RIGHTS - Bianet

RIGHTS

Page 264

Acquittal after Remembering Student Death

Ayse Karakaya, mother of student Ertugrul Karakaya who was shot by gendarmerie thirty years ago, has been acquitted of "praising a crime and criminal".

19 November 2007 Erol Önderoğlu

IHD and TIHV: Do Not Close DTP

The human rights organisations argue that elected MPs are only supposed to leave parliament with new elections. They are concerned about antidemocratic attempts to suppress dissident thoughts.

19 November 2007 Gökçe Gündüç

"Erdogan Against Operations But Not For Peace"

"Erdogan Against Operations But Not For Peace"

According to TIHV president Önen, Erdogan is stuck between the army and the USA. His anti-operation stance is due to US influence.

19 November 2007 Gökçe Gündüç

MHP: DTP Immunity Should Be Lifted

Former CHP politician Karakas has called the MHP's attempt to lift the DTP politicians' immunity "anti-democratic".

16 November 2007 Erol Önderoğlu

Two Journalists May Face Prison in New Year

Journalists Önal in Tekirdag and Koyuncu in Afyonkarahisar both face a continuing trial in the new year. In both cases the prosecution is calling for prison sentences.

16 November 2007 Erol Önderoğlu

Oh Turks...Love, Protect and Trust Your Kurds!

Oh Turks...Love, Protect and Trust Your Kurds!

Don't be angry at the Kurdish father who sells his children to the mountains, but at the leaders who have forced him into this situation. The Turkish Republic must stop being a state which has forgotten its humane sensitivities.

16 November 2007 Mustafa Sönmez

301 Defended, DTP Attacked

301 Defended, DTP Attacked

Ahmet Türk of the DTP has protested against calls to lift MPs' immunity. Meanwhile, Minister of Justice Sahin has announced changes in, but not the abolition of, Article 301: "Many EU countries have similar articles."

14 November 2007

Geylani: You Can't Stop Me From Speaking Kurdish

Independent Hakkari MP Hamit Geylani has protested against attempts to have his immunity lifted for speaking Kurdish during the election campaign.

14 November 2007

Journalist On Trial For Last Five Years

Journalist Ersen Korkmaz, owner of the Demokrat Iskenderun newspaper, has been on trial under Article 159, now succeeded by Article 301, for the last five years.

14 November 2007 Erol Önderoğlu

Gün TV: Kurdish Broadcasts Difficult

The Diyarbakir Gün TV channel has been broadcasting in Kurdish, but has faced many difficulties due to RTÜK stipulations.

14 November 2007 Erol Önderoğlu

Newspaper Confiscated for "Anti-Military" Article

The 32nd issue of a local Gaziantep newspaper was confiscated after an article entitled "Mother, Don't Send Me to the Army" was published.

14 November 2007 Erol Önderoğlu

Broadcasting and Print Ban on Hostage Investigation

Broadcasting and Print Ban on Hostage Investigation

After the State Council rejected a broadcasting ban on the PKK attack in Daglica on 21 October, a military court has now announced a broadcasting and print ban on the prosecution of the eight soldiers released from PKK captivity.

14 November 2007 Erol Önderoğlu

No Trial against Journalist Umur Talu

Istanbul Press Prosecutor Nurten Altinok has decided to drop proceedings against journalist Umur Talu who had described the dissatisfaction of sergeants in the army.

13 November 2007 Erol Önderoğlu

Malatya Murder Case To Start 23 November

After three employees of the Zirve publishing house were killed in their office in Malatya seven months ago, the trial of sevem of the suspects starts in ten days.

13 November 2007 Erol Önderoğlu

“Eight Soldier Hostages Arrested as Deterrents”

“Eight Soldier Hostages Arrested as Deterrents”

Retired military judge Kardas criticises the condemnation of the eight soldiers for “not dying”. Journalist Akad sees the arrest of the soldiers after their release as an attempt at deterring further cases of surrender.

13 November 2007 Emine Özcan

Released Soldiers in Prison!

Released Soldiers in Prison!

After being released by the PKK, the eight soldier hostages have been arrested for "not fulfilling their duty, disobedience and desertion abroad".

12 November 2007

Two Gendarmerie to be Tried for Negligence in Dink Murder

The Trabzon Prosecution has opened a trial against two gendarmerie officers for not acting on information about the planned murder of journalist Hrant Dink.

12 November 2007 Erol Önderoğlu

Protests against Cumhuriyet Journalist's Dismissal

The "We Want Our Future" Istanbul Initiative protested against the dismissal of journalist Erdogan Aydin; the Tunceli Bar Association has called for a review of the decision.

12 November 2007 Erol Önderoğlu

Turkey Strongly Urged to Liberalize Article 301

Rights organisation Freedom House has called for changes in Article 301, as well as a less restrictive application of the new Turkish Penal Code.

12 November 2007

252 Organisations Call for Peace

252 Organisations Call for Peace

Organisations in the East and Southeast of Turkey have called on the PKK to put down arms and on the government to create favourable conditions for peace.

9 November 2007 Tolga Korkut

Local TV in Diyarbakir Fined by RTÜK

RTÜK has fined the Diyarbakir Gün TV a total of 200,000 YTL for "broadcasts violating truth and neutrality".

9 November 2007 Erol Önderoğlu

RSF: 301 Needs "Deeds not Words"

In a press release of 7 November, Reporters Without Borders (RWB) have called on the Turkish Minister of Justice to act on promises to change Article 301.

9 November 2007

Yoleri New President of Istanbul IHD

The Istanbul branch of the IHD has voted for its new president and managing committee.

9 November 2007 Tolga Korkut

Multilingual Diyarbakir Municipality on Trial

Multilingual Diyarbakir Municipality on Trial

After offering municipal services in three languages apart from Turkish, mayor Abdullah Demirbas from the Sur municipality in Diyarbakir was taken from office and his municipal council was dissolved. The trial against Demirbas and twenty others has started.

9 November 2007 Erol Önderoğlu

Nationalist Singer and Composer on Trial

Nationalist Singer and Composer on Trial

Singer Ismail Türüt and composer Arif Sirin, as well as two people charged with creating a clip on YouTube, are on trial for "praising a criminal" and "inciting hatred and hostility". Up to 7.5 years imprisonment are demanded.

7 November 2007 Erol Önderoğlu

Prosecutor Demands Acquittal for “Minority Report”

The Chief Prosecutor at the Supreme Court of Appeals has called for the acquittal of academics Kaboglu and Oran to be ratified.

6 November 2007 Erol Önderoğlu

EU Calls for Ceasefire and Political Steps

Condemning the PKK attacks, the EU has also called on Turkey to refrain from cross-border operations. Turkey and Iraq are called upon to seek lasting solution.

26 October 2007 Tolga Korkut

UN Warns: Operations Will Bring Refugee Crisis

The UN High Commissioner for Refugees Guterres has warned against cross-border operations into Northern Iraq.

17 October 2007 Tolga Korkut

Gay Rights Organization Threatened With Ban

The Human Rights Watch has published a press release, in which it condemns pressure put on a gay rights organisation in Istanbul.

17 October 2007

Peace Requires "Social Transformation"

Prof. Dr. Sancar warned of the danger of seeing violence as the only problem in the Kurdish question.

9 October 2007 Tolga Korkut

Kurdish Party: "We are Being Made Targets"

The pro-Kurdish DTP has protested against being shown as Turkey's enemies.

8 October 2007 Tolga Korkut

Santoro Murder Sentence Confirmed

The Court of Appeals has affirmed a sentence of 18 years and 10 years imprisonment for the murder of priest Santaro.