RIGHTS - Bianet

RIGHTS

Page 66

‘July 8 is the doomsday for us, it is a black day’

‘July 8 is the doomsday for us, it is a black day’

It has been two years since 25 people, including seven children, lost their lives in Çorlu train derailment in Tekirdağ province. The deceased have been commemorated in a ceremony at Uzunköprü Train Station.

Case of child deemed ‘member of a terrorist organization’ taken to Constitutional Court

Case of child deemed ‘member of a terrorist organization’ taken to Constitutional Court

An appeal has been filed at the Constitutional Court against the decision of non-prosecution given for the death of 13-year-old Elarslan, who was considered the “member of a terrorist organization” based on an anonymous witness statement.

HRW: Convictions in Büyükada trial 'politically motivated'

HRW: Convictions in Büyükada trial 'politically motivated'

Four people have been sentenced to prison on charges of "membership of an illegal organization" and "aiding an illegal organization" over a meeting on İstanbul's Büyükada Island.

2 actors face prison term for ‘insulting President’

2 actors face prison term for ‘insulting President’

The indictment brought against actors Metin Akpınar and Müjdat Gezen demands that the actors be sentenced to up to 4 years, 8 months in prison each on charge of “insulting the president” due to their remarks in a TV program.

2 owners of firework factory detained

2 owners of firework factory detained

As part of an investigation launched into the explosion that claimed the lives of seven people in Sakarya, owner of the firework factory Ali Rıza Coşkun and his son Yaşar Coşkun have been taken into custody.

Şebnem Korur Fincancı, Gençay Gürsoy acquitted

Şebnem Korur Fincancı, Gençay Gürsoy acquitted

The two academics who signed the peace declaration have been acquitted of charges after a retrial following the Constitutional Court's "violation of rights" decision.

7 July 2020 Tansu Pişkin

1-month-old baby and 2-year-old child behind bars for 20 days

1-month-old baby and 2-year-old child behind bars for 20 days

Arrested by the Lice Penal Judgeship of Peace on June 17, Eylem O. was sent to Diyarbakır Women’s Closed Prison with her 10-day-old baby and 2-year-old child.

Court rejects Selahattin Demirtaş's request for release

Court rejects Selahattin Demirtaş's request for release

The local court has rejected the request of release for former HDP Co-Chair Demirtaş, which was submitted by his attorneys after the Constitutional Court concluded that his right to personal liberty and security was violated by his imprisonment.

3 journalists arrested, 10 journalists released in Turkey in June

3 journalists arrested, 10 journalists released in Turkey in June

According to June 2020 Press Freedom Report of the Press in Arrest, at least 61 journalists have been summoned to depose, taken into custody or faced a criminal complaint since March 17. Lawsuits have been brought against 18 journalists.

Dismissed Batman Co-Mayor detained

Dismissed Batman Co-Mayor detained

Prevented from attending the Batman Municipal Council meeting, dismissed Co-Mayor of Batman province Songül Korkmaz has been taken into custody together with eight others.

‘Anti-Terror Law cannot be used in murder of children’

‘Anti-Terror Law cannot be used in murder of children’

In the investigation launched into the death of a 13-year-old girl in Kurdish-majority Şırnak province during the period of curfews, the prosecutor’s office has concluded that “she was the member of an organization” and given a decision of non-prosecution.

Lawyer battered, insulted by neighborhood guards in İstanbul

Lawyer battered, insulted by neighborhood guards in İstanbul

Lawyer Cihat Duman has announced that when he witnessed the violence of neighborhood guards against two people in Beyoğlu and reminded the guards of the law, he was himself battered and insulted by them.

‘Activities of rights defenders should be protected by the state, not prosecuted’

‘Activities of rights defenders should be protected by the state, not prosecuted’

European Parliament´s rapporteur for Turkey Sánchez Amor and Chair of the Delegation to the EU-Turkey Joint Parliamentary Committee Lagodinsky have released a joint statement ahead of today’s hearing of Büyükada trial.

Minister of Interior unaware of attacks targeting Armenians in Turkey

Minister of Interior unaware of attacks targeting Armenians in Turkey

In answering a Parliamentary question by CHP MP Tanrıkulu about the attacks against Armenians, Interior Minister Soylu has said, “Security measures are taken in places of worship so that our Armenian citizens can worship freely.”

2 July 2020 Ruken Tuncel

‘Commemorations are a warning against lynch culture’

‘Commemorations are a warning against lynch culture’

Today marks the 27th anniversary of Sivas Massacre, which claimed the lives of 35 people in Madımak Hotel. Eren Aysan, who lost her father Behçet Aysan in the massacre, has spoken to bianet about the commemorations and the judicial process.

2 July 2020 Ayşegül Özbek

Investigation into insulting messages about Esra Albayrak and her family

Investigation into insulting messages about Esra Albayrak and her family

After Minister of Treasury and Finance Berat Albayrak announced that their fourth baby was born, some insulting messages were shared on social media about his wife Esra Albayrak, who is also the daughter of President Erdoğan.

Lawyers’ march in Diyarbakır prevented by police

Lawyers’ march in Diyarbakır prevented by police

Prevented from holding a march from Diyarbakır Bar Association to the Four-Legged Minaret, where former Diyarbakır Bar Chair Tahir Elçi was assassinated, lawyers have staged a sit-in protest in front of Diyarbakır Bar.

Women of Human Rights Association: We stand with Rojbin

Women of Human Rights Association: We stand with Rojbin

Releasing a written statement, human rights defenders have requested that a legal action be taken against the perpetrators who allegedly tortured Sevil Rojbin Çetin: “She is not alone, we stand with her with our struggle.”

‘My husband lives face to face with death’

‘My husband lives face to face with death’

Suffering from colon cancer, Deniz Yıldırım, the former Hozat District Co-Chair of the HDP, has contracted coronavirus in prison. An online petition has been launched to raise concerns and publicity about his situation.

15 more people arrested as part of an investigation against the DTK

15 more people arrested as part of an investigation against the DTK

15 more people have been arrested as part of the investigation launched against the Democratic Society Congress (DTK). While 45 people in total were detained, eight of them were also arrested on June 28.

‘Urge the Government of Turkey to release arrested women’s rights defenders immediately’

‘Urge the Government of Turkey to release arrested women’s rights defenders immediately’

Addressing a letter to the UN for jailed women’s rights activists, human rights defenders have requested that the Special Rapporteurs "urge the government to stop prosecuting the expression of critical opinions and right to assembly.”

CİSST: Along with Covid-19, other outbreaks have also started in prisons

CİSST: Along with Covid-19, other outbreaks have also started in prisons

After prisoners' access to hygiene supplies has been restricted, scabies and diarrhea outbreaks are being observed in prisons, the CİSST association has stated.

Why is Turkey working to set up an 'autonomous agency' against Armenian Genocide recognition?

Why is Turkey working to set up an 'autonomous agency' against Armenian Genocide recognition?

We have spoken with MP Garo Paylan and Prof. Taner Akçam about the government's reported preparations to set up an "autonomous agency" to work against the recognition of the Armenian Genocide.

29 June 2020 Pınar Tarcan

1,582 ill prisoners released in 7 years

1,582 ill prisoners released in 7 years

In response to a Parliamentary question by CHP MP Tanrıkulu regarding ill prisoners, Minister of Justice Gül has announced that 1,582 prisoners have been released due to their disabilities or illnesses since 2013.

'They put my 10-day-old baby in prison, she doesn't even have a name and ID yet'

'They put my 10-day-old baby in prison, she doesn't even have a name and ID yet'

Eylem Oyunlu has been remanded in custody with her 10-day-old and two-year-old children as part of a "terror" investigation.

26 June 2020 Ayşegül Özbek

500-year-old Armenian monastery 'ruined because of neglect and treasury hunters'

500-year-old Armenian monastery 'ruined because of neglect and treasury hunters'

HDP MP Garo Paylan has submitted a parliamentary question regarding the situation of the Surp Marinos Monastery.

‘Aytaç Ünsal is very determined despite 143 days’

‘Aytaç Ünsal is very determined despite 143 days’

Lawyer Sönmez visited his colleague Aytaç Ünsal in prison. We have spoken with Sönmez about his impressions from his visit to the lawyer who has been on a death fast for his right to a fair trial, together with her arrested colleague Ebru Timtik.

25 June 2020 Sakine Orman

Assassination of Musa Anter: Witness testifies for the first time in 28 years

Assassination of Musa Anter: Witness testifies for the first time in 28 years

"I know that there was an organization mentioned as JİTEM at the inner fortress. No one brought there would remain alive," the witness has stated.

Non-prosecution for Presidency’s security guards who beat a lawyer

Non-prosecution for Presidency’s security guards who beat a lawyer

In his response to a Parliamentary question after 14 months, Minister of Interior Soylu has announced that a decision of non-prosecution was given for the Presidency’s security guards who beat lawyer Sürenoğlu in İstanbul.

‘Numbers left in the dark need to be visible to understand the dimension of child abuse’

‘Numbers left in the dark need to be visible to understand the dimension of child abuse’

Having penned a book on child abuse and forensic interview with the child, Assoc. Prof. Ziyalar says, “Child abuse is not an issue that can be overcome solely by the good will, compassion and care of an ordinary person.”

24 June 2020 Ayşegül Özbek

From Selahattin Demirtaş to Justice Minister: May death fasting lawyers live

From Selahattin Demirtaş to Justice Minister: May death fasting lawyers live

A message has been shared on the social media account of imprisoned former HDP Co-Chair Selahattin Demirtaş about arrested lawyers Ebru Timtik and Aytaç Ünsal, who have been on a death fast for their right to a fair trial.

Unity for Democracy: We stand with Canan Kaftancıoğlu

Unity for Democracy: We stand with Canan Kaftancıoğlu

The Unity for Democracy has expressed support for CHP İstanbul Chair Kaftancıoğlu, whose nine-year prison sentence has been upheld by the court of appeal: “No matter what they do, it is to no avail. They cannot destroy our hope or determination to struggle.”