RIGHTS - Bianet

RIGHTS

Page 225

Lieutenant Sentenced for Causing 4 Soldiers' Death

Lieutenant Sentenced for Causing 4 Soldiers' Death

The Military Court sentenced Lieutenant Tümer to 9 years and 2 months imprisonment on the grounds of "causing death by deliberate negligence". Tümer is being held responsible for the deaths of soldiers Yaman, Öztürk, Altın and Bulut'un because he had pulled the pin from a hand grenade and handed it to one of them.

23 November 2009 Tolga Korkut

Prosecutor Pleaded for Publisher's and Journalist's Acquittal

Prosecutor Pleaded for Publisher's and Journalist's Acquittal

Prosecutor Çavuşoğlu from the Istanbul 10th High Criminal Court pleaded for the acquittal of publisher Zarakolu and writer Güler. The defendants were facing prison sentences under allegations of "spreading PKK propaganda" on behalf of a character in a novel.

20 November 2009 Erol Önderoğlu

Supreme Court Turns Down Former Chief of General Staff

Supreme Court Turns Down Former Chief of General Staff

The Court of Appeals decided that journalist Fikri Sağlar did what was necessary within the scope of press freedom and thus rejected the demands of former Chief of General Staff Büyükanıt and his wife. They had claimed compensation on the grounds of a news item the journalist had written.

20 November 2009 Erol Önderoğlu

Disabled Wife of Journalist Boyraz Harassed at Work

Disabled Wife of Journalist Boyraz Harassed at Work

Journalist Boyraz from Can Haber newspaper reported about the prosecution of Karadeniz Ereğli (Black Sea coast) mayor Posbıyık regarding his involvement in a gang. Hours after the article was published, Boyraz's wife was transferred from the municipality's disabled staff to a new position.

19 November 2009 Erol Önderoğlu

No Justice for Jounalist Boğatekin

No Justice for Jounalist Boğatekin

After having rejected journalist Boğatekin's notice of apology, the Kahta Criminal Court of First Instance handed down a 2 years 2 months and 7 days prison sentence to Boğatekin in his absence. The journalist was in Istanbul for medical treatment and was confronted with the decision when he returned to Kahta.

19 November 2009 Erol Önderoğlu

Journalist Özer's Accreditation Case Pending for 1 Year

Journalist Özer's Accreditation Case Pending for 1 Year

The Administrative Court unanimously cancelled the procedure to repeal Milliyet newspaper journalist Karakuş's Prime Ministry accreditation. However, Evrensel journalist Özer has been waiting for a referring decision on his behalf for 1 year already.

18 November 2009 Erol Önderoğlu

Öcalan's Isolation on The Imrali Island Ends

Öcalan's Isolation on The Imrali Island Ends

After rights organizations had criticized the conditions of Öcalan's isolated imprisonment, 5 convicts have been transferred to İmralı Island where the PKK leader is imprisoned since 1999. He will be allowed to see them 10 hours a week.

18 November 2009 Erhan Üstündağ

"Engin Çeber Case - Case of Torture"

"Engin Çeber Case - Case of Torture"

Lawyer Aslan stated that witness accounts as well as camera records and medical reports show evidence of torture against Çeber and his friends both in the police station and in the Metris Prison. The court did not detain the suspect police officers.

18 November 2009 Tolga Korkut

Journalist Sözal Released from Detention

Journalist Sözal Released from Detention

Sabah newspaper journalist Barış Sözal and his driver Ali Kocatepe were released by the gendarmerie after they had been arrested and kept in detention for 8 hours. The reason for the detention: "secretly taking pictures in a military area".

17 November 2009 Erol Önderoğlu,Bawer Çakır

"Parliament Initiated New Era for Kurdish Question"

Dr. Ortakaya from Diyarbakır assesses the parliament's discussion about the Kurdish question, "We are finally in a situation to discuss the Kurdish question and opportunities for a solution openly. The society has to be thoroughly involved".

17 November 2009 Tolga Korkut

61 Journalists Killed in 1 century

The Turkish Journalists Association announced that after the murder of Hasan Fehmi Bey in 1909, 61 journalists have been killed until today. The association organizes a memorial celebration, also inviting relatives of murdered journalists.

17 November 2009 Erol Önderoğlu

Legal Struggle against "Appendix 1"

Legal Struggle against "Appendix 1"

The Human Rights Association will take legal action against the so-called "Appendix 1", a plan designed by the General Staff to harm and slander human rights organizations in Turkey.

17 November 2009 Tolga Korkut

2 Landmine Victims in Turkey Every Week

2 Landmine Victims in Turkey Every Week

Öğreten from the Initiative for a Mine-Free Turkey assessed the country's situation after ratifying the Ottawa convention in 2003, stating that there has not been any difference in the number of deaths and injuries. Representatives of the Social Democratic Foundation, the Turkish Medical Association and the Disabled People Association also evaluated the current situation.

16 November 2009 Ece Yıldız

15 Journalists Convicted for Reporting on Ergenekon Investigation

15 Journalists Convicted for Reporting on Ergenekon Investigation

The judiciary had been criticized for remaining insensitive in the context of "confidentiality violations" in investigations, mainly regarding the Ergenekon case. Thereupon the Ministry of Justice announced that 15 journalists have been convicted and 33 public officials are under investigation.

13 November 2009 Erol Önderoğlu

DTP Member Demirtaş Appeals against Prison Sentence

DTP Member Demirtaş Appeals against Prison Sentence

Lawyer Cihan Aydın filed an appeal for his client Nurettin Demirtaş, former DTP leader. Demirtaş had received a 6 years and 3 months prison sentence because he had attended a funeral of PKK members. DTP member Sebahat Tuncel is also prosecuted under allegations of "membership of an illegal organization".

13 November 2009 Erol Önderoğlu

Complaining Police Officers Could Not Be Questioned

Complaining Police Officers Could Not Be Questioned

A prosecution under charges of "resistance against the police" has been launched against Gün, Karakaya and Baykal who were detained and tortured together with Engin Çeber. When joint attorney Aslan demanded to question the police officers that attended the hearing, the judge answered, "time is up, you can ask in the next hearing", Aslan said.

13 November 2009 Tolga Korkut

Milliyet Daily on Trial for News about "Kurdish Initiative"

Milliyet Daily on Trial for News about "Kurdish Initiative"

Milliyet newspaper reporter Durukan and director Çakkalkurt are facing prison sentences for publishing an announcement of PKK executive Duran Kalkan. The prosecutor proposed a fine to be paid in advance in order to drop the case. The Istanbul 10th High Criminal Court has not yet decided on the outcome.

12 November 2009 Erol Önderoğlu

Milliyet Daily on Trial for News about "Kurdish Initiative"

Milliyet Daily on Trial for News about "Kurdish Initiative"

Milliyet newspaper reporter Durukan and director Çakkalkurt are facing prison sentences for publishing an announcement of PKK executive Duran Kalkan. The prosecutor proposed a fine to be paid in advance in order to drop the case. The Istanbul 10th High Criminal Court has not yet decided on the outcome.

12 November 2009 Erol Önderoğlu

News in Kurdish on Su TV

News in Kurdish on Su TV

The Turkish TV channel Su TV started to broadcast news in Kurdish. İbrahim Genç, presenting the Kurdish news bulletin every night at 7.30 pm, indicates that Su TV is also going to touch sensitive subjects such as NGO activities and PKK developments. The TV channel is furthermore preparing for a broadcast in Armenian.

12 November 2009 Bawer Çakır

İHD Members Still Detained Despite Invalid Evidence

İHD Members Still Detained Despite Invalid Evidence

The court did not release İHD executive Kalaycı. İHD Chairman Türkdoğan protests, "We will file an appeal. The evidence is illegal. Investigations were carried out improperly. Our member is detained because of missing statements and a lack of investigation".

11 November 2009 Tolga Korkut

Cross-National Protest Action for Women's and LGBTT's Rights

Cross-National Protest Action for Women's and LGBTT's Rights

Right defenders from 11 countries went to the streets in a common protest action against court applications of "reduced sentences because of unjust provocation" for women and LGBTT murderers. In Istanbul the demonstration was organized by the Feminist Collective and the LGBTT Rights Platform.

11 November 2009 Bawer Çakır

190 People Sued for Their Opinions

The latest quarterly BIA Media Monitoring Report is dominated by cases concerned with "incitement of hatred and hostility" and "spreading propaganda for an illegal organization". 6 journalists were attacked and seek justice in court. 46 people under charges of "defamation" face prison sentences of more than 76 years altogether and fines of 1,186,610 TL in compensation...

10 November 2009 Erol Önderoğlu

"General Staff Should be Connected to Ministry of Defence"

"General Staff Should be Connected to Ministry of Defence"

Prime Minister Erdoğan said that in case of deposing the Chief of General Staff from office, he could apply to the military judiciary. Former military judge Kardaş agrees with that, yet criticizing, "AKP has the power to change the military judiciary and with it the military power. Why do they not do it?".

10 November 2009 Tolga Korkut

Prison Sentence for "Propaganda in Kurdish"

Prison Sentence for "Propaganda in Kurdish"

DTP Karabağlar Municipality Mayor candidate Coşgun and Gaziemir candidate Seyhan were convicted in Izmir for addressing voters in Kurdish prior to the elections on 29 March this year. They were each handed a 6 months prison sentence. Cosgun said, "If a democratic constitution is being issued, this case is dropped anyways".

10 November 2009 Erol Önderoğlu

More than 200,000 People Demonstrate for Alevi Rights

More than 200,000 People Demonstrate for Alevi Rights

The presidents of 3 Alevi organizations criticized that the government's approach towards Alevi rights was not sincere and urged for measures within the framework of equality and human rights. They called for a joint opposition of all Alevi groups against this insincerity.

9 November 2009 Bawer Çakır

Güler Zere Finally Released

Güler Zere Finally Released

President Gül released 4 convicts from prison because of "chronic illness", one of them Güler Zere, fatally ill with cancer, who was waiting for her release for months. Zere was released from Balcalı Hospital in Adana and transferred to a private hospital. Her family will probably take her to Istanbul.

9 November 2009 Tolga Korkut

General Convicted for Defamation of Assassinated Hrant Dink

General Convicted for Defamation of Assassinated Hrant Dink

Brigadier General Karaduman was sentenced to pay 2,000 Turkish Lira in compensation for hate speeches against assassinated Armenian journalist Hrant Dink.

9 November 2009 Erol Önderoğlu

Phone Tapping Investigation in Telecommunications Institution

Phone Tapping Investigation in Telecommunications Institution

After a referring court decision of the Sincan 1st High Criminal Court, a judge and 3 specialists on the field review the Telecommunication Communication Presidency. They are investigating the tapping complaint of YARSAV Association president Eminağaoğlu.

6 November 2009 Erol Önderoğlu

President Gül Faces Demands from Tunceli

President Gül Faces Demands from Tunceli

During his visit in Tunceli President Abdullah Gül faced several demands of local NGO's, such as to stop the construction of dams, to reform the 'Cem' houses and the Department of Religious Affairs, to release 86-year-old Yusuf Kaplan, to apologize for what happened in 1938 and to disclose the grave of Seyit Rıza and his friends.

6 November 2009 Erol Önderoğlu

Öcalan's Attorney Asks: Modern Prison = Proper Applications?

Öcalan's Attorney Asks: Modern Prison = Proper Applications?

Joint attorney of imprisoned PKK leader Öcalan Korkut questions whether the newly built prison on the island of İmralı fulfils the standards of the Prevention of Torture Committee and said that the number of persons who want to be transferred next to Öcalan exceeds the limit of 8 people.

5 November 2009 Tolga Korkut

"President's Application not Needed to Grant Pardon to Güler Zere"

"President's Application not Needed to Grant Pardon to Güler Zere"

After President Gül told the public that an "application is needed" to start the procedure of granting pardon to Güler Zere, the People's Law Office announced that for using the power of pardon an application is not needed.

5 November 2009 Tolga Korkut

Izmir Martyr Families: No Rush for Solving Kurdish Question

Izmir Martyr Families: No Rush for Solving Kurdish Question

The Izmir Martyr Families Association decided not to participate in the meeting under the motto "No to Treason Initiatives". Chairman Yeşilbağ said, "We are not opposing the initiative, but it is not managed well. They should apply the laws equally to everyone, the ones who regret should benefit from the repentance law".

4 November 2009 Tolga Korkut