DİHA reporter Eskin was released pending trial after 5 months in detention. He was arrested when he was covering a demonstration against conditions of detention for imprisoned PKK leader Öcalan. Eskin was handcuffed when he was taken to the hearing.

In a joint press release during the International Week against Enforced Disappearances, the families of the disappeared urged the Ergenekon prosecutors to try the Ergenekon defendants who are responsible for enforced disappearances for 'crimes against humanity'.

National and international journalists associations criticized the prison sentence of 166.5 years handed down to journalist Vedat Kurşun. The decision is viewed as highly disproportional and politically motivated. The associations urge for a review of the referring legislations.

Greek and Turkish left-wing parties Synaspismos and ÖDP called for gradually reducing the defence budget and re-allocate sources to economic, social and ecological development. Labour parties EEK and DİP demand to dispense military bases in Turkey and Greece.

Aram Publishing owner Bedri Adanır is tried for 38 books confiscated in a search and because of articles in 4 issues of the Kurdish Hawar newspaper. Adanır, editorial manager of the Hawar daily, has been in detention for more than 4 months now and faces 50 years imprisonment.

The Istanbul Chief prosecution dismissed the request to appoint a special prosecutor for the murder case of Turkish-Armenian journalist Hrant Dink. 3.5 years after the murder it is still not clear which public officials are responsible and who pulled the trigger.

Turkey was criticized by at least 15 of a total of 54 countries speaking at the UN Human Rights Council on 10 May. Harsh criticism was voiced on Turkey's tolerance towards torture and on oppression of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender people.

Six trials were opened against Radikal newspaper journalist Saymaz due to his coverage of the interrogation of defendants Cihnaner, Chief Public Prosecutor of Erzincan, and Şahin form the Special Operations Unit. Both defendants are tried related to the Ergenekon investigation.

Detained journalist Kurşun, former editorial manger of the Kurdish Azadiya Welat newspaper, was sentenced to 166 years and 6 months imprisonment under charges of "Membership of the PKK" and spreading PKK propaganda".

13 organizations for disabled people urged the government and local executives to implement the applications of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Disabled. During the World Disabled Week they pointed out problems of access to employment, education and health service.

The case against journalist Göktaş based on his book "The Hrant Dink Murder: Media, Judiciary, State" was postponed to June in order to obtain the statement of complainant Akyürek from an Ankara court. Journalist Şener faces a 3 years' sentence for his book about the Dink murder.

Kurdish politician Tuğluk was acquitted by an Istanbul court of charges related to a news item published in 2004. Another case filed against her on the grounds of an article published in 2002 was closed by prescription.

Specialist Sergeant Mutlu died in an explosion during an operation in the south-eastern province of Hakkari, one military officer got injured. The General Staff announced that it was a detonative made by the PKK. One civilian died of Turkish artillery fire in northern Iraq.

This year's "Human Rights Foundation Ayşe Nur Zarakolu Freedom of Thought Award" went to Kurdish politicians Ahmet Türk and Aysel Tuğluk, journalist Mehdi Tanrıkulu, publisher Bedri Adanır and writer Veysi Sarısözen.

Two detained defendants of the murder case of Turkish-Armenian journalist Dink were released in the latest hearing. Osman Hayal was identified by a secret witness, though the court did not take the suspect into detention. Former head of the Police Intelligence Department will not be heard.

The Mothers for Peace initiatated a sit-down strike in Ankara in order to convey the call for peace of Kurdish mothers. The members of the initiative request an appointment by the Armed Forces Chief of Staff offices. The action was supported by labour union confederation chair Evren.

The Press Institute Association and the South-Eastern Journalists Association held a conference with dozens of journalists in Diyarbakır. They emphasized that journalists who do not use a language of peace inhibit the contribution of journalists to the Kurdish question.

The secret witness of the murder of Turkish-Armenian journalist Hrant Dink stated that defendant Osman Hayal was there to when Dink was shot. The e-mail accounts of defendant Tuncel were deleted. The hearing was monitored by international observers.

Deniz Baykal, chair of the centre-left Republican People's Party, resigned on Monday. Regarding an intimate video published in the internet last week, Baykal said, "This is not a matter of a tape. This is a conspiracy. I am not the only target of this complot; it is also aimed at the CHP".

The constitutional reform package was approved by the parliament by 336 to 72 votes, two clauses were dropped. The package will be subject to a referendum once it will have been approved by President Gül.