Thousands of people called for dialogue and democracy in the Newroz celebrations in Yüksekova. Masses of people flowing into the city celebrated a peaceful beginning of the Iranian New Year.

The Istanbul Yaşam Radio presented the variety of its programs at a cocktail organized to make the radio staff meet with listeners and the media. Yaşam Radio broadcasts in Turkish and in minority languages and stands for a democratic initiative which includes the Kurds, Armenians and Alevis.

Hakan Tahmaz will have to appear at court on 1 June for his interview with PKK leading official Karayılan. Temel Demirer will stand trial on 20 May for his statement that Turkish-Armenian journalist Hrant Dink was killed for recognizing the Armenian genocide.

The government prepared a draft law against discrimination. The bill envisages monetary fines of up to TL 500,000 for discrimination. It includes the establishment of an "anti-discrimination and equality committee" which provides the right to individual application.

The European Court of Human Rights decreed for a violation of freedom of speech regarding Evrensel newspaper distributor Görkem's being held in custody for three hours in June 2004. Turkey was sentenced by majority vote to pay € 1,800 in compensation.

The court decreed for the release of Rear Admiral Erdağ and Colonel Türkşen. Another 33 active and retired military officers will be kept in detention.

General İlker Başbuğ, Chief of General Staff, said to think well when publishing news about terrorism. At the same time, journalists are facing severe prison sentences related to news and interviews concerned with the Democratic Society Party or the PKK.

"Resign, Aliye Kavaf" was written on the banner in the protest of the Pink Life LGBTT Association. The organization filed a criminal complaint against Minister Kavaf who said "Homosexuality is a disease and should be treated".

Alper Ateş was acquitted in the first hearing related to addressing the Prime Minister with the curse "God damn you". Ateş claimed he had "only told the truth about his living conditions". M.B.G., who stands accused of similar allegations, will have to appear before the court on 5 April.

Reporters Without Borders added Turkey and Russia to the organization's "under surveillance" list published in the latest report on 12 March. "Taboo topics" for Turkey are quoted as mainly related to Atatürk, the army, minorities and the dignity of the nation.

The prosecutor demanded to drop the case against publisher Taş regarding the book "The water of Avaşin is blue" by prescription. The Istanbul court acquitted Taş who stood accused of "spreading PKK propaganda". Another twelve cases are pending against the publisher.

Former Minister of Labour and Social Security Ziya Halis is the chairman of Turkey's new left-wing party EDP. The Party for Equality and Democracy will be merged with the Social Democratic People's Party in a convention on 13 March.

Belgium Courts decided to prosecute Kongra-Gel leader Kartal together with PKK member Aydar and four other people in the context of the PKK operation in Belgium. In three French cities, employees of Roj TV and their family members were arrested.

Publisher Sancı and interpreter Yerguz face prison sentences on the grounds of the books "The fairy's pendulum", "The exploits of a young Don Juan" and "Letters of a well-mannered and knowledgeable bourgeois women". Lawyer Sakal: 'Publishing becomes a crime because of a lack of reforms'.

A group of students from the Izmir Economics University's Department for Media and Communication visited the bianet offices on 8 March. The news site editors informed the students about the work of bianet, its publication policies and independent journalism.

Director and actor Haldun Açıksözlu stands trial under charges of "insulting the prime minister" in the theatre play "Laz Marks". The show has been playing for one year in cooperation with the Leman Culture and 'Canşenlik' Actors.

DTP Iskenderun official Aydıncı was sentenced to a TL 1,500 monetary fine for addressing imprisoned PKK leader Öcalan as "respectable". Demokrat newspaper owner Korkmaz was acquitted though has pending another trial for six years.

Atılım newspaper journalists Küçükbattal and Mat will be kept in detention until 28 May. The journalists stand accused of participating in the destruction of a base station in Istanbul. Both defendants claim to have followed the incident as journalists.

The Radio and Television Supreme Council admonished ATV Europe by reason of the news about the population ratio of one woman in six men in Mongolia. The Council furthermore required justifications from Show TV, ATV, Star TV, Flash TV and Cine 5.

The Belgium police may keep KONGRA-GEL Chair Kartal, Aydar and another six people arrested in last week's raids in detention until 9 March. Kurdish television channel Roj TV claims a loss of € 1.2 million due to the operations. Kurds in several European countries voiced their protest.