NEWS - Bianet

NEWS

Page 342

Students Setting Up Union For Rights

DISK-affiliated Student Union Initiative is formally becoming a union under the name GENCSEN. Initiative spokesperson Eliacik says union to work on variety of fronts from university exams to social rights and students used as cheap labor.

15 November 2006 Emine Özcan

International Childrens Film Festival Begins

The fourth Istanbul International Children Film Festival that will continue until November 30 started this Tuesday with over 100 films from more than 30 countries lined up for screening. The two week event will be screened in four different places.

14 November 2006

Former MP Bucak Sentenced to Jail

Former MP Sedat Edip Bucak involved in the 1996 car crash that uncovered the so-called Susurluk Conspiracy has been sentenced to 1 year 15 days imprisonment for conspiring to commit an offence.

14 November 2006

PM Discussing 301 With Wrong People

TIHV and Initiative For Freedom of Expression say government discussions on controversial article 301 with employer and trade unions instead of NGOs are on the wrong platform and with the wrong people.

14 November 2006 Erol Önderoğlu

Aktuel Acquitted on Latife Hanim Case

Prosecutor decides to dismiss proceedings against Yeni Aktuel magazine reporter Ecevit Kilic for relaying anecdotes from author Ipek Calislar on her best-seller Latife Hanim book. Decision based on view that to love Ataturk and to prevent debate on hi

13 November 2006 Erol Önderoğlu

DISK Says EU Report Lacks Union Emphasis

DISK Secretary Genaral Musa Cam criticizes EU Commission Progress Report for concentrating on issues such as 301 and Cyprus but neglecting union rights. Not even reports are mentioning union rights anymore he says, noting no progress in this field.

13 November 2006

Journalists Right to Organization on Agenda

EC Progress Report on Turkey referring to the lack of journalists employement rights prompts journalist associations and unions. TGC, TGS and CGD list problems as monopolization, fear of being sacked and lack of protective laws.

13 November 2006 Emine Özcan

Euro Warning Sparks 301 Initiatives

Government preparing amendments to Penal Code art. 301 after EC Progress Report criticism. Plans are to replace the terminology; denigrating Turkishness with the Turkish nation. NGOs are working to come up with multiparty view on the issue.

13 November 2006 Erol Önderoğlu

Detentions Mar Anti-YOK Protests

Demonstrations were held throughout Turkey to protest the Higher Education Board on its 25th anniversary. Over 20 were detained and a number of injured reported. The institution is seen by many as a remnant of the post-military coup era and control.

8 November 2006

Another Education for Another Communication

Education for Communication panel hears Ferguson from University of London stressing importance of how to open issues to debate when giving radical messages to society. Gazi Universitys Cankaya says we are not training technicians for the sector.

6 November 2006 Emine Özcan

Independent Media Forum Calls for Actions

Istanbul International Independent Media Forum announced calls for action regarding mainstream, local and independent media and the governmesnts.

5 November 2006

BIA Grants Rights Reporting Awards

BIA² 2006 Rights Reporting Awards have been granted to Yuksekova Habers Necip Capraz in the field of local media, Radikals Timur Soykan in the field of mainstream media and to Aycin Gelir and Eylem Tuna in the field of communications students.

4 November 2006

We Want A Media On the Childs Side

Childrens Rights group says Respecting children rights but violating human rights is unthinkable. Media organizations should first declare principles to their readership and opportunities should be provided for children to participate in the media

4 November 2006 Kemal Özmen

The Internet Has Created New Journalists

LMDs Ramonet says to Independent Media Forum: the number of news items increased with the Internet, free papers; everyones a journalist by mobile phones and the Internet. IPSs Lubetkin: the need for alternative media should be explained everywhere.

4 November 2006 Erol Önderoğlu

Egitim-Sen Acquitted in Meeting Case

Ankara court acquits Egitim-Sen union chairman Dincer and 6 unionists on charges of staging an outlawed meeting in 2004 where they were accused of provoking the people to gather and rally illegally.

3 November 2006

DTP: All NGOs Should Work For Lasting Peace

Pro-Kurdish Democratic Society Party calls on all labor, employer organizations and NGOs to take bold and determined steps for the PKK cease-fire to be lasting. Says problem should be solved through internal dynamics and all weapons need to be silenced.

21 October 2006

Radio Banned For 30 Days

RTUK closes down Istanbul-based radio station for airing a song of a famous folk singer and its programs on Kurdish issue and operations in prisons. Anadolunun Sesi closure enforced on Tuesday on alleged offences ranges back three years.

18 October 2006 Erol Önderoğlu

Kids Face Police Questioning at Schools

Egitim-Sen reports incidents of primary school children in Adana being questioned by the police and gendarme for outstanding credit card debts of parents. Boga: We must immediately rid ourselves of this shame of turning schools into police stations

18 October 2006 Kemal Özmen

Respond France by Promoting Freedoms

PENs Sayar gives out signals on freedom of expression after genocide vote in France saying retaliation should be by abolishing article 301. TGCs Erinc refutes France PMs statement. Prosecuted journalist Duzel wants to see what happens ın practice.

18 October 2006 Erol Önderoğlu

We Must Debate 1915 Ourselves

Genocide Denial Law will neither serve to resolve incidents in 1915 nor benefit Armenians in Turkey says minorities law expert attorney Cetin. Turkey should come to the level where it can solve its problems itself believes EU specialist Dr. Aktar.

16 October 2006 Tolga Korkut

15 Thousand Protest Government on Streets

Turkish Union of Engineers and Architects Chambers (TMMOB) stages massive rally in capital Ankara protesting the government and calling for a free and democratic country. TMMOB Chairman Soganci says: We want a free country on the side of labour.

16 October 2006

Heavy Blow on Franco-Turkish Relations

Ankara feels deeply regrets over French Parliaments criminalization of the denial of Armenian Genocide: Heavy blow on relations. Armenian-Turkish journalist Hrank Dink believes Senate will reject bill as Turkey presses for freedom of expression.

16 October 2006

Four New 301 Cases Against Evrensel

Evrensel owner Belek and chief editor Bayar at court for news articles covering demands to unveil truth behind Semdinli incidents and reporting on education sector workers plight for rights. Trial monitored by intellectuals under heavy security .

12 October 2006 Erol Önderoğlu

Pamuk Gets Nobel Literature Prize

Prominent Turkish novelist Orhan Pamuk wins Nobel Literature Prize as the Swedish Academy announced today. In the quest for the melancholic soul of his native city, Pamuk has discovered new symbols for the clash and interlacing of cultures it said.

12 October 2006

Armenian Genocide Law Passed in France

French Parliament adopts controversial law criminalizing the denial of an Armenian Genocide. Assembly approved bill with 106 votes with members of governing UMP also voting in favor alongside socialists and opposition UDF.

12 October 2006 Erol Önderoğlu

History Requires Conscience Not Law

Journalists Mahcupyan, Dink and Zarakolu blast French Genocide Bill as a product of repressive mentalities similar to the ones in Turkey: This bill is ethically illegal and Armenian history needs to be treated with conscience, not laws

11 October 2006

Exploiting Genocide to Cut Turkey from EU

Prof. Oran says France is using Armenians and the genocide question to exclude Turkey from the EU: Fear of globalization has spread everywhere. Economist Sonmez warns that this debate can put Tukey off the rail on the way to EU membership.

11 October 2006 Erol Önderoğlu

Article 301 Cases Against Writers Continue

Balbal protests obstacles in front of freedom of opinion and Penal Code article 301 at Justice Ministry gates after being sentenced to 10 months for his book Flowers of Blood From A Captive General on Ararat.

10 October 2006 Erol Önderoğlu

Daily Milliyet Case Goes to Criminal Court

Three journalists charged for a news article join among newsmen to be tried at Specialized Criminal Courts established to replacement State Security Courts. Charges against the journalists are based on coverages of Kurdish speakers in London

Case Against Author Calislar Opens

Istanbul court starts to hear case against Calislars Latife Hanim and Hurriyet Editor Necdet Tatlican on charges of Insulting Ataturk. Both face 4.5 years imprisonment if found guilty. Defendants dont attend first trial.

Washingtons Preferences

The outcry of the Armed Forces in the person of Buyukanit should be read rather more as the declaration of will of the military on Turkeys prospective route in the framework of new global conditions than the armys thirst for power.

5 October 2006 Ertuğrul Kürkçü

IHD: Cease-Fire is Historical Opportunity

Human Rights Association says PKK cease-fire is a historic opportunity for solving the Kurdish problem through democratic means: Care should be taken against provocations; PKK should give democratic methods a chance; society should participate in debate.