RIGHTS - Bianet

RIGHTS

Page 48

‘Isn’t it odd to confine vaccinated people to home while the unvaccinated work?’

‘Isn’t it odd to confine vaccinated people to home while the unvaccinated work?’

While the people aged 65 and over have been vaccinated against COVID-19 as one of the first priority groups, there are still restrictive measures specifically targeting them. Some 65+ people and physicians have been objecting to this practice.

Bans in Trabzon ahead of Metin Lokumcu case

Bans in Trabzon ahead of Metin Lokumcu case

Ahead of the trial over the death of retired teacher Metin Lokumcu on April 21, the Trabzon Governor’s Office has banned all events, except for the ones approved by the governor’s and sub-governor’s offices, “due to COVID-19” and “to prevent crimes.”

Do municipalities in Turkey organize human smuggling to Europe? Here is what we know

Do municipalities in Turkey organize human smuggling to Europe? Here is what we know

After it was revealed that only a few of the dozens of people who were sent to Germany as part of an environmental project returned to the country, it was understood that it wasn't the only such incident.

OSCE requests information from Turkey about 24 journalists

OSCE requests information from Turkey about 24 journalists

The Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe has requested information from Turkey’s Justice Ministry about the situation of 24 journalists, including Melis Alphan, Kazım Kızıl, Elif Akgül, Hrant Dink, Levent Gültekin and Müyesser Yıldız.

30th censorship on Mezopotamya Agency

30th censorship on Mezopotamya Agency

An access block has been imposed on two websites of Mezopotamya Agency (MA) on the same day.

'The act of advocacy has become impossible in Turkey’

'The act of advocacy has become impossible in Turkey’

In his general commentary attached to the report, Human Rights Foundation of Turkey (TİHV) Secretary General Coşkun Üsterci says, “Unfortunately, the new Human Rights Action Plan creates no hope or excitement in us."

‘Free Selahattin Demirtaş’ campaign in the UK

‘Free Selahattin Demirtaş’ campaign in the UK

The Center for Kurdish Progress has launched a petition demanding freedom for former HDP Co-Chair Selahattin Demirtaş, who has been behind bars in Edirne Prison since November 2016 despite an ECtHR ruling.

15 April 2021 Evrim Kepenek

Letter to jailed journalist Nedim Türfent found ‘objectionable’

Letter to jailed journalist Nedim Türfent found ‘objectionable’

A letter was sent to jailed journalist Nedim Türfent. It explained how the expression “We won't look down” came up, with an article titled “A brief history of the command to look down” attached. Both the letter and the article have been found ‘objectionable.’

Journalists demand reinstatement of rights after top court verdict annulling media closures

Journalists demand reinstatement of rights after top court verdict annulling media closures

We have talked about the recent Constitutional Court ruling with journalists from Hayatın Sesi TV and İMC TV, two outlets closed during the state of emergency after the 2017 coup attempt.

14 April 2021 Hikmet Adal

Çarşema Sor: May this day be a harbinger of peace

Çarşema Sor: May this day be a harbinger of peace

On the first Wednesday after April 13 each year, Yazidis celebrate the festival of “Çarşema Sor” (Red Wednesday). HDP has marked the day, saying, “May this day be the harbinger of peace and fraternity”.

100th day of Boğaziçi protests: ‘We won’t give up even if it takes 1,000 days’

100th day of Boğaziçi protests: ‘We won’t give up even if it takes 1,000 days’

The constituents of Boğaziçi University have been protesting the appointed rector for 100 days. Marking this day, students have said, “We have been resisting as a generation who has been a witness to how the ambition for power ruins the country.”

Evrensel and bianet are ‘so-called media outlets’, according to prosecutor

Evrensel and bianet are ‘so-called media outlets’, according to prosecutor

A lawsuit has been filed against journalist Cihan Ölmez over his statements to the press regarding curfews. The prosecutor has defined daily Evrensel and bianet as “so-called media outlets backing the organization.”

‘We demand freedom for priest Aho Bileçen’

‘We demand freedom for priest Aho Bileçen’

A petition has been launched for priest Bileçen, who has been sentenced to prison: “We demand that the government drop all charges against the monk, who only acted according to his values and gave bread and water to those who asked for it.”

‘We have been asking for 3 years: What happened to Rabia Naz?’

‘We have been asking for 3 years: What happened to Rabia Naz?’

Having prepared a report on 11-year-old Rabia Naz Vatan, who suspiciously lost her life, the İstanbul Bar has released a statement: “Today marks the third anniversary of Rabia Naz’s death. We are unable to solve this death after three years.”

Report on curfews in Kurdish-majority provinces

Report on curfews in Kurdish-majority provinces

The government started the widespread implementation of curfews in predominantly Kurdish-populated regions during the 2015 conflict.

Violations of students’ rights in Turkey: ‘23 students killed in 4 years’

Violations of students’ rights in Turkey: ‘23 students killed in 4 years’

According to a recent report released by the Human Rights Foundation of Turkey, 3,102 students were subjected to violations of rights while exercising their freedom of expression, assembly and association in the 2015-2019 period.

Press in Arrest: 41 journalists behind bars in Turkey

Press in Arrest: 41 journalists behind bars in Turkey

The Press in Arrest initiative has released its March 2021 Press Freedom Report: “In March, journalists in Turkey once again spent much of their time at courthouses. During the month, at least 79 journalists appeared before a judge.”

Gergerlioğlu: I have found the document of strip search in prison

Gergerlioğlu: I have found the document of strip search in prison

Stripped of his MP status and arrested shortly afterwards, HDP’s Ömer Faruk Gergerlioğlu, who has long been raising concerns and publicity about strip search in Turkey, has sent a message from prison.

‘Freedom of Artistic Expression: What happened to the canary in the coal mine?’

‘Freedom of Artistic Expression: What happened to the canary in the coal mine?’

In a webinar to be held in English and simultaneously interpreted into Turkish, the participants will have the opportunity to refresh their basic knowledge on the artistic freedom of expression and search for answers to a number of questions.

'We were subjected to police violence in detention'

'We were subjected to police violence in detention'

Held in detention in Gazi police station in İstanbul for two days, Sezer and Süleyman Çakmak have made a press statement about the police violence they suffered.

6 women arrested in Diyarbakır

6 women arrested in Diyarbakır

Detained in Diyarbakır, six of 24 women have been arrested for “being members of an organization”, nine women released on probation, one woman placed under house arrest and the detention period of eight women has been extended.

Left Party executives briefly detained in Artvin over İstanbul Convention banner

Left Party executives briefly detained in Artvin over İstanbul Convention banner

After the banner declaring the decision withdrawing Turkey from İstanbul Convention null and void was taken down from the Left Party’s Hopa Office, it was first hung on its Borçka Office, then on Artvin Office. The chairs of both offices were briefly detained.

English PEN launches solidarity campaign with Demirtaş

English PEN launches solidarity campaign with Demirtaş

The association calls for solidarity messages for Demirtaş ahead of his birthday.

‘No language other than Turkish shall be taught,’ says Education Minister

‘No language other than Turkish shall be taught,’ says Education Minister

Minister of National Education Ziya Selçuk has answered the Parliamentary question of HDP MP Sıdık Taş about education in the mother language. The Minister has referred to Article 42 of the Constitution.

Retrial of Progressive Lawyers Association members: 'A lawyer lost her life in this case'

Retrial of Progressive Lawyers Association members: 'A lawyer lost her life in this case'

The court has ruled for the continuation of the arrest of lawyers Kozağaçlı and Timtik.

MHP continues targeting journalists, 'no justice' in Hrant Dink case after 14 years

MHP continues targeting journalists, 'no justice' in Hrant Dink case after 14 years

Government ally Bahçeli called six TV pundits "hired guns" of the main opposition party, Hrant Dink's family said the ruling in the murder case was like "as if so many hearings were not held."

7 April 2021 Volga Kuşçuoğlu

Raid for ‘Why was your mother’s death reported in the press?’

Raid for ‘Why was your mother’s death reported in the press?’

An investigation has been launched against Ümit Özçelik, who lost his mother Edibe Özçelik (70) after a police raid. While their house has been raided again, no permission has been given to investigate the police officers over the first raid.

7 April 2021 Ayça Söylemez

HDP’s dismissed Kars Co-Mayor Alaca sentenced to 6 years, released

HDP’s dismissed Kars Co-Mayor Alaca sentenced to 6 years, released

Arrested on October 8, 2020, dismissed Kars Co-Mayor Şevin Alaca has been sentenced to 6 years, 10 months, 15 days in prison and released.

‘Judicial harassment of individuals continued in Turkey in 2020’

‘Judicial harassment of individuals continued in Turkey in 2020’

Amnesty International has released its 2020/2021 report “The State of the World’s Human Rights.” The report’s findings about the state of human rights in Turkey show that the most urgent need of the country is judicial independence.

Court of Cassation prosecutors seek overturn of sentences in 2015 Ankara Massacre case

Court of Cassation prosecutors seek overturn of sentences in 2015 Ankara Massacre case

Some 103 people lost their lives in the ISIS bombings during the "Peace Rally" in Ankara in October 2015.

Judgeship blocks access to 3 websites of JinNews

Judgeship blocks access to 3 websites of JinNews

With the decision of the Diyarbakır 1st Penal Judgeship of Peace, an access block has been imposed on three websites where JinNews was publishing news.

HDP’s Gergerlioğlu sends a message from prison

HDP’s Gergerlioğlu sends a message from prison

Dismissed HDP Kocaeli MP Ömer Faruk Gergerlioğlu has sent a message from prison: “Don’t get concerned about me. I am standing bolt upright. I am in high spirits. I send you my good energies.”