Birgun daily writer Erbil Tusalp is condemned to damages amounting to 5 thousand YTL for assaulting the personal rights of Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan. The piece in question was published in December 24, 2005.

Conscientious objector Savda is arrested by Corlu Martial Court where hes tried with intentionally avoiding duty. As hes sent to prison, his lawyer Coskun says that the government keeps the issue on hold obliging likes of Savda to live as fugitives.

Human rights activist and ex-chair of the IHD Istanbul Branch will be tried with the debated article 301 of the Penal Code, on charges of insulting Turkishness with a speech she made in 2004. This is the fifth case on her from the same article.

Talking on TESEVs international symposium on internal displacement, Muteber Ogreten told that land mines are constitute an obstacle on relocation of populations. There are at least 984 000 mines fitted on Turkish soil. 29 civilians died of mines in 2005.

10 photographers from both countries worked in Yerevan and Istanbul which resulted in an exhibition. Titled Merhabev the photographs call for a dialogue between two neighbours torn apart on a 80 year old debate. The exhibition will tour Europe in 2007.

PressNow and IPS Communication Foundation conducted two preliminary meetings with local journalists in Tunceli and Diyarbakir. This will lead to joint training and support programmes for local media in Turkey.

The problem of internal displacement is inextricably related to the Kurdish problem in Turkey said Ayata at TESEVs two-day international symposium. MacAllister draw evidence from the Palestinian refugees and said Solution is that they get organized

Two million signatures demanding a change on the law on political parties and the electoral law, collected by CETKODER are presented to the National Assembly. Both legislations are under much debate for undermining a fair representation in the assembly.

Popes most discussed visit to Turkey ends today. Asst. Prof. Macar says the focus point was Popes meeting with the Orthodox Patriarch but the government and the opposition didnt miss the opportunity to polticize the visit to their own ends.

Parliament Speaker Arinc stands up for Prof. Yayla who was dismissed from y for calling Ataturk this man and Kemalism corresponds more with regression than it does with development. So far 11 people tried, two imprisoned for their opinions on Ataturk.

Expert consultant Isik says Turkey getting results after 20 years of struggle for women rights but calls for stronger stance to advance further. The definition of violence should be broadened to include all forms of obstacles placed in front of women.

Ulkede Ozgur Gundem newspaper editor Nurettin Firat says last weeks court decision to suspend the daily from print for 15 days shows there is no democracy in Turkey: The Military authority is determining the countrys agenda.

A public debate on problems of writers in Diyarbakir on Gun TV was cancelled after police appeared at the scene with a warrant allowing them to video the panel. TV producer Dogan says enforcement was against freedom of press and broadcasting.

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.

Radio and Television Supreme Board decides to caution four stations and ask written defense from three others for their coverage of the alleged sexual harassment of a 17-month-old baby.

Two NGOs issue joint statement saying amendments on articles that are obstacles in front of the freedom of expression cant be a solution. Both organizations believe government needs to abolish the contraversial article 301 of the Penal Code.

Perihan Magden is acquitted on charges of insult through written criticism and attempting to influence a fair trial. I am very very happy she said following Tuesdays hearings where she rejected the charges.

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.

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.

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.