NEWS - Bianet

NEWS

Page 346

No to USA Meeting in Iskenderun

Patriotic Front holds weekend meeting in Iskenderun saying no to USA, rejecting alleged plans to convert popular Mediterranean seaport into a US base. Iskenderun Port is not for sale protestors say.

Withdraw Anti-Terror Draft, Stop Operations

Women from 11 organizations stage sitting protest against new Anti-Terror Bill in front of Istanbuls historic Galatasaray High School. Women say chauvinist and anti-Kurdish policies threaten them the most.

22 May 2006 Ayşe Durukan

Former PM Ecevit Fights for His Life

Democratic Left Party Honorary Chairman and five ties Turkeys Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit fighs for his life after suffering a brain hemorrhag. Ecevit, unconcious remains in intensive care after 4.5 hour surgery.

Charges Against Justice Encouraged Attack

Attack on Council of State judges condemned by President Sezer, PM Erdogan, Minister of Justice Cicek and a number of NGOs. Sezer: This is an attack against the secular republic. MAZLUMDER says the attack shouldnt be associated to the Council of Stat

Turkish Media: Greatest Attack on The State

Turkeys mainstream media covers the attack on Council of State judges as the worst attack against state institutions ever. Mainstream Turkish dailies Hurriyet a secularist newspaper and Islamist Zaman publish columns alarming for a grave situation.

Judges Cant Function Under Death-Threat

Lawyer İlkiz saysAttack on Council of State is a despicable massacre of law. Prof. Dr. Azrak: A justice mechanism operating under heavy threat cannot fulfill its function. Judges are humans too. Responsibility is with the whole of the administration.

18 May 2006 Tolga Korkut

HRW: No Excuse for Attack on Judges

Court decision to ban headscarf cannot justify murder says international rights group Human Rights Watch upon the killing of a Turkish State Council judge and wounding of four others who had decided to ban headscarf in state offices.

Nationalist Attack Dissidents During Trial

Armenian Turkish journalists Dink and Engin were attacked during court hearing in Istanbul. Defendants escaped near-lynch attempt under police protection. They are exploiting court cases for nationalist plots says Dink.

Journalists Threatened Under Anti-Terror Law

Journalists Karakurt, Tatlıcan and Kılıc of daily Hurriyet face prison terms under article 6/2 of Anti-Terror Law (TMY) for an interview with PKK leaders in Northern Iraq. Interview was part of journalistic duty, the journalists defend themselves.

9 May 2006 Erol Önderoğlu

Terror Indictment Against Düzel Dropped

Prosecutor Karacal justifiying with procedural reasons drops his indictment against journalist Nese Duzel for the words of pro-Kurdish politician Orhan Doğan whom she had interviewed for daily Radikal. Yet the case against DTP official Dogan will continue

9 May 2006 Erol Önderoğlu

Journalists Duty To Criticize PM Say Judges

Court of Appeals quashes compensation sentence against Radikal daily journalist Yıldırım Turker in Prime Minister libel case. Court says the behavior of the Prime Minister can be debated and even severely criticized

9 May 2006 Tolga Korkut

Intellectuals Defy Turkish Penal Code

Seven of 20 intellectuals who willingly violated the restrictive articles of Turkish Penal Code plead guilty before the public prosecutor. They testify that they admitting the results have undersigned a 31 point text to violate the articles.

9 May 2006 Erol Önderoğlu

Human Trafficking Victims on Rise

IOM and Police Directorate record significant increase in human trafficking in Turkey. 583 women from other countries rescued from traffickers and returned home since 2004. 6 thousand plus caught and sent back due to prostitution.

9 May 2006 Ayşe Durukan

New Law Protects Crimes Against Environment

Greenpeace sends letter to Turkish president raising concerns on new Environment Law, saying some articles protect environment offences. Requests Sezer return the law to Parliament. Organization launches Stop-This-Law campaign over the internet.

Withdraw Laws Against the People

May Day 2006: Workers demand government abandon Social Security Law, Anti-Terror Bill and nuclear power plant projects. Observers say youth and women participation in Istanbul May Day rally high despite lower overall attendance.

3 May 2006 Erol Önderoğlu,Kemal Özmen

Police Detain 34, Beat Protestors

Police use truncheons and pepper-gas on May Day group, detentions accompanied by beatings. 34 in custody in Istanbul while nation-wide arrests reportedly number over 80. Unionists lay carnation at Taksim Square in memory of 37 protesters killed in 1977.

Rice Leaves Ankara Pleased

Prof. Dr. Dedeoglu: Chaotic conditions not in interests of USA. America concerned over risk of independent Kurdistan in Iran. Military buildup at borders against possible declaration of independent Kurdistan as well as the PKK and US policy.

28 April 2006 Tolga Korkut

Prosecutor Appeals Against Four Columnists

Bagcilar prosecutors office appeals against court decision dropping charges for four prominent Turkish columnists for criticizing a decision to ban 2005 Istanbul conference on Ottoman Armenians. Murat Belge to be tried on June 8 under separate indictment

28 April 2006 Erol Önderoğlu

New Terror Bill Takes All Citizens Terrorist

17 NGOs demand new Anti-Terror Law be withdrawn, say they themselves will be treated as unarmed terrorist organizations.TIHV says bill means tolerance policy towards torture and shifting from EU position.

Five Children Released in Diyarbakir

Another successful appeal by the Diyarbakir Bar Association Childrens Right Center secures release for 5 children as 55 still remain in prison. Court case demanding up to 24 years jail for 80 minors to continue.

26 April 2006 Kemal Özmen

IHD Launches Anti-Mine Training Drive

IHD draws mine risk map; prepares to educate children and adults on protection. Results to be shared with MPs. General Secretary Tastan says Mined settlements are being ignored. An Action Plan and Law are required.

26 April 2006 Tolga Korkut

International Rainbow Camp from KAOSGL

Turkeys KAOS GL to gather homosexuals in first week-long International Rainbow Summer Camp. Target date set as July. Foreign participants expected.

26 April 2006 Emine Özcan

Massive Military Buildup in Southeast

Trenches on borders, entries and exits with Iran-Iraq under control, new troops and armoured vehicles deployed to the region from central and western parts of the country Turkey builds up massive deployment on the border with Iraq and Iran.

Talat:Anti-Solution Camp in Power in Cyprus

TRNC President says despite growing feelings against a solution on Greek side of divided island, Turkish Cypriots to press forward for a solution. Turkish Cypriot community integrate with the rest of the world, Lifting isolations will start unification.

Justice Minister Defends Terror Law

Minister of Justice and Government Spokesman Cemil Cicek says those critical of new law dont know what its about, claims bill is consistent with EC decision. Current Anti-Terror law cost Turkey over USD 245,000 in ECHR compensation sentences last year.

Anti-Terror Bill Restrictive, Unnecessary

Rights activist and lawyer Yıldırım evaluates Ankaras new Anti-Terror bill, says its against fundamental rights and freedoms. Defendants are to be categorized as terrorists until they can prove their own innocence... Turkey does not need such a law.

Barristers Urge Semdinli Prosecutor Returned

15 Bar Associations and jurists association CHD call on High Council to withdraw decision sacking Semdinli prosecutor who charged Land Forces Commander: The greatest threat to the independence of the judiciary are the Commission and Justice Ministry.

New Anti-Terror Bill Incites More Violence

Turkeys new Anti-Terror Bill is at Parliament. MAZLUMDERs Bilgen says Tightening democratic rights will fire-back. Rights advocates are being punished. Everyone should be against this draft; IHDs Alatas The intention is to create a silent society.

20 April 2006 Tolga Korkut

Endless Trials of Publisher Zarakolu

Belge Publications House owner Ragıp Zarakolu was once again at court this week, this time on trial for Prof. Dr. Sakayans book Accounts of an Armenian Doctor and Jerjians The Truth Will Set Us Free. Publisher faces 13.5 years jail if found guilty f

20 April 2006 Erol Önderoğlu

6 Months Jail for Broadcaster Ozic

Adana court sentences Ejder Ozic to six months imprisonment under article 301 for radio broadcast that even court prosecutor and Court of Appeals Chief Prosecutor regarded as criticism. Judge refuses to defer sentence or set bail, concludes broadcaster

20 April 2006 Erol Önderoğlu

50 Pro-Kurdish DTP Executives Arrested

Pro Kurdish Democratic Society Party (DTP) calls roundup of 50 party executives unlawful and arbitrary. Five of those arrested are provincial chairman and nine are district chairman. The arrested are accused of implication in guerrilla PKK activity.

ECHR Conference in Ankara

Academics and jurists will meet April 28 to debate right to fair trial and freedom of expression. The cartoon crisis, racial remarks, freedom of expression for civil servants, medias right to access to information are aong the issues of debate.