RIGHTS - Bianet

RIGHTS

Page 195

ECHR Condemns Turkey’s Military Discipline Practice

ECHR Condemns Turkey’s Military Discipline Practice

Strasbourg court finds a violation of human rights regarding disciplinary cell containment practice at the Turkish military. The court finds restraining liberties outside the judicial system, unacceptable.

11 August 2011 Ekin Karaca

Teachers Commemorating Killed Student Arrested

Teachers Commemorating Killed Student Arrested

Four teachers were arrested on charges of "making propaganda for an illegal organization" because they attended the commemoration ceremony for Uğur Kaymaz. The student was killed by the police when he was twelve years old.

3 August 2011 Ekin Karaca

Protests at Iranian Border

Protests at Iranian Border

A three-day protest action at the Turkish-Iranian border against military operations in northern Iran was brought to a preliminary end on 2 August. Protests in the region are expected to increase.

3 August 2011 Ekin Karaca

Two-year Prison Sentence for Kurdish Politician Tuğluk

Two-year Prison Sentence for Kurdish Politician Tuğluk

The independent Deputy of Van, Aysel Tuğluk, was sentenced to imprisonment of two years on charges of "spreading propaganda for a terrorist organization".

Teacher Sanctioned for Criticizing Students' Oath

Teacher Sanctioned for Criticizing Students' Oath

Teacher Nilay Aksoy is facing a salary cut after telling his students that he did not support the students' oath he was supposed to read to them on Human Rights Day in 2010. Aksoy said he would go as far as the ECHR if necessary because his sanction was unfair.

2 August 2011 Işıl Cinmen

Sentenced for Propaganda - Organization Inactive since 1994

Sentenced for Propaganda - Organization Inactive since 1994

A Special Authority Court in Ankara convicted a student on charges of "propaganda for an illegal organization" on the grounds of a certain slogan. The student rejected the charges. The organization referred to by court has been inactive for 17 years.

Convicted for "Passing on Greetings"

Convicted for "Passing on Greetings"

Mehmet Bayraktar, lawyer of imprisoned PKK leader Öcalan, was sentenced to one year behind bars on the grounds of delivering Öcalan's greetings at a meeting. The decision was brought to the Court of Appeals.

Court Insists on Defendants' Phone Records

Court Insists on Defendants' Phone Records

The prosecution of Erhan Tuncel and Yasin Hayal, alleged instigators to the murder of Turkish-Armenian journalist Dink, was continued on 29 July. The court dismissed the objection made by the Telecommunication Communication Presidency on delivering the requested information.

1 August 2011 Işıl Cinmen,Özgür Öğret

Green Light for Roth's Visit of Detained Journalists

German green politician Roth criticized restrictions of freedom of expressions in Turkey at a press conference held after she had not been allowed to visit detained journalists Şık and Şener. She finally received permission from the prison for the visit during the meeting.

29 July 2011 Ekin Karaca

"Samast's Conviction is not Enough"

"Samast's Conviction is not Enough"

The Friends of Hrant Group gathered before the 19th hearing of the Hrant Dink murder trial in Istanbul on 29 July. The group emphasized that justice has not been delivered yet with the conviction of Ogün Samast.

29 July 2011 Nilay Vardar

Separate Trials for Kurdish and Non-Kurdish Defendants

Separate Trials for Kurdish and Non-Kurdish Defendants

The people taken into custody in the course of riots in Zeytinburnu/Istanbul with a Kurdish background were taken to the Anti-Terror Branch, the others were sent to the Public Order Branch. The prosecution of both groups will be held at different courts.

29 July 2011 Işıl Cinmen

Court Decides to Shut Down Union of Judges and Prosecutors

Court Decides to Shut Down Union of Judges and Prosecutors

A court in Ankara decided to dissolve the Union of Judges and Prosecutors. Union leader Eminağaoğlu commented, "Expecting the judiciary to dispense justice while judges and prosecutors are being obstructed to seek their rights is contradictive".

29 July 2011 Ayça Söylemez

Journalist "Suspended from Profession" by Court

Journalist "Suspended from Profession" by Court

A court that perceived a journalist as a public servant decided to ban journalist Karakaya from the Kırşehir Posta newspaper from performing his profession for 375 days. The decision is expected to be quashed by the Court of Appeals.

29 July 2011 Özgür Öğret

Police Custody after Correction of Statement

Police Custody after Correction of Statement

Gülistan Encü, an important figure of the KCK trial in Urfa, was taken into police custody as soon as her statement that she was deceived by the police was published in the news. The home of DİHA reporter Çiftçi who interviewed her was raided by the police.

Another Mass Grave in Van - Waste Dumped on Grave in Bitlis

Another Mass Grave in Van - Waste Dumped on Grave in Bitlis

A mass grave supposedly containing the bodies of 28 PKK members dating back to 1998 was found in Çatak/Van. In Mutki/Bitlis, the municipality dumped rubbish on an area with several mass graves.

28 July 2011 Ayça Söylemez

Roth not Allowed to Meet Detained Journalists Şık and Şener

Roth not Allowed to Meet Detained Journalists Şık and Şener

Claudia Roth, Co-chair of the German Green Party and member of the EU Greens, was not permitted to visit detained journalists Şık and Şener in prison. Roth argued, "If a friend is treated like this, how are enemies being treated I wonder".

28 July 2011 Ekin Karaca

On Trial for Complying with Medical Ethics

On Trial for Complying with Medical Ethics

Physician Mulamahmutoğlu from the Midyat State Hospital is on trial after he refused to examine a convict in the presence of a gendarmerie officer because of patient privacy. The doctor allegedly violated the "Tripartite Protocol".

28 July 2011 Mehmet Halis Iş

"Internet Committee Report Aimed at Supporting Internet Filter"

"Internet Committee Report Aimed at Supporting Internet Filter"

The Association for Alternative Information criticised the central internet filter to be enforced on 22 August. The association found the corresponding recommendations issued by the Internet Committee "purposefully" aimed at supporting the filter that is going to restrict internet access.

Hrant Dink Murder Trial - Summary of Discrepancies

Hrant Dink Murder Trial - Summary of Discrepancies

One day after the conviction of Ogün Samast, who was sentenced for the murder of Turkish-Armenian journalist Hrant Dink, joint attorney Çetin gave an extensive insight into the deficiencies and negligence the plaintiff party observed during in the course of the trial.

27 July 2011 Özgür Öğret

Mass Graves - "Independent Commission a Must"

Mass Graves - "Independent Commission a Must"

After the conference on "Facts about Mass Graves in Turkey in Diyarbakır, the 'Final Report on Mass Graves' was announced in Kasaplar Deresi.

27 July 2011 Ekin Karaca

Censoring of Arts Documented on "Black Band"

Censoring of Arts Documented on "Black Band"

The "Black Band" platform researches, documents and discusses cases of censorship in arts. The website will function as a network that advocates for freedom of expression.

Defence in Kurdish at Court

Defence in Kurdish at Court

Former Yüksekova Mayor Yetişkin is tried because of a speech given at a sapling planting campaign. At the hearing on 25 July, she was allowed to defend herself in Kurdish. An interpreter translated her speech into Turkish.

26 July 2011 Zeki Dara

Burnt Alive - No Chance to Surrender

Burnt Alive - No Chance to Surrender

A soldier who was on duty at the Bayrampaşa prison during the "Return to Life" operation confessed after 11 years, "The detainees wanted to get out of the burning cells and surrender but the doors were not opened, the fire brigade did not intervene".

26 July 2011 Ayça Söylemez

72 People in Police Custody in Istanbul

72 People in Police Custody in Istanbul

The Istanbul Police announced on its website that 43 people were taken into custody on 23 July because they "organized incidents" in Zeytinburnu/Istanbul. Another 29 people were taken into custody in the course of related operations.

Military Operations in South-Eastern Turkey Intensified

Military Operations in South-Eastern Turkey Intensified

Two non-commissioned officers and one specialist sergeant were killed in an armed conflict in the night from 23 to 24 July in Mardin in south-eastern Turkey. A large-scale military operation was launched in the region.

Ogün Samast Sentenced to 22 Years in Jail

Ogün Samast Sentenced to 22 Years in Jail

Detained defendant Ogün Samast was sentenced to imprisonment of 22 years and ten months for the murder of Turkish-Armenian journalist Hrant Dink.

25 July 2011 Işıl Cinmen

"Prisoner Gazette" Published from Behind Bars

"Prisoner Gazette" Published from Behind Bars

24 July has been celebrated as Journalists Day since 1908 when "censorship was abolished" in Turkey. This year's anniversary was marked by the publishing of the "Prisoner Gazette" written by 39 detained and convicted journalists.

Private Phone Talks Banned from News

Private Phone Talks Banned from News

The Court of Appeals deemed the publishing of private telephone conversations in the news contrary to the law. The publishing of private phone talks partly related to the Ergenekon trial were the bone of contention. One court member voted against the decision.

Ruling AKP Initiated Reduction of Parliament Broadcasting

Ruling AKP Initiated Reduction of Parliament Broadcasting

PM Erdoğan announced that it was his party's request to limit the TV broadcasting from parliament. The Parliamentary Television Presidency had previously stated that the limitation was not related to the demand of the political power.

Prison Instead of School - Work Instead of Play

Prison Instead of School - Work Instead of Play

A group of non-governmental organizations prepared a report on "The Socio-Economic Situation of Children Released from Prison" about children who were taken into police custody or imprisoned under the Anti-Terror Law between 2006 and 2010.

Suicide after Alleged Ill-Treatment in Police Custody

Suicide after Alleged Ill-Treatment in Police Custody

Architect Onur Yaser Can committed suicide when he was summoned to give a statement at the Narcotics Branch for the third time. His last letter that described ill-treatment in police custody was now presented at court. The police officers on trial reject all charges.

21 July 2011 Ayça Söylemez

Journalist Nedim Şener Applies to ECHR

Journalist Nedim Şener Applies to ECHR

Journalist Şener, arrested in the scope of the Ergenekon investigation since 6 March, applied to the European Court of Human Rights because of violations of the "prohibition of torture", the "right to personal freedom" and the "right to freedom of expression".

21 July 2011 Istanbul