content tagged with soma

Erdoğan’s former advisor who kicked a miner in Soma comes into office in Frankfurt

Erdoğan’s former advisor who kicked a miner in Soma comes into office in Frankfurt

Yusuf Yerkel has been appointed as a commercial attache to Turkey’s Consulate General in Frankfurt amid public backlash for having kicked a miner during the protests following the occupational homicide that claimed the lives of 301 miners in Soma.

'Persona non grata’: Appointment of Yusuf Yerkel protested in Frankfurt

'Persona non grata’: Appointment of Yusuf Yerkel protested in Frankfurt

Gathering across Turkey’s Consulate General, rights advocates from Turkey and Germany protested the appointment of Yusuf Yerkel, who faces a huge public backlash for kicking a miner in Soma in 2014, as a commercial attache to Frankfurt.

17 February 2022

'Stop the appointment which kicks the miner'

PETITION BY DiEM25 TURKEY

'Stop the appointment which kicks the miner'

Causing an outrage for kicking a miner in Manisa’s Soma, Yusuf Yerkel, the then assistant secretary of the then PM Erdoğan, has been appointed as a commercial attache to Frankfurt. An online petition has been launched to stop this appointment.

11 February 2022

Retired miners protest in Turkey: ‘I avoid my children because I don’t have money’

Retired miners protest in Turkey: ‘I avoid my children because I don’t have money’

Retired miners protested in Manisa’s Soma: “My pension was higher than the minimum wage by 304 liras. It is now lower than the minimum wage by 600 liras. Should I believe in the justice or injustice of this government?”

10 January 2022

Seeking their rights, 2 miners die in a car accident on their way back from Ankara

Seeking their rights, 2 miners die in a car accident on their way back from Ankara

Struggling to get their unpaid receivables from the Uyar Mining Company for 10 years, the miners from Soma had a car accident on their way back from Ankara. Independent Miners Union Chair Çetin and Ali Faik İlter have lost their lives.

Protesting mineworkers spend night at gas station

Protesting mineworkers spend night at gas station

Five representatives of the workers met with the deputy energy minister and visited political parties' parliamentary groups.

Mineworkers in Ankara to protest for receivables not paid for 10 years

Mineworkers in Ankara to protest for receivables not paid for 10 years

Stopped by police at the entrance of the capital, workers insist that they want to meet with the minister of energy.

Impunity for Soma massacre, prison sentence for protesters

Impunity for Soma massacre, prison sentence for protesters

The retrial over the Soma mine explosion has ended in impunity. Çağdaş Oğul Arı, who protested the massacre 7 years ago, was sentenced to 5.5 years in prison and arrested. Upon his attorneys’ objection, he was released 8 days later.

16 June 2021 Ruken Tuncel

Soma mine explosion case: Mining company’s board chair sentenced to 20 years

NO DEFENDANTS ARRESTED

Soma mine explosion case: Mining company’s board chair sentenced to 20 years

Standing trial on charge of “causing death and injury with conscious negligence” due to the Soma mine explosion, which claimed the lives of 301 workers, mining company’s executive board chair Can Gürkan has been given a 20-year prison term.

Ongoing search for justice: ‘We haven’t forgotten Soma’

7TH YEAR OF SOMA MASSACRE

Ongoing search for justice: ‘We haven’t forgotten Soma’

Having lost their lives in an occupational homicide in Soma seven years ago today, 301 miners are commemorated: “One of the biggest massacres of workers in Turkey happened in Soma. We haven’t forgotten it, we won’t let it be forgotten.”

‘Both 301 miners and the law under debris’

7TH YEAR OF SOMA MASSACRE

‘Both 301 miners and the law under debris’

It has been 7 years since 301 workers lost their lives in an occupational homicide in a mine in Soma, Manisa. The Health and Safety Labor Watch and the DİSK labor confederation have made a statement on this occasion.

There remain no arrested defendants in Soma mine explosion case

There remain no arrested defendants in Soma mine explosion case

Speaking about the Soma case, Manisa Bar Association Chair Arslan says that even though the last arrested defendants were released from prison on February 5, the news has been recently heard “because it is impossible to see it in the court file.”

10 February 2021

Soma mine explosion: Court of Cassation reverses own verdict, reduces sentences

Soma mine explosion: Court of Cassation reverses own verdict, reduces sentences

With the new ruling, none of the defendants will go back to prison for the 2014 coal mine explosion that killed 301 workers.

28 January 2021

Minister promises solution, miners stop protesting until January

Minister promises solution, miners stop protesting until January

After Minister of Interior Soylu promised a solution for their problems and demands, miners from Soma have decided to end their protest until January 15. As for the miners of Ermenek, they are waiting for the meeting with the governor's office today.

18 November 2020

Artists express support for miners’ resistance: ‘We march with miners’

Artists express support for miners’ resistance: ‘We march with miners’

A group of artists have joined a social media campaign under the hashtag “#MadenciyleYürüyorum” (I am marching with the miner) in solidarity with the miners from Soma and Ermenek who have not been paid their wages and severance.

13 November 2020

‘We don’t want a favor, but our rights; our resistance is going on’

‘We don’t want a favor, but our rights; our resistance is going on’

Not paid their wages and compensation for months, even years, miners in Soma and Ermenek are still protesting for their rights. Meanwhile, some workers resisting for their rights in Ermenek have been paid their wages.

23 October 2020

Miners’ resistance hits front page of humor magazine: ‘Courage is contagious’

Miners’ resistance hits front page of humor magazine: ‘Courage is contagious’

“Unable to call a trifling boss to account, the state will measure its strength against us, is that so? Is that so, the regiment commander,” asked one of the miners not allowed to march to Ankara. His words have hit the front page of LeMan humor magazine.

22 October 2020

Soma miners’ march to Ankara banned by governor’s office

Soma miners’ march to Ankara banned by governor’s office

“Commercial activities to be undertaken with the aim of getting economic benefits have been excluded from the ban. Thus, it is a decision that protects the employer while disregarding workers’ rights,” says Aksu from the Independent Mine Workers’ Union.

8 October 2020 Hikmet Adal

Forest fire in Manisa: One neighborhood evacuated

Forest fire in Manisa: One neighborhood evacuated

A forest fire has broken out in the district of Soma in Manisa province. One neighborhood has been evacuated as a precaution.

9 September 2020

Miners from Soma stage a sit-in protest, demanding their compensation

Miners from Soma stage a sit-in protest, demanding their compensation

Miners from Soma have been struggling for their compensation and pension right for five years now. Staging a sit-in protest in front of sub-governor’s office since July 19, they say, “We will march to Ankara if the omnibus bill does not pass the Parliament.”

23 July 2020 Sakine Orman

301 Miners Who Lost Their Lives in Soma Commemorated

301 Miners Who Lost Their Lives in Soma Commemorated

Yesterday marked the sixth anniversary of Soma mine explosion that claimed the lives of 301 workers. The deceased miners have been commemorated by their loved ones, rights and occupational organizations: “Wheels are turning, workers are dying.”

6th Year of Occupational Homicide in Soma Mine: ‘Our Struggle will Continue’

6th Year of Occupational Homicide in Soma Mine: ‘Our Struggle will Continue’

It has been six years since 301 miners lost their lives in a mine explosion in Soma, Manisa. Releasing a statement on this occasion, the Soma 301 Miners’ Social Aid Association has said, “We will keep on seeking justice for everyone in this country.”

Soma Commemoration Banned by Ankara Governor’s Office

Soma Commemoration Banned by Ankara Governor’s Office

The symbolic commemoration to be held in memory of 301 miners who died in Soma six years ago has been banned by Ankara Governor’s Office. Four occupational organizations previously requested permission to hold a ceremony at the Miner Memorial.

Constitutional Court: Workers' Right to Life Violated in Soma Mine Explosion

Constitutional Court: Workers' Right to Life Violated in Soma Mine Explosion

The top court has concluded the application of the relatives of 11 workers who died in the 2014 explosion, which had claimed a total of 301 lives.

Soma Mine Explosion: Constitutional Court Rejects Request of Investigation Against Officials

Soma Mine Explosion: Constitutional Court Rejects Request of Investigation Against Officials

The court has ruled that legal remedies have not been exhausted and that a public case can always be opened against the state officials.

26 February 2020 Ayça Söylemez

Mine Workers to March from Soma to Ankara

Mine Workers to March from Soma to Ankara

More than 3,500 mine workers will walk from Manisa to Ankara for the seniority indemnity payments they have not been able to receive for five years.

Ban on ‘Everything Will Be Fine’ Banner in Soma Commemoration in Kadıköy

Ban on ‘Everything Will Be Fine’ Banner in Soma Commemoration in Kadıköy

Gathering in Kadıköy to commemorate 301 miners who lost their lives in Soma five years ago, people opened the banner “Everything will be fine.” While the police permitted the demonstration, they said that the banner was banned by the governorship.

Miners Who Lost Their Lives in Occupational Homicide in Soma Commemorated

Miners Who Lost Their Lives in Occupational Homicide in Soma Commemorated

It has been five years since 301 mine workers lost their lives in occupational homicide in Soma, Manisa. In the fifth year of the massacre, labor unions, professional and human rights organizations have been commemorating the miners across Turkey.

Soma Occupational Homicide Case: Company Board Chair Gürkan Released

Soma Occupational Homicide Case: Company Board Chair Gürkan Released

A court has released businessperson Can Gürkan in the case of the 2014 occupational homicide in Soma coal mine which claimed 301 lives.

Collapse in Mine Owned by Company Responsible for Deaths of 301 Workers

Collapse in Mine Owned by Company Responsible for Deaths of 301 Workers

A mine owned by the company responsible for the occupational homicide that claimed 301 workers' lives in 2014 has collapsed in Manisa. 11 workers have been rescued wounded after yesterday's incident.

13 December 2018

Verdict Announced in Soma Trial, Families Protest

Verdict Announced in Soma Trial, Families Protest

Court has announced its verdict after three years in occupational homicide trial in which 301 workers lost their lives. Can Gürkan is sentenced to 15 years, İsmail Adalı to 22.5 years, and Ertan Ersoy and Akın Çelik to 18.5 years in prison.

We Commemorate 301 Miners from Soma with Their Names at 21st Hearing

We Commemorate 301 Miners from Soma with Their Names at 21st Hearing

We commemorate 301 miners who lost their lives in an occupational homicide in Soma on May 13, 2014 with their names after the Prosecutor's Office has presented the dictum in the three-year lawsuit.

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