Recep Tayyip Erdoğan

Page 37

"So-called Journalists are Police Murderers and Molesters"

PRIME MINISTER ERDOĞAN:

"So-called Journalists are Police Murderers and Molesters"

After the release of the RSF World Press Freedom Index, PM Erdoğan announced that his government had opened the way to freedom of expression. The PM said that people in the west were not able to understand the arrests of journalists because western journalists did not incite a coup.

27 January 2012

Prime Minister: "I Apologize for Dersim"

DERSIM MASSACRE

Prime Minister: "I Apologize for Dersim"

After an on-going discussion with opposition leader Kılıçdaroğlu about the "Dersim incidents", PM Erdoğan apologized for the violent suppression in the 1930s that left many Alevi Kurds dead. His statement elicited controversial reactions in the CHP.

24 November 2011

"Transferring Money to the PKK is out of the Question"

ULRIKE DUFNER:

"Transferring Money to the PKK is out of the Question"

Prime Minister Erdoğan implied in a statement that German foundations were assisting the outlawed Kurdistan Workers' Party. Ulrike Dufner from the Association of the Heinrich Böll Stiftung commented that this was out of the question.

4 October 2011 Ekin Karaca

Seven Soldiers Dead Amid Fears of Escalating Violence

Seven Soldiers Dead Amid Fears of Escalating Violence

An explosive went off targeting a military convoy in Hakkari. MoD blames the rebel group PKK and warns of "retaliation". PM Erdogan declares "a new period" in combating the PKK.

Ruling AKP Initiated Reduction of Parliament Broadcasting

Ruling AKP Initiated Reduction of Parliament Broadcasting

PM Erdoğan announced that it was his party's request to limit the TV broadcasting from parliament. The Parliamentary Television Presidency had previously stated that the limitation was not related to the demand of the political power.

"Erdoğan Will Demonstrate his Strength!"

JOURNALIST TAYFUN ÇAĞRA COMMENTS

"Erdoğan Will Demonstrate his Strength!"

Journalist Tayfun Çağra evaluated the situation on Cyprus for bianet right before the visit of PM Erdoğan. In Cağra's opinion, Erdoğan's main purpose for his visit to the divided island is to demonstrate his strength.

20 July 2011 Ekin Karaca

PM Erdoğan: Some Trials Withdrawn - Some still Pending

PM Erdoğan: Some Trials Withdrawn - Some still Pending

Prime Minister Erdoğan withdrew several trials opened against politicians and journalists before the elections. However, the cases against journalists Oktay Ekşi and Ergun Poyraz, writer Yalçın Küçük and artist Müjat Gezen are still pending.

PM Erdoğan: "Media provokes"

PM Erdoğan: "Media provokes"

Prime Minister Erdoğan gave an account on topics such as press freedom, internet censorship, military service and the recent incidents in Hopa in the course of a Q&A session with journalists in a broadcast of CNN Türk.

Greenpeace Activists Taken in Custody During PM's Meeting

PROTEST IN MERSIN

Greenpeace Activists Taken in Custody During PM's Meeting

3 Greenpeace activists were taken into custody after posting banners against nuclear power at a meeting of PM Erdoğan. They were released a few hours later. The activists encountered negative reactions by women at the meeting even before the police intervened.

6 June 2011 Ekin Karaca

Massive Police Intervention against Anti-AKP Demonstrators

UNREST IN RUN-UP TO PARLIAMENTARY ELECTIONS

Massive Police Intervention against Anti-AKP Demonstrators

Heavy clashes occurred between demonstrators and the police before and after a meeting of PM Erdoğan in Hopa in north-eastern Turkey. The police threw many gas bombs and made use of water cannons. One person died, many protestors and policemen were injured.

1 June 2011 Ekin Karaca

Poet's Criticism of Prime Minister 'Free of Charge'

Poet's Criticism of Prime Minister 'Free of Charge'

The compensation claim filed by PM Erdoğan against poet Beyramoğlu was dismissed by the Ankara 15th Civil Court of First Instance. The court decided that Beyramoğlu's criticism of the Prime Minister remained within the scope of freedom of thought.

PM Erdoğan Compared Journalist Şık's Book to a Bomb

SPEECH AT PACE

PM Erdoğan Compared Journalist Şık's Book to a Bomb

Prime Minister Erdoğan replied to the questions of the Members of Parliament of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe. He emphasized the independence of the Turkish judiciary from the executive and compared journalist Şık's unpublished book to a bomb.

PM Erdoğan Sues out Compensation Fine from Kurdish Politician

PM Erdoğan Sues out Compensation Fine from Kurdish Politician

Politician Kaplan was convicted of an "attack of the personal rights" of Prime Minister Erdoğan and has to pay TL 6,000 in compensation. Kaplan announced to appeal and go as far as the ECHR if necessary: "My words remained within the limits of freedom of thought", he claimed.

Decision of PM's Trial against Beyoğlu Troupe Expected Soon

Decision of PM's Trial against Beyoğlu Troupe Expected Soon

The case against 16 members of the Beyoğlu Troupe of Actors, comprised by university students, is still pending. A decision is expected at the coming hearing in May. The defendants are facing imprisonment of up to two years each.

Journalist Ekşi at Court for "Insult"

Journalist Ekşi at Court for "Insult"

The trial against former Hürriyet Chief Editor Ekşi filed by PM Erdoğan and State Ministers Eroğlu and Yıldız commenced on 15 February. Defence lawyer Bayraktar claimed that his client did not address the complainants but used a common idiom.

17 February 2011

Kurdish Politician Puts up with Fine but Demands Respect

Kurdish Politician Puts up with Fine but Demands Respect

Diyarbakır Metropolitan Mayor Baydemir has to pay TL 30,000 (€ 15,000) in compensation to Prime Minister Erdoğan on charges of "attacking his personal rights". Baydemir commented, "I only want him to respect us. I will pay the 30,000 lira".

17 February 2011 Ayça Söylemez

Unionists in Northern Cyprus Protest PM Erdoğan

Unionists in Northern Cyprus Protest PM Erdoğan

Prime Minister Erdoğan was protested for his harsh criticism of banners posted at a meeting in Northern Cyprus on 28 January. Trade union members were stopped by the police when they tried to submit a letter of protest to the Ambassador.

8 February 2011 Erhan Üstündağ

Dispute on "Monstrous" Statue Peaks in Law Suit

Dispute on "Monstrous" Statue Peaks in Law Suit

Sculptor Mehmet Aksoy applied to court to stop the destruction of his "Statue of Humanity" that is supposed to be removed upon the directive of PM Erdoğan. He had called the statue a "monstrosity". Aksoy argued, "Turkey must not convey such an image to the world".

27 January 2011 Elvan Kısmet

Football Fans and Unionists Booed Prime Minister

Football Fans and Unionists Booed Prime Minister

3,000 people - supporters of different football clubs and union members - booed PM Erdoğan at the opening ceremony of the Galatasaray football stadium and a few days later at a demonstration that was organized to express criticism against the PM's attitude.

24 January 2011 Elif Gençkal

PM Erdoğan's Trial against "Beyoğlu Troupe" Started

PM Erdoğan's Trial against "Beyoğlu Troupe" Started

At the first hearing of the case filed by PM Erdoğan against 16 university students of the Beyoğlu Troupe of Actors, witness Güçbilmez from the AKP stated, "I did not actually hear the song but I was told about it". The trial was adjourned to 25 March.

24 January 2011 Emir Çelik

PM Erdoğan Brings Writer Altan to Trial

PM Erdoğan Brings Writer Altan to Trial

After PM Erdoğan launched court cases against author Ataol Behramoğlu, journalist Oktay Ekşi and members of the Beyoğlu Troupe of Actors, he now also pressed a heavy compensation claim against journalist Ahmet Altan from Taraf newspaper.

19 January 2011 Emir Çelik

Politicians Sue Journalists, Writers and Illustrators

Politicians Sue Journalists, Writers and Illustrators

The trial against the Beyoğlu Troupe opened upon the complaint of PM Erdoğan will start on 21 January. Journalist Ekşi is also facing prosecution. At the same time, CHP Deputy Mengü complained about the cartoon book "The young Mustafa" on the life of Mustafa Atatürk.

13 January 2011 Emir Çelik

Students Protest Ends in Riot

POLICE VIOLENCE

Students Protest Ends in Riot

The police violently intervened against students who had gathered to protest the Higher Education Council (YÖK) during PM Erdoğan's meeting with university rectors. The students were exposed to tear gas and beating. 40 of them were taken into custody but released later on.

7 December 2010 Erol Önderoğlu,Erhan Üstündağ,Berivan Tapan

PM Erdoğan Receives Human Rights Award from Libya

PM Erdoğan Receives Human Rights Award from Libya

Prime Minister Erdoğan was bestowed with the Gaddafi International Human Rights Award Libya. Both Turkey and Libya are head to head when it comes to concealing human rights violations, oppressing opposition and occupying the rear places of freedom of expression indexes.

1 December 2010 Erhan Üstündağ

"Hamas Cannot Win without Women"

INTERVIEW WITH LEYLA HALİD

"Hamas Cannot Win without Women"

Leyla Halid made history as the first female guerrilla when she led the hijacking of a plane in the 1970s to draw the word's attention to the Palestine question. She told bianet why she smiled on that famous photograph and how a basket of dates saved her family...

30 November 2010 Berivan Tapan

Students Convicted for Criticism of Prime Minister

Students Convicted for Criticism of Prime Minister

18 students were sentenced to 1 year and 3 month each behind bars because of criticizing PM Erdoğan at the opening ceremony of the Istanbul Technical University. They had voiced their protest in slogans and banners.

24 November 2010 Erol Önderoğlu

Bosporus University Protests Police Violence on Campus

Bosporus University Protests Police Violence on Campus

212 faculty members and lecturers of the Bosporus University in Istanbul issued a written statement to condemn a police blockade and police violence during a campus visit of Prime Minster Erdoğan and five ministers.

15 November 2010 Erol Önderoğlu

Women Protest PM Erdoğan in Women's Meeting

Women Protest PM Erdoğan in Women's Meeting

Women protested PM Erdoğan at the International Women's Istanbul Meeting for having said that "men and women are not equal". Pointing to women murders they said, ""More of us are being killed when you say we are not equal".

8 November 2010 Burçin Belge

Prime Minister Litigates Journalist Ekşi

Prime Minister Litigates Journalist Ekşi

Prime Minister Erdoğan filed a TL 100,000 (€ 50,000) compensation claim against Hürriyet newspaper and its former editor-in-chief Ekşi on the grounds of a column entitled "We have not been as critical as we should".

2 November 2010 Erol Önderoğlu

PM Erdoğan: Union and Brotherhood Will Spoil these Games

ISTANBUL BOMB ATTACK

PM Erdoğan: Union and Brotherhood Will Spoil these Games

After the bomb attack in central Istanbul on Sunday, Prime Minister Erdoğan said the attack was aimed at "thwarting a developed and modern Turkey". President Gül and opposition leader Kılıçdaroğlu condemned the incident. The pro-Kurdish BDP reminded the "government to take responsibility".

1 November 2010 Berivan Tapan

No Education in Mother Tongue with PM Erdoğan

No Education in Mother Tongue with PM Erdoğan

On the last day of the one-week school boycott for the right to education in the mother tongue in the Kurdish-majority South-East, PM Erdoğan announced: "Do not expect us to agree to education in the mother tongue, Turkey's official language is Turkish".

27 September 2010 Semra Pelek

ECHR Convicts Turkey in Hrant Dink Case - PM Erdoğan protects MIT

ECHR Convicts Turkey in Hrant Dink Case - PM Erdoğan protects MIT

The family of Hrant Dink, killed Turkish-Armenian journalist, won their case at the European Court of Human Rights. PM Erdoğan on the other hand refused permission for an investigation into alleged negligence of MIT members related to the murder.

24 August 2010 Tolga Korkut,Burçin Belge