RIGHTS - Bianet

RIGHTS

Page 267

12 September: Human Rights Violations

171 people died of torture, 49 were executed. 650,000 people were arrested for no reason.

14 September 2007 Hüsnü Öndül

Academics' Acquittal Overruled

The Supreme Court of Appeals has overruled the acquittal of Prof. Oran and Prof. Kaboglu.

14 September 2007 Erol Önderoğlu

Turkey's "Separatism" Cases at ECHR

On 20 September, the European Court of Human Rights will be busy with Turkey...

14 September 2007 Erol Önderoğlu

"Police Cover Up in Okey's Death"

The Contemporary Lawyers' Association (CHD) calls for police officers, responsible for Nigerian immigrant Okey off duty and an immediate investigation by the prosecution.

13 September 2007 Tolga Korkut

"Erdogan Must Be Joking"

Erdogan had said: "Our intellectuals keep too quiet." Oran and Insel have called on him to "think before talking".

13 September 2007 A. Nilüfer Zengin Kürkçü

"End the Darkness of 12 September"

"End the Darkness of 12 September"

The day after tomorrow (12 September) is the 27th anniversary of the 1980 military coup, and the day will be marked by various NGOs.

11 September 2007 Nayat Karaköse

Joint Call for Abolition of Article 301

International PEN, Article 19 and IPA have called on Turkey to abolish the controversial Article 301.

11 September 2007

"Military Authority has Damaged Judiciary Independence"

The Modern Lawyers' Association opened the new judiciary year with a discussion on independence of judges.

10 September 2007 Erol Önderoğlu

Tugluk and Ata Still on Trial

The continuation of trials against Tugluk and Ata is based on a certain interpretation of Article 14 of the Constitution.

9 September 2007 Gökçe Gündüç

Singer Tunc Still Accused of Spreading Terorrist Propaganda

Singer Ferhat Tunc had called for peace, reminding people that PKK and MKP members who die are also "children of this country". His comments have landed him in court.

5 September 2007 Erol Önderoğlu

Turkey Peace Parliament: Results Report

The first plenum of the Turkey Peace Parliament on 1 September has resulted in a report, a summary of which is given below.

4 September 2007 Tolga Korkut

Turkey Peace Parliament: Do Not Ignore Kurdish Question

Turkey Peace Parliament: Do Not Ignore Kurdish Question

Following a conference in January which convened to look for peaceful solutions to the Kurdish question, the Turkey Peace Parliament assembled in Ankara on 1 September, Peace Day. The AKP government has been called on to stop pretending to act and to look for solutions.

4 September 2007 Tolga Korkut

Lawyer on Trial for Insulting Kerincsiz

Lawyer Yücel Sayman has joined the list of people who have been brought to court by Kemal Kerincsiz and his Great Lawyer's Union.

4 September 2007 Erol Önderoğlu

Peace Day: We Need New Policies

On Peace Day (1 September), Turkish organisations called on the newly-formed government to follow policies based on rights and to protect democracy.

3 September 2007 Ayça Örer

hCa Condemns Refugee Death in Police Custody

After Nigerian refugee Festus Okey was killed in police custody on 20 August, the Helsinki Citizens' Assembly has condemned police violence.

31 August 2007 Tolga Korkut,Ismail Saymaz

New Constitution Must Be Pluralist

New Constitution Must Be Pluralist

Parties of the left have reacted to announcements that the AKP has completed a draft of a new, "civil" constitution: All strata of society need to be considered and consulted. Otherwise, this will not be a democratic constitution.

24 August 2007 Gökçe Gündüç

Stop Discrimination say Transsexuals

The recent murder of transsexual Ece in Bursa has again highlighted the plight of transvestites and transsexuals in Turkey. Deprived of education and work, they are forced into prostitution.

24 August 2007 Ayça Örer

Activists Petition Against 301

The Commission for Freedom of Expression of the Istanbul branch of the Human Rights Association (IHD) congregated at the Galatasaray post office in central Istanbul to protest against anti-democratic laws, primarily Article 301.

14 August 2007 Erol Önderoğlu

Arrested for Protesting Against Disappearance

Abdurrahman Tasci of the pro-Kurdish DTP has been arrested because of his involvement in a protest against the disappearance of two HADEP politicians in 2001. The ECHR has ordered Turkey to pay compensation for the disappearance.

14 August 2007 Erol Önderoğlu

Prisoners Denied Newspapers

Folllowing the complaint by a prisoner, the IHD has appealed to the Penal Execution Judge and the Ministry of Justice to let newspapers and periodicals into prisons. Otherwise, the right to inform is violated.

14 August 2007 Erol Önderoğlu

Appeal of Murdered Journalists Widow

Rakel Dink, widow of the murdered ethnic Armenian journalist Hrant Dink, has appealed to Prime Minister Erdogan to let the Prime Ministerial Review Committee investigate the case further. Her letter has not been answered.

18 May 2007 Erol Önderoğlu

Undue Influence of Military in Semdinli Trial

After the initial prison sentence of two suspect army officers was revoked by the court of appeals, lawyers of the third party involved have spoken of a cover-up. They may apply to the European Court of Human Rights.

18 May 2007 Tolga Korkut

Sentences for Army Officers Revoked

The Supreme Court of Appeals overturns the verdict against two army officers for bombings in the Şemdinli courtcase. Questioning was incomplete high court decided. Tanrikulu of Diyarbakir Bar Association relates the decision with army pressure.

Ironic Punishment for Conscientious Objector

Halil Savda, currently in military prison in Çorlu for his refusal to do military service, is punished with nine days solitary confinement for disobeying orders. Punishment coincides with the May 15, International Conscientious Objection Day.

301 Makes No Discrimination...

Publisher Sırrı Öztürk and writer Tiftikçi are on trial for a critical study on the Turkish army. Public Prosecutor Turhan faces charges for saying, I do not trust the judiciary. Alınak of the DTP party has been sentenced to ten months imprisonment.

9 May 2007 Erol Önderoğlu

BIA Media Monitoring Report- Full Text

The 14-page BIA Media Monitoring Report tackles the ongoing law suits against 45 journalists and five print and media companies. Attacks against news sources have become a new form of violation.

2 May 2007 Erol Önderoğlu

Freedom of Expression Under Nationalist Siege

Monitoring media freedoms and rights in Turkey, BIA² discloses its 2006 Report. Cases against journalists, publishers and activists rose to 293 last year where the infamous article 301 of the new Penal Code reached international scene as intransigent tool

16 February 2007 Erol Önderoğlu

Juridical Culture Bars Freedom of Expression

Joint Platform on Human Rights gathers international and local institutions as well as academics and activists for a three-day conference titled Freedom of Expression: Principles and Turkey. All participants note that a mentality change is needed.

4 December 2006 Erol Önderoğlu

BIA² Media Report: Army Shadow on Press

59 years imprisonment demanded for 7 reporters covering conscientious objection and the Kurdish issue during the last three months. Number of 301 victims has reached 65. 5 people are on trailed under charges of violating the Law to Protect Ataturk.

20 November 2006 Erol Önderoğlu

Bring The Concept Of Turkish Nation To 301

Press Council Chair Eksi says concept of Turkishness in controversial penal code article 301 should be replaced with The Turkish Nation proposing for maximum jail term to be reduced to 1 year, investigations to be authorized by Justice Ministry.

16 November 2006 Erol Önderoğlu

Ministers Working on 301!

Search for solution to article 301 presses PM Erdogan to conduct talks with business and unions while human rights circles are in contact with Foreign Minister Gul. Minister Babacan wants strong civil society support.

16 November 2006

TIHV Condemns Attack on Lawyers

Human Rights Foundation chair Onen condemns the attack on 30 lawyers who went to Justice Hall to file for damages against Justice Minister Cicek. Says arbitrary action by police not in line with a state of law, asks for investigation.

3 November 2006