Human Rights Foundation of Turkey Documentation Center[1][2][3][4][5]
8 – 10 December 2018 Daily Human Rights Report
(12/111) Operations and Attacks in Southeast…
It is learned that 3 soldiers got wounded in a military vehicle rolling over in a ditch near Çanaklı village in the roadway between Hakkari and Van on December 8, 2018.
(12/112) Torture and Ill-Treatment in Prison…
It is learned from the news coverage of December 8, 2018 that prisoners in Sincan Women’s Closed Prison are given limited amount of hot and cold water, and that the prisoners cannot meet vital needs due to short supply of water.
It is learned from the news coverage of December 8, 2018 that, prisoners in Kandıra F Type Prison No 2 are monitored on surveillance cameras 24 hours nonstop; are subjected to disciplinary investigations because of the letters they wrote and many prisoners have to sleep on the floor due to overcapacity.
(12/113) Prisoner’s Right to Health is Prevented…
It is learned from the news coverage of December 7, 2018 that, Şırnak T Type Closed Prison administration does not respond to the petitions of Halime Cin (49), an ill prisoner who applies for treatment.
It is learned from the news coverage of December 7, 2018 that Ömer Akbey, an ill prisoner who was transferred 6 months ago from Patnos L Type Prison to Diyarbakır D Type Prison for treatment was sent back to Patnos L Type Prison without being treated and was subjected to strip search at the prison entrance.
(12/114) Hunger Strike in Prison…
It is learned from the news coverage of December 7, 2018 that, 15 prisoners in Bursa H Type Closed Prison went on a hunger strike on November 30, 2018 to protest violations of their rights in prison.
(12/115) Hunger Strike of HDP MP Leyla Güven in Prison…
Cemile Turhanlı Balsak, lawyer of Democratic Society Congress (DTK) co-chair and People’s Democratic Party (HDP) Hakkari MP Leyla Güven, made a press declaration at Human Rights Association (IHD) Diyarbakır office on December 7, 2018 and stated that the prison administration did not respond their demand of B1 vitamin supply to Leyla Güven, although there is no legal obstacle. Leyla Güven, who is kept in Diyarbakır E Type Prison, started an indefinite hungers strike on November 7, 2018 to protest isolation of PKK leader Abdullah Öcalan.
(12/116) Rejection to Meeting Request with Abdullah Öcalan…
It is learned that the appeal made on December 8, 2018 to chief public prosecutor’s office in Bursa by PKK leader Abdullah Öcalan’s sister and brother along with the families of Hamili Yıldırım, Ömer Hayri Konar and Veysel Aktaş in order to visit, was rejected the same day on the grounds of limitations for prisoners in accordance with the Law on the Execution of Criminal and Security Measures Number 5275. With the last rejection, it was the 91st time that appeals for visiting Öcalan have been rejected since September 11, 2016.
(12/117) Police Intervention Against “I Want My Job Back” Protest in Ankara…
The police intervened the press declaration of public labourers who had been dismissed by a state of emergency decree and have been struggling 761 days to regain their jobs, intended to be held in front of Human Rights Monument in Yüksel Street on December 7, 8, and 9 2018 at 13.30 and 18.00.
It was reported that during police intervention against the press declaration which was planned to be held at 13.30 on December 7, 2018, 3 people (İlker Işık, Nazan Bozkurt and Gülnaz Bozkurt) and at 18.00 2 people (Nazan Bozkurt and Alev Şahin) were detained.
It was reported that during police intervention against the press declaration which was planned to be held at 13.30 on December 8, 2018, 2 people (Alev Şahin and Acun Karadağ) and at 18.00 2 people (Nazan Bozkurt and Alev Şahin) were detained.
It was reported that during police intervention against the press declaration which was planned to be held at 13.30 on December 9, 2018, 3 people (Alev Şahin, Acun Karadağ and Nazan Bozkurt) and at 18.00 3 people (Acun Karadağ, Nazan Bozkurt, Gülnaz Bozkurt) were detained.
Thus in total 15 people were detained due to press declaration intended to be held in Yüksel Street on December 7, 8, and 9, 2018. It is learned that detainees were released the same day.
(12/118) Police Intervention Against a Protest in Istanbul…
Türkan Albayrak, who was dismissed from her job at Sarıyer district Health Department, on the grounds of ‘personnel security investigation’ and ‘archive search’, on August 3, 2018; made a press declaration to regain her job on December 7, 2018 and attempted for a sit-in protest in front of Health Department. The police intervened the sit-in and detained Türkan Albayrak. It is learned that Türkan Albayrak was released the same day. It is the 56th time of detention of Türkan Albayrak.
(12/118) Police Intervention Against Saturday Mothers’ Protest in Istanbul…
Police obstructed all the streets around Galatasaray Square in Istanbul to prevent Saturday Mothers who rally every Saturday for 23 years in the same place to gather for the 715th time on December 8, 2018. Upon police prevention, the group including parliament members, representatives of political parties, human rights defenders and artists along with families of disappeared people gather in front of Human Rights Association (IHD) Istanbul office and started to march. The police prevented the march too, thus, the group had a sit-in protest and made a press declaration there.
(12/119) Prevention of Human Rights Defenders’ Event in Istanbul…
“F sit-in”, which is organized for the 350th time by Human Rights Association (IHD) Istanbul Branch Prisons Committee, to demand release of ill prisoners, on December 8, 2018 is prevented by the police. Human rights defenders who attempt to march to Galatasaray Square from IHD office are prevented by the police and made a press declaration in front of IHD office.
(12/120) Prevention of Event in Batman…
On December 7, 2018, the press declaration of Human Rights Association (IHD) Batman branch and Platform of Lawyers for Freedom, to be held outside of Batman M Type Prison where prisoners are on hungers strike since November 27, 2018, is prevented by the police on the grounds of the restriction order of the governorate. The press declaration is then held at Batman branch office of IHD.
(12/121) Police Intervention Against a Protest in Istanbul…
The police intervened into the press declaration “Galatasaray Square Cannot Be Banned” at Galatasaray Square in Beyoğlu district of Istanbul on December 8, 2018 and detained 2 people (Feridun Osmanağaoğlu and İsmail Kara).
(12/122) Prevention of Event in Istanbul…
The police prevented members of Felicity Party (SP) Youth Branch who gather at Tünel Square and to march to İstiklal Street in Beyoğlu district of Istanbul on December 9, 2018. It is learned that the group held a press declaration at Tünel Square then.
(12/123) Person Detained in Istanbul…
People’s Law Office announced that Rezzan Şengül, a client of them who was detained in Küçük Armutlu neighbourhood of Sarıyer district of Istanbul on December 6, 2018 is arrested on December 7, 2018.
(12/124) HPD Executive Detained in Mersin…
On December 8, 2018, People’s Democratic Party (HDP) Mersin executive Havva Tekin is detained in a house raid in Mersin. It is learned that Havva Tekin is detained for participating in the hunger strike to support DTK co-chair and HDP Hakkari MP Leyla Güven, and that Tekin was taken to Mersin Police Headquarters.
(12/125) HDP Members and Executives Detained in Erzurum…
4 people including HDP Erzurum co-chair Muammer Duman who were detained in house raids in Erzurum on December 4, 2018, are released on judicial control conditions on December 7, 2018. The names of people released are: HDP Erzurum co-chair Muammer Duman, HDP executive Şahap Karakuş, HDP Youth Assembly members Sinan Durmaz and Beytullah Çelik.
(12/126) HDP and DBP Members Detained in Hakkari…
8 people including HDP and Democratic Regions Party (DBP) members and executives who were detained in house raids in Hakkari on December 5, 2018 are released on judicial control conditions on December 8, 2018. The names of people released: HDP Hakkari co-chair Zeynep Kaya, DBP co-chair Nuriye Aktaş, DBP Yüksekova district co-chairs Nevzat Kaya and Şehriban Acar, Keskin Erol, Necip Coşkun and Nurettin Atsız.
(12/127) HPD Executive Detained in Batman…
It is learned that Nurettin Turgut, member of HDP Party Assembly and Peace Group, is detained in a house raid in Batman on December 7, 2018. It is learned that Nurettin Turgut is taken to Diyarbakır Police Headquarters however the reason of detention is unknown.
(12/128) ÖDP Members Detained in Istanbul, Kocaeli and Sakarya…
Kaan Tural and Melike Kayacı, members of Freedom and Solidarity Party (ÖDP) who were detained in house raids in Istanbul and Kocaeli, and Ferhat Barut who was detained in Sakarya University on December 4, 2018, are released on judicial control conditions on December 7, 2018.
(12/129) HDP Members and Executives Detained in Antalya…
1 of 8 people (HDP’s Kepez district co-chair Şükrü Ebinç), who were detained on December 4, 2018, is arrested on the grounds of ‘being an illegal organisation member’ on December 7, 2018. It is learned that 2 people were released after statement procedures at the prosecutor’s office and 5 people were released by the court on judicial control conditions.
(12/130) Person Detained for Social Media Posts in Trabzon…
It is learned from the news coverage of December 7, 2018 that Berivan Bila, a student of Department of Journalism in Karadeniz Technical University, who was detained in a house raid in Trabzon on December 6, 2018; is arrested on December 7, 2018, on the grounds of ‘insulting the President’ in a social media post titled “Department of Journalism Lecture 1: Journalism is not a crime”.
(12/131) SGDF Executive Detained in Izmir…
Deniz Bahçeci, Socialist Youth Associations Federation (SGDF) executive, who was detained on December 5, 2018 in Izmir, is released on judicial control conditions on December 7, 2018. SGDF members Gizem Altınöz, Cem Eren Aslan and Sedat Polat who were also detained through the same investigation, were arrested on November 16, 2018 on the charges of ‘being an illegal organisation member’, ‘making propaganda for an illegal organisation’ and ‘financing an illegal organisation’.
(12/132) Iranian Musician Detained in Istanbul…
Iranian musician Yelda Abbasi, who came to Turkey for 27th anniversary events of Mezopotamya Cultural Center and who was detained on December 6, 2018 at Istanbul Atatürk Airport, is released after statement procedures at the prosecutor’s office on December 7, 2018.
(12/133) Lice Case…
The case on the incidents in Lice district of Diyarbakır where 14 civilians, 1 soldier and Gendarmerie Brigadier General Bahtiyar Aydın died on October 22, 1993; is held on İzmir Heavy Penal Court No 1 on December 7, 2018. The court acquitted retired colonel Eşref Hatipoğlu, Diyarbakır Gendarmerie Regiment Commander back then, the only defendant of the case.
(12/134) Journalist on Trial in Van…
The case against journalist İdris Yılmaz on Van Heavy Penal Court No 5 started to be held on December 7, 2018. İdris Yılmaz joined the trial via sound and vision system from Elazığ High Security Prison No 1. The court decided to continue detention of İdris Yılmaz and adjourned the trial to January 3, 2019.
İdris Yılmaz was arrested for social media posts on January 22, 2018.
(12/135) Co-Mayors on Trial in Mardin…
The case against 7 people including Leyla Salman and İsmail Asi, co-mayors of Kızıltepe district of Mardin, who were replaced by an appointed trustee, is held on Mardin Heavy Penal Court No 3 on December 7, 2018. İsmail Asi joined the trial via sound and vision system from Izmir Şakran Closed Prison No 2, and Leyla Aslan did not attend the trial. The court decided to continue detention for Leyla Salman and İsmail Asi and adjourned the trial to February 1, 2019.
7 people including co-mayors Leyla Salman and İsmail Asi and municipality employees were detained on December 2, 2016 for ‘being an illegal organisation member’ and Salman and Asi were arrested afterwards.
(12/136) Co-Mayors and Other People on Trial in Van…
The final trial of the case against 10 people including Abdulkadir Çalışkan, co-mayor of Saray district of Van where a trustee was appointed, is held on Van Heavy Penal Court No 5 on December 7, 2018. The court sentenced Abdulkadir Çalışkan to 7 years and 6 months, Baran Çalışkan to 4 years and 2 months, Ekrem Yücel, Fulya Şen and Mehmet Dündar to 3 years 1 month and 15 days for ‘being an illegal organisation member’. The court acquitted 5 people.
10 people including co-mayor Abdulkadir Çalışkan were detained in house raids in Van on March 20, 2017 and were arrested on March 24, 2017.
(12/137) DBP and HDP Executives on Trial in Mardin…
The case against 31 people including HDP and DBP executives on Mardin Heavy Penal Court No 3 is held on December 7, 2018. The court decided to continue detention of Şirin Ertürk and Gülbahar Saygül and adjourned the trial to February 13, 2019.
31 people were detained and arrested on November 1, 2016 in Mardin and 29 of them were released on July 2017.
(12/138) Detentions and Arrests in Alleged Link to Coup Attempt…
22 of 56 people who were detained on November 30, 2018 through an Ankara based investigation on Air Force Personnel, are arrested on December 7, 2018. 34 people are released on judicial control conditions.
On December 7, 2018, a former police chief Mehmet A., 13 people in Istanbul, 5 people in Adana, 41 people in Ankara through an investigation on Air Force Personnel and 40 military members on active duty in Istanbul through an investigation on Gendarmerie Command are detained.
4 of 14 people who were detained through a Manisa based investigation on November 27, 2018 and following days, are arrested on December 7, 2018. 10 people are released on judicial control conditions.
3 of 5 people who were detained on December 4, 2018 in Karabük are arrested on December 7, 2018. 2 people are released on judicial control conditions and with a ban on leaving the country.
On December 8, 2018, Hasan T., one of the founders of Fatih University and a person named Mehmet K. are detained in Ankara.
47 of 60 people who were detained on December 4, 2018 through an Istanbul based investigation on Kaynak Holding, are arrested on December 8, 2018. 13 people are released on judicial control conditions.
E.Ö., former director of Department of Anti-Smuggling and Organised Crime, who were released by Sakarya Heavy Penal Court No 5 on December 4, 2018, is detained again on December 9, 2018 by the instruction of Sakarya Heavy Penal Court 6 upon objection of the prosecutor’s office.
(12/139) Trials in Alleged Link to Coup Attempt…
The final trial of the case against Fatih Kılınç and Leyla Kılınç, former judges who were dismissed by state of emergency decrees, is held on December 7, 2018 on Adana Heavy Penal Court No 2. The court sentenced 2 defendants to 6 years 10 months and 15 days each for ‘being an illegal organisation member’.
(12/140) Event Banned in Adana…
Adana Governorate banned Kebap and Turnip Juice Festival which was planned to be held on December 8 and 9, 2018; on the grounds of “public order and safety”. The festival used to be held as “Rakı Day” from 2010 to 2015, until the governorate banned the festival in 2015 due to “ban on alcohol advertising”, and is named as Kebap and Turnip Juice Festival since then.
(12/141) Investigations and Cases Opened for ‘Insulting the President’…
It is claimed on the news coverage of December 8, 2018 that, 20.539 people were prosecuted for ‘insulting the President’ and criminal cases were filed against 6.033 people for the same reason in 2017. People’s Democratic Party (CHP) chair Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu and People’s Democratic Party (HDP) former co-chair Selahattin Demirtaş as well as journalists are also being charged with ‘insulting the President’, since 2014 when Recep Tayyip Erdoğan was elected as president.
[1]The reports on the human rights violations of the Documentation Center are claims unless they are certified. The claim of violation either is certified through thoroughly investigations of HRFT Documentation Center, including by judicial verdicts, and becomes a definite data or it is not included to the annual report.
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[5] Daily Human Rights Reports are prepared on the information gathered by the Documentation Center from its own network and the following dailies and internet portals: Vatan, Milliyet, Hürriyet, Habertürk, Evrensel, Birgün, Cumhuriyet, Fırat Haber Ajansı, Jinnews, ETHA, Mezopotamya Ajansı, Yurt, YeniYaşam, NTV, Yeni Asya, Bianet, Halkinsesi.tv, Cnnturk, T724, İleri Haber, Siyasi Haber, Alınteri, Kızılbayrak, Sendika.org, Yüksekova Haber, T24, Diken, Gazete Karınca, Gazete Duvar. Haber Sol, El Cezire, BBC, Deutsche Welle, Reuters, AFP.