RIGHTS - Bianet

RIGHTS

Page 205

Pınar Selek Acquitted Once More

Pınar Selek Acquitted Once More

The Istanbul 12th High Criminal Court insisted on its decision for the acquittal of sociologist Pınar Selek for the third time. Her hearing was observed by numerous Turkish and international observers. Selek applied to the ECHR for compensation.

10 February 2011

Discrimination and Racism in Turkey Fuel Concern

Discrimination and Racism in Turkey Fuel Concern

The European Commission against Racism and Intolerance published its report on Turkey. The commission criticized the impact of the Anti-Terror Law on Kurdish children, the situation of Roma and asylum-seekers and discrimination against minority religious groups.

9 February 2011 Erhan Üstündağ

Complaint about Court Board for Deadlock of Procedures

Complaint about Court Board for Deadlock of Procedures

The Contemporary Lawyers Association filed a criminal complaint at the HSYK about the court that handles the murder case of Nigerian immigrant Okey. Lawyer Boğatekin claimed that "not the perpetrators but human rights defenders who are seeking justice are tried".

9 February 2011

Graduate Student Remains in Detention - Reasons Unclear

Graduate Student Remains in Detention - Reasons Unclear

Graduate student Edemir has been detained for one year because of his alleged membership of an armed organization. The prosecutor demanded his release but the court decided to keep him in detention. Lawyer Aslan criticized that her client is detained without reason.

9 February 2011 Elif Gençkal

Unionists in Northern Cyprus Protest PM Erdoğan

Unionists in Northern Cyprus Protest PM Erdoğan

Prime Minister Erdoğan was protested for his harsh criticism of banners posted at a meeting in Northern Cyprus on 28 January. Trade union members were stopped by the police when they tried to submit a letter of protest to the Ambassador.

8 February 2011 Erhan Üstündağ

Brief Hearing - New Investigation

Brief Hearing - New Investigation

The Istanbul 14th High Criminal Court handling the trial on the murder of Turkish-Armenian journalist Dink declined a merger with the file in Trabzon. The trial will be continued on 28 March. A new investigation was launched about key figures of the murder.

8 February 2011

Government's Minority Policy: Let Things Drift

Government's Minority Policy: Let Things Drift

Neither the minority rights, nor the freedom of religion, faith and conscience enshrined in Article 9 of the European Convention on Human Rights, conformity to which is an obligation for Turkey, have really come to life.

7 February 2011 Engin Parev

Journalists under Threat of Unemployment and Imprisonment

Journalists under Threat of Unemployment and Imprisonment

The Freedom for Journalists Platform supported journalist Saymaz at his latest hearing. Olcayto said on behalf of the platform, "The trials and investigations against journalists prove a lack of press freedom and freedom of expression in Turkey".

7 February 2011 Emir Çelik

Court fully Protects Istanbul Police

Court fully Protects Istanbul Police

In disregard to the ECHR decision, the District Administrative Court again refused permission for an investigation about officials from the Istanbul Police Directorate on duty prior to the murder of Turkish-Armenian journalist Dink. Lawyer Çetin: "This is incredible".

7 February 2011 Erhan Üstündağ

"Religious Indication on IDs Contrary to Human Rights"

"Religious Indication on IDs Contrary to Human Rights"

Turkey received a warning from the Council of Europe: Hammarberg, Commissioner for Human Rights, demanded Turkey to lift religious indication on IDs and to abolish compulsory religious education at school.

7 February 2011 Erol Önderoğlu

Journalist Güler Sentenced, another Trial Pending

Journalist Güler Sentenced, another Trial Pending

Journalist Erdal Güler, owner of the Revolutionary Democracy newspaper, was sentenced to six months in jail. Güler was just released last October after three years in prison. Another trial on "propaganda for an illegal organization" is still pending against him.

7 February 2011 Emir Çelik

BİA Media Monitoring Report 2010 Third Quarter - Full Text

BİA Media Monitoring Report 2010 Third Quarter - Full Text

According to the July-August-September 2010 Media Monitoring Report by the Independent Communication Network (BIA) Media Monitoring Desk, the judiciary persecutes independent media and media that voice different opinions on the "Kurdish Problem". Its justification: "fighting against terrorism."

4 February 2011 Erol Önderoğlu

Acquittal on "Multilingual Municipality Services" in Diyarbakır

Acquittal on "Multilingual Municipality Services" in Diyarbakır

The trial regarding the Sur Municipality's decision for "Multilingual Municipality Services" resulted in the acquittal of Sur District Mayor Demirbaş, Diyarbakır Metropolitan Mayor Baydemir and 19 members of the municipality council.

4 February 2011 Emir Çelik

Dink Family Calls on Ministers to Implement ECHR Decision

Dink Family Calls on Ministers to Implement ECHR Decision

The family of slain Turkish-Armenian journalist Hrant Dink called on state ministers to implement the finalized decision of the ECHR on the Hrant Dink case. In a letter, the family urged for an effective and in-depth investigation and a change of attitude to avoid further violations.

3 February 2011

Activists Prosecuted for Criticising The Judges

Activists Prosecuted for Criticising The Judges

The head of a rights organization, Kaya, journalist Karahasanoğlu from Vakit newspaper and Kenan Kıran are standing trial for criticizing judicial decisions. Kaya claimed that freedom of criticism also included "disturbing statements" according to decisions of the ECHR.

3 February 2011 Emir Çelik

Journalist Erdal's Case Adjourned

Journalist Erdal's Case Adjourned

The trial against court reporter Erdal from Zaman newspaper was postponed again. Erdal, editorial manager Beşer and Ankara correspondent Arslan are tried in a joint case because of articles on the release of detained "Ergenekon" and "Sledgehammer" defendants.

3 February 2011 Emir Çelik

Turkey's Stumbling Blocks: Freedom of Speech and Torture

Turkey's Stumbling Blocks: Freedom of Speech and Torture

Turkey has to pay € 16,000 in compensation to Faruk Temel, member of the People's Democracy Party, by reason of a breach of the right to freedom of expression. German national Mehmet Desde was also compensated by the ECHR related to torture allegations.

2 February 2011 Erol Önderoğlu

408 Suicides of Soldiers in 5 Years - 408 Doubts

408 Suicides of Soldiers in 5 Years - 408 Doubts

Upon a resolution of questions submitted by Peace and Democracy Party member Kurtulan, National Defence Minister Gönül announced that a total of 408 soldiers "died of suicide" throughout the past five years.

2 February 2011 Ayça Söylemez

Kurds Outraged about Racist Newspaper Article

Kurds Outraged about Racist Newspaper Article

Posta Newspaper writer Candaş Tolga Işık was heavily criticized in several provinces for his article "Satellite dish terrorism in the south-east". Protestors called for a boycott of the Doğan Media Group. Professional press organizations remained silent till now.

2 February 2011 Emir Çelik

Diseased Author Aydın Imprisoned

Diseased Author Aydın Imprisoned

The Human Rights Association, Ceylan Publishin and publisher Zarakolu condemned the arrest of writer Hasan Basri Aydın. Erdoğu from Ceylan Publishing criticized, "He should not have been imprisoned at his age and in his desolate health condition".

1 February 2011 E

"General Amnesty Would be Important Starting Point"

"General Amnesty Would be Important Starting Point"

The 'Initiative for a Constitution from All for All' organized a symposium on a new constitution in Istanbul. Politicians, journalists, members of NGOs and religious representatives gave their views on the essentials of a new constitution.

1 February 2011 Elvan Kısmet

Defence of Taraf Newspaper Staff in 38 Trials

Defence of Taraf Newspaper Staff in 38 Trials

Taraf newspaper journalists Altan, Çongar, Düzel, Kılıçgedik and Esayan and former employee Çiçek were among the numerous Taraf employees who gave their statements regarding 38 cases tried at the Kadıköy 2nd Court of First Instance on 28 January.

1 February 2011 Emir Çelik

"Justice in a Gown"

"Justice in a Gown"

At the first hearing on the grounds of the book "Justice in a Gown", Prosecutor Şanal claimed an "attack on his personal rights". Şanal claims a compensation from journalist Taşçı, author of the book. The case was postponed.

31 January 2011 Emir Çelik

Turkish Singer Lands in Jail for Mentioning Revolutionist

Turkish Singer Lands in Jail for Mentioning Revolutionist

The Turkish singer Pınar Sağ was sentenced to imprisonment of ten months on charges of "praising" killed leftist revolutionist İbrahim Kaypakkaya. The Contemporary Lawyers Association criticized the decision and called for an end of the "judicial terror".

31 January 2011 Emir Çelik

Quick Decision in Case against bianet?

Quick Decision in Case against bianet?

The trial launched by former Prisons and Arrest Stations General Manager Ertosun against bianet co-ordinator Kürkçü and Lawyer Tanay of the Contemporary Lawyers Association was postponed to March. At the same day, Ertoson made journalist Talu publish a disclaimer.

31 January 2011 Emir Çelik

Kurdish Folk Singer Sentenced after Appeal

Kurdish Folk Singer Sentenced after Appeal

A Malatya court sentenced Kurdish folk musician Tunç to one month imprisonment on the grounds of his statement at a festival and postponed the pronouncement of judgement. The Court of Appeals had quashed the first verdict of the local court for Tunç's acquittal.

28 January 2011 Elvan Kısmet

Increase of Rights Violations in South-Eastern Turkey

Increase of Rights Violations in South-Eastern Turkey

The 2010 report of the Human Rights Association revealed that deaths, injuries, setting villages on fire, torture and maltreatment are still continuing in the scope of the Kurdish question. Courts oppressed freedom of assembly and freedom of speech, the report claims.

28 January 2011 Erhan Üstündağ

Author of new Book on Dink Murder Threatened

Author of new Book on Dink Murder Threatened

Journalist Adem Yavuz Arslan was threatened several times since his book on the killing of Turkish-Armenian journalist Dink was published two weeks ago. The book revealed volatile information on the murder. Arslan applied for police protection.

28 January 2011 Emir Çelik

Dispute on "Monstrous" Statue Peaks in Law Suit

Dispute on "Monstrous" Statue Peaks in Law Suit

Sculptor Mehmet Aksoy applied to court to stop the destruction of his "Statue of Humanity" that is supposed to be removed upon the directive of PM Erdoğan. He had called the statue a "monstrosity". Aksoy argued, "Turkey must not convey such an image to the world".

27 January 2011 Elvan Kısmet

President Gül Gives Green Light for Defence in Kurdish

President Gül Gives Green Light for Defence in Kurdish

In his speech at the PACE, President Gül announced that defendants who do not know Turkish could present their defence in Kurdish. He emphasized the need for an entirely new constitution to be drafted after the elections.

27 January 2011

Journalist Eker Convicted of "Propaganda"

Journalist Eker Convicted of "Propaganda"

A Diyarbakır court sentenced journalist Eker, Chief Editor of the Kurdish women magazine Renge Heviya Jine, to imprisonment of 2.5 years on the grounds of "spreading propaganda for an illegal organization". At the same time, Eker was released from detention.

27 January 2011 Emir Çelik

Turkey Failed in HRW World Report 2011

Turkey Failed in HRW World Report 2011

The Human Rights Watch World Report 2011 reveals the countries deficits in freedom of expression. The number of trials against journalists increased again, provisions of the Anti-Terror Law are applied arbitrary, the report criticized.

26 January 2011