RIGHTS - Bianet

RIGHTS

Page 243

Diyarbakır Police Prevents Release of Children

Diyarbakır Police Prevents Release of Children

Two children arrested for “membership in an illegal organisation” after taking part in protests during PM Erdoğan’s visit are being tried in detention. Rights activists came to watch the trials.

26 February 2009 Erhan Üstündağ

Ministry of Justice Allows for Two Protestants Trial

Although missionary activities are not criminalized, two people are on trial for "insulting Turkishness" among other accusations for dispensing bibles and making speeches against Islam and the military.

25 February 2009 Erol Önderoğlu

Journalists Banned From Covering PM's Rally

PM Erdogan visits Corum to attend his party's election rally. Four local journalists and a correspondent for leftist daily Evrensel are not permitted to cover the event, upon an arbitrary request by PM's Security Department.

25 February 2009 Erol Önderoğlu

One Acquittal for Kurdish Song, One More Court Case to Go

Broadcasting editor Arslan of Radio Dünya says that a case brought against the station for playing the folk song Mihemendo two years ago has ended in acquittal. But another case is still in court.

25 February 2009 Erol Önderoğlu

Kurdish Politician Speaks Mother Tongue in Parliament, Live Broadcast Cut

Kurdish Politician Speaks Mother Tongue in Parliament, Live Broadcast Cut

Parliament Speaker Toptan ordered a cut in the live broadcasting from parliament when Türk, co-chair of the Kurdish DTP spoke Kurdish in a party meeting at parliament.

25 February 2009 Tolga Korkut

Second Court Case for Turkish Publisher of “God Delusion”

Following a first acquittal eleven months ago, publisher Karaslan now faces a second court case for the publication of Dawkin’s “The God Delusion”.

24 February 2009 Erol Önderoğlu

Court Says "Feel Free to Insult Those Apologising to Armenians"

An Istanbul court has decreed that journalist Can Ataklı’s claim that some people have received money from the EU to sign an apology campaign falls within the boundaries of freedom of thought. Lawyers have accused the judges of subjectivity.

24 February 2009 Erol Önderoğlu

Independent Media Will Bring Turkey and Germany Closer

At a conference organised by the Goethe Institute in Istanbul, journalists from Turkey and Germany expressed the need for more empathy between the two countries. bianet’s Kürkçü believes that an independent media is needed for that to happen.

23 February 2009 Bawer Çakır

Racist Film in Schools: Lawyer Calls on Parents to Sue

Lawyer Fethiye Çetin has called on parents to go to court to prevent schools from screening a racist “documentary” dealing with the controversial events of 1915.

23 February 2009 Tolga Korkut

UNESCO: 15 Languages Endangered in Turkey

UNESCO: 15 Languages Endangered in Turkey

According to the Atlas of the World’s Languages in Danger published by UNESCO prior to 21 February, International Mother Language Day, 15 languages are endangered in Turkey, and Turkey is doing nothing to save them.

22 February 2009 Tolga Korkut

Court Will Hear New Witnesses in Zirve Massacre Case

At the 15th hearing of the case, the court ordered 10 others to testify on the murder of three Protestants for alleged "missionary activities." Lawyers insist deep state involvement has been revealed.

22 February 2009 Erol Önderoğlu

IPI Accuses Prime Minister of Intimidating Media

A representative of the IPI National Committee says that it “cannot be coincidence” that journalists and newspapers are being put under pressure at the same time.

19 February 2009 Erol Önderoğlu

Attacked Journalist Yarayan’s Condition Life-Threatening

The owner of Siirt Birlik newspaper, Diya Yarayan, was attacked by four people and has been in hospital since. His wife says that he is not out of danger yet.

19 February 2009 Erol Önderoğlu

Şırnak Prosecution Finally Looking for “Death Wells”

Şırnak Prosecution Finally Looking for “Death Wells”

A prosecutor in Şırnak province has examined a military complex and the road leading from Cizre to Silopi. The Bar Association is also calling for an examination of the graveyard for the poor.

19 February 2009 Tolga Korkut

Gendarmerie Commander in Dink Case Gets away with “Negligence”

A Trabzon court has decreed that Gendarmerie Commander Colonel Öz and five other soldiers will be tried for negligence for not preventing the murder of journalist Hrant Dink.

19 February 2009 Erol Önderoğlu

AKP and CHP Promise Change in Terrorism Law for Children

AKP and CHP Promise Change in Terrorism Law for Children

A delegation of human rights activists from Diyarbakır visited parliament yesterday, protesting against the fact that hundreds of children are being tried for alleged membership in a terrorist organisation.

19 February 2009 Erhan Üstündağ

Children Exposed to Racist Propaganda Movie

A "documentary" on the events of 1915 prepared by the Turkish army incites protest by NGOs and individuals. The nation-wide showing of the propaganda material in schools will instill hatred in a whole generation they warn.

18 February 2009

Cities Must Deal with Forced Migration

Cities Must Deal with Forced Migration

As political parties are vying for votes in the upcoming local elections, token gestures are being made towards the urban poor. However, the underlying reason, forced migration, is being ignored.

17 February 2009 Bawer Çakır

“Solve Kurdish Question with Redefinition of Citizenship”

Kurdish politician Ekinci argues that Turkey has not taken any concrete steps to solve the Kurdish issue since PKK leader Öcalan’s capture ten years ago. He calls for constitutional change.

17 February 2009 Bawer Çakır

Two Newspapers Convicted for Different “Crimes”

Milliyet newspaper’s responsible editor Çakkalkurt has been sentenced to imprisonment for violating a military media ban on the PKK attack in Dağlıca. Posta reporter Cumalı has been convicted of violating the privacy of a person.

16 February 2009 Erol Önderoğlu

Clashes on Anniversary of Öcalan’s Arrest

The tenth anniversary of the arrest of PKK leader Abdullah Öcalan was marked by demonstrations in several cities in the southeast of Turkey. There were clashes between protesters and police.

16 February 2009

Three More Bodies Identified in Diyarbakır

A family in Diyarbakır has finally learnt that three of its members are among the dead bodies found in 2003. They are still missing two other people.

12 February 2009 Tolga Korkut

Actors Protest Against Journalist’s Antisemitism

More than 300 signatures have been collected in protest at the comments of Bugün newspaper journalist Aykut Işıklar, for comments he wrote about theatre actor Nedim Saban.

12 February 2009 Erhan Üstündağ

“Kurdistan” Report for Obama: How to Disarm the PKK

Academic Barkey from Lehigh University has prepared a report on conflict prevention in Kurdistan for the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace.

12 February 2009 Erhan Üstündağ

Police Officer Indicted for Deliberately Killing a Man

Police officer Ali Mutlu stands accused of “deliberately causing death”; the prosecution is demanding 8-12 years for the death of Feyzullah Ete.

11 February 2009 Tolga Korkut,Emine Özcan

"Migrant Friendly Local and General Policies Needed"

British Council Turkey reveals a recent research on migrants living in Istanbul. The report calls for increased international cooperation. "Migrants should not be deemed as security threats; rather their needs shall be addressed."

11 February 2009

ECHR Will Tackle Ban On Propaganda in Kurdish

Kurdish politician Miroglu was condemned for addressing his electorate in Kurdish, during his campaign for July 2007 general elections. The Strasbourg court declares his case as admissible. The ruling might force an amendment to law.

11 February 2009 Erol Önderoğlu

Dissident Local Journalist on Trial Rejects Judge

11 February 2009 Erol Önderoğlu

New Arrest in Malatya Murder Case

In the last week, two more people have been arrested in the Malatya murder case, first Varol Bülent Aral, accused of inciting prime suspect Emre Günaydin, and now former publishing employee Hüseying Yekli.

11 February 2009 Erol Önderoğlu

"Prosecutors Obliged to Investigate 11 Dead in Güçlükonak"

11 rangers were killed and their bodies burnt in 1996 and the General Staff blamed it on the PKK. Then Minister of State, Ekmen says "he knew the deep state was repsonsible but couldn't prove it". Activists urge an investigation at least after 13 years.

10 February 2009 Tolga Korkut

No Trial for “We are All Armenian” Slogan

The prosecution has refused to open a trial over the slogans and placards carried at Hrant Dink’s funeral. A complaint had been filed against Istanbul’s Şişli municipality mayor Sarıgül.

10 February 2009 Erol Önderoğlu

Former Interior Minister Finally in Court for "Stay Behind" Operations

Former Interior Minister Finally in Court for "Stay Behind" Operations

It took over twelve years to get Mehmet Ağar, former chief of police and then politician, into court for his role in the Susurluk scandal that rocked Turkey in 1996. The trial continues on 13 May.

10 February 2009 Tolga Korkut