Tuğçe Yılmaz

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bianet LGBTİ+ haberleri editörü. "1 Mayıs 1977 Kayıplarını Yakınları Anlatıyor/1 Mayıs 1977 ve Cezasızlık" dosyasını hazırladı. Ege Üniversitesi Edebiyat Fakültesi Felsefe bölümü mezunu. 2019 yılından...

bianet LGBTİ+ haberleri editörü. "1 Mayıs 1977 Kayıplarını Yakınları Anlatıyor/1 Mayıs 1977 ve Cezasızlık" dosyasını hazırladı. Ege Üniversitesi Edebiyat Fakültesi Felsefe bölümü mezunu. 2019 yılından beri "Küba" isimli köpekle ev arkadaşı.

Tuğçe Yılmaz

Öcalan's message sparks both hope and skepticism

Öcalan's message sparks both hope and skepticism

Many interpreted Öcalan's additional message, which was not included in his letter, as an indication that the legal and political dimensions of the process remained unclear.

28 February 2025

PKK leader Öcalan calls on group to lay down arms in historic statement

PKK leader Öcalan calls on group to lay down arms in historic statement

In a message read out by DEM Party members in İstanbul, the imprisoned PKK leader has called on the group to end its four-decade armed insurgency against Turkey and dissolve itself.

27 February 2025

2024: Ecological struggles in Turkey

2024: Ecological struggles in Turkey

The year 2024 proved a significant turning point at the intersection of the struggles in Turkey against the climate crisis, environmental destruction and for animal rights. Rights’ defenders continued their struggle across a broad spectrum that ranged from the protection of olive groves to forests and from the rights of animals living in the streets to the preservation of water sources.

Tuğçe Yılmaz

The struggle in Turkey for ecocide to be recognized as a crime

The struggle in Turkey for ecocide to be recognized as a crime

Melis Tantan of the Ecocide Law Citizens’ Initiative spoke to bianet about the struggle that continues to work towards preventing environmental damage.

27 December 2024

Tuğçe Yılmaz

What is eco-anxiety?

What is eco-anxiety?

Eco-anxiety is a term that defines the type of anxiety that develops due to ecological crises. In the face of environmental problems, it is critical to take small steps to alleviate anxiety and find a way to access accurate information.

25 December 2024

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Solidarity call for Kardeş Türküler documentary

Solidarity call for Kardeş Türküler documentary

A press meeting was organized on 16 December 2024 within the scope of the solidarity campaign for the documentary directed by Çayan Demirel and Ayşe Çetinbaş, which focuses on Turkey’s multilingual collective memory.

24 December 2024

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“They are trying to criminalize the struggle to protect nature”

DURSUN ALİ KOYUNCU:

“They are trying to criminalize the struggle to protect nature”

The arrest of Dursun Ali Koyuncu, a leading figure in the ecological struggle in Artvin in northeastern Turkey, is yet another example of repression targeting environmental defenders in Turkey. The area licensed to mining has reached 70% of the province, while citizens continue to protect nature in the face of all manners of repression.

24 December 2024

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Kurdish filmmaker Kerem Tekoğlu faces 'terrorism' charges over contact with ousted mayor

Kurdish filmmaker Kerem Tekoğlu faces 'terrorism' charges over contact with ousted mayor

Tekoğlu has been remanded in custody on allegations of "being a member of a terrorist organization."

18 December 2024

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'One in four children in Turkey goes to school hungry'

'One in four children in Turkey goes to school hungry'

We spoke with the Sulukule Volunteers Association about their efforts to support equal opportunities in education, the positive effects of providing one free meal at schools on children, and their proposed solutions to address this issue.

5 December 2024

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Police disrupt Transgender Day of Remembrance event in İstanbul

Police disrupt Transgender Day of Remembrance event in İstanbul

Trans activists gathered to mark TDoR in Beşiktaş were subjected to ID checks by the police.

20 November 2024

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Prisoner subjected to experiments by Muazzez İlmiye Çığ’s foundation: 'It was like Mengele's work'

Prisoner subjected to experiments by Muazzez İlmiye Çığ’s foundation: 'It was like Mengele's work'

Memet Sönmez, who was imprisoned after the 1980 coup, shared his experiences of being subjected to questioning and experiments by the HZİ Neuropsychiatry Foundation.

18 November 2024

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'Translating Socialism' exhibition explores reflections of Yugoslav socialism in Turkish-speaking community

'Translating Socialism' exhibition explores reflections of Yugoslav socialism in Turkish-speaking community

The exhibition at İstanbul's Salt Galata examines the little-known history of the Turkish-speaking community in the socialist Yugoslavia.

16 November 2024

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MUBI Fest censorship latest in a series of bans targeting LGBTI+s in İstabul's Kadıköy

MUBI Fest censorship latest in a series of bans targeting LGBTI+s in İstabul's Kadıköy

While İstanbul's Kadıköy district's censorship of MUBI Fest İstanbul 2024 has drawn international reactions, this is only the latest in a series of restrictions. Since 2019, the governor's office has been prohibiting even the simplest gatherings for LGBTI+s, including meetings for tea, dancing, and organizing sports tournaments.

8 November 2024

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‘You can’t discuss peace while appointing trustees,” says dismissed Kurdish mayor

‘You can’t discuss peace while appointing trustees,” says dismissed Kurdish mayor

Co-mayor Saniye Bayram emphasized Halfeti’s symbolic importance despite being the smallest district in Urfa.

4 November 2024

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Municipality censors artwork at İstanbul gallery over ‘obscenity’

Municipality censors artwork at İstanbul gallery over ‘obscenity’

The opposition-held municipality of the Beyoğlu district removed an artwork without notice.

31 October 2024

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Dozens of stray cats and dogs poisoned to death in Turkey’s Kocaeli, local authorities blamed

Dozens of stray cats and dogs poisoned to death in Turkey’s Kocaeli, local authorities blamed

All the killed animals were healthy and were regularly being fed by volunteers, which constitutes a violation of the recently enacted law authorizing stray animal killing under specific conditions.

11 October 2024

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Synagogues vandalized in İzmir: ‘Turkey’s Jews are living on the edge since the war began'

Synagogues vandalized in İzmir: ‘Turkey’s Jews are living on the edge since the war began'

Turkey’s Jews should not be held accountable for Israeli PM Netanyahu’s actions, says Nesim Bencoya, coordinator of the İzmir Jewish Cultural Heritage Project.

10 October 2024

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‘They intended to intimidate the LGBTI+ movement through my arrest’

‘They intended to intimidate the LGBTI+ movement through my arrest’

LGBTI+ activist Iris Mozalar reflects on her arrest for “inciting the public to hatred and hostility" due to her social media posts and her experiences during the imprisonment.

Tuğçe Yılmaz

Activists stage counter-demonstration during anti-LGBTI+ rally in İstanbul

Activists stage counter-demonstration during anti-LGBTI+ rally in İstanbul

Members of a LGBTI+ rights group distributed sweets for the memory of Ahmet Yıldız, who was killed for being gay, a symbolic case for gay rights in Turkey.

16 September 2024

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‘The racist hatred that could enable new pogroms is deeply present in Turkey’

ANNIVERSARY OF İSTANBUL POGROM

‘The racist hatred that could enable new pogroms is deeply present in Turkey’

We spoke with Foti Benlisoy on the anniversary of the 6-7 September Pogrom, discussing the 1955 attacks on Greek, Armenian, and Jewish communities, as well as new manifestations of societal violence in Turkey.

6 September 2024

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Lake Salda: Protection or commercialization?

Lake Salda: Protection or commercialization?

While activists from the Salda Lake Protection Association view the inclusion of the lake in the "World's Top 100 Geological Heritage List" as a positive development, they remain concerned about the future of the lake.

3 September 2024

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Erdoğan issues ‘tailor-made’ decree for lake shore industrial zone in northwestern Turkey

Erdoğan issues ‘tailor-made’ decree for lake shore industrial zone in northwestern Turkey

A business conglomerate known for its close ties to the government has been permitted to establish a paper factory near Bursa's Lake İznik.

Tuğçe Yılmaz

LGBTI+ Activist İris Mozalar arrested over social media posts defending refugees

LGBTI+ Activist İris Mozalar arrested over social media posts defending refugees

Mozalar is facing charges of "inciting hatred and animosity among the public" due to her posts opposing a recent pogrom attempt targeting Syrian refugees.

Tuğçe Yılmaz

Imprisoned Kurdish politician Semra Güzel: ‘My right to love is being judged in this trial’

INTERVIEW

Imprisoned Kurdish politician Semra Güzel: ‘My right to love is being judged in this trial’

The former HDP deputy was arrested in September 2022, after a targeted campaign by the pro-government media led to a 'terror' investigation.

Tuğçe Yılmaz

İstanbul's LGBTI+ activists hold Pride March in unexpected location to circumvent bans

İstanbul's LGBTI+ activists hold Pride March in unexpected location to circumvent bans

The activists gathered on Bağdat Avenue to quickly hold a march and then disperse. Taken by surprise, police later searched the side streets looking for LGBTI+s.

Tuğçe Yılmaz

Ahmet Yıldız homophobic murder case: Verdict still pending after 40th hearing

Ahmet Yıldız homophobic murder case: Verdict still pending after 40th hearing

Despite several changes in judges and prosecutors, Ahmet Yıldız's murderer has not been found. Yahya Yıldız, the fugitive father, was reportedly seen in Zakho, Iraq, during the investigation phase.

Tuğçe Yılmaz

İstanbul Trans Pride March marked with decentralized protests amid heavy police presence

İstanbul Trans Pride March marked with decentralized protests amid heavy police presence

A parade could not be held due to the bans but trans flags hung by activists appeared at several locations in the city.

Tuğçe Yılmaz

Documentary celebrates 20 years of Kavala’s Anadolu Kültür

Documentary celebrates 20 years of Kavala’s Anadolu Kültür

Founded in 2002 by civil society and human rights defender Osman Kavala, Anadolu Kültür's story is told in the documentary “Feeding River: 20 Years of Anadolu Kültür”.

Tuğçe Yılmaz

“There are no dogs left on the streets of Urfa”

“There are no dogs left on the streets of Urfa”

Following reports of rabies cases in Urfa and subsequent allegations, a mass branding and collection of stray dogs was initiated. Yasemin Al, the Urfa Representative of the Association for the Protection of Animals from Helplessness and Indifference, and local animal protection officer, shared details of the process with bianet.

Tuğçe Yılmaz

Turkey celebrates World Environment Day with news of ecocide

Turkey celebrates World Environment Day with news of ecocide

Nil Ormanlı from the Association for Derivation Economy and Change.org Climate Project evaluated June 5 World Environment Day in the context of ecological destruction and struggles in Turkey.

Tuğçe Yılmaz

Turkey plans to euthanize stray dogs: 'Fascism needs animosity towards animals'

Turkey plans to euthanize stray dogs: 'Fascism needs animosity towards animals'

"It is no coincidence that street animals are being used as a distraction. Have we solved the problems of hunger and poverty that we are now discussing animals?" says DEM Spokesperson Perihan Koca.

Tuğçe Yılmaz

Expansion of tourism facility in Bodrum protected area approved without environmental review

Expansion of tourism facility in Bodrum protected area approved without environmental review

Cengiz Holding, known for its close ties to the government, has secured the permission to expand its luxury tourism facilities in Cennet Bay, a protected area.

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