RIGHTS - Bianet

RIGHTS

Page 264

301 For Accusing Village Guards?

After reporting on the claim that village guards were using state bombs to hunt fish, a villager, a reporter and a human rights activist are on trial for "denigrading the state".

30 November 2007 Erol Önderoğlu

Germany Hands Over Two PKK Militants

The Turkish Ministry of Justice has announced that Germany has handed over PKK militants Iltas and Kizilay.

30 November 2007 Tolga Korkut

Rights Activists: "Take Back Police Powers"

The Human Rights Agenda Association has called for a control of excessive police violence and compensation for victims.

30 November 2007 Tolga Korkut

Prosecution Turns Plaintiff into "Suspect"

The Bakirköy prosecution dismissed proceedings after historian Akcam filed a complaint against journalist Cölasan and called the plaintiff a "suspect".

30 November 2007 Erol Önderoğlu

DTP: Our Chairman Not Running Away

The DTP has denied that its co-chairperson Nurettin Demirtas is avoiding arrest; the party says he is abroad in order to explain "democratic autonomy".

28 November 2007 Tolga Korkut

Gül Silent on Plans for PKK

Gül Silent on Plans for PKK

In an interview with journalists on the way to France, Gül said, "Democracy isolates terrorism and terrorists."

28 November 2007 A. Nilüfer Zengin Kürkçü

TGC: Journalists Are Not Informants

The Journalists' Society (TGC) has protested against the trial of journalist Emin Bal for not informing authorities.

28 November 2007 Erol Önderoğlu

Aydin Dogan Sues Two Websites

Aydin Dogan has sued two news websites for an article about him and his petrol company POAS.

28 November 2007 Erol Önderoğlu

ECHR Overrules Turkish Censorship

The ECHR has sentenced Turkey to compensate for the confiscation of the "Pontus Culture" book and has found the six-month closure of Nur Radio and TV groundless.

28 November 2007 Erol Önderoğlu

Police Law Has Brought Violence

Police Law Has Brought Violence

Since policies powers were increased, more than twenty cases of excessive police violence have been reported. There have been torture, injuries, psychological traumas, and even deaths.

28 November 2007 Tolga Korkut

IPS and Press Now in Giresun

IPS Communications Foundation and Press Now organised a two-day training seminar for journalists from Ordu and Giresun.

27 November 2007 Gökçe Gündüç

Refugee Murder Case at Heavy Penal Court

The case concerning the death of Nigerian refugee Okey in police detention has been sent to the Beyoglu Heavy Penal Court.

27 November 2007 Tolga Korkut

Article 301 for Chemical Weapons Claim

Politicians and journalists who have claimed that the army has used chemical weapons in its fight against the PKK have found themselves in court under Article 301.

27 November 2007 Erol Önderoğlu

Police Officer Arrested in Suspicious Death

A police officer said to have kicked a young man in Avcilar who then died has been arrested. IHD calls for reduction in police powers.

26 November 2007 Tolga Korkut

Malatya Murder Case Postponed

The next hearing of the trial is in January. There has been a dangerous shift of focus in news reports on the trial.

26 November 2007 A. Nilüfer Zengin Kürkçü,A. Nilüfer Zengin Kürkçü

Journalist Ergündogan Sentenced

A court decreed that Ergündogan's article in the "Birgün" newspaper contained an insult. Ergündogan will appeal.

26 November 2007 Erol Önderoğlu

Rally in Diyarbakir: Call for "Dignified Life"

Rally in Diyarbakir: Call for "Dignified Life"

A rally was organised by the DTP in Diyarbakir yesterday. Tens of thousands gathered on the Station Square in Diyarbakir to protest against operations and call for rights.

26 November 2007 A. Nilüfer Zengin Kürkçü

Constitutional Court Closed 24 Parties in 44 Years

In the light of the threatened closure of the pro-Kurdish Democratic Society Party (DTP), it is enlightening to look back at Turkey's political history.

23 November 2007 Tolga Korkut

DTP Support Visit by Peace Parliament

DTP Support Visit by Peace Parliament

Representatives of the Turkish Peace Parliament yesterday (21 November) visited the Grand National Assembly to support the pro-Kurdish Democratic Society Party (DTP).

21 November 2007 A. Nilüfer Zengin Kürkçü

Activist Keskin Sentenced for Saying “Kurdistan”

Human rights activist Eren Keskin has faced two trials for the use of “Kurdistan”. In one proceedings were dropped, in the second one she was sentenced.

21 November 2007 Erol Önderoğlu

RSF Condemns Ban on PKK Interviews

In a press release on 20 November, Reporters Without Borders condemned the Kurdish regional government for not allowing reporters to visit PKK bases.

21 November 2007 Rsf

"Anti-Terrorism Propaganda" at School

In Diyarbakir the police organised a conference "against terrorism" at a school. Education Trade Union Egitim-Sen warns that children and their families are being put on lists.

21 November 2007 Erhan Üstündağ

In Malatya not Murders but "Missionary Activity" on Trial!

The trial concerning the murder of three men working for Zirve Publications starts on 23 November. Of the 32 investigation files only eight are on the murders, the rest on "missionary activities".

21 November 2007 Erol Önderoğlu

Peace Parliament Calls for Discourse of Peace

Peace Parliament Calls for Discourse of Peace

At its second assembly, the Turkish Peace Parliament condemned the attempts to close the DTP and vowed to support the hostage soldiers.

21 November 2007 Tolga Korkut

Columnists Against Closure of DTP

Columnists Tinc, Akyol, Tamer and Kahraman all agree that the pro-Kurdish DTP should not be closed, but not because they support the party.

20 November 2007 A. Nilüfer Zengin Kürkçü

IHD Condemns Prosecution's Attack

The Human Rights Association (IHD) has condemned the fact that the Chief Prosecutor's indictment concerning the demanded closure of the DTP also writes about the IHD.

20 November 2007 Tolga Korkut

"Don't touch DTP, Allow PKK to Disarm"

The ÖDP organised a march in Istanbul on Sunday to call for coexistence and social peace.

20 November 2007

So, Prime Minister, What is the "Comprehensive Plan"?

So, Prime Minister, What is the "Comprehensive Plan"?

Condoleezza Rice has talked about the Turkish government's "comprehensive plan" to solve the Kurdish question. Erdogan speaks of the PKK laying down arms, but does not commit to a concrete strategy.

20 November 2007

Acquittal after Remembering Student Death

Ayse Karakaya, mother of student Ertugrul Karakaya who was shot by gendarmerie thirty years ago, has been acquitted of "praising a crime and criminal".

19 November 2007 Erol Önderoğlu

IHD and TIHV: Do Not Close DTP

The human rights organisations argue that elected MPs are only supposed to leave parliament with new elections. They are concerned about antidemocratic attempts to suppress dissident thoughts.

19 November 2007 Gökçe Gündüç

"Erdogan Against Operations But Not For Peace"

"Erdogan Against Operations But Not For Peace"

According to TIHV president Önen, Erdogan is stuck between the army and the USA. His anti-operation stance is due to US influence.

19 November 2007 Gökçe Gündüç

MHP: DTP Immunity Should Be Lifted

Former CHP politician Karakas has called the MHP's attempt to lift the DTP politicians' immunity "anti-democratic".

16 November 2007 Erol Önderoğlu