Human Rights Foundation of Turkey Documentation Center[1][2][3][4][5]
9 – 11 June 2018 Daily Human Rights Report
(06/085) Tortured People After Being Detained in a Protest in Istanbul…
The Police intervened and used physical violence against high school students marching with a banner of “Report Cards are Yours, We have the Future” in a protest organized by Revolutionary High School Students (DEV-LİS), Revolutionary High School Students’ Union (DLB), Anarchist High School Activity (ALF), High School Students’ Union (LÖB) and Free High School groups in Kadıköy district of Istanbul on June 8, 2018. It is learned that some students who were handcuffed behind back and dragged, got injured. It is also reported that physical violence continued in the police bus where the students were taken after being detained. It could be seen in video footages of the intervention on social media that the police hit the students with billies in detention bus.
A lawyer who could get near to the detention bus, stated in press news that, high schools were left in the bus for 3 hours although they were injured. Lawyer Tamer Doğan also stated that the police hit the students’ heads and bodies with handcuffs and helmets while they were handcuffed behind back and shocked them at feet with electro-shock batons.
It is learned that the police intervened people around who react to the physical violence and handcuffed them behind back, used physical violence against and detained them as well. It is reported that 18 students for attending the protest and 4 people including lawyer Gökhan Soysal for reacting the physical violence used on students, thus in total 22 people are detained.
It is stated in press news that detainees were subjected to torture once again in Kadıköy İskele Police Station, and the lawyers arriving to the station were not allowed to see the detainees at first.
It is reported that there were blood marks on students when they were taken to the hospital for medical check and that a student stated as follows: “We were tortured for hours. We were kept under custody for hours. Look, they cracked my head at three points. They hit my ear to blood”. It is also learned that a student’s arm was broken.
Detainees are released on June 9, 2018 after procedures at the police station.
On June 10, 2018, detained students made a press declaration after being released, at Istanbul office of Human Rights Association (İHD) and told about the torture they were subjected to. A student stated as follows: “We were subjected to harsh attack and torture of the police as soon as we hold the banner. 18 of us were detained after being forced to lie on face. They were hit at head by iron handcuffs in detention bus. They were also subjected to insults and curses while being tortured”. Another student stated as following: “After being detained we were taken to the police station. I was subjected to strip search on the claim of hiding something. Two female friends also were subjected to strip search with me”.
(06/086) Kurdish Workers Attacked by a Racist Group…
It is learned that 2 Kurdish workers, İsrafil Çelik (45) and Hacı Çelik (30) working in a construction site in Altındağ district of Ankara, were attacked by a racist group of 20 people on June 10, 2018. It is learned that Hacı Çelik, who was pushed down on 5th floor and found on the balcony of the 4th floor was seriously wounded. It is reported that Hacı Çelik has fractures on head, neck and shoulders and was taken to the hospital. It is also reported that İsrafil Çelik was also subjected to physical violence, and had an outpatient treatment. It is reported that the police arrived at the incident scene, however did not detain any of the attackers.
(06/087) Villagers Detained and Forced to Attend Military Operation in Diyarbakır…
It is claimed on news coverage of June 8, 2018 that 2 shepherds, Sıddık Karadağ and Mehmet Karadağ, who were detained in Yukarı Turalı village of Diyarbakır’s Hani district, were forcefully taken to military operation and were also forced to walk before soldiers and were told “You are terrorists, you are drug dealers. You will get the first bullet”. It is learned that 2 shepherds were left between a clash of HPG militants and security forces, and were left to the village after the operation. It is learned that 2 shepherds were detained the next day and were taken to Gendarmerie District Command in Hani.
(06/088) Operations and Attacks in Southeast…
It is learned from news coverage of June 8, 2018 that 5 militants died in a clash in rural areas of Şemdinli district of Şırnak on May 25, 2018.
It is learned that 1 soldier died and 3 soldiers got injured in a clash between security forces and HPG militants in rural areas of Bingöl on June 9, 2018.
It is learned that 1 special forces police died and 1 soldier got injured in an attack of HPG militants in rural areas of Şırnak on June 9, 2018.
It is reported that 1 soldier who got injured in a clash in Lice district of Diyarbakır on May 24, 2018, died in hospital on June 9, 2018.
(06/089) Civilian Died in Van…
It is learned from news coverage of June 8, 2018 that the responsibility of death of a person named Mustafa Güneri in Başkale district of Van, was taken by HPG.
(06/090) Torture and Ill-Treatment in Prison…
It is learned from news coverage of June 8, 2018 that in Ağrı Patnos L Type Prison, hot water was given only for half an hour for wards for 24 people, phone call right of the prisoners was reduced to once in every two weeks whereas it should be once a week, and contact visit right was reduced to once in two months whereas it should be once a month.
(06/091) Prisoner’s Right to Health is Prevented in Prison…
It is claimed in news coverage of June 8, 2018 that a sub-manager of Ağrı Pantos L Type Prison responded the demand of urgent hospitalization of a prisoner who had a heart attack as “do not take to the hospital unless the prisoner dies”. Whether the prisoner was taken to a hospital or not is unknown.
(06/092) Coercion to Uniforms and Reactions Against This…
The press declaration of TAYAD (Prisoner’s Families’ Solidarity Association) members attempted to be held in Sakarya Street in Ankara on June 9, 2018 against uniform coercion in prisons is prevented by the police. It is reported that 2 people (İbrahim Halil Şener and Kubilay Iğdır) were detained in police intervention.
(06/093) Rejection to Meeting Request with Abdullah Öcalan…
It is learned that the appeal made on June 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 79th time that appeals for visiting Öcalan have been rejected since September 11, 2016.
(06/094) 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 for a while to regain their jobs, intended to be held in front of Human Rights Monument in Yüksel Street on June 8, 9, and 10, 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 June 8, 2018, 4 people (Alev Şahin, Acun Karadağ, Nazan Bozkurt and Gülnaz Bozkurt) and at 18.00 2 people (Alev Şahin and Nazan Bozkurt) were detained. It is learned that Nazan Bozkurt was subjected to police violence during the intervention at 18.00 and has a fracture on her cheekbone due to being hit on face.
It was reported that during police intervention against the press declaration which was planned to be held at 13.30 on June 9, 2018, 3 people (Alev Şahin, Eser Budak and Deniz Yılmaz) and at 18.00 5 people (Alev Şahin, Perihan Pulat, Armağan Özbaş, Cemal Toksoy and Umutcan Aybak) were detained.
It was reported that during police intervention against the press declaration which was planned to be held at 13.30 on June 10, 2018, 3 people (Alev Şahin, Gülnaz Bozkurt and İlker Işık) and at 18.00 3 people (Gülnaz Bozkurt, Mehmet Dersulu and İlker Işık) were detained.
Thus in total 20 people were detained due to press declaration intended to be held in Yüksel Street on June 8, 9, and 10, 2018. It is learned that detainees were released the same day.
(06/095) Police Intervention Against a Protest in Ankara…
The police intervened the press declaration about report cards of students, organized by members of Education and Science Workers’ Union in front of the Ministry of National Education, and detained 6 people including HDP Ankara MP candidate Nuray Türkmen and Seyri Sokak reporter Oktay İnce. It is reported that the detainees were released the same day. The names of detainees are: Nuray Türkmen, Oktay İnce, Gani Kaplan, Gülhan Şimşek, Fevzi Yılmaz, Bayram Özkan.
(06/096) Police Intervention Against a Protest in Istanbul…
On June 2, 2018 the police intervened the press declaration of public labourers in Kartal district of Istanbul, who protest the dismissals with the state of emergency decrees, and detained 8 members of KESK (Confederation of Public Employees Trade Union). The names of detainees are: Hüseyin Demir, Mehmet Sarı, Özgür Karadaş, Nuyen Nedim, Nursel Tanrıverdi, Duygu Polat, Yeşim Güzel, Ali Haydar Arıkuşu.
(06/097) Detained Journalist in Istanbul…
Ece Sevim Öztürk, editorial director of Çağdaş Ses news portal is detained on June 8, 2018 in Istanbul. It is learned from news coverage that Ece Sevim Öztürk was detained based on the official complaint of Turkish Naval Force to Istanbul Public Prosecutor’s Office about the documentary she shot on Naval Forces.
(06/098) Detained People for Social Media Posts in Adana…
It is learned that 8 people are detained in house raids for social media posts in Adana on June 8, 2018. 2 of 8 detainees (Ömer B. and İslam N.) are arrested by the court on June 10, 2018. 6 people (Mehmet Emin O., Vakkas B., Burhan E., Mehmet Mustafa D., Metin B. and Barış S.) are released on juridical control conditions.
(06/099) Detained and Arrested HDP and DBP Members…
Bahri Buğday, who was among 4 members of HDP (People’s Democratic Party) detained in Mersin, is arrested for his social media posts on June 8, 2018. It is learned that 3 people (Hasan Cide, Ahmet Yılmaz, Faik Eroğlu) are released on juridical control conditions.
27 of 29 people who were detained in central and Karayazı districts of Erzurum on June 2, 2018, including DBP (Democratic Regions Party) Erzurum co-chair Muhlis Kırmacı are released on June 9, 2018 after procedures at the police. It is learned that 2 people (Yavuz Karabudak and Fuat Aslan) are still under custody.
(06/100) Detained MEYA-DER Branch Co-chair in Şırnak…
On June 9, 2018, in house raids in Şırnak’s districts, 4 people including Kasım Yiğit, Cizre co-chair of MEYA-DER (Mesopotamia Fraternity and Solidarity Association of Missing People’s Families) are detained.
(06/101) Newspaper Employees on Trial in Van…
The case against Şükran Erdem and Mizgin Fendik, distributors of Özgürlükçü Demokrasi (closed after being appointed a trustee) and Azadiya Welat newspapers, for ‘aiding an illegal organisation on purpose without being a member’ on Van Heavy Penal Court No 4 is held on June 8, 2018. After defence hearings the court adjourned the trial to October 3, 2018.
Şükran Erdem and Mizgin Fendik were detained on February 22, 2018 and were released the same day.
(06/102) HDP MP’s on Trial….
The case against Selahattin Demirtaş, HDP Istanbul MP and HDP candidate for presidency elections on June 24, 2018 and against HDP Ankara MP Sırrı Süreyya Önder, for their speeches in Newroz celebrations in Istanbul in 2013, on Istanbul Heavy Penal Court No 26, continued on June 8, 2018. Selahattin Demirtaş stated that he would not attend the trial via sound and vision system and demands to be brought to the courtroom. The court decided to hold the next trial in the courtroom in Silivri Prison Compound in which Selahattin Demirtaş will submit his last defence, and adjourned the trial to September 7, 2018.
(06/103) Co-Mayor on Trial…
It is learned from news coverage of June 10, 2018 that, Kulp Penal Court of First Instance have sentenced Sadiye Süer Baran, co-mayor of Kulp district of Diyarbakır, to 2 years and 6 months for ‘insulting the President’. The court also decided to debar Sadiye Süer from political rights and to charge her for the expense for Kurdish translator. Sadiye Süer was subjected to an investigation based on the official complaint of Muhsin Çiçek, the trustee appointed by the Ministry of Interior to Kulp Municipality. Muhsin Çiçek has claimed in his complaint that Sadiye Süer did not shake hands with him and insulted the President by “hypocrite” expression.
(06/104) University Students on Trial for Whistling a Kurdish Anthem in Diyarbakır…
The case against 12 students of Dicle University (Muhammed Çetintaş, Mazlum Büksel, Semra Özmaskan, Hüseyin Kaya, Çiğdem Akar, Dilan Dağ, Ahmet Tümer, Zeynep Özçelik, Mazlum Tozan, Nuda Doğan, Suat Mustafa Şenci and Nazdar Gökçe), for whistling Kurdish anthem “Çerxa Şoreşe”, on Diyarbakır Heavy Penal Court No 10, started on June 8, 2018. Suat Mustafa Şenci stated in his defence that he was detained by being subjected to physical violence and being handcuffed behind his back. After defence hearings the court adjourned the trial to November 2018.
(06/105) Elections on June 24, 2018…
On June 8, 2018, one day after the meeting of HDP (People’s Democratic Party) co-chair Sezai Temelli in Elazığ on June 7, 2018, 29 members and executives of HDP including Kovancılar and Arıcak district co-chairs of HDP are detained in house raids all over the city. It is reported that 26 people were released on June 9, 2018 after procedures at the police, and HDP Kovancılar district co-chair Resul Ülker, HDP Arıcak district co-chair Aziz Bayrak and one more person are still in custody.
A person named Cemal Nergis (55) is detained in house raid in Nusaybin district of Mardin on June 8, 2018. It is learned from news coverage that the reason for detention is chanting “Long live HDP” in an event of HDP.
A group of 3, alleged to be AKP members, attempted to attack the campaign stand of HDP in Güvenpark, Ankara on June 8, 2018. It is learned that the police detained 3 people attempting to attack and 1 HDP member (Mehmet Siraç) as well.
It is learned that HDP flags in Kovancılar and Arıcak districts of Elazığ were taken off and burned down, and the campaign vehicle of HDP in Kovancılar was also set on fire on June 8, 2018.
It is learned from news coverage of June 8, 2018 that the banner on HDP campaign office in Gürpınar district of Van was tried to be taken off by Osman Doğramacı, sub-governor and municipality trustee. It is also learned that, after HDP members’ rejection to lift it, the banner was overlap by a Turkish flag, hold from the top floor upon instruction of Osman Doğramacı.
On June 8, 2018, a group alleged to be of AKP and MHP members attempted to attack the campaign stand of HDP’s Youth Assembly in Antep. It is learned that the group assaulted HDP members verbally and the stand was removed as the assaulter groups gets bigger.
It is learned that the open-door event of HDP in Ankara was disallowed by Ankara Governorate due to AKP meeting to be organized the same day.
It is learned from news coverage of June 9, 2018 that, HDP members on campaign in Eryaman, Ankara were subjected to the attack of a racist group on June 7, 2018 and 3 people got injured due to attack. It is reported that the arm of 1 of the injured people was broken.
On June 10, 2018, HDP campaign office in Buca district of Izmir was attacked by anonymous people. It is reported that the office was damaged materially due to attack.
(06/106) Special Security Zone in Hakkari…
Hakkari Governorate made a declaration on June 7, 2018 and announced that 30 areas with given coordinates in central, Çukurca, Yüksekova and Şemdinli district are special security zones from June 8, 2018 to June 22, 2018.
[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, ETHA, Dihaber, Yurt, Özgürlükçü Demokrasi, Ntv, Bianet.org, Halkinsesi.tv, Cnnturk, Alinteri, Kızılbayrak, Özgür Radyo, Sendika.org, El Cezire, BBC, Yüksekova Haber, T24, Diken, Gazete Karınca, Gazete Duvar.