RIGHTS - Bianet

RIGHTS

Page 219

Journalist Yarkadaş Acquitted of "Insult of the President"

Journalist Yarkadaş Acquitted of "Insult of the President"

GercekGundem.com website executive Yarkadaş was on trial because he had posted a reader comment allegedly constituting an "insult of the President". The court acquitted Yarkadaş, reasoning that he could not be held responsible for the content of the comment.

14 June 2010 Erol Önderoğlu

"From the Classroom to the Newsroom" in the Starting Blocks

"From the Classroom to the Newsroom" in the Starting Blocks

This year's training program "From the Classroom to the Newsroom" by the IPS Communication Foundation for graduates of communication faculties will be held from 10-17 July. The deadline for applications is on 15 June.

15 Months of Military Service or 3 Years of Torture!

15 Months of Military Service or 3 Years of Torture!

Conscientious objector Aydemir was relaeased upon an "incapability report". His lawyer criticized that the legislation lacks provisions on conscientious objection. Turkey is one of three countries of the European Council that does not recognize the right to conscientious objection.

11 June 2010 Erhan Üstündağ

Author Güler Sentenced on Behalf of Novel Characters

Author Güler Sentenced on Behalf of Novel Characters

Author Mehmet Güler was sentenced to imprisonment of one year and three months under charges of "propaganda for an illegal organization" based on three fictional characters of his book "More difficult decisions than death". Publisher Zarakolu was acquitted.

11 June 2010 Erol Önderoğlu

'Peace Mother' Sentenced to 6 Years in Jail

'Peace Mother' Sentenced to 6 Years in Jail

Peace Mother Sultan Acıbuca was sentenced for her speeches for peace as if she was a member of the militant PKK. Acıbuca's "offences": condemning the murder of Turkish-Armenian journalist Hrant Dink, attending events like the World Women Day etc.

10 June 2010 Erol Önderoğlu

Kurdish Politician Türk Tried here, Acquitted there

Kurdish Politician Türk Tried here, Acquitted there

Ahmet Türk, former co-chair of the dissolved Democratic Society Party, is tried because he spoke Kurdish in parliament on the International Mother Language Day. At the same time, he was acquitted in a case related to his appreciation of the proclamation of a PKK ceasefire.

10 June 2010 Erol Önderoğlu

Journalist Ilıcak Convicted again for Criticism of Judge

Journalist Ilıcak Convicted again for Criticism of Judge

Journalist Ilıcak received a monetary fine of TL 5,000 in compensation to be paid to judge Kaçmaz because of calling him"officious" in one of her articles. Author Behramoğlu stands trial for criticizing the Prime Minister on CNN Türk...

10 June 2010 Erol Önderoğlu

Labour Party Lawyers Protested Ergenekon Trial

Labour Party Lawyers Protested Ergenekon Trial

In the latest Ergenekon case hearing, about 20 joint attorneys of the Labour Party took off their gowns and left the court room in protest of the recent detention of Labour Party Deputy Chair Cengiz. Officer Şahbaz, tried in the second Ergenekon case, was released pending trial.

9 June 2010 Erol Önderoğlu

Turkey Sentenced for Book Seizure Requested by Singer Tarkan

Turkey Sentenced for Book Seizure Requested by Singer Tarkan

The European Court of Human Rights unanimously imposed a € 3,000 monetary fine on Turkey for the seizure of the book "Tarkan, the Star Phenomenon". Publisher Sapan will receive € 2,000 in compensation. The book features singer Tarkan as an example for an academic study.

9 June 2010 Erol Önderoğlu

Six-Month Sentence for Speaking Kurdish in Election Campaign

Six-Month Sentence for Speaking Kurdish in Election Campaign

Three members of the dissolved pro-Kurdish Democratic Society Party received prison sentences of six months each by the Midyat Magistrate Criminal Court in south-eastern Turkey. The three defendants were found guilty of making election propaganda in Kurdish.

9 June 2010 Erol Önderoğlu,Mehmet Halis Iş

Media Freedom Activists Bring Lawsuit against Google Ban

Media Freedom Activists Bring Lawsuit against Google Ban

Akdeniz from Bilgi University and Altıparmak from Ankara University will appeal to the ban of certain Google services imposed by the Telecommunication Communication Presidency. bianet.org publication coordinator Kürkçü criticized the restrictions which directly harm the work of bianet. The Turkish Journalists Association and Reporters without Borders condemned the ban.

8 June 2010 Erol Önderoğlu,Tolga Korkut

Taraf and Günlük Journalists Facing Jail

Taraf and Günlük Journalists Facing Jail

The court prosecutors demand prison sentences for journalist Mehmet Baransu on the grounds of his news about the "Aktütün" raid and for Koçali and Pekgöz from Günlük newspaper for their interview made in the headquarters of the PKK on Qandil Mountain.

8 June 2010 Erol Önderoğlu

Seventh Trial against Journalist Saymaz

Seventh Trial against Journalist Saymaz

Radikal newspaper reporter Saymaz faces another 4.5 years' prison sentence in the seventh case opened against him. The latest trial is based on Saymaz's reporting about Ergenekon defendant Engin Aydın's statement at the prosecutor.

8 June 2010 Erol Önderoğlu

IPI's "Press Hero" Nedim Şener Acquitted

IPI's "Press Hero" Nedim Şener Acquitted

Journalist Nedim Şener was acquitted in the case on his book "The Dink murder and the intelligence lies". Şener had been facing imprisonment of up to three years. The International Press Institute chose Şener as one of the international "press heroes".

7 June 2010 Erol Önderoğlu

Journalist Aktan Sentenced, Express Magazine Fined

Journalist Aktan Sentenced, Express Magazine Fined

An Istanbul court handed down a prison sentence of one year and three months to journalist Irfan Aktan for an article published in the Express periodical. Editorial manager Erol received a monetary fine of TL 16,000.

7 June 2010 Erol Önderoğlu

Lawyer Involved in Journalist Murder Case Found Dead

Lawyer Involved in Journalist Murder Case Found Dead

Joint attorney of the family of killed Turkish-Armenian journalist Hrant Dink, Hakan Karadağ, was found dead at his home. Lawyer Bakırcıoğlu said that Karadağ was found at 3.00 am on 4 June.

7 June 2010 Erol Önderoğlu

Double Standards at RTÜK?

Double Standards at RTÜK?

After the Radio and Television Supreme Council's critical statement on the Israeli attack of aid ships for Gaza, Abakay from the Contemporary Journalists Association expects a statement from RTÜK on violations of press freedom in Turkey.

4 June 2010 Erol Önderoğlu,Tolga Korkut

Dairy Company YÖRSAN Advocates for Internet Censorship

Dairy Company YÖRSAN Advocates for Internet Censorship

The Yörsan Company demands to remove news related to their workers' resistance in 2008 from the EmekDunyasi website. Apparently, Yörsan is concerned about the brand equity and their reputation. Website officials refuse to remove any news from their site.

4 June 2010 Erol Önderoğlu

Journalists Returned from Israel - İHH Employee Dead

Journalists Returned from Israel - İHH Employee Dead

Humanitarian Help Foundation employee Cevdet Kılıçlar was killed during the Isreali attack on the aid ships bound to Gazza on 31 May. Sabah reporter Olgun said that all their personal belongings were seized. IPI criticized: "Worrying signal sent by Israel to repressive nations".

4 June 2010 Erol Önderoğlu,Tolga Korkut

Turkish Parliament Condemns Israeli Attack

Turkish Parliament Condemns Israeli Attack

In a declaration signed by the Parliamentary Group Chairs, the Turkish Parliament condemns the Israeli attack on aid ships for Gaza. The declaration demands a review of Turkish-Israeli relations, an international investigation, an official apology and compensation payments.

3 June 2010 Tolga Korkut,Burçin Belge

Activists Arrived in Turkey

Activists Arrived in Turkey

466 people who had been detained by Israel after an attack on aid ships heading for Gaza have arrived in Turkey. The bodies of 9 people who were killed in the attack were brought to Istanbul, all of them are of Turkish nationality. 17 injured activists are in Ankara.

3 June 2010 Erol Önderoğlu,Tolga Korkut,Burçin Belge

Government Takes Firm Stand on Kurdish Question

Government Takes Firm Stand on Kurdish Question

After recent deaths and injuries caused by armed conflicts between the militant Kurdistan Workers' Party and the military in south-eastern Turkey, the government emphasized its determination in the fight against terrorism after a "security meeting".

3 June 2010 Erhan Üstündağ

Summer Recess for Trial on PKK Interview

Summer Recess for Trial on PKK Interview

The prosecution of human rights advocate Tahmaz and Birgün newspaper officials Çeşmecioğlu and Yılmaz was postponed to September. The defendants stand trial because of an interview with Murat Karayılan, leader of the People's Confederation of Kurdistan.

3 June 2010 Erol Önderoğlu,Tolga Korkut

Criticism on Military Partnership between Turkey and Israel

Criticism on Military Partnership between Turkey and Israel

The Turkish rights organization Küresel BAK demands to end the bilateral military agreement between Turkey and Israel after the recent Israeli attack on aid ships. The military co-operation between both countries is worth billions of dollars.

2 June 2010 Tolga Korkut,Semra Pelek

"Atılım" Newspaper Reporters Released after 9 Months

"Atılım" Newspaper Reporters Released after 9 Months

Atılım newspaper reporters Mat and Küçükbattal were released pending trial after nine months in detention. They stand accused of the demolition of a base station in Istanbul. The trial will be continued on 24 September.

2 June 2010 Erol Önderoğlu,Tolga Korkut

Çeber Case: Life Sentences for 3 Prison Guards and Head of Prison

Çeber Case: Life Sentences for 3 Prison Guards and Head of Prison

Three prison guards and the vice director of Metris Prison were convicted of "causing death by torture" in the case of Engin Çeber who died from torture in custody. They received life sentences. Three police officers and the prison doctor were punished as well.

2 June 2010 Tolga Korkut,Berivan Tapan

Press Institute: Who Else is Being Bugged?

Press Institute: Who Else is Being Bugged?

The Press Institute Association criticized the wiretapping of the Milliyet newspaper switchboard, "This is a new example demonstrating a severe violation of press freedom and freedom of expression in Turkey". Journalists organizations TGS and ÇGD condemned the incident.

1 June 2010 Erol Önderoğlu

Hrant Dink Murder Case in Trabzon Reaches Final Stage

Hrant Dink Murder Case in Trabzon Reaches Final Stage

The Dink family lawyers demanded the punishment of the eight gendarmerie officers in Trabzon on the grounds of "severe negligence". The defence lawyers requested additional time for preparing their defence. The case was postponed to 28 July.

1 June 2010 Erol Önderoğlu

PM Erdoğan: Israeli Attack is State Terrorism

PM Erdoğan: Israeli Attack is State Terrorism

In a press conference after the Israeli storm on aid ships for Gaza, Prime Minister Erdoğan stated that the claim that the vessels carried weapons was a "lie". He demanded the immediate release of the activists on board and said that the Jewish community in Turkey was protected.

Israeli Prof. Shinar Criticizes Storm on Aid Ships

Israeli Prof. Shinar Criticizes Storm on Aid Ships

Prof. Shinar, specialist on peace journalism, expects harsh international criticism of Israel's attack on the aid ships. "The flotilla should have been allowed passage. Israel is not going to benefit from this operation. The actual core of the problem is not being discussed".

31 May 2010 Tolga Korkut

Önderoğlu: Judicial Pressure Equals Pressure on Press and Research

Önderoğlu: Judicial Pressure Equals Pressure on Press and Research

Social Science Students of the Platform 'We are still Witnesses' organized a panel discussion on governing mechanisms of the political power over oppositional movements. The discussion was also an expression of solidarity for rights activist Pınar Selek.

31 May 2010 Çiçek Tahaoğlu

Aid Ships Attacked by Israel: at least 10 People Killed

Aid Ships Attacked by Israel: at least 10 People Killed

Israel attacked a flotilla from the Association for Humanitarian Help. According to the latest information, 16 people were killed when the Israeli military stormed the ships carrying humanitarian help for Gaza.

31 May 2010 Erol Önderoğlu