RIGHTS - Bianet

RIGHTS

Page 245

Investigation Ruled Out for Signatories to The Apology to Armenians

The Ankara Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office has rejected a call to open a case against the apology campaign under Article 301.

27 January 2009

Turkish Journalism Awards Announced

The Contemporary Journalists’ Association (ÇGD) has announced its journalism awards for 2008.

27 January 2009

Three Dink Murder Defendants Released from Jail

Three Dink Murder Defendants Released from Jail

In the eighth hearing of the Hrant Dink murder on 26 January, defendants Tuncel and Hayal fought. Links with the Ergenekon organisation will be investigated, the judges dediced.

27 January 2009

Appeals Court Confused about Sexual Orientation

A court of appeal has overturned the decree to close the gay rights organisation Lambdaistanbul. However, the same court warns the assocation not to try and “encourage” homosexuality and transgender identities.

25 January 2009

Security Forces Deny Murder of Engin Çeber

In yesterday’s court hearing, the defendants claimed that they did not torture Çeber, but only “shouted at him.”

23 January 2009

Journalists’ Organisations Protest against Ergenekon Pressure

The Turkish Journalists’ Trade Union and the Contemporary Journalists’ Association have expressed their worry about violations of basic rights.

23 January 2009

Open Letter to Vatan Columnist Can Atakli

The Vatan newspaper has chosen to ignore the denigrating accusations its columnist makes about people who think differently from him. IPS Communication Foundation general secretary Ertuğrul Kürkçü and chair Nadire Mater wrote a letter which was not printed by Vatan.

22 January 2009 Nadire Mater,Ertuğrul Kürkçü

Mediterranean Journalists Call for Freedom to Report

40 journalists from 18 countries met at the Menton Journalists’ Conference in France. Bianet also attended the event.

21 January 2009 Erol Önderoğlu

Obama Era Starts in USA

Obama Era Starts in USA

Barack Obama has been sworn in as 44th President of the United States. Over a million people watched his inauguration, at which he swore on Abraham Lincoln’s bible to “preserve, protect and defend the constitution”.

21 January 2009

Hrant, We Apologise

Hrant, We Apologise

Actor Halil Ergün spoke at the commemoration of Hrant Dink's murder two years ago on 19 January. Ten thousand people listened to him.

20 January 2009 Halil Ergün

Photo Gallery: Commemorating Hrant Dink Two Years after His Death

Around 10,000 people gathered in front of the Agos newspaper office in order to remember Armenian-Turkish journalist Hrant Dink, murdered there two years ago.

20 January 2009 Tolga Korkut,Emine Özcan,Alberto Tetta

Ergenekon: General Ersöz in Hospital, ex-Anti-terror Colonel Commits Suicide

Ergenekon: General Ersöz in Hospital, ex-Anti-terror Colonel Commits Suicide

Ergenekon suspect brigadier general Levent Ersöz transferred to hospital from prison. Ex-anti-terror colonel Abdulkerim Kırca, whose name is implicated in the Ergenekon investigation, is reported to have committed suicide.

20 January 2009

Two Years On: Lawyers Summarise Dink Trial

Two Years On: Lawyers Summarise Dink Trial

The trial of the murder of Armenian-Turkish journalist Hrant Dink started on 2 July 2007 in Istanbul. In the following, lawyers Fethiye Çetin and Deniz Tuna summarise events of the trial.

19 January 2009 Fethiye Çetin

'Dink Murder a Vicious Attack on Freedom of Expression'

The murderers of Turkish-Armenian journalist Hrant Dink took aim at his vision of a Turkey that allowed free speech says Sir Geoffrey Bindman, British legal expert on human rights issues.

19 January 2009 Yonca Poyraz Doğan

Ergenekon Investigation Needs to Look at Kurdish Murders

Ergenekon Investigation Needs to Look at Kurdish Murders

Kurdish MP Sırrı Sakık holds arrested general Ersöz responsible for the rights violations in Kurdish areas and calls for a thorough investigation.

19 January 2009 Bawer Çakır

Friends and Family Commemorate Hrant Dink

Friends and Family Commemorate Hrant Dink

Journalist Aydin spoke about the hope which Dink, as a socialist Armenian, inspired in others. Dalkıran summarised the events of the murder trial so far.

19 January 2009 Bawer Çakır

Kurdish Writer Uzun’s Last 15 Months

Writer Şeyhmus Diken has written a book about the last fifteen months in Kurdish writer Mehmed Uzun’s life. The book also features an introduction by Yaşar Kemal.

16 January 2009

Fugitive Retired General Ersöz Arrested

Fugitive Retired General Ersöz Arrested

Retired Brigadier General Levent Ersöz was yesterday arrested in Ankara when trying to undergo a prostate operation under a false name.

16 January 2009

19 January: Gather for Hrant Dink and for Justice

A gathering to commemorate Hrant Dink on the second anniversary of his assassination will take place in front of the Agos newspaper on 19 January at 2:30pm. Other events are planned.

15 January 2009

The Ambiguous Status of Kurdish After TRT 6

While the Ministry of Justice is preparing to allow “languages besides Turkish” to be spoken in prison, the language is still considered potentially criminal. A politician faces a fine for allegedly using Kurdish to spread propaganda.

15 January 2009

Human Rights Watch: Ergenekon Trial an Oppportunity

Human Rights Watch: Ergenekon Trial an Oppportunity

In its annual report, Human Rights Watch has conceded that there are doubts about the independence of the Turkish judiciary; nevertheless, the Ergenekon trial is considered an opportunity to fight against unwanted military and state interference in political life.

15 January 2009

Second Hrant Dink Conference

British law expert Sir Geoffrey Bindman will speak at the second Hrant Dink Human Rights and Freedom of Expression Conference hosted by Bosphorus University on 16 January.

14 January 2009

Dig Deeper in Dink and Malatya Investigations

Dink family lawyer Ergin Cinmen has called for an investigation into the links between the Ergenekon organisation and the murders of Hrant Dink, Andrea Santoro and three Christians in Malatya.

14 January 2009

Too Many Deaths in 2008

The Turkish Human Rights Foundation (TIHV) has published its annual report, in which it states that unsolved murders as well as deaths in detention or prison are the highest in eight years.

14 January 2009

Ever More Weapons Found in Ergenekon Case

Ever More Weapons Found in Ergenekon Case

Up to now, five weapons caches have been found in the Ergenekon investigation, but their sources have not been declared. The General Staff remains silent.

14 January 2009

Are Alevis Target of Ergenekon?

Kazım Genç, president of the Alevi Pir Sultan Abdal Culture Association, is preparing a press statement after his name was found on a “death list” by special operations police head İbrahim Şahin.

13 January 2009

The Ergenekon Case: A Brief Summary

The Ergenekon Case: A Brief Summary

The tenth wave of detentions has been followed by some arrests and some releases.

12 January 2009

Apologizing to Armenians Under Prosecution

Following the filing of six complaints against the campaign apologising for the “Great Catastrophe” of 1915, the Ankara Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office has started an investigation against the signatories, for violating Article 301.

12 January 2009

Daily Taraf Editor Demir Faces 5 Years in Prison

Responsiple editor for Istanbul based national daily is indicted with "revealing information on state security". Journalist may stay 5 years behind bars if found guilty.

Yet Another Wave of “Ergenekon” Prosecution: 37 Detained

Yet Another Wave of “Ergenekon” Prosecution: 37 Detained

Professors Küçük and Gürüz, retired generals Kılınç and Yavuz detained for alleged links to the "Ergenekon" plot. Former İstanbul Mayor Dalan and former special police forces commander Şahin too are reported among suspects. Opposition CHP leader Baykal expresses concerns.

Turkey’s Caucasians Urge for TV Broadcast in Mother Tongue

Turkey’s Caucasians Urge for TV Broadcast in Mother Tongue

Caucasian Associations Federation officials appeal for TV broadcast in “Adygey and Abkhaz" languages. “Our demands are neither new nor retaliatory to the recently launched Kurdish TV broadcast", says Cumhur Bal, the spokesperson.

6 January 2009 Erol Önderoğlu

Publisher Sentenced for The Words “Brutality” and “Massacre”

Another publisher falls victim to the notorious Article 301. Fatih Taş is sentenced to five months for a biographical work on a missing person. Taş’s lawyer will bring the case before High Court of Appeals.