RIGHTS - Bianet

RIGHTS

Page 263

TIHV: Death in Police Raid is Murder

The Turkish Human Rights Foundation has condemned the death of Kever Mizrak on the hands of police: "The police and gendarmerie do not use guns as a last resort."

14 December 2007 Tolga Korkut

"Constitution Must Guarantee Equality and Social Rights"

"Constitution Must Guarantee Equality and Social Rights"

The "Constitutional Platform Initiative" which met in workshops at the weekend has published a statement.

14 December 2007 Gökçe Gündüç

ECHR Faults Turkey in Azadiya Welat Case

The ECHR has found Turkey's decision to ban the publication of the Azadiya Welat newspaper for a week wrong.

12 December 2007 Erol Önderoğlu

They Did Not Pee at a Wall, But 301 Applies...

Journalists Irfan Ucar and Umur Hozatli are still charged under Article 301 for criticising losses and rights violations. Ferhat Tunc is in court today.

12 December 2007 Erol Önderoğlu

What do Refugees Say?

None of the refugees who died at sea were adventureres. They faced death on the sea because the treatment of refugees is inhumane. How many of us listen to what they have to say?

12 December 2007 Senar Ataman

Büyükanit Calls Human Rights "Psychological Operation"

Büyükanit Calls Human Rights "Psychological Operation"

Speaking of the DTP, Chief of General Staff Büyükanit said, "terrorism has entered parliament." Türk of the DTP said the MPs had been elected in order to take part in democratic politics.

12 December 2007 A. Nilüfer Zengin Kürkçü

YÖK's New President: Yusuf Ziya Özcan

President Abdullah Gül has appointed Prof. Dr. Yusuf Ziya Özcan as the new president of the Turkish Council of Higher Education.

12 December 2007 Gökçe Gündüç

More "Temporary Security Zones"

The General Staff has announced that between 11 December and 10 March, there will be six temporary security zones.

12 December 2007 Tolga Korkut

IPI: Hrant Dink is "World Press Freedom Hero"

The International Press Institute has honoured Hrant Dink's efforts for the freedom of expression posthumously.

12 December 2007

Minority Report: Lack of Political Representation

Minority Report: Lack of Political Representation

The Minority Rights Group International has published a new report on the status of minority rights in Turkey. It has criticised the high electoral threshold and the ban of minority languages in political life.

12 December 2007

Collaboration for New Constitution

Around 70 organisations came together in a workshop to ensure that the new constitution will not only be shaped by the AKP.

10 December 2007 Gökçe Gündüç

Case Against Besikci and "Esmer" Dropped

The court case against sociologist Besikci, "Esmer" magazine owner Kaya and editor Izmir has been dropped because of lapse of time.

10 December 2007 Erol Önderoğlu

Turkey's Human Rights Situation "Discouraging"

Turkey's Human Rights Situation "Discouraging"

On Human Rights Day, 10 December, the Human Rights Association and Human Rights Foundation of Turkey evaluated the situation in Turkey as dissatisfying.

10 December 2007

DTP: Support the Turks in Western Thrace and the Kurds in Turkey

The DTP has reacted to Minister of Foreign Affairs Ali Babacan's visit of solidarity to the Turks in Western Thrace: "Do not fear Kurds in Turkey".

10 December 2007 A. Nilüfer Zengin Kürkçü

Malatya Murders Orchestrated by Nationalist Organisations?

Malatya Murders Orchestrated by Nationalist Organisations?

According to information given separately to the prosecution and the police, the murder suspects in the Malatya case were directed by nationalist organisations.

10 December 2007 Erol Önderoğlu,Erol Önderoğlu

EFJ: Investigate Assault on Greek Journalist

After Greek journalist Andreas Rompopoulos was attacked in Istanbul on 5 December, the European Federation of Journalists has urged Turkey to investigate.

7 December 2007

"You Can Negotiate with Terrorists - I Have!"

"You Can Negotiate with Terrorists - I Have!"

Speaking at an international conference in Venice, former Finnish President Martti Ahtisaari emphasised the importance of including all relevant players in peace negotiations.

7 December 2007 Ertuğrul Kürkçü

Camera "Not Working" in Dink And Zirve Cases

In both the Hrant Dink murder case and the Malatya murder cases, recorded evidence has "disappeared".

7 December 2007 Erol Önderoğlu

"Are These Officers Still on Duty?"

"Are These Officers Still on Duty?"

Uras asked Minister of the Interior Atalay whether the police and gendarmerie officers said to have acted negligently have been investigated and whether they are still on duty.

7 December 2007 Tolga Korkut

“Minister’s Circular Will Not Solve Police Violence”

Prof. Dr. Dogru has argued that the principle of “balancing human rights and security” which the Minister of the Interior wrote about is enshrined in the Penal Code anyway. Effective sanctions are needed to prevent excessive violence.

6 December 2007 A. Nilüfer Zengin Kürkçü

Publisher Zarakolu Supported by Writer Jerjian

Writer George Jerjian has written a letter of support for publisher Ragip Zarakolu, who is on trial for publishing his book. Ferhat Tunc's case continues in December.

6 December 2007 Erol Önderoğlu

Three Conscientious Objection Activists Acquitted

Three supporters of conscientious objector Halil Savda have been acquitted of "putting the public off military service". Turkey has still not changed its legislation.

5 December 2007 Erol Önderoğlu

Lawyer Erdal Dogan in "Insult" Trial

Following a criminal complaint by lawyer Fuat Turgut, lawyer Erdal Dogan is on trial for insulting the former.

5 December 2007 Erol Önderoğlu

"Free Radio" Vindicated at ECHR

The Özgür (Free) Radio station which had been given a broadcasting ban for a year after playing a song called "Nurhak" was vindicated at the ECHR.

5 December 2007 Erol Önderoğlu

"Newroz" and "Kawa" Reason for Imprisonment?

A trade union representative in Kilis, southeastern Turkey, is on trial for using the letter "w" in two newspaper articles.

4 December 2007 Tolga Korkut

Pacifists Respond to PKK's Threats

Peace and human rights activists have reacted to PKK leader Bayik targeting dissident Kurds: "If you attack them, you attack us."

4 December 2007 Tolga Korkut

Prison Sentence Demanded for DTP Politicians

A Diyarbakir prosecutor is demanding prison sentences for MP Aysel Tulguk and province party chair Hilmi Aydogdu for a speech they made on Peace Day.

4 December 2007 Erol Önderoğlu

Pacifists, Take Candles and Come to Galatasaray

The Peace Parliament has called on opponents of operations to gather in front of Galatasaray Highschool this evening.

4 December 2007 Tolga Korkut

Kidnapped Monk Released

The kidnapped Syriac monk Edip Daniel Savci was released on Friday.

3 December 2007 Erhan Üstündağ

Six Villagers Missing Since 1993 – No Investigation

There has been no trace of six villagers from Sirnak who went missing in 1993, last seen in gendarmerie detention. However, investigations have been dropped.

3 December 2007 Tolga Korkut

Administrative Court Does Not Try Multilingualism

The case against the multilingual Sur municipality in Diyarbakir was dropped by an administrative court.

3 December 2007 Erhan Üstündağ

Syriac Monk Kidnapped in Mardin

Yesterday, monk Edip Daniel Savci was kidnapped in the Midyat district of Mardin. His kidnappers are demanding a ransom of 300,000 Euros.

30 November 2007