RIGHTS - Bianet

RIGHTS

Page 196

Tension Continues after Clashes in Silvan

Tension Continues after Clashes in Silvan

Attacks against Kurdish citizens and members of the Peace and Democracy Party are still continuing after 13 soldiers died in an armed conflict in Silvan one week ago. In Erzurum, 500 people assaulted 200 Kurdish workers. In Zeytinburnu, BDP members were attacked.

Second Threat against Evrensel Newspaper

Second Threat against Evrensel Newspaper

"The Turkish Revenge Brigade threatened our newspaper" was the title of Evrensel newspaper after a repeated threat was sent to the paper via e-mail. The paper filed a criminal complaint and was supported by many readers, lawyers, journalists and others.

bianet in the Focus of Academic Research

bianet in the Focus of Academic Research

A research on internet journalism in the context of citizen journalism in Turkey studied bianet.org in the context of citizen journalism and pointed to the news portal as a showcase example for citizen journalism.

20 July 2011 Tezcan Özkan Kutlu

20-Year Prison Threat for a Warm Welcome

20-Year Prison Threat for a Warm Welcome

Artist Farqin is facing imprisonment of up to 20 years on charges of "membership of an illegal organization" and "propaganda". He is tried because he hosted the welcome ceremony for a group of people affiliated with the PKK who came from Iraq to Turkey in 2009.

2 Convictions at 2 Courts for 1 "Offence"

2 Convictions at 2 Courts for 1 "Offence"

One press release was reason for two convictions of pro-Kurdish politician Uzun. One court charged him with "propaganda for an illegal organization", the other court found Uzun guilty of both propaganda and "committing a crime on behalf of an illegal organization".

Political Youth Magazine Banned for 1 Month

Political Youth Magazine Banned for 1 Month

The publication of the Yeni Demokrat Gençlik Magazine was suspended by the order of the Istanbul 14th High Criminal Court by reasons of "praising crime and a criminal" and "spreading propaganda for the PKK".

Broadcasts from Turkish Parliament Partly Cut

Broadcasts from Turkish Parliament Partly Cut

Live broadcasts from the Turkish parliament were now limited to 5 hours 3 days a week. The Parliamentary Television Presidency declared that the new application was not related to a request of the ruling AK Party. It was not explained why the protocol between TRT and the parliament was not renewed after 16 years.

Abducted Workers Released

Abducted Workers Released

The People's Defence Forces, an armed wing of the PKK, released two workers that were abducted on 14 July in Dersim in south-eastern Anatolia. The workers reportedly worked at the construction site of a military building.

Charged with Armed Group Propaganda at 102 years of age

Charged with Armed Group Propaganda at 102 years of age

102 years old Lalihan Akbay faces a criminal investigation with charges of “making propaganda of an illegal organization”. She claims to have committed the crime during the mawlid (a religious commemoration ceremony) for his son died in 1985.

7 July 2011 Ekin Karaca

"Legal responsibility ignored"

BDP published its refugee report, based on its visit to the refugee camps in Hatay. Report says the conditions of the camp amount to isolation and warns about possible health issues.

Torture Suspect Officers Not Attended the Enver Aydemir Trial

Torture Suspect Officers Not Attended the Enver Aydemir Trial

Colonel M.Ö. and petty officer İ.S., who are on trial with charges of torturing Enver Aydemir, a conscientious objector that was taken into custody on December 24, 2009 and arrested, did not come to the hearing. Aydemir’s lawyers challenged the court arguing that it lacks fair trial standards.

5 July 2011 Ekin Karaca

Barred MP Candidate Gürbüz Arrested

Barred MP Candidate Gürbüz Arrested

The independent candidate of Elazığ, İsa Gürbüz, was arrested under allegations of "membership of an illegal organization" after having been interrogated for two days. Gürbüz supports the Labour, Democracy and Freedom Block.

1 July 2011 Ekin Karaca

Hope for Detained MPs?

Hope for Detained MPs?

Article 100 of the Criminal Procedure Law, the main obstacle before the release of the detained elected MPs, was discussed in a meeting convened by the Ministry of Justice. This might be the light at the end of the tunnel of the parliamentary crisis.

1 July 2011 Işıl Cinmen

Prosecution Request Journalists' Material on Hopa Unrest

Prosecution Request Journalists' Material on Hopa Unrest

The Hopa Public Prosecution asked newspapers and TV stations to forward all footage and pictures of the anti-government demonstrations in Hopa and the funeral of protestor Lokumcu. The Contemporary Journalists Association said this was not the duty of a journalist.

1 July 2011 Ayça Söylemez

Journalist Pehlivan at Court after 4-month Detention

Journalist Pehlivan at Court after 4-month Detention

OdaTV.com publications director Pehlivan was taken to court for the first time after he was arrested four months ago. He is allegedly detained because he did not remove a reader comment about Muslim scholar Fetullah Gülen from the website.

Appeal against Detention of Journalist Balbay Dismissed

Appeal against Detention of Journalist Balbay Dismissed

The appeal against the decision to reject the release of journalist Balbay was dismissed. Balbay was elected Member of Parliament in the general elections on 12 June. He is a detained defendant of the second Ergenekon trial.

5 Arrests after Protests in Istanbul

5 Arrests after Protests in Istanbul

5 persons were arrested after a total of 42 people were taken into custody in the protest against the ongoing detention of elected MP Dicle and other elected deputies. Apparently, the police used a stun gun against the demonstrating politicians.

Torture in Police Custody - Lawyer Threatened

Torture in Police Custody - Lawyer Threatened

Sami Tunca, taken into custody while distributing regarding the Sivas massacre, will file a criminal complaint on the grounds of torture. Locals who protested the police operation faced tear gas. Tunca's lawyer was threatened by the police.

29 June 2011 Çiçek Tahaoğlu

The Short Life of the Harakiri Magazine

The Short Life of the Harakiri Magazine

The Children Protection Board decided that some drawings in the satiric Harakiri magazine were harmful to children. The magazine was handed down a TL 150,000 fine that forced the owners to cease publication for good after the second issue.

29 June 2011 Işıl Cinmen

Difficult Working Conditions for Turkish Journalists

Difficult Working Conditions for Turkish Journalists

In its section on working conditions of journalists, the media report of the Turkish Economic and Social Studies Foundation revealed problems like low salaries, lack of unionization, male dominance and informal employment.

Doctors Acquitted of Terror Charges

Doctors Acquitted of Terror Charges

Physicians Prof. Küçükosmanoğlu and Dr Eşki were acquitted of terror charges at their first hearing on 27 June. They were tried for their speeches made at a health panel in a Democratic Solution Tent in Adana this April.

"Lack of Effective Investigation and Punishment"

"Lack of Effective Investigation and Punishment"

The Turkish Human Rights Foundation and the Human Rights Association marked the "International Day in Support of Victims of Torture" by drawing attention to the current situation and urging for the effective investigation and punishment in cases of torture.

27 June 2011 Ayça Söylemez

Independent Deputies Stay in Prison

Independent Deputies Stay in Prison

The release of independent deputies of the Labour, Democracy and Freedom Block, among them Hatip Dicle, was rejected. The police massively intervened against political protestors in Istanbul. More than 20 people were taken into police custody, many were injured.

MP Haberal and Journalist Balbay: Release Dismissed

MP Haberal and Journalist Balbay: Release Dismissed

The requests for the release of elected MP Prof. Haberal and journalist Balbay were dismissed. Both defendants are detained in the scope of the second "Ergenekon" trial.

"Equality Here and Now"

"Equality Here and Now"

"Equality Here and Now - Stop Discrimination against Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Trans Individuals in Turkey" was a panel of the 19th LGBTT Istanbul Pride Week where LGBT individuals described the rights violations they experienced.

24 June 2011 Selin Özmen

University Student Edemir Released after Conviction

University Student Edemir Released after Conviction

Middle East Technical University graduate student Edemir was sentenced to more than six years behind bars on charges of "membership of a terrorist organization". He was released from detention at the same time. The file was forwarded to the Court of Appeals.

24 June 2011 Ayça Söylemez

Independent Deputies Refuse to Enter Parliament

Independent Deputies Refuse to Enter Parliament

The independent deputies of the Labour, Democracy and Freedom Block decided not to enter parliament as a sign of protest against elected MP Dicle's disbarring. Spokesman Elçi announced, "We will not enter parliament if no concrete steps are taken".

"Right to Health Must not be Tried!"

"Right to Health Must not be Tried!"

Physicians Prof. Küçükosmanoğlu and Dr Eşki are sued for their speeches made at the Democratic Solution Tents in Adana this April. They are facing charges of "propaganda for a terrorist organization". Their colleagues initiated a signature campaign to support the doctors.

Elected MP Dicle Barred from Parliament

Elected MP Dicle Barred from Parliament

The Supreme Election Board deprived Hatip Dicle from his right to deputyship. His mandate was taken by AKP candidate Eronat. The DTK called on BDP and independent deputies for a boycott of parliament. MP Kürkçü assessed the decision as a "coup".

Dozens in Police Custody - 7 Arrests

Dozens in Police Custody - 7 Arrests

A total of 24 people including journalist Pamuk, NGO members, politicians and children, were taken into custody in the scope of KCK operations in the pre-dominantly Kurdish cities of Van, Şırnak, Mardin, Muş, Bingöl, Ağrı and Diyarbakır, five people were arrested.

Trial on Sivas Massacre to be Closed by Prescription?

Trial on Sivas Massacre to be Closed by Prescription?

The trial on the Sivas Massacre in 1993 that left 37 people dead was continued on 21 June. The prosecutor demanded to drop procedures against six out of seven fugitive defendants due to the status of limitation.

On Trial for Supporting Students on Trial

On Trial for Supporting Students on Trial

Seven university students are sued over charges of "praising crime and a criminal" because they supported two other students who were arrested after they had demanded free education.