content tagged with TMY

55 Children Arrested in One Week

55 Children Arrested in One Week

Despite legal changes in the Anti-Terror Law, 75 children were taken into custody during last week. 55 of them were arrested and imprisoned. Amnesty International launched a campaign for children who became victims of the Anti-Terror Law.

24 February 2011

Laws Designed to Try Dissidents and Journalists?

Laws Designed to Try Dissidents and Journalists?

Journalists Atay and Çelik are tried over charges of "praising crime and a criminal" for news related to members of the KCK and PKK. Journalists Düzel and Demir are prosecuted under the Anti-Terror Law. "Violation of secrecy" is another popular reason to sue journalists.

20 January 2011 Emir Çelik

"Legislative Straitjacket Stifles Media Freedom"

REPORTERS WITHOUT BORDERS

"Legislative Straitjacket Stifles Media Freedom"

RSF criticized the Turkish government for more than 25 articles in the Turkish Criminal Law and the Anti-Terror law that restrict press freedom and free speech. The drafted amendments were only "cosmetic and superficial changes", RSF said.

3 December 2010 Erhan Üstündağ

Journalist in Jail for Attending DTP Symposium

Journalist in Jail for Attending DTP Symposium

DİHA reporter Açıkyer received 10-month prison term under charges of "spreading propaganda for the PKK" because he attended a symposium of the pro-Kurdish DTP. The court handed down various sentences to13 defendants.

29 November 2010 Erol Önderoğlu

Politician Birdal: 10 Newspapers Seized 27 Times in 2009

Politician Birdal: 10 Newspapers Seized 27 Times in 2009

BDP deputy Birdal stated that both the Turkish Criminal Law and the Anti-Terror Law are being used to restrict freedom of expression. He said that the parliament carries the responsibility of solving this situation as soon as possible.

15 October 2010 Erhan Üstündağ

Journalist Şahin Requested Recusal of Judge

Journalist Şahin Requested Recusal of Judge

Star newspaper employees Sarp, Akbıyık and Şahin are facing up to three years imprisonment each because of their criticism of the mass releases regarding the "Sledgehammer" investigation. The coming hearing is scheduled for 22 October.

12 October 2010 Erol Önderoğlu

Draft Law Pending - Children in Prison and on Trial

CHILDREN TRIED UNDER ANTI-TERROR ACT

Draft Law Pending - Children in Prison and on Trial

A court sentenced a 15-year old girl to 8 years imprisonment. Tanrıseven and Aktaş from the Batman and Diyarbakır Bar Association respectively urged the goverment to pass necessary legal amendments as soon as possible. However, these changes will still be insufficient to protect the children.

28 January 2010 Tolga Korkut

Children Still to Be Prosecuted for "Terror Crimes"

CHILDREN'S RIGHTS

Children Still to Be Prosecuted for "Terror Crimes"

In the context of the "democratic initiative" the government has prepared a bill regarding children being prosecuted under charges of "terror crimes". The bill will abrogate equal prosecution standards for children and adults. Children's rights defenders evaluate the bill as insufficient, criticizing that children participating in protest actions can still be adjudged to long sentences.

12 November 2009 Yonca Cingöz

Two Journalists Face Prison for Alleged "Terrorist Propaganda"

Günlük daily columnist Sarısözen and managing director Çiçekçi faces up to 7.5 years in prison for an article which discusses how and who makes "terrorist propaganda."

24 March 2009 Erol Önderoğlu

"Terrorist Propaganda" Case Against Birgün Daily

Hakan Tahmaz, who interviewed a rebel PKK commander and daily Birgün, which published the article will be tried with "terrorist propaganda". Three people face 3 years in prison if convicted.

23 March 2009 Erol Önderoğlu