NEWS - Bianet

NEWS

Page 351

Intellectuals Denounce Dinks Punishment

Intellectuals from Turkey and overseas join to denounce journalist Dinks sentencing of a suspended six months for belittling Turkish identity. This is a threat against the exercise of the freedom of expression and thought they say.

25 October 2005

Call for a Decision on the Minorities Report

After nine months, the Ankara Head Prosecutors inquiry into the controversial Minorities Report remains uncompleted. Professor Baskin Oran, one of the reports authors, calls for the prosecutor to make charges or drop the inquiry.

21 October 2005 Adnan Keskin

Accepting the Past Will Set Us Free

Talin Suciyan reflects on the groundbreaking Armenian conference and the liberating effect that the open discussion of this history will have for Turkey and for the Armenian diaspora.

10 October 2005 Talin Suciyan

AI: Refugee Deported to Syria Suffers Torture

Amnesty International-Turkey revealed that Syrian refugee Ahmet Muhammed İbrahim, who was deported from Turkey in March, has been tortured. AI charges that Turkey had violated international agreemnents and disregarded refugee rights.

30 September 2005

Court Halts Armenian History Conference

Yesterday the Fourth Administrative Court decided to halt a conference on Ottoman Armenians that was to be held at Boğaziçi University in İstanbul this weekend. Prime Minister Erdoğan said it is impossible to approve of this decision.

23 September 2005

Two Reporters Jailed in Southeast Nusaybin

Cengiz Dogan, the editor-in-chief of the Mavi and Kent newspapers in Nusaybin, was arrested and sent to the Mardin E-type prison for publishing PKK statements. The general manager of the newspapers had been arrested two weeks ago.

21 September 2005 Erol Önderoğlu

Wage Workers Divided on Turkeys EU Bid

Study results reveal: in İstanbul,44 percent of laborers hold positive views of the EU and 41.1 percent hold negative views. Among both groups, doubt that Turkey will be accepted into the EU is high.

20 September 2005

Istanbul Hosts EPA Meeting

European Preparatory Assembly (EPA) of the European Social Forum convenes in Istanbul on Wednesday. Trade unionists, anti-war activists, womens organizations, environmentalists, and more than 100 NGO representatives from Turkey and overseas will meet.

20 September 2005

No Relief Before Cyprus Problem is Solved

EU accession process expert Aktar emphasizes that its not the first time the EU is pressuring Turkey. Nobody is calling for a delay in negotiations despite the anti-Turkey sentiment in Europe, said Aktar.

7 September 2005 Kemal Özmen

Ceasefire Positive but Short

Representatives of political parties and non-governmental organizations said Kongra-Gels decision to halt violence for a month is a positive step toward peace. But the brief time period is creating concerns.

The Army Demands Unlimited Authority...

Reacting agains the army Chief of Staff General Hilmi Ozkoks complaints that recent anti-terror legislation curbs them of authority, human rights activist Yavuz Onen of TIHV warns:The army is already granted abundant power. Our rights are in danger.

19 August 2005 Tolga Korkut

Turkish Scholar Freed After Two-Month Arrest

Yektan Turkyilmaz, a Turkish citizen of Kurdish origin and an academic from the Duke University in the US, is freed after two months in an Armenian prison.

19 August 2005 Emil Danıelyan,Ruzanna Khachatrıan

Journalists Concerned of Increased Harassment

Arrest of one Kurdish journalist and a human rights activist for allegedly having footage of outlawed PKK militants raises concerns for renewed harassment of dissidents. Domestic journalist associations and Reporters Without Borders denounce the arrest.

Democracy May Solve The Kurdish Question

A group of 12 intellectuals met Prime Minister Erdogan on Wednesday to urge for a solution to the Kurdish question. Spokesperson Gursay also urged the guerrilla PKK to halt armed fighting and give peace a chance.

Conscientious Objector Should Be Released

Erkan Ersoz and Ersan Ugur Gor, two conscientious objectors from Turkeys War Resisters Association, urge for the acquittal of arrested objector Mehmet Tarhan, whose request for release was denied during todays hearing.

4 August 2005 Erkan Ersöz,Ersan Uğur Gör

Being Journalist Friendly vs. Being E.T.

Journalism is a peculiar, subjective, local and original activity. The use of language as a means of conveying thought, as well as the original aspects of cultural and social concepts, tend to narrow the limits of journalistic training abroad.

29 July 2005 Ragıp Duran

Soldier Calls For Martial Law Again

Tayfun Mater, contributor to the Intellectuals Declaration, says that the General Staff exceeds limits of authority with its combatant-view announcement, which signals the military solution to the Kurdish dispute gaining validity.

27 July 2005 Kemal Özmen

Kurdish Problem Again

The new wave of violence is not something that may be comprehended and evaluated within the borders of Turkey. As PKK approaches the end of the road, the lack of a political power to replace it is further complicating the problem.

26 July 2005 Ragıp Duran

Ocalan Cant be Tried by International Court

Kurdish intellectual Ekinci commented on the declaration put out by 21 institutions: The demand for Ocalans retrial by an international court is baseless. The declaration doesnt comply with the perspective of a democratic struggle.

25 July 2005 Kemal Özmen

Honor Victim Goes to Shelter

N.K. who was shot by her brother-in-law for allegedly having an affair while her husband served in the military, said she is innocent. Eighteen-year-old N.K. was sent to an unidentified womens shelter.

No Self-Criticism in Media on Iraq War

Journalist Duran and CGD head Tilic said that an important potion of the dominant media prepared the people for the attack on Iraq through broadcasts. Foreign policy writer Atay said the Turkish media jumped on every news on Iraq.

4 July 2005 Erol Önderoğlu

WTI Results in Knowledge, Hope, Solidarity

The participants and organizers of the WTI explained what the tribunal meant for them. Journalist Cubukcu: I didnt see any harm in saying that the war is dirty. Prof. Oran: Remaining silent means cooperating. Berktay:The notion of justice has changed.

1 July 2005 Tolga Korkut

WTI: Refusal Against Silence

The tribunal places its faith in the consciences of people who do not wish to stand by and watch while the Iraqi people are being subjugated, said Roy from the Jury of Conscience. The tribunal also looks into Turkeys legal responsibility, added Falk.

Bello: Blair Government Was Aware of All

Sociologist Bello: Aside from the United States, it is the government of the United Kingdom that clearly must bear the burden of guilt. Prime Minister Anthony Blair must be given top priority for prosecution, alongside President George Bush. Alongside pla

Occupiers Prevent Free Journalism in Iraq

Turkish journalist Mete Çubukçu who covered US invasion of İraq testified before WTI: In front of Abu Gharib it writes: it is allowed to open fire on those who shoot with their cameras here. In Fallujah, there were no reporters except the embedded.

The Attack on Iraq Is on Us All

The Jury of Conscience of the World Tribunal on Iraq, releases the full text of its final verdict on the war crimes and crimes agaisnt humanity commited by the USA and Allies in Iraq.

Bush and Blair Guilty, Decides WTI

World Tribunal on Iraq, Monday declared its final decision on the behavior of the US and allies in Iraq invasion: Bush and Blair have committed crimes against humanity and shoould be tried by international courts.

How Should Turkey Face Genocide Charges?

Academics urge the government prepare facing the past vis-a-vis Armenian Genocide charges in the Ottoman Empire. Macar advises the state give up denial, while Caglar points to the fact that Turkey needs to consider international community.

21 June 2005 Tolga Korkut

Conscience of The World Convenes in Istanbul

The final hearing of the World Court of Iraq will be held in Istanbul onJune 24-26. The hearing will bring together academicians, intellectuals, journalists and writers from all over the world. Bush and Blair are summoned to court as defendants.

17 June 2005 Elif Kalaycıoğlu

Basic Education Up to the Charitable

The government, via tax allowances, leaves it up to the charitable to provide basic education needs. Milliyet newspaper is organizing the charitable. As major issues are shelved, 1 million children will spend summer in Qoranic courses.

16 June 2005 Erhan Üstündağ

Stop The War Call Intellectuals PKK&State

A group of prominent Turkish intellectuals, scientists, artists and political activists call the Kurdish guerrilla PKK and Turkish government to help bring the recently flaring armed conflict to an end in a public statement on Wednesday.

Wrongful Provocation for Honor Crimes

The law, which offers a reduced punishment for honor , was replaced by an article on wrongful provocation. Women are expecting prosecutors and judges to take international agreements into account.

9 June 2005 Ayşe Durukan