RIGHTS - Bianet

RIGHTS

Page 214

8th Trial for Journalist Saymaz - 70-year Sentence Impending

8th Trial for Journalist Saymaz - 70-year Sentence Impending

Radikal newspaper reporter Ismail Saymaz will be tried for his article "Love games in Ergenekon" and faces imprisonment of 11.5 years. The 1st hearing is scheduled for 2011. This is the 8th case filed against Saymaz who faces prison sentences of a total of 70 years.

13 September 2010 Erol Önderoğlu

Court of Appeals Approved Sentence against 54 Mayors

Court of Appeals Approved Sentence against 54 Mayors

The Court of Appeals approved monetary fines imposed on 54 mayors, members of the shut-down Democratic Society Party, who had been convicted on the grounds of a letter sent to former Danish Prime Minister Rasmussen to protest the closure of the Kurdish Roj TV.

13 September 2010 Erol Önderoğlu

Criticism Won over Misogynistic Statement at Court

Criticism Won over Misogynistic Statement at Court

The compensation claim filed against Nurgün Balcıoğlu from the Gaziantep Sabah newspaper was rejected. She was tried for criticizing retired judge Dilsizoğlu who had said, "Of every 10,000 murder trials, 9,000 are due to women."

8 September 2010 Erol Önderoğlu

Journalist Miroğlu Received Death Threat

Journalist Miroğlu Received Death Threat

An unknown person voiced a death threat via the phone against Taraf newspaper writer and politician Orhan Miroğlu. In his column the writer commented that he had no intention to take a step back because of the threat.

8 September 2010 Erol Önderoğlu

Playboy Website Censored Before Religious Holidays

Playboy Website Censored Before Religious Holidays

Without a related court decision, the Telecommunication Communication Presidency banned access to the Playboy website because of a technical inspection. The ban comes right before the religious holidays. YouTube.com is banned in Turkey since 5 May 2008.

7 September 2010 Erol Önderoğlu

Kurdish Politicians meet Talabani on Cooperation Talks

Kurdish Politicians meet Talabani on Cooperation Talks

A delegation from the pro-Kurdish Democratic Society Congress and the Peace and Democracy Party met Kurdistan Patriots Association leader Talabani to talk about cooperation in solving the Kurdish question with all Kurdish parties involved.

7 September 2010 Erhan Üstündağ

Lawyer Rişvanoğlu on Trial for Comments on Kurdish Question

Lawyer Rişvanoğlu on Trial for Comments on Kurdish Question

The former president of the Contemporary Lawyers Association in Adana, Rişvanoğlu, is on trial for reading out a press release related to the suspicious death of Metin Alataş, distributor of the Kurdish Azadiya Welat Newspaper. The trial starts on 16 September.

7 September 2010 Erol Önderoğlu

Tosun Asked State for Fate of her Husband before Thanking U2

Tosun Asked State for Fate of her Husband before Thanking U2

With the support of environmentalist Perdikis from Cyprus, last Saturday's meeting of the relatives of the disappeared focussed on the whereabouts of disappeared Acar. Hanım Tosun once more asked for the fate of her husband Fehmi before the concert of U2 who mentioned Fehmi Tosun in their album "Pop" in 1997.

6 September 2010 Erol Önderoğlu

Ergenekon Defendants Criticize Court for "Advanced Punishment"

Ergenekon Defendants Criticize Court for "Advanced Punishment"

Mustafa Özbek, defendant of the Second Ergenekon Case, was removed from the courtroom in the 78th hearing after he said, "What right do you have to keep me here? Fear Allah!" Journalist Balbay criticized, "This is advanced punishment, you are dispensing the law in instalments".

6 September 2010 Erol Önderoğlu

Connections between Journalist Murder and Organized Crime

Connections between Journalist Murder and Organized Crime

"Arrested for organized crime" was Thursday's headline of the Güney Marmara'da Yaşam newspaper, whose editorial manager Cihan Hayırsevener was killed in December 2009. The trial opened by the Istanbul 10th High Criminal Court will start on 15 October .

6 September 2010 Erol Önderoğlu

Rights Organizations 3 Years ahead of Foreign Minister

Rights Organizations 3 Years ahead of Foreign Minister

Foreign Minister Davutoğlu recently spoke about efforts for legal amendments regarding freedom of expression cases at the ECHR. The Turkish Human Rights Foundation sent an according petition to the PM 3.5 years ago. The Anti-Terror Act, the Press Law and other regulations have to change.

3 September 2010 Tolga Korkut

Heavy Punishment Requested for Tribute to Revolutionaries

Heavy Punishment Requested for Tribute to Revolutionaries

A case was opened against Samsun Community Centres Branch President Halil Mert and another 5 members of the organization because of commemorating revolutionaries Deniz Gezmiş and Mahir Çayan. The trial will start on 21 September.

3 September 2010 Erol Önderoğlu

Trial on "Qandil" Interview Reaches Final Stage

Trial on "Qandil" Interview Reaches Final Stage

The case against Günlük newspaper officials Koçali, Pekgöz and Çiçekçi has reached its final stage. They are tried for an interview with the leader of the Democratic Confederation of Kurdistan. Their lawyer requested their acquittal. The case continues on 23 November.

3 September 2010 Erol Önderoğlu

General Staff Colonel Çiçek Protests Detention with Hunger Strike

General Staff Colonel Çiçek Protests Detention with Hunger Strike

An Istanbul court released the Intelligence Chief of the National Channel, Akkaya, pending trial in the case regarding the "Action Plan against Reactionary Forces". Defendant Colonel Dursun Çiçek protested his detention and the trial with a hunger strike.

2 September 2010 Erol Önderoğlu

Prof. Oran Filed Lawsuit against Wiretapping of General Staff

Prof. Oran Filed Lawsuit against Wiretapping of General Staff

Prof. Baskın Oran filed a criminal complaint at the Ankara Chief Prosecution related to allegations of illegal wire tapping concerning the Deputy Chief of General Staff. The Presidency of the General Staff meanwhile launched a criminal investigation.

2 September 2010 Erol Önderoğlu,Burçin Belge

Release of Writer Akhanlı Rejected for the Third Time

Release of Writer Akhanlı Rejected for the Third Time

An Istanbul court dismissed the third demand to release writer Akhanlı who is detained because of an alleged "connection to an armed organization". Once the Istanbul 11th High Criminal Court accepts the indictment it will also announce the date of the first hearing.

2 September 2010

Release of Writer Akhanlı Rejected for the Third Time

Release of Writer Akhanlı Rejected for the Third Time

An Istanbul court dismissed the third demand to release writer Akhanlı who is detained because of an alleged "connection to an armed organization". Once the Istanbul 11th High Criminal Court accepts the indictment it will also announce the date of the first hearing.

2 September 2010 Erol Önderoğlu

Foreign Minister Aims Avoiding Freedom of Speech Cases at ECHR

Foreign Minister Aims Avoiding Freedom of Speech Cases at ECHR

The Minister for Foreign Affairs said that a part of the applications filed to the European Court of Human Rights stem from delays in the judicial process. He stated that referring legal work had been initiated. He requested a classification of all files from the ECHR.

1 September 2010 Erol Önderoğlu

Two Kurdish Newspapers Banned, Güney Magazine Copies Seized

Two Kurdish Newspapers Banned, Güney Magazine Copies Seized

The publication of the Kurdish newspapers Azadiya Welat and Rojev was suspended for one month because of alleged "propaganda for a terror organization". Copies of the three-monthly Güney magazine were confiscated for the same reason.

31 August 2010 Erol Önderoğlu

General Staff Investigates Deputy Chief Güner

General Staff Investigates Deputy Chief Güner

General Güner, Deputy Chief of General Staff, allegedly gave the order for wiretapping more than 2,000 civilians in 2007. The General Staff immediately launched an investigation into the allegations. Intellectuals and politicians consider legal measures.

31 August 2010 Erol Önderoğlu

Işık Koşaner new Chief of General Staff

Işık Koşaner new Chief of General Staff

Genral Işık Koşaner took over the command of the Turkish Armed Forces as Chief of General Staff. In his inauguration speech he mentioned topics such as the Kurdish question or a professional army. Koşaner also addressed the media, calling for a more careful approach.

30 August 2010 Tolga Korkut

No Releases in Peace Groups Trial

No Releases in Peace Groups Trial

None of the defendants was released in the second hearing of the trial regarding 10 members the Peace Groups. Two groups came to Turkey in 2009 to make their contribution to the democratic opening process related to the Kurdish question.

27 August 2010 Burçin Belge

Amicable Agreement in Hrant Dink Case?

Amicable Agreement in Hrant Dink Case?

The ECHR is going to pronounce its decision on the Hrant Dink case on 14 September. The state is likely to apply for an amicable agreement before. Joint attorney Çetin doubts that the family of the slain Turkish-Armenian journalist will go for a compromise.

27 August 2010 Burçin Belge

Journalist Zengin in Detention for another 6 Months

Journalist Zengin in Detention for another 6 Months

Journalist Zengin from the Işçi-Köylü newspaper appeared at court for the first time after one year in detention. The demand for her release was rejected "despite a lack of evidence and no connections with the other defendants", lawyer Altay criticized. The next hearing is in February 2011.

27 August 2010 Tolga Korkut

Press Organizations Establish "Freedom for Journalists Platform"

Press Organizations Establish "Freedom for Journalists Platform"

14 professional press organizations decided to establish a "Freedom for Journalists Platform" and a "Commission for Action" for journalists who are detained because of their writings. Head of the platform is the President of the Turkish Journalists Association Erinç.

26 August 2010 Berivan Tapan

Reporter Threatened with Picture of Killed Journalist Dink

Reporter Threatened with Picture of Killed Journalist Dink

Evrensel reporter Topsakal received a threat via an e-mail which included a photograph of Turkish-Armenian journalists Dink after his assassination because of an article Topsakal wrote for the daily. He filed a criminal complaint.

26 August 2010 Tolga Korkut

Lawyer Çetin: Violations Continue, New Trials to Come

Lawyer Çetin: Violations Continue, New Trials to Come

Lawyer Fethiye Çetin, joint attorney of the Dink family, criticized that rights violations continue in the trials and investigations related to the murder of Turkish-Armenian journalist Harnt Dink. Another application to the ECHR is on its way once domestic remedies are exhausted.

25 August 2010 Burçin Belge

"Release Journalist Zengin and Writer Akhanlı"

"Release Journalist Zengin and Writer Akhanlı"

The Writers Association demands the release of journalist Zengin from the Işçi-Köylü newspaper after one year in detention. Her first hearing is on 26 August. Spokesperson Zarakolu criticized, "As long as the Anti-Terror Law is in force, journalists will be treated arbitrarily".

25 August 2010 Berivan Tapan

DTK Announced 5 Steps to Resolve Kurdish Question

DTK Announced 5 Steps to Resolve Kurdish Question

Democratic Society Congress Co-Chair Türk stated that with the ceasefire announced by the PKK, the military operations should be stopped as well. He listed 5 steps to be taken to resolve the Kurdish problem, a "democratic autonomy is a project of voluntary unity".

24 August 2010 Tolga Korkut

ECHR Convicts Turkey in Hrant Dink Case - PM Erdoğan protects MIT

ECHR Convicts Turkey in Hrant Dink Case - PM Erdoğan protects MIT

The family of Hrant Dink, killed Turkish-Armenian journalist, won their case at the European Court of Human Rights. PM Erdoğan on the other hand refused permission for an investigation into alleged negligence of MIT members related to the murder.

24 August 2010 Tolga Korkut,Burçin Belge

Fighting against Windmills

Fighting against Windmills

The Turkish government's battle with the PKK threatens to stifle art itself, says Kaya Genç.

23 August 2010 Kaya Genç

President Gül Met Hosrof Dink, Brother of Killed Hrant Dink

President Gül Met Hosrof Dink, Brother of Killed Hrant Dink

President Gül received Hosrof Dink, brother of killed Turkish Armenian journalist Hrant Dink, in Istanbul on Friday (20 August). Related to the state's recent defence to the ECHR, judge Türmen called the state to apologize and admit a mistake.

23 August 2010 Tolga Korkut