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MoT Covers Up Impact of Crisis

Minister of Treasury Mehmet Şimşek claims that nobody in Turkey is affected by the ongoing global crisis. DİSK chair Çelebi reacts.

Kurdish Politician Faces Prison for “Insult”

Previously sentenced to tree-planting for insulting the PM, politician Alınak now faces a new trial.

9 April 2009 Erol Önderoğlu

Industrial Production Gone Down by a Quarter

According to the the Turkish Statistical Institute TÜİK, there has been a 23.7 percent decrease in industrial production compared to last year. The production of cars and car-related products has gone down by 59 percent.

9 April 2009 Erhan Üstündağ

Workers Demand Taksim Square on 1 May

Workers Demand Taksim Square on 1 May

The DİSK and KESK trade union confederations have announced that they will gather in Taksim Square on Labour Day, despite bans and clashes with the police in previous years. Prime Minister Erdoğan has ordered that 1 May be a public holiday.

9 April 2009 Bawer Çakır

Erdoğan Contradicts Message of “Alliance of Civilisations” at Home

Erdoğan Contradicts Message of “Alliance of Civilisations” at Home

As co-sponsor of the Alliance of Civilisations, Erdoğan is aiming to solve tensions between Muslims and the West with a liberal media and policies on youth, education and migration. However, his government is going in the other direction.

8 April 2009 Erhan Üstündağ

One-Month Ban for Atılım Newspaper

The Atılım newspaper has been handed a one-month publishing ban because it allegedly spread propaganda for the Marxist Leninist Communist Party.

How Did Turkish Newspapers Receive Obama?

The Evrensel, Birgün and Günlük newspapers criticised Obama’s messages as insincere. Hürriyet, Milliyet and Radikal quoted his message of a new phase in Turkish-American relations. Star and Taraf published his message to the Muslim world.

7 April 2009 Emine Özcan

Protests as Obama Leaves Turkey

Protests as Obama Leaves Turkey

Shortly before US President Obama left Turkey, activists protested in central Istanbul, saying, “Obama, your hands are bloody too, get out of our country.”

7 April 2009 Bawer Çakır

Students Charmed As Obama Leaves Turkey

US president meets with religious leaders and attends a Q&A meeting with college students before leaving for Iraq. He voices change on combating global warming and increased efforts for resolving conflicts via dialogue.

Army's Affection for US Overcomes Boycott for DTP

While PM Erdoğan refuses to meet with the pro-Kurdish MPs, DTP co-chair Türk met with us president Obama and expressed their views for a peaceful solution to the Kurdish issue. Army commanders attend General Assembly meeting after two years.

After 39 Deaths, Denim Sand Blasting is Banned

The Ministry of Health has announced that Denim Sand Blasting has been banned because it causes lung problems. The Ministry hopes to wipe out silicosis by 2030.

7 April 2009 Bawer Çakır

“Prime Minister Should Apply Message of Tolerance at Home”

Erinç, president of the Journalists’ Society of Turkey (TGC) says that 62 journalists have been killed up to today. He has called on the Prime Minister to respect the press rather than call for boycotts.

7 April 2009 Erol Önderoğlu

“Obama Wants Soldiers for Afghanistan, Not Peace”

“Obama Wants Soldiers for Afghanistan, Not Peace”

Mater from the Global Peace and Justice Coalition believes that NATO should be disbanded. He adds, “Obama is sending 17,000 soldiers to Afghanistan. He is not bringing peace.”

7 April 2009 Bawer Çakır

Internet Enters 16th Year In Turkey With Problems

Between 6-21 April, numerous events will be held in different cities across Turkey to discuss and celebrate different applications of the Internet. Professeur Akgül criticizes lack of coordination on governmental level to improve Internet access.

Obama Avoids Concrete Comments on Armenian Issue and the PKK

Obama Avoids Concrete Comments on Armenian Issue and the PKK

US president meets president Gül and addresses the parliament. He avoids making concrete statements on recognizing Armenian genocide claims and support on fighting Kurdish rebels; praises Turkey-US relations as a model of alliance.

Two Dead as Police Prevents Öcalan Birthday Celebrations

Two Dead as Police Prevents Öcalan Birthday Celebrations

The police intervened when around 5,000 people tried to visit the village of imprisoned PKK leader Öcalan’s birth on his birthday. Two people died. More than 10,000 people took part in the funeral of one of them.

6 April 2009 Bawer Çakır

Every Three Days Mines Kill or Maim a Person

Öğreten of the Initiative for a Turkey without Mines says that Turkey has violated international agreements by not destroying its stock of 2.5 million mines. Turkey also needs to clear 1 million buried mines by 2014.

5 April 2009 Tolga Korkut

Thousands of People Say "Enough" to 60 Years of Nato

There were protests against NATO in Ankara, Istanbul and Eskişehir. Around 2,500 people gathered for a protest in Kadıköy, Istanbul.

5 April 2009 Emine Özcan

What Would You Tell Obama?

What Would You Tell Obama?

After the G20 and NATO summits, the US President is now in Turkey. We would like Obama to close down military bases, pull out of Iraq and Afghanistan, and fight against global climate change.

5 April 2009 Erhan Üstündağ

G20 Deal Doomed to Fail

G20 Deal Doomed to Fail

Professor Tonak argues that the G20 deal is prepared assuming "there's enough production and consumption" to support the sanctions. He further criticizes G20 leaders to avoid tackling the causes of the crisis.

5 April 2009 Tolga Korkut

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DTP to Discuss Kurdish Issue With Obama

US president Obama arrives in Turkey this afternoon. DTP MP Tuncel says they would demand improving diplomatic efforts in trying to resolve the problems in the Middle East.

RSF Questions Relations Between Ergenekon and Hrant Dink Murder

Reporters without Borders is supporting the call of Hrant Dink's family and lawyers for a serious investigation into relations between the murder of the journalist and the ultranationalist Ergenekon organisation.

State Radio Now Also in Kurdish and Armenian

Radio 6 will broadcast in Kurdish 24 hours a day, while Armenian has been added to the variety of languages on “Turkey’s Voice” Radio.

3 April 2009 Bawer Çakır

Objection to Reporter Gök’s Arrest Rejected

The lawyer of DİHA reporter Abdurrahman Gök says that an objection to his arrest has been rejected. He says that he will file a complaint for torture and maltreatment after seeing the medical file.

3 April 2009 Erol Önderoğlu

“Pink Istanbul” against Homophobia and Transphobia

“Pink Istanbul” against Homophobia and Transphobia

The Pink Amsterdam event which was organised previously to draw attention to homophobia and transphobia in Amsterdam and Istanbul is now also coming to Istanbul. There will be a conference and a night of music with DJs and musicians at Ghetto.

3 April 2009 Bawer Çakır

“2011 Elections Must be Electronic”

CHP Istanbul party chair Tekin has demanded that the next elections, which will be the general elections in 2011, be electronic to avoid tampering and the high number of invalid votes.

2 April 2009 Tolga Korkut

Nothing to Celebrate About GDP "Rise"

Government announces that per capita income exceeds 10 thousand dollars but economist Önder is skeptical. "What's important is income distribution and there's appalling inequalities."

2 April 2009 Tolga Korkut

154 Inmates on Hunger Strike in Erzurum

154 Inmates on Hunger Strike in Erzurum

Mainly Kurdish inmates are protesting rights violations, such as arbitrary ban on publications in Kurdish. The hunger strike entered its 39th day. Rights defenders urge the government to act, warning that four inmates' health is deteriorating.

Obama to Meet Opposition Leaders Separately

Obama to Meet Opposition Leaders Separately

Parliamentary Speaker Toptan has announced that US President Obama will meet opposition leaders separately. DTP leader Türk and CHP leader Baykal had agreed to a group meeting of opposition leaders, but MHP leader Bahçeli has criticised such an arrangement as “unethical”.

2 April 2009 Tolga Korkut

Islamists Attack Students in Istanbul: 5 Injured

Students handing out flyers near the Istanbul University Beyazit campus were attacked with sticks and bottles when they criticised the AKP. 5 students were injured.

2 April 2009 Bawer Çakır

Ergenekon Court Asked about State Council Attack

Before deciding whether to merge the attacks on the State Council and the Cumhuriyet newspapers with the Ergenekon trial it is hearing, the Istanbul 13th Heavy Penal Court has asked the Ankara 11th Heavy Penal Court for its opinion.

1 April 2009 Erol Önderoğlu

Parties Demanding Recounts in Several Provinces

Parties Demanding Recounts in Several Provinces

Following the announcement of the official election results, all the main parties have found reasons to demand recounts.

1 April 2009 Tolga Korkut