Letters

As the case against suspects in the murder of journalist Hrant Dink started yesterday, two very different letters were published. One is from Rakel Dink, widow of the murdered journalist. The other is from Yasin Hayal, one of the suspects.