RIGHTS - Bianet

RIGHTS

Page 223

Another 3 Years in Jail for Leyla Zana

Another 3 Years in Jail for Leyla Zana

Former MP of the closed Democracy Party Leyla Zana was sentenced to three years' imprisonment under charges of "propaganda for a terror organization" on the grounds of calling PKK leader Öcalan the "Leader of the Kurdish People". Lawyer Gümüş stated to file an appeal.

9 April 2010 Erol Önderoğlu

Journalist Detained for Speaking Kurdish at Court

Journalist Detained for Speaking Kurdish at Court

Mehdi Tanrıkulu, editorial manager of the Kurdish Azadiya Welat newspaper, was arrested upon his claim to make his defence in court in Kurdish. Tanrıkulu faces imprisonment of up to ten years. He referred to the Treaty of Lausanne and the European Court of Human Rights.

9 April 2010 Erol Önderoğlu

Protection from Domestic Violence Bears many Problems

Protection from Domestic Violence Bears many Problems

The report on the Hürriyet Campaign against Domestic Violence reveals weak points regarding the current provincial infra structure, the implementation of protective measures and the legal situation. A lack of protection leaves victims in a difficult and often dangerous situation.

8 April 2010 Burçin Belge

ECHR: Turkey Pays € 400,000 for Torture

ECHR: Turkey Pays € 400,000 for Torture

The European Court of Human Rights sentenced Turkey to a total fine of € 400,000 in compensation. Six applicant sought justice for allegedly being tortured in police custody in 1997. The responsible police officers of the time had not been tried.

8 April 2010 Erol Önderoğlu

"Yürüyüş" Magazine Banned for One Month

"Yürüyüş" Magazine Banned for One Month

An Istanbul Court decided to close the weekly Yürüyüş magazine because of alledged "propaganda for an illegal organization" based on an article entitled "We are on the way to Kızıldere". The 22nd issue of the magazine was confiscated. An investigation into the editorial manager was launched.

8 April 2010 Erol Önderoğlu

"Sledgehammer Coup Plan": Responsible Prosecutors Replaced

"Sledgehammer Coup Plan": Responsible Prosecutors Replaced

A total of 86 people were arrested in operations regarding the "Sledgehammer Coup Plan" carried out in Istanbul, Ankara, Izmir and Çanakkale, 70 of them are active military officers. Chief Prosecutor Engin deposed investigation prosecutors Berk and Bayraktar from office.

7 April 2010 Erol Önderoğlu

Legal Procedures Deprive Journalists of Right to Appeal

Legal Procedures Deprive Journalists of Right to Appeal

Turkish Journalists Society President Erniç criticized that issues like freedom of expression, the right to inform and journalists' work security and safety of life "are doomed to remain in hollow words". Journalists are controlled by postponing the pronouncement of judgement, Erinç said.

7 April 2010 Erol Önderoğlu

RTÜK in Control again?

RTÜK in Control again?

According to a drafted amendment of the Law on Radio and Television Broadcasting Institutions and Publishing Rights, the limit of foreign investment shall increase to 50 percent and RTÜK shall take over supervision and the ascertaining of the number of viewers.

7 April 2010 Erol Önderoğlu

Another 20 Arrests in "Sledgehammer Coup Plan" Investigation

Another 20 Arrests in "Sledgehammer Coup Plan" Investigation

Police operations in the context of the "Sledgehammer coup plan" carried out in Ankara, Istanbul, Izmir and Çanakkale on 5 April resulted in the arrest of 20 people. Senior Rear Admiral Tuncay Çakan from the Istanbul Gülhane Military Medical Academy was among the people arrested.

6 April 2010 Erol Önderoğlu

Kurdish "Peace Groups" Face 127.5 Years Imprisonment

Kurdish "Peace Groups" Face 127.5 Years Imprisonment

The Diyarbakır Prosecution demands a total of 127.5 years imprisonment for 17 members of the "Peace Groups" that entered Turkey in 2009. They are charged with "spreading organizational propaganda" and "praising crime and criminals" in a press conference at the Human Rights Foundation.

6 April 2010 Tolga Korkut

TRT Launched Broadcast in Arabic

TRT Launched Broadcast in Arabic

TRT started broadcasting in Arabic via the TRT El Turkey television channel. PM Erdoğan said at the opening ceremony, "Even though our faces look to the west, by no means does that mean we are turning our backs to the east". The channel can be watched via satellite by more than 3 million viewers.

6 April 2010 Erol Önderoğlu

Suspicious Death of Reporter of Kurdish Daily

Suspicious Death of Reporter of Kurdish Daily

Metin Alataş, employee of the Kurdish Azadiya Welat newspaper, was found dead in the Hadırlı district of Adana. Newspaper editor Boltan doubts an alleged suicide: "Altaş was killed by illegal forces or he was forced to commit suicide", Boltan argued.

6 April 2010 Erol Önderoğlu

Conscientious Objector in Jail, his Supporters on Trial

Conscientious Objector in Jail, his Supporters on Trial

Enver Aydemir, conscientious objector for religious reasons, has been treated as a "deserter" for about three years now. His lawyers stated a lack of authority of the military court. The court declined their request and sentenced Aydemir to ten months imprisonment.

5 April 2010 Erol Önderoğlu

Writer Sarısözen Sentenced to 15 Months

Writer Sarısözen Sentenced to 15 Months

Günlük newspaper journalist Sarısözen was handed down a 15 months prison sentence for "spreading propaganda for an illegal organization" because he called the PKK a "rebel organization". Newspaper owner Ürper was acquitted, former editorial manger Aktan is wanted by the police.

5 April 2010 Erol Önderoğlu

No Significant Progress in Murder Case of Ahmet Yıldız

No Significant Progress in Murder Case of Ahmet Yıldız

In the murder case of homosexual Ahmet Yıldız, the court continues the search for prime suspect and father of the victim Yahya Yıldız and Orhan Aymelek, owner of a car rental. By a directive of the president judge, the audience in front of the court house was not allowed inside.

2 April 2010 Erol Önderoğlu

Journalist Nazlı Ilıcak Sentenced to Silence for Criticism

Journalist Nazlı Ilıcak Sentenced to Silence for Criticism

Journalist Nazlı Ilıcak received a prison sentence for describing Judge Osman Kaçmaz as "officious". Kacmaz intended to sue President Abdullah Gül in the context of the "Lost Billions" case. Ilıcak's sentence was converted to a five years' probation period.

2 April 2010 Erol Önderoğlu

Four Politicians on Trial for Speaking Kurdish

Four Politicians on Trial for Speaking Kurdish

Hakkari Mayor Fadıl Bedirhanoğlu, former mayor Kazım Kurt and officials of closed Democratic Society Party Fahri Kurt and Rahmi Temel stand trial for addressing their electorate in Kurdish in the run-up to the 2009 local elections.

2 April 2010 Erol Önderoğlu

Journalist Attacked by Gaddafi's Body Guards and then Arrested

Journalist Attacked by Gaddafi's Body Guards and then Arrested

Journalist Tezel was attacked by the body guards of the son of Lybian leader Muammer Gaddafi when he tried to take his photograph. Subsequently, it was Tezel who was arrested by the police. The Turkish Journalists' Association urged the Chief of Police to take the necessary consequences.

2 April 2010 Erol Önderoğlu

Local Newspaper Repels Compensation Claim

Local Newspaper Repels Compensation Claim

A court in Istanbul dismissed a compensation claim of more than € 30,000 filed against Günlük Evrensel newspaper. The court decreed that the local daily did not target the TÜPRAG Company by covering environmental damage caused by the Ovacık Gold Mine.

1 April 2010 Erol Önderoğlu

Kurdish Journalist Vedat Kurşun Sentenced to 3 Years

Kurdish Journalist Vedat Kurşun Sentenced to 3 Years

Former editorial manager of the Kurdish Azadiya Welat newspaper Vedat Kurşun was sentenced to three years imprisonment by a Diyarbakır court because of publishing obituaries of killed PKK members and statements of imprisoned PKK leader Öcalan.

1 April 2010 Erol Önderoğlu

Local Public Education Director Threatened Local Newspaper

Local Public Education Director Threatened Local Newspaper

Tunceli Provincial Public Education Branch Director Çakmak took aim at the local Emek newspaper because the daily had criticized the education system. The Provincial Public Education Directorate launched an investigation, Çakmak will be tried on 11 May.

1 April 2010 Erol Önderoğlu

2 Publication Bans in 3 Days for Kurdish Azadiya Welat Newspaper

2 Publication Bans in 3 Days for Kurdish Azadiya Welat Newspaper

Within three days, the Istanbul High Criminal Court imposed another publication ban on the Kurdish Azadiya Welat newspaper based on two articles and one obituary for a PKK member. One of the articles mentioned is entitled "Heroism week is the saga of freedom".

31 March 2010 Erol Önderoğlu

Repeal of Accreditation Ban in April?

Repeal of Accreditation Ban in April?

The State Council asked the Prime Ministry Press Centre about the basis of the procedure regarding journalist Özer's cancellation of her accreditation. State Council Prosecutor Şahin requested to annul the procedure. Özer is going to wait for another month.

30 March 2010 Erol Önderoğlu

Prosecutor Reckons Fictional Protagonists to be "Dangerous"

Prosecutor Reckons Fictional Protagonists to be "Dangerous"

While the previous prosecutor demanded acquittal for publisher Zarakolu, the new prosecutor requests his punishment for the book "More difficult decisions than death". Zarakolu stated that the atmosphere of the trial seems to change according to the country's climate.

30 March 2010 Erol Önderoğlu

Rojda: Imprisonment for Performing Kurdish Song

Rojda: Imprisonment for Performing Kurdish Song

Kurdish artist Rojda received a one year and eight month prison sentence under charges of "propaganda for an illegal organization". The verdict is based on the song "Heval Kamurano" Rojda performed on a festival in Diyarbakır last year.

29 March 2010 Bawer Çakır

Acquittal for Calling PM Edoğan a "Murderer"

Acquittal for Calling PM Edoğan a "Murderer"

Defendants Tosun and Kalanç , who had distributed a leaflet calling the Prime Minister a "murderer", were acquitted. The court assessed the leaflet as within the boundaries of freedom of expression. However, the court decided to confiscate the leaflets.

29 March 2010 Tolga Korkut

Kurdish Daily Azadiya Welat Banned again

Kurdish Daily Azadiya Welat Banned again

Another one month's publication ban was imposed on the Kurdish Azadiya Welat newspaper because of "propaganda for an illegal organization". Editor Kılınç received a 21 year's prison sentence recently; former editorial manager Kurşun faces imprisonment of up to 525 years.

29 March 2010 Erhan Üstündağ

Kongra-Gel Defendants Released in Belgium

Kongra-Gel Defendants Released in Belgium

The Court of Appeals decided to release Kongra-Gel officials Remzi Kartal, Zübeyir Aydar and another five people pending trial.

26 March 2010 Tolga Korkut

"Relations between Media and Politics should be Revealed!"

"Relations between Media and Politics should be Revealed!"

In the context of the events around the 1997 Military Memorandum, BDP MP Birdal criticized the prosecutors for their impassiveness. In a press conference in the Parliament he demanded to investigate previous and current relations between journalists and the military.

26 March 2010 Erhan Üstündağ

BIA Media Monitoring Report 2009 - Full Text

Publication bans based on the Anti-Terror Act were imposed to at least 9 newspapers in 2009. 23 people were tried under the same law, 101 people were convicted of “attacks on personal rights”. Journalist Cihan Hayırsevener was killed due to the state’s indifference to violence.

Danish Students Visited bianet

Danish Students Visited bianet

A group of Danish high school students visited bianet to obtain information about freedom of expression in Turkey, government's policies and the role of the media in relations between Turkey and the EU and in communications between people.

25 March 2010 Erhan Üstündağ

IHD 2009 Report: 24 Deaths in Prisons in 1 Year

IHD 2009 Report: 24 Deaths in Prisons in 1 Year

According to the annual report of the Human Rights Association, 24 people have died in Turkish prisons in the last year. 11 people died of illness, 3 people committed suicide, 4 were killed. The Association received 2,640 applications in 2009, 397 because of torture and mal-treatment.

25 March 2010 Tolga Korkut