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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.