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Page 346

End Violence, Hear the Call for Peace

Political parties, rights activists, artists and NGOs sahraply react against the Diyarbakir bombing. Regardless of where it comes from, for whatever aim, violence cannot be approved. The Kurdish problem cannot be solved through violence they say.

18 September 2006 Emine Özcan

Silent March in Protest of Deadly Bombing

Three-day mourning by the local businesses ends as shutters are reopen after a silent parade of 5 thousand. Police Special Operation Teams display discontent with a counter-parade by a convoy of 20 armored carriers.

18 September 2006

Whoever May Have Planted, Bomb Targets Peace

Police says bomb mechanism in Diyarbakir is a PKK protoype. DTP Deputy Chairman Yurttas: Whoever may have organized the attack, we will continue to insist on peace. The perpetrators should be revealed. No matter who is behind this provocation.

18 September 2006

Kurdish Party Leader: We Insist on Peace

Those against peace will be uncovered, if they are not protected by the state says DTP leader Turk. Funerals held for those killed, protests recorded, local businesses pull down shutters. Governors office: The bomb killing 10 was planted in a thermos.

15 September 2006

No Bomb Is Innocent

Childrens rights group Gundem Cocuk says on explosion killing 6 children in Diyarbakir: Those conducting violence, nourishing it, those creating the conditions for it are all equally guilty. The crime is a crime even if the bomb had not killed children

15 September 2006 Kemal Özmen

Investigation Demanded Into Kurdish Girl Deat

The right to life of 11-year-old Kurdish girl in Batman might have been neglected while two suspects killed in the same incident could have been apprehended alive, concludes a fact-finding mission of human rights NGOs.

15 September 2006 Kemal Özmen

Over 200 Intellectuals Say Enough is Enough

More than 200 Turkish and Kurdish intellectuals call on PKK for an unconditional end to all armed activities and appeal to state for legislation allowing everyone to participate in democratic social life.

13 September 2006

Blast Killed 10 in Diyarbakır

A bomb attack in the poor Baglar district killed 10 and wounded at least 15 people, many of them children. As the investigation continues, IHD and Diyarbakır mayor Baydemir condemned the attack as a provocation against efforts of peace.

13 September 2006

Ekinci Makes a Call to PKK to Leave the Arms

One of the leading Kurdish politician Ekinci says PKK must lay down arms with no conditions attached to it. Ekinci argues that for democracy forces to advance in Turkey and be effective, PKK has to end armed activities point blank.

13 September 2006 Kemal Özmen

Support Cease-fire and Positive Steps

SDP and SODEV back DTPs appeal for PKK unilateral ceasefire and call on public to press for peaceful solution. Kocali says Cease-fire alone will not end conflict, . Cingi: Government initiatives for peace should be supported.

13 September 2006

Coup Intact: Seeking Rights Still a Crime

Human Rights Foundation Chair Onen says 80 military coup still intact by renewing and sophisticating itself. The culture of conflict is trying to spread into the civilian environment. This is an operation to suppress peace.

12 September 2006 Tolga Korkut

DTP Calls On PKK to Declare Cease-Fire

Pro-Kurdish Democratic Society Party (DTP) chairman Ahmet Turk issues cease-fire appeal and says he is hopeful PKK will accept: If the PKK declares a cease-fire it is a must to create the conditions to make it durable.

12 September 2006 Kemal Özmen

No Evidence of Clash in Kurdish Girl Slaying

Human Rights activists say it found no sign of a clash where 9-year-old Kurdish girl Mizgin was killed by gunfir. Her brother Hadi charges they were fired on by security forces without warning and corpses were shot again afterwards.

11 September 2006 Kemal Özmen

Movie Industry Workers Stand-up for Rights

Movie actors and playwrites warn film and TV industry of possible walkouts if conditions of new Team Agreement are not met. Their union SINE-SEN proposes to end uninsured employment, improve working hours and protect women from harassment.

8 September 2006 Ayşe Durukan

Teachers Union Urges for Qulaity Education

Turkeys school-teachers uniaon Egitim-Sen to launch nation-wide campaign petitioning for equal, free and quality education for all levels and sections of education. Engineers Chamber, TMMOB and largest union confedartion Turk-Is to support campaign.

8 September 2006 Kemal Özmen

Family Burdens Distract Women from Unionism

DISK chairman Celebi announces that a youth union is to follow the founding new pensioners union. A union of women is unlikely he says. Women are already in every field. Yet they are not active at the unions executive levels, due to family burdens.

8 September 2006 Ayşe Durukan

Investigate into Killing of Kurdish Girl

9-year-old Mizgin Ozbek and two others were sprayed with bullets in a car in southeast Batman while officials maintain child was caught in cross-fire. Human rights NGOs and local Bar Association set up fact-finding delegation.

7 September 2006 Kemal Özmen

AI: Justice Delayed and Denied in Turkey

Turkey criticized in the lastest Amnesty International report on The persistence of protracted and unfair trials for those charged under anti-terrorism legislation. AI issues seven-point appeal for improvements addressed at Ankara government.

7 September 2006

Put 1980 Coup Commanders on Trial

A year after filing a criminal complaint against commanders who staged Turkeys 1980 military take-over, the Platform Against Coups has repeated its charges at the Court of Appeals, demanding former Chief of Staff Evren and commanders to put on trial.

6 September 2006

Oct. 5: Black Day For Freedom of Expression

Turkish courts are geared up to hear 45 press and freedom of expression cases until the end of the year. First case starts with the Kirandi trial on September 8 while eight journalists, writers and publishers are to face judges on October 5.

6 September 2006 Erol Önderoğlu

Turkey To Send Troops to Lebanon

Brushing off public reaction and warnings by opposition deputies, ruling AKP majority passes government motion to send Turkish soldiers to Lebanon. Simultaneous to the vote, over 10 thousand people poured out to the streets of capital Ankara in protest.

6 September 2006 Kemal Özmen

Martyr Families Say No Troops To Lebanon

Families of soldiers killed in action in troubled Southeast region blame government and call on Ankara to refrain from sending troops to Lebanon. Reaction to government policy mounts in wake of new funerals for soldiers killed in clashes with PKK.

5 September 2006

11 DTP Executives Arrested

Diyarbakir court arrests 11 executives of pro-Kurdish Democratic Society Party including provincial chairman Avci after police storm party headquarters in Siirt. Politicians accused of aiding the outlawed PKK organization and conducting propaganda.

4 September 2006

Should We Go to Lebanon or Not ?

Four students were beaten by side watchers as they tried to protest sending troops to Lebanon. Police Chief Cerrah approved of the lynching. As celebrations went on for the Victory Day, we talked to youngsters on the issue: Theyre simply confused.

31 August 2006 Kemal Özmen

Ataturk Trial Against Journalist Calislar

Journalist Ipek Calislar will be tried for insulting Ataturk in her last book, Latife Hanim, where hes told to wear a scarf to avoid murder. Lawyer Kanar says that prosecutors are givin way to nationalism by taking such individual complaints seriously.

Activists Demand Toxic Ship to be Sent Back

Activists demanded the Minister of Environment that the Dutch ship Otapan loaded with high levels of asbestos should be sent back. Netherlands sent the ship to Izmir for tearing down but rejected to declare the level of toxic waste involved.

Ban on GL Publication is Going to the ECHR

The Attorney Generalship of Ankara had banned Kaos GL gay and lesbian solidarity foundations publication issue on pornography. The First Instance Criminal Court rejected their appeal. The Foundation is preparing to carry the case to the ECHR.

Thousands Protested Against Troops to Lebanon

Thousands of anti-war protesters gathered in Kadikoy demanding Israel to withdraw immediately from Lebanese and Palestine soil as well as closure of military bases and abolition of bilateral treaties with Israel from the government.

21 August 2006 Kemal Özmen

Clues For Beginners to Live in Istanbul

Some degree of Turkish is essential if you are intended to stay for a relatively longer time in Istanbul. Maps may not help, ask friends how to start strolling through the city. Share a flat with others, you will enjoy greater freedom than in a hostel.

17 August 2006 Anna Gross,Anna Gross Boeltıng

Still No State Policy on Earthquake Risks

It has been seven years since the Marmara Earthquake in Kocaeli that took thousands of lives and left many more without a home. As experts warn for another disaster threat for Istanbul, no concrete precautions had been put in place by the government.

Multiple Investigations into Bombing General

Sirnak Prosecutors Office prosecution also investigating retired General Tokat for public revelation on ordering clandestine street bombings to intimidate judges and civil servants. New probe looks into whether he was involved in similar activities there

State Regards Own Citizens as Foreigners

State Supervisory Council lists minority foundations among foreign legal entities in report probing land purchases by foreigners. Lawyer Hatemi: This is a disgrace, a Constitutional offence. Cano: their executives are citizens of the Republic.

14 August 2006 Tolga Korkut