NEWS - Bianet

NEWS

Page 308

Turkey Mourns Death of Academic Sadun Aren

Prof. Dr. Sadun Aren, co-founder of the Turkish Workers’ Party and formerly lecturer in Political Sciences at Ankara University, died in hospital on Saturday.

10 March 2008 A. Nilüfer Zengin Kürkçü

“Ergenekon” Gang Linked to Several Murders

The investigation into the ultra-nationalist Ergenekon gang is looking at three murders. A photo proving connections between retired general Kücük and the suspect in the State Council murder has been found.

6 March 2008 Erol Önderoğlu

IPS Communications Foundation and Press Now Organised Workshop in Antalya

25 reporters and journalists from local radio stations, TV channels and newspapers joined the workshop organised by IPS and Press Now in Antalya at the weekend.

3 March 2008 Gökçe Gündüç

Headscarves Not “In the Clear” Yet

Headscarves Not “In the Clear” Yet

The opposition CHP has appealed to the Constitutional Court to overrule the headscarf amendments, and university rectors have called for the resignation of Higher Education Council President Özcan.

28 February 2008 Gökçe Gündüç,Gökçe Gündüç

Displaced Children Regain Confidence

Children forcibly displaced by the armed conflict in the southeast of Turkey have found a ray of hope with the Basak Foundation.

28 February 2008 Gökçe Gündüç

Ultranationalist Ergenekon Gang Everywhere…

On Tuesday, the police arrested a further six people as part of the Ergenekon operation. There are three academics, a journalist, and a gold dealer among them.

27 February 2008 A. Nilüfer Zengin Kürkçü

President Gül Ratifies Headscarves at University

On 22 February, President Gül ratified the constitutional amendments of Articles 10 and 42, which allow women with headscarves to attend university.

25 February 2008 Gökçe Gündüç

Yet More Deaths at Tuzla Shipyards!

According to the trade union LIMTER-IS, two more shipyard workers have died, raising the death toll since the beginning of the year to six.

20 February 2008 Tolga Korkut

Women Can Not Rely on The Army for Their Gains

Women Can Not Rely on The Army for Their Gains

Those who believe that the issue of headscarves at university is a “legal issue” are totally mistaken. We are faced with a historical question: Does the new block of Islamist AKP and ultranationalist MHP with the passive consent of the army represent a moment of freedom?

18 February 2008 Ertuğrul Kürkçü

Tuzla Shipyards: Accident, Death and Dismissal

Tuzla Shipyards: Accident, Death and Dismissal

On Friday a shipyard worker in Tuzla was injured, and another died on Saturday. Trade union and association members have been dismissed.

17 February 2008 Emine Özcan

Former Minister Will Be Tried for Underground Operations

Former Minister Will Be Tried for Underground Operations

The 1st Chamber of the State Council has decided that former minister and police chief Mehmet Agar should be tried in the Susurluk case for "forming a criminal organisation."

14 February 2008 A. Nilüfer Zengin Kürkçü

Opposition to Nuclear Energy Raising Its Voice

As the rest of the world is trying to find alternatives to nuclear energy, Turkey is just launching its plans for the first two sites. Environmentalists and local groups are protesting.

13 February 2008 Emine Özcan

Constitutional Change for Headscarf at University Passed in Parliament

The second vote on constitutional amendment on Saturday was passed with 411 votes. The opposition CHP is applying to the Constitutional Court.

11 February 2008 Tolga Korkut

Government Supports Headscarf but Ignores Women’s Rights

Government Supports Headscarf but Ignores Women’s Rights

Although the AKP proposal to allow women wearing headscarves access to higher education has been couched in language about “freedoms” and “rights”, the government is actually not promoting women’s rights at all.

7 February 2008 Erhan Üstündağ

Parliament Passes Headscarf Changes in First Round

Parliament Passes Headscarf Changes in First Round

Amendments to Articles 10 and 42 of the constitution were passed in the first round of debates and votes yesterday. The second round of votes is on Saturday.

7 February 2008 Gökçe Gündüç

European Support for Anti-Corruption Programme

With the support of the Council of Europe and the EU Commission, Turkey is launching a two-year anti-corruption programme.

6 February 2008 Erhan Üstündağ

Anti-Headscarf Rally at Atatürk’s Mausoleum

In reaction to the prospect of the headscarf being allowed at university, tens of thousands of people gathered at Atatürk’s mausoleum in Ankara on Saturday.

4 February 2008 Tolga Korkut

Explosion in Illegal Fireworks Factory: 23 Dead, 117 Injured

Explosion in Illegal Fireworks Factory: 23 Dead, 117 Injured

An explosion in an illegal firework production complex has killed twenty people and injured 117. The factory owners have disappeared. Trade unions have accused employers and the government of "work murders."

31 January 2008 A. Nilüfer Zengin Kürkçü

"Ergenekon" Conspiracy is Rooted in "Susurluk" Says Former Minister

Fikri Sağlar, former minister and a member of the parliamentary investigation committee into the Susurluk affair urges for persistent investegitation into the "Ergenekon" conspiracy, in order to relieve Turkey from "deep state cancer."

30 January 2008 Erol Önderoğlu

19 Arrests after Al-Qaeda Operation

Of the 25 suspects in custody after operations in Gaziantep, 19 have been arrested. The trial will take place in Adana.

30 January 2008 Murat Güreş

Heated Debate As Constitution Amended To Free Headscarves in The Universities

Heated Debate As Constitution Amended To Free Headscarves in The Universities

The ruling AKP's move to free headscarves in the universities, leads to strong reactions from the secularists. Some fear from the end of secular state, others argue limited freedom is hypocritical.

30 January 2008 Gökçe Gündüç

25 Al-Qaeda Suspects in Custody

After a big operation against al-Qaeda in the city of Gaziantep on Thursday, 25 suspects were detained. On Monday there were taken to the prosecutor to give a statement.

28 January 2008 Murat Güreş

Ex-Anti-terror General Sent to Jail, Along With Companions

Ex-Anti-terror General Sent to Jail, Along With Companions

Retired General Veli Küçük, notorious for alleged connections with scores of unresolved extra-judicial executions while on duty, is sent to jail for involvement in ultra-nationalist terror campaign.

27 January 2008

Constitutional Schemes on Dressing Alarm Women

Women NGOs protest against government schemes for new legislation on dressing to impose restrictions justified with "general morality".

25 January 2008 Erhan Üstündağ

Women Don’t Want Militarism

Following General Büyükanit’s approval of a flag made from the blood of school children, 418 women have signed a statement condemning militarism and nationalism.

24 January 2008 Erhan Üstündağ

Headscarf Problem Caused by State Monopoly on Religion

Prof. Dr. Sancar pointed out that the religious authorities in Turkey were civil servants employed by the state.

17 January 2008 Gökçe Gündüç

"Flag of Blood" Inspired by Biology Class

The biology curriculum includes an experiment where pupils determine their blood group. Health activist Sütlas has criticised the dangers of such projects.

17 January 2008 Gökçe Gündüç

Solve the Problem of Street Children

Kulca, president of the Hope Children’s Association, spoke on Yön Radio: “The problem of children being pushed into the streets could be solved within a year.”

16 January 2008 Emel Kılıç

"Büyükanit Spreads Militarism Among Children"

"Büyükanit Spreads Militarism Among Children"

Turkey's military chief General Yasar Büyükanit faces criticism by psychologists and peace activists for publicising of a group of children who painted an image of a Turkish flag from their own blood.

13 January 2008 Gökçe Gündüç

"The Government Could Prevent Child Marriage"

Lawyer Asma claims that the judiciary does not protect exploited children, but their families: "The family who forced their child to marry should have been tried under Article 233; the punishment was insufficient."

10 January 2008 Gökçe Gündüç

Sixth Death After Bombing

The Diyarbakir bombing of 3 January has claimed a sixth life, that of 17-year old Engin Taskaya.

9 January 2008 A. Nilüfer Zengin Kürkçü

Diyarbakir NGOs: No Surrender to Violence

Diyarbakir NGOs: No Surrender to Violence

Around fifty NGOs from Diyarbakir, the scene to a deadly blast last week, expressed determination to stop violence. "Violence and savagery must never be used as methods to try to solve problems" they said.

6 January 2008 A. Nilüfer Zengin Kürkçü