As lawyer Behic Asci reaches 243rd day in hunger strike for the for the abolition of isolation practices in F-type facilities, writers, activists and NGOs come together to make a call to the government to end denial. 122 people died since 2000 in strike.

Perhaps one of the reasons there is such enthusiasm for microcredit in establishment circles these days is that it is a market-based mechanism that has enjoyed some success where other market-based programs have crashed.

Turkish PM Erdogan says the EU treated Turkey unfairly by putting the accession talks on hold in eight areas. He added that the reform process will continue but Turkey wouldnt compromise the Cyprus issue unilaterally. Opposition blames the government.

Hacettepe Universitys lon awaited report say that the internally displaced persons (IDPs) in Turkey number between 950 thousand and 1 million 200 thousand. Official numbers rest at only 350 thousand. Dilek Kurban of TESEV comments on the report...

Public Prosecutors office filed a case against gay-lesbian solidarity association KAOS GLs publication on disseminating obscenity via press. The issue in question was already banned says owner Güner who will be tried with three years imprisonment.

I believe literature to be the most valuable hoard that humanity has gathered in its quest to understand itself. Societies, tribes, and peoples grow more intelligent, richer, and more advanced as they pay attention to the troubled words of their authors

Birgun daily writer Erbil Tusalp is condemned to damages amounting to 5 thousand YTL for assaulting the personal rights of Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan. The piece in question was published in December 24, 2005.

Turkeys offer to open one port to Southern Cyprus doesnt impress the EU. Mati Vanhanen welcomes the move as a positive step but not enough. The chief of armed forces criticizes governments attempt and Southern Cyprus isnt happy either.

Weekly Haber 49 owner and editor-in-chief Ozbey claims to be threatened following an article which questions the local MP Yilmazs influence to undermine efforts against corruption. Ozbey filed a complaint and says his lifes in jeopardy.

Conscientious objector Savda is arrested by Corlu Martial Court where hes tried with intentionally avoiding duty. As hes sent to prison, his lawyer Coskun says that the government keeps the issue on hold obliging likes of Savda to live as fugitives.

Human rights activist and ex-chair of the IHD Istanbul Branch will be tried with the debated article 301 of the Penal Code, on charges of insulting Turkishness with a speech she made in 2004. This is the fifth case on her from the same article.

By the end of 2007, 99 thousand hoseholds will be reached for the field research done within the Elimination of Worst Kinds of Child Labor Project. ILO, EU and government work together to direct working children back to the educational system.

10 photographers from both countries worked in Yerevan and Istanbul which resulted in an exhibition. Titled Merhabev the photographs call for a dialogue between two neighbours torn apart on a 80 year old debate. The exhibition will tour Europe in 2007.

Talking on TESEVs international symposium on internal displacement, Muteber Ogreten told that land mines are constitute an obstacle on relocation of populations. There are at least 984 000 mines fitted on Turkish soil. 29 civilians died of mines in 2005.

PressNow and IPS Communication Foundation conducted two preliminary meetings with local journalists in Tunceli and Diyarbakir. This will lead to joint training and support programmes for local media in Turkey.

The problem of internal displacement is inextricably related to the Kurdish problem in Turkey said Ayata at TESEVs two-day international symposium. MacAllister draw evidence from the Palestinian refugees and said Solution is that they get organized

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.

Two million signatures demanding a change on the law on political parties and the electoral law, collected by CETKODER are presented to the National Assembly. Both legislations are under much debate for undermining a fair representation in the assembly.

Popes most discussed visit to Turkey ends today. Asst. Prof. Macar says the focus point was Popes meeting with the Orthodox Patriarch but the government and the opposition didnt miss the opportunity to polticize the visit to their own ends.

The Comission on Minimum Wage gathered to decide the amount for 2007. Current number is way below poverty line. Economist Sonmez says a strong political opposion is needed to challenge the government policies while workers unions are at disaccord.