RIGHTS - Bianet

RIGHTS

Page 237

Court Accedes 56 More Suspects to Ergenekon Case

Court Accedes 56 More Suspects to Ergenekon Case

Retired generals Tolon and Eruygur are accused of conspiring against the government in the 1909 page-long indictment. Journalist Dink's murder as well as a former general's diaries explaining coup plans and journalist Balbay's diaries are featured in the indictment.

Journalist Mağden Sentenced for Calling Singers “Fascist”

Former Radikal journalist Perihan Mağden has been convicted of insulting Arif Şirin and singer İsmail Türüt in the media. She has said that she will appeal to the ECHR.

25 March 2009 Erol Önderoğlu

Renewed Discussions about Military Service

Renewed Discussions about Military Service

YARSAV President Eminağaoğlu has argued that the constitution speaks of “service to the country” and not military service, thus renewing discussions about conscientious objection. At the same time, the number of people demanding to pay instead of doing military service is steadily rising.

25 March 2009 Emine Özcan

Two Journalists Face Prison for Alleged "Terrorist Propaganda"

Günlük daily columnist Sarısözen and managing director Çiçekçi faces up to 7.5 years in prison for an article which discusses how and who makes "terrorist propaganda."

24 March 2009 Erol Önderoğlu

Author Tekin Harassed During Panel Discussion

Latife Tekin questioned the improper acquisition of land at Mydos archeological site in Muğla, at a panel discussion and several men physically attacked her.

Medical Association Prints Kurdish Guide for Doctors

The Diyarbakır Chamber of Physicians has created a basic Kurdish guide for Turkish doctors sent on duty in the southeast of the country. The aim is to improve doctor-patient communication.

24 March 2009 Tolga Korkut

Former JITEM Commander Temizöz in Custody

The prosecution investigating the death wells in Cizre has taken Temizöz, former JITEM commander in the area, into custody in Kayseri. According to former JİTEM member Aygan, Temizöz was involved in many extrajudicial killings.

24 March 2009 Tolga Korkut

Kurds See Local Elections as Referendum

Kurds See Local Elections as Referendum

Altun of the Socialist Labour Movement spoke with bianet about her impressions at the Newroz celebrations in Diyarbakır. She said, “Most people are expecting peace.”

24 March 2009 Emine Özcan

İHD Relases Annual Report

According to the human rights organization, 37 people died in prisons and 8 people died while under police custody. İHD chair Türkdoğan says, rights violations escalated.

"Terrorist Propaganda" Case Against Birgün Daily

Hakan Tahmaz, who interviewed a rebel PKK commander and daily Birgün, which published the article will be tried with "terrorist propaganda". Three people face 3 years in prison if convicted.

23 March 2009 Erol Önderoğlu

Saturday Mothers Call on President Gül to Intervene

The Human Rights Association and the Saturday Mothers/People are worried that a blind eye is being turned to the tampering with evidence from the excavated “death wells”. They have called on President Gül to intervene.

23 March 2009 Erol Önderoğlu

Newroz in Turkey: Calls for a Solution to Kurdish Question

Newroz in Turkey: Calls for a Solution to Kurdish Question

300,000 people celebrated Newroz in Kazlıçeşme, Istanbul. In Diyarbakır, estimates of the crowd range from 75,000 to one million.

Radio Station Acquitted in Second Kurdish Song Case

The Adana Radio station Dünya has been acquitted for the second time, after playing a Kurdish song had landed it in court.

21 March 2009 Erol Önderoğlu

NTV Accused of Airing Call For a Military Coup

MAZLUMDER, an association for human rights files a complaint on grounds that three people called for a military coup in a programme on local elections.

BIA Media Monitoring Report 2008 - Full Text

In 2008, 82 people were tried under Article 301, 44 under the Anti-Terrorist Law. Freedoms of press and expression have been damaged by political polarisation, the lack of a solution to the Kurdish issue and the intolerance of criticism.

Five-Day Newroz Celebrations in 66 Places

The Newroz programme of the DTP starts in Urfa on 20 March and ends in Kars on 24 March. Kurdish musicians and politicians will take the stage.

19 March 2009 Bawer Çakır

Seven Police Officers Condemned in Zirve Massacre Case

A Malatya court finds police officers guilty of misconduct, as they failed to confiscate two of three guns on the suspects who murdered three people two days later.

18 March 2009 Erol Önderoğlu

University Students Acquitted on 301 Amid MoJ Approval for Trial

Minister of Justice Şahin had approved a trial for 10 university students on Article 301 on grounds they protested a police operation to the prisons. They are acquitted in court.

Diyarbakır’s Gün TV Punished with Programme Ban

Accused of broadcasting pro-DTP programmes, the local Gün TV channel in Diyarbakır has been barred from broadcasting its 7.30 pm news programme.

18 March 2009 Erol Önderoğlu

“Freedom for Leyla Zana” Campaign Launched

A group of rights activists has started a campaign against the 10-year prison sentence handed down to Kurdish politician Leyla Zana.

17 March 2009 Erol Önderoğlu

Former Prosecutor Wants Coup General Evren in Court

Former Prosecutor Wants Coup General Evren in Court

Former prosecutor Kayasu has applied to the Adana prosecution to process the indictment he prepared in 2000.

17 March 2009 Erhan Üstündağ

"Education in Mother Tongue For All Minority Children!"

A Minority Rights Group reports calls on the Turkish government to introduce necessary amendments in law to allow education in mother tongues as well as clearing curriculum of nationalistic and discriminatory approaches.

School Books are Turkish, Muslim, Male, Heterosexual and Racist

The findings of the second project of monitoring Turkish school books for human rights violations, run by the History Foundation and the Human Rights Foundation of Turkey, have been published as a book.

16 March 2009 Bawer Çakır

435 “Though Crimes” in Turkey in 2008

In 2008, 82 people were tried under Article 301, 44 under the Anti-Terrorist Law. Freedoms of press and expression have been damaged by political polarisation, the lack of a solution to the Kurdish issue and the intolerance of criticism.

16 March 2009 Erol Önderoğlu

Antakya’s Independent Mayoral Candidate Arrested

Antakya’s Independent Mayoral Candidate Arrested

Following the detention of fifty people in six different cities on 10 March, eight of them have been arrested. One of them is Çobanoğlu, an independent socialist candidate for mayor in Antakya.

New Excavation in Silopi: Bones, Hair and Clothing Found

New Excavation in Silopi: Bones, Hair and Clothing Found

After the find of bones and flannel on 9 March in one well, the opening of another well has revealed bones, hair and clothing.

12 March 2009 Tolga Korkut

Parties and Organisations Protest against Arrests

Parties and Organisations Protest against Arrests

Parties and organisations have protested against the arrests of members and employees of BEKSAV, ESP, Atılım newspaper and the Güneş Agency.

12 March 2009 Zeynep Kuray

IPI Urges EU Leaders to Prioritise Press Freedom in Membership Talks with Turkey

The International Press Institute (IPI), based in Vienna, has released a press statement urging European Commission leaders to consider press freedom a priority when negotiating with Turkey.

Search for Remains of Missing Persons Continues in Silopi

In a second attempt, an alleged site of burial utilized by the illegal JİTEM is excavated. Human bones were found on March 9. Investigation could shed light on extra-judicial killings in 1990s.

14 Years and No Justice in Gazi Massacre

22 people were killed when several gunmen open fire on cafes in Gazi district, where Alevites make up most of the population. "Despite high hopes, Ergenekon case failed to taken on Gazi's initiators," says ÇGD.

Seven Journalists Targeted and Threatened in One Month

Three journalists were attacked during a DTP meeting in Adana on March 7th. In February, three others were assaulted during protests in Diyarbakır. An MP allegedly threatens a journalist in Tarsus.

10 March 2009 Erol Önderoğlu

Darwin Censored at Scientific Council's Magazine

TÜBİTAK, the central council on public science policies, is criticized following an alleged censorship on Darwin in its popular monthly magazine. Science circles react to this "reactionary incident".

10 March 2009 Emine Özcan