RIGHTS - Bianet

RIGHTS

Page 234

Journalist Vedat Kurşun's Detention Extended to 10 Months

Journalist Vedat Kurşun's Detention Extended to 10 Months

The Diyarbakır court decided not to release journalist Vedat Kurşun from detention. Kurşun is trialed under charges of "campaigning PKK propaganda". His lawyer Özen announced that Kurşun is trialed for his topics being picked up by other national newspapers.

11 September 2009 Erol Önderoğlu

Writer Savran Taken to Court by Ergenekon Defendant Yalçın Küçük

Writer Sungur Savran faces a 10,000 TL compensation demand from writer Yalçın Küçük. Savran has called on Küçük to disprove his claims rather than go to court. The case continues on 24 November.

11 September 2009 Erol Önderoğlu

Baykal Closed the Door to Government's "Opening" Initiative

Baykal Closed the Door to Government's "Opening" Initiative

CHP chair Baykal declined the Prime Minister's request for an appointment, stating: "We are not going to be a part of this process at all". He argued that the government negotiates with the PKK and he refused secret sessions of the parliament. In addition Baykal wants Öcalan's "road map" to be published.

11 September 2009 Tolga Korkut

Local Journalists Targeted by Authorities

Local Journalists Targeted by Authorities

Authorities in the province of Ardahan have taken three journalists to court around 30 times. Fakir Yılmaz says, "We spend all our time in court."

11 September 2009 Erol Önderoğlu

Erdoğan: Conflicts Will Not Block the Peace Process

Erdoğan: Conflicts Will Not Block the Peace Process

After conflicts between soldiers and PKK militants the Prime Minister said: "The bullets shot to our soldiers will not block this process. We will continue the peace process". He also declared to ask CHP for an official appointment.

10 September 2009 Tolga Korkut

Litigation against 13-year-old Child Dropped

Litigation against 13-year-old Child Dropped

The Aydın Juvenile Court dropped the case of a 13-year-old child who was trialed because of addressing Prime Minister Erdoğan with the curse "God damn you". The court announced that the crime of "defaming a public official" cannot be implemented because Erdoğan visited the town in his function as AK Party leader.

9 September 2009 Erol Önderoğlu

What happened on 6-7 September?

What happened on 6-7 September?

"Our father Atatürk's house has been bombed" was the headline of the Istanbul Express newspaper's second issue in 1955. Years later, retired general Sabri Yirmibeşoğlu refers to the pogrom of 6-7 September as an "excellent special warfare operation that reached its aim".

8 September 2009 Tolga Korkut

Tensed Discussion between Defendant Özkan and President Judge Şengün

Tensed Discussion between Defendant Özkan and President Judge Şengün

The hearing of the Ergenekon case was interrupted because of an ongoing discussion between judge Köksal Şengün and the detained defendant Tuncay Özkan. Defendant Küçük was not allowed to wear his cap in the court room. Because of hearing problems the identity of defendant İbrahim Şahin could not be confirmed.

8 September 2009 Erol Önderoğlu

Nur Birgen Files Case Against Prof. Fincancı and Journalist Yarkadaş

Nur Birgen Files Case Against Prof. Fincancı and Journalist Yarkadaş

Nur Birgen sues TİHV board chair Prof. Dr. Şebnem Korur Fincancı and gerçekgündem.com journalist Barış Yarkadaş for the content of their broadcast. Fincancı claimed that Birgen obtained her executive position in the Institute for Forensic Medicine as a "reward for her loyalty."

7 September 2009 Erol Önderoğlu

Öcalan's Road Map - Part 2

Öcalan's Road Map - Part 2

Öcalan claims that MHP and CHP are blocking the process of the "Democratic Initiative". He also criticises the handling of the Ergenekon case, opposing that the three defendants Perinçek, Tekin and Alsan are all tried in the same court case.

6 September 2009 Tolga Korkut

Condemning Police Violence against Children - a Crime?!

Condemning Police Violence against Children - a Crime?!

Açıkalın from the Human Rights Association is on trial again because he condemned an action of a police officer in Hakkari. The police officer beat a 17-year-old child on the head with his rifle butt. Açıalın is charged with "demonstrating against the law". The court will start on 2 November.

6 September 2009 Erol Önderoğlu

"Turkey in Pictures" Photo Exhibition by Ali Öz

"Turkey in Pictures" Photo Exhibition by Ali Öz

The exhibition was opened on 1 September in 'Karşı Sanat' art gallery. 130 photographs by Ali Öz on actions and combats in Turkey's recent history. Comments to each picture are written by Yıldırım Türker.

3 September 2009 Pınar Konuk

Mardin Massacre Trial Starts

Mardin Massacre Trial Starts

Of the 11 detained tried for the murder of 44 people in the province of Mardin 3 defendants pleaded guilty, designating the massacre as "honor killing". 8 defendants denied the charges, their testimony confirmed by the 3 confessors.

3 September 2009 Erol Önderoğlu

31 Children Tried Under Charges of Terrorism

31 Children Tried Under Charges of Terrorism

According to information from the 'Call for Justice for Children' Initiative 31 children appear before the courts under charges of terrorism only in August. One child was released, one child was sentenced to 6 months in prison.

3 September 2009 Emine Özcan

RSF Urges Government Include Press Freedom in Kurdish Initiative

RSF Urges Government Include Press Freedom in Kurdish Initiative

Reporters without Borders has called on Turkey to put an end to censorship of pro-Kurdish media.

3 September 2009

Lawyers Applied to Public Prosecutor for Öcalan's Road Map

Lawyers Applied to Public Prosecutor for Öcalan's Road Map

Lawyers from Asrın Law Office requested Öcalan's road map for a solution of the Kurdish question from the chief public prosecutor's office in Bursa. Öcalan's text was handed to the prison prosecution on 20 August.

2 September 2009 Tolga Korkut

Thousands of People Called for Peace in Kadıköy

Thousands of People Called for Peace in Kadıköy

Political parties, business organizations as well as non-governmental organizations participated in the demonstration for peace. DTP MP Tuncel called upon the government to take concrete steps.

2 September 2009 Bawer Çakır

Sivas Massacre Suspect Erçakmak Nested in France

Sivas Massacre Suspect Erçakmak Nested in France

New findings reveal that Erçakmak probably lives in France. The plaintiffs' lawyers demand Erçakmak's extradition to Turkey. The court accepted their request.

2 September 2009 Erol Önderoğlu

Mayor Defends Child Prosecuted for Teaching Kurdish at Home

Mayor Defends Child Prosecuted for Teaching Kurdish at Home

A child has been interrogated for giving Kurdish lessons at home. Chief Magistrate Demirtaş does not agree with the criticism that the child has been made a political tool.

1 September 2009 Erol Önderoğlu

"Those Who Want Peace Demand a Courageous Government"

"Those Who Want Peace Demand a Courageous Government"

Tahmaz of the Peace Parliament has evaluated the comments by Minister Atalay for bianet. He calls for an end to military operations, permission for Öcalan to announce his road map, relations with the DTP and a guarantee of the freedom of expression.

1 September 2009 Tolga Korkut

Presentation of the "State Democracy Package" after 1 October

Presentation of the "State Democracy Package" after 1 October

Minister Atalay talked about the proposals for the "democratic initiative" concerning the unity of the state, Turkish as the official language, the ongoing request to meet with CHP and MHP, the end of bloodshed and tears and the importance of Iran, Iraq and Syria.

1 September 2009 Tolga Korkut

Erdoğan: "No Reversal in Initiative"

Erdoğan: "No Reversal in Initiative"

The Prime Minister indicated that the project aimed at solving the Kurdish question would continue, "whatever the price".

28 August 2009 Erhan Üstündağ

Military Silent on Ownership of Deadly Mine

Military Silent on Ownership of Deadly Mine

The explosion of a mine that killed six soldiers and wounded eight on 27 May convinced PM Erdoğan not to meet with the DTP. However, there are now claims that it was an army land mine.

28 August 2009 Tolga Korkut

The Grenade Pin that Killed İbrahim, İbrahim, Ali Osman and Mesut

The Grenade Pin that Killed İbrahim, İbrahim, Ali Osman and Mesut

After a lieutenant punished a soldier by forcing him to hold a grenade with the pin taken out, four soldiers died. The public was initially told that they had died in an accident...

27 August 2009 Nadire Mater

Öcalan Has Handed "Road Map" to Prison Management

Öcalan Has Handed "Road Map" to Prison Management

Öcalan told his lawyers that he has handed his "road map" to the prison prosecution. Lawyers will apply to be handed the document.

27 August 2009 Erhan Üstündağ

"Military Cannot Interfere in Our Debate on a Solution"

"Military Cannot Interfere in Our Debate on a Solution"

According to Assist. Prof. Coşkun, the Chief of General Staff has no right to make political statements on the Kurdish question.

26 August 2009 Tolga Korkut

"Errorists" Stick Tongue out at Kurdish Letter Ban

"Errorists" Stick Tongue out at Kurdish Letter Ban

A group of artists calling themselves "errorists" has started a campaign of protest against the ban on Kurdish letters in Turkey.

25 August 2009 Bawer Çakır

"State Mentality and Peace"

"State Mentality and Peace"

As long as peace is not taken to the streets, and no bridge is built between peace and people's hegemony, as long as we leave "peace" to the "state mentality", our share of it may have no other option but to be taken to the front in the next war.

24 August 2009 Ertuğrul Kürkçü

"Minister Atalay Should Ask Women about Kurdish Initiative"

"Minister Atalay Should Ask Women about Kurdish Initiative"

Around 500 women joined a Peace Festival in Maçka Park on Sunday. They demand to be heard by the government.

24 August 2009 Emine Özcan

Military Constructive at National Security Meeting

Military Constructive at National Security Meeting

According to Prof. Sancar, the statement issued by the National Security Council shows that the army is not obstructing the government's initiative.

24 August 2009 Tolga Korkut

Disappearance of Kurdish Politicians Mentioned in JİTEM Trial

Disappearance of Kurdish Politicians Mentioned in JİTEM Trial

A witness statement at the trial against JİTEM commander Temizöz seems to shed light on the disappearance and death of two HADEP members. Family lawyers are skeptical.

21 August 2009 Tolga Korkut

Kurdish Peace: Comparisons with Northern Ireland

Kurdish Peace: Comparisons with Northern Ireland

The release of hundreds of IRA militants from prison was an important element of the Northern Irish peace process. Today, an amnesty that targets Kurdish prisoners is becoming increasinly vital.

20 August 2009 Zafer Yörük