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RIGHTS

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Dogan Media Group Appeals Heavy Tax Fine

Dogan Media Group Appeals Heavy Tax Fine

The Doğan Yayın Holding lost its case regarding tax claims of TL 713 million for 2006 in one of their trials filed against a TL 4.8 billion tax fine imposed by the Ministry of Finance. The company is going to appeal.

20 August 2010 Tolga Korkut

Run-up to the Referendum

Run-up to the Referendum

The constitutional reform package passed through parliament in May is creating a constant stir in the run-up to the referendum on 12 September. PM Erdoğan came under criticism for urging employers' organizations to show their colours as others did before.

20 August 2010 Tolga Korkut,Semra Pelek

Call from Diyarbakir: Ceasefire an Opportunity for Dialogue

Call from Diyarbakir: Ceasefire an Opportunity for Dialogue

145 NGOs from Diyarbakir assessed the PKK's decision for a ceasefire as a "huge opportunity to find a peaceful solution for the Kurdish question". They called for an end of military operations and not to exclude any of the involved sections.

19 August 2010 Burçin Belge

Journalist Organizations Urge for "Fair Trials" for Journalists

Journalist Organizations Urge for "Fair Trials" for Journalists

Professional journalist organizations criticized the "unfair trials" regarding hundreds of cases against journalists who are detained pending trial. The organizations urged the government to acknowledge press freedom and the people's right to be informed.

19 August 2010 Berivan Tapan

Diyarbakir Mayor Baydemir Charged for Criticizing Security Operations

Diyarbakir Mayor Baydemir Charged for Criticizing Security Operations

Diyarbakır Mayor Baydemir is prosecuted on the grounds of harshly criticizing and cursing operations against the outlawed Confederation of Kurdistan. He is sued under article 301 of the TCK. Baydemir faces imprisonment of up to 3 years.

Turkey Criticized for Tainting The Memory of Slain Journalist

Turkey Criticized for Tainting The Memory of Slain Journalist

"Friends of Hrant", a group of people struggling for the solving of the Hrant Dink murder case, demanded to investigate the people responsible for the government's defence made to the ECHR. The government had compared Dink to a neo-Nazi.

18 August 2010 Tolga Korkut

Deported US American Journalist Hess Applies to ECHR

Deported US American Journalist Hess Applies to ECHR

The Ministry of the Interior decided to deport US American journalist Hess. Hess' lawyer Akbaş said they would apply to the European Court of Human Rights and referred to the case of Norma Cox who was expelled and won her case at the international court.

18 August 2010 Semra Pelek

Service at Sümela Monastery - Yet no Equality

Service at Sümela Monastery - Yet no Equality

Assoc. Prof. Macar assessed the first mass at the Sümela Monastery in 88 years saying, "The AKP gives a message of changing its minority policies. But instead of granting equal rights to the minorities, they have a protective approach like the Ottomans".

17 August 2010 Semra Pelek

Government Is Urged to Take Concrete Steps

Government Is Urged to Take Concrete Steps

After the PKK's decision for a temporary ceasefire, members of political parties and NGOs urge the government to take concrete steps towards permanent peace.

17 August 2010 Burçin Belge,Berivan Tapan

Media Throwing Stones at the Rights of the Child

Media Throwing Stones at the Rights of the Child

"Children who threw stones were answered with stones" was the subtitle of news about a demonstration in Mersin. Once more, the media violated the rights of the child. Expressions violating the assumption of innocence were used contrary to the Press Law.

17 August 2010 Semra Pelek

President Gül Admits State's Responsibility for Dink Murder

President Gül Admits State's Responsibility for Dink Murder

President Abdullah Gül accepted the state's responsibility for the murder of Turkish-Armenian journalist Hrant Dink. Gül said that Dink died because "necessary precautions" had not been taken prior to the murder.

17 August 2010 Burçin Belge

Turkish-Armenian Journalist Dink Blamed at ECHR

Turkish-Armenian Journalist Dink Blamed at ECHR

The government defended assassinated Turkish-Armenian journalist Dink's conviction for "insulting Turkishness" with the comparison to a neo-Nazi case. "Since Dink had not asked for protection, he was not under threat", the government also claimed.

16 August 2010 Erhan Üstündağ

First Service at Sümela Monastery after 88 Years

First Service at Sümela Monastery after 88 Years

Greek Orthodox Patriarch Bartholomew advocated for a peaceful coexistence, saying, "We have no ulterior motives. We came to commemorate the Greek Orthodox people living in this area". The service was attended by hundreds of Greek Orthodox Christians from Turkey and abroad.

16 August 2010 Tolga Korkut

PKK Decided for Ceasefire till 20 September

PKK Decided for Ceasefire till 20 September

The PKK announced its decision for a period of "passive defence" from 13 August till 20 September. The constancy of the process is contingent on four conditions. The decision was influenced by the beginning of the moths of Ramadan amongst other factors.

16 August 2010 Tolga Korkut

Journalists Protest Threats from Municipality's Tuncel in Adana

Journalists Protest Threats from Municipality's Tuncel in Adana

Journalists in Adana are protesting Metropolitan Municipality Assembly’s Acting President Mustafa Tuncel, who said “I will beat up whoever writes against me.” The journalists wore crash helmets and went to the Municipality Building.

Journalist Jake Hess to Remain Under Detention for Another Day

Journalist Jake Hess to Remain Under Detention for Another Day

American journalist Jake Hess will remain under detention for a third day. IPS has stated that Hess is not an agency reporter but a freelance journalist. The agency said that they are closely following Hess’ situation.

American Journalist Jake Hess Detained in Diyarbakir

American journalist Jake Hess has been detained on allegations that he is "aiding PKK;” He is currently at the Diyarbakir Anti-Terrorism Branch.

13 August 2010 Erol Önderoğlu

"TRT Violates Impartiality Principle Again With Ramadan Programs”

"TRT Violates Impartiality Principle Again With Ramadan Programs”

ABF president Ali Balkiz called on TRT to treat equally all faiths, cultures and religions, and to broadcast programs taking into account the feelings of the unbelieving and ones who don’t fast.

12 August 2010 Erol Önderoğlu

Another Call for Peace from Ankara

Another Call for Peace from Ankara

A total of 162 organisations and formations including the Turkey Peace Assembly Ankara Initiative, called on the army to put an end to operations, and on the PKK to put an end to its actions; "A process of dialogue should start for permanent peace.”

DTK Proposes Autonomy and Supports Boycott

The Democratic Society Congress, which gathered for the fourth time, reiterated the demand for a new constitution. The Congress called on the state and the PKK for the silencing of weapons and asked that PKK leader Ocalan is accepted as an interlocutor.

BDP Demands the Silencing of Weapons

BDP Demands the Silencing of Weapons

Co-Presidents Demirtas and Kisanak, who made a statement following the BDP meeting, said: “We call on the state, the government and the PKK to silence the weapons, so that the way for negotiations may be cleared.” BDP also called on the media to use a language of peace.

From Desmond Tutu to Erdogan: "Solve Kurdish Problem by Peaceful Means”

From Desmond Tutu to Erdogan: "Solve Kurdish Problem by Peaceful Means”

In a letter to the Prime Minister, Human rights activist Archbishop Tutu underlined that no winner could emerge from such a clash. “Peaceful negotiations are the only lasting solution to the problems,” he added. According to a report by ANF, the Turkish Embassy in London did not accept Tutu’s letter.

Journalists are in Danger, 12 Attacks This Year

Journalists are in Danger, 12 Attacks This Year

12 journalists were attacked in 2010 while on duty. These cases serve as a warning that journalists may be faced with a new attack or be murdered any time.

7 August 2010 Erol Önderoğlu

Ex-Admiral Spoke, Families of the Missing Sued Officials of the 90s

Ex-Admiral Spoke, Families of the Missing Sued Officials of the 90s

Following the statement of retired Vice-Admiral Kiyat, who said, “Unsolved murders were a state policy,” a number of rights organisations have filed a criminal complaint about over 20 state officials of the time, among whom are Demirel, Ciller, Erbakan, Agar, Gures and Karadayi.

7 August 2010 Berivan Tapan

"This Is Not ’Normalisation’, Army Should Become Transparent”

"This Is Not ’Normalisation’, Army Should Become Transparent”

The government had its way in the Higher Military Council. Akay, who wrote the "Security Sector " report, states that there can be no mention of “normalisation,” and that “everything is being done in secret.” "Both the General Staff and the government are silent on allegations about the army.”

6 August 2010 Erhan Üstündağ

Families of the Missing Want Confessions to Continue

Families of the Missing Want Confessions to Continue

The families of the missing, who place importance on the words of Retired Vice-Admiral Kiyat, who said; “unsolved murders in the 1990s were a state policy.” They are calling on the state, which “rendered missing” their relatives, to give an account. Deniz, Tanis, Ocak and Kirbayir families are expecting the confessions of those “really responsible.”

6 August 2010 Berivan Tapan

Talking About "Issues" Prohibited: 249 Suspects in Three Months!

Talking About "Issues" Prohibited: 249 Suspects in Three Months!

In the second quarter of 2010, the number of criminals of thought have doubled compared to the same period last year. Anti-terrorism law suspects have increased fivefold. As the war intensifies, freedom of expression weakens.

5 August 2010 Erol Önderoğlu

NGOs from Istanbul Call for Peace

NGOs from Istanbul Call for Peace

Many organisations with different backgrounds, have made a joint statement under the name, “Civil Society Initiatives” and called on the policy makers: "Stop the bloodshed, solve this problem already, find the solution that is fair for everyone.”

4 August 2010 Ezgi Kardeş

"Right to Conversation” Still Not Fully Exercised in F–Type Prisons

"Right to Conversation” Still Not Fully Exercised in F–Type Prisons

The Istanbul branch of the Contemporary Lawyers Association has spoken with 200 inmates in five prisons. According to their report, there are problems regarding the right to health; the complaints of the prisoners are being swept under the carpet, arbitrary disciplinary punishments violate basic rights.

Colonel Charged With “Neglect” in Dink Murder Dislikes Judge

Colonel Charged With “Neglect” in Dink Murder Dislikes Judge

The lawyer of Commander of Trabzon’s Provincial Command Post, Colonel Ali Öz, who is accused with neglecting to foil the Hrant Dink murder, has demanded for a recusation of the judge. The decision of the higher court is awaited. The trial will continue on 15 September.

Faculty of Law Dean Balkır Sentenced for Harassment at Work

Faculty of Law Dean Balkır Sentenced for Harassment at Work

Prof. Balkır, Dean of the Kocaeli University Faculty of Law, was sentenced to a monetary fine of TL 3,000 in compensation on the grounds of a complaint filed by Assoc. Prof Çakır because of harassment.

30 July 2010 Semra Pelek

Prison Sentence for Editor of Revolutionary Movement Magazine

Prison Sentence for Editor of Revolutionary Movement Magazine

An Istanbul court handed a 1year and 3 months prison sentence to Fehmi Kılıç, editorial manager of the Revolutionary Movement magazine because of "spreading propaganda for a terror organization".

30 July 2010 Erol Önderoğlu