Human Rights Foundation of Turkey Documentation Center[1][2][3][4][5]
15 – 18 June 2018 Daily Human Rights Report
(06/146) People Died in Incidents During Electoral Campaigns in Suruç…
It is claimed that, on June 14, 2018, AKP MP candidate İbrahim Halil Yıldız and his entourage visited shopkeepers in Suruç district of Urfa, and a quarrel took place in Esvet Şenyaşar’s shop, which turned into a gunfight. As a result of gunfight, Mehmet Yıldız, İbrahim Halil Yıldız’s brother died and 9 people including Esvet Şenyaşar’s relatives. Esvet Şenyaşar’s sons Celal Şenyaşar and Adil Şenyaşar were injured and taken to the hospital, and it is claimed that they both were attacked at the hospital and died due to attack.
Esvet Şenyaşar, who was also injured, was attacked by a group alleged to be AKP MP candidate İbrahim Halil Yıldız’s relatives at the hospital where he went to check the situation of his sons Adil Şenyaşar and Celal Şenyaşar. Esvet Şenyaşar also died due to this attack, and the number of casualties raised up to 4.
It is claimed on news coverage of June 14, 2018 that the security cameras in the hospital where Adil Şenyaşar, Celal Şenyaşar and Esvet Şenyaşar were killed, were destroyed.
On June 16, 2018, the police intervened the funeral of Adil Şenyaşar and Celal Şenyaşar and used pepper gas and pressurized water. It is learned that 4 people (Suruç Municipality Co-mayor Nazlı Binici, Asiye Kaplan, Avni Aydeniz and Mustafa Canpolat) were detained in intervention and were released the same day after procedures at the prosecutor’s office.
On June 17, 2018, an investigation committee that consists of 25 institutions including HRFT, HRA (Human Rights Association), Diyarbakır Bar Association, and Turkish Medical Association planned to visit Suruç, however the group was not allowed into the district based on “security of life” reasons.
Fadıl Şenyaşar, who was also wounded, is detained after being discharged from the hospital on June 17, 2018 and is taken to Urfa Courthouse. Fadıl Şenyaşar, who heard about death of his father Esvet Şenyaşar and his brothers Adil Şenyaşar and Celal Şenyaşar, stated that he cannot give his official testimony due to grief and demanded to use the right to remain silent. Fadıl Şenyaşar is arrested by the court.
It is learned from news coverage of June 17, 2018 that the police do not allow anybody to see or to attend Mehmet Şenyaşar and Ferit Şenyaşar, who are still under hospital care.
(06/147) Operations and Attacks in Southeast…
It is learned that on June 14, 2018, 1 soldier died and 4 soldiers are injured in an attack of HPG militants in rural areas of Hakkari’s Çukurca district.
On June 16, 2018, 2 police officers got injured due to rollover of an armoured vehicle carrying special police force members in Siirt.
It is learned that 1 soldier who was seriously wounded in a clash in Şırnak on June 11, 2018, died in hospital on June 16, 2018.
It is learned from news coverage of June 17, 2018 that, 1 militant died in a clash in rural areas of Eruh district of Siirt on June 7, 2018; and 5 militants died in a clash in rural areas of Şırnak on June 8, 2018.
(06/148) Torture and Ill-Treatment in Prison…
It is learned from news coverage of June 14, 2018 that a prisoner named Hacı Ekinci in Bolu F Type Prison, cannot use his right to phone call for 6 months because he rejects to give a military style oral report. It is reported in the news that, short-wave radios of prisoners are seized, the number of books per prisoner is limited to 5, social and cultural rights of prisoners are limited, prisoners are prevented from right to health due to coercion of medical examination in handcuffs, contact visits which should be once a month are reduced to once in every two months, prisoners sentenced to heavy life penalty are allowed to outdoor only 1 hour a day.
(06/149) 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 16, 2018 against uniform coercion in prisons is prevented by the police. It is reported that 2 people (İbrahim Halil Şener and Bülent Özgür) were detained in police intervention.
(06/150) Rejection to Meeting Request with Abdullah Öcalan…
It is learned that the appeal made on June 14, 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 80th time that appeals for visiting Öcalan have been rejected since September 11, 2016.
(06/151) 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 14, 15, 16, and 17, 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 14, 2018, 2 people (Selvi Polat and Mehmet Dersulu) and at 18.00 2 people (Acun Karadağ and Selvi Polat) were detained.
It was reported that during police intervention against the press declaration which was planned to be held at 13.30 on June 15, 2018, 3 people (Alev Şahin, Selvi Polat and Engin Karataş) and at 18.00 5 people (Acun Karadağ, Selvi Polat, Gülnaz Bozkurt, Engin Karataş and Deniz Yılmaz) were detained.
It was reported that during police intervention against the press declaration which was planned to be held at 13.30 on June 16, 2018, 3 people (Alev Şahin, and Selvi Polat) and at 18.00 4 people (Acun Karadağ, Alev Şahin, Selvi Polat, Gülnaz Bozkurt) were detained.
It was reported that during police intervention against the press declaration which was planned to be held at 13.30 on June 17, 2018, 4 people (Alev Şahin, Selvi Polat, Engin Karataş and Armağan Özbaş) and at 18.00 4 people (Acun Karadağ, Selvi Polat, Gülnaz Bozkurt and Engin Karataş) were detained.
Thus in total 26 people were detained due to press declaration intended to be held in Yüksel Street on June 14, 15, 16 and 17, 2018. It is learned that detainees were released the same day.
(06/152) Police Intervention Against a Protest in Istanbul…
On June 16, 2018 the police intervened the press declaration of members of KESK (Confederation of Public Employees Trade Union) in Kadıköy district of Istanbul, who protest the dismissals by the state of emergency decrees, and detained almost 20 people. The names of detainees known so far are: Hüseyin Demir, Dursun Doğan, Nursel Tanrıverdi, Nuyen Nedim, Özgür Karadaş, Mehmet Sarı, Mahir Aslan, Fatoş Çekmen, Varol Öztorun, Muhammed Sevinçtekin, Çağdaş Onur Ekinci, Nimet Erben, Mervenur Avşar, Gözde Ekici, Meryem Acar, Yaren Saltık, Meryem Güç, Güneş Atalay, Dilbirin Acar.
(06/153) Person Arrested for ‘Insulting the President’ in Bingöl…
It is learned from news coverage of June 15, 2018 that, Mehmet Altıntoprak, a person who came from Germany to Turkey for holidays, was stopped for criminal record check in Yayladere district of Bingöl on June 12, 2018. It is learned that his mobile phone was also checked and he was detained for insulting the President in social media posts. It is reported that Mehmet Altıntoprak was arrested by the court on June 14, 2018.
(06/154) TJA Activist Detained in Diyarbakır…
Derya Aslan, Tevgera Jinên Azad – Free Women’s Movement (TJA) activist is detained based on a detention warrant in Diyarbakır on June 15, 2018.
(06/155) Elections on June 24, 2018…
It is learned that HDP flags in Nilüfer district of Bursa were taken off by anonymous people on June 13, 2018.
It is learned that a racist group attacked HDP members on electoral campaign in Malatya on June 14, 2018, and that 7 members of HDP got injured due to attack. It is reported that the police did not intervene against the attackers.
On June 14, 2018, a racist group attacked HDP members who open a campaign stand in Değirmendere Square in Kocaeli, and 6 members of HDP including HDP Kocaeli co-chair Şehabettin Işık got injured. It is reported that Şehabettin Işık has a fracture on hipbone due to attack. It is learned that 5 people were detained and were released after statement procedures on June 15, 2018.
On June 14, 2018, 3 campaign stand attendants of HDP (Gizem Altunöz, Mustafa Bayraktar and Gökhan Yaşar) are detained in house raids in Ankara. The detainees are released the same day after statement procedures.
It is learned that HDP flags in Cihangir neighbourhood of Istanbul were taken off by anonymous people on June 14, 2018.
On June 15, 2018, a racist group attacked campaign office of HDP in Yüreğir district of Adana and took off the flags around the office.
It is learned that electoral campaign banners of HDP in Hoşnudiye neighbourhood of Eskişehir were covered by Turkish flag and cardboards.
On June 15, 2018, banners and campaign vehicle of İYİ Party are assaulted by anonymous people in Çanakkale.
On June 16, 2018, 5 university students from Students’ Collective are detained in house raids, for protesting AKP’s meeting which Süleyman Soylu, the Minister of Interior also attended in Fatih district of Istanbul on June 15, 2018.
It is learned that HDP campaign banners on boards were taken off by the police in Keşan district of Edirne on June 15, 2018.
It is learned that in a confrontation between AKP and CHP members for displaying flags in Van, Mehmet Salih Bayram, AKP Tuşba Youth Section Chair, is injured at the head.
It is reported that, a racist group attacked HDP members on electoral campaign in Osmangazi district of Bursa, and that 1 member of HDP was detained by the police on June 16, 2018.
It is learned from news coverage of June 16, 2018 that 3 people (Muratcan Gözmen, Burak Baran Katar and Taylan Şimşek) who were detained on June 10, 2018 on the grounds that they threatened the stand attenders of AKP in Yenibosna, Istanbul, are arrested by the court. It is stated in the news report that 3 people asked the attenders “for how long will you be here?” and were detained for threatening based on the complaint of stand attenders.
On June 16, 2018, HDP Urfa MP candidate İsmail Kaplan is detained for the incident in Suruç where 4 people died. İsmail Kaplan was targeted by Süleyman Soylu, the Minister of Interior by “There is an estimation that this man is related to guerrilla cadre and takes instructions from there”. 19 people including HDP Suruç co-chair Rojda Binici, Suruç Municipality Council member Fethi Yavuzel, Mehmet Kaplan and Mehmet Polat are also detained with İsmail Kaplan for the same reason.
On June 16, 2018, Nihat Nehir from CHP, mayor of Samandağ district of Hatay, is attacked by a punch. It is learned that a person named Selahattin Akar is detained for the attack.
It is learned from news coverage of June 16, 2018 that the TV show ‘Uğur Dündar’la Halk Arenası’ to which İYİ Party chair Meral Akşener will attend and which will be shot in Mehmet Akif Ersoy park in Sultanahmet is banned by district electoral board. Istanbul Governorate has given permission for the show, AKP has objected the permission; however, Istanbul electoral board decided that the show could be shoot in the park. It is reported that the show will be shot in another location.
On June 17, 2018, HDP’s electoral campaign stand in Istanbul Büyükada was attacked by a racist group. The group destroyed the stand and burned down the flags, and 2 members (Sedat Şahin and Vedat Demir) of CHP who intervened into the attackers are injured due to stabbing. It is reported that Sedat Şahin and Vedat Demir, who were seriously wounded were handcuffed behind their backs by the police.
On June 17, 2018, a racist group attacked the people who attend HDP’s meeting in Bursa. It is learned that 1 personnel of HDP is injured.
It is learned that 16 people volunteering for HDP’s electoral campaign are detained in house raids in Van on June 17, 2018.
On June 17, 2018, 16 people including 1 child are detained in HDP’s meeting in Istanbul. The names of detainees are: Riskat Tektaş, Serhat Doğan, Y. A., Nazime Dilaytepe, Gülistan Altın, Emrah Ekmekçi, Halime Kaya, Ramazan Adıyaman, Menice Oktay, Besra Vargul, Emel Beyazit, Zeytûntan Ünver, Zilan Aksoy, Gurbet Aksoy, Fatma Yabancı, Serdal Aksu.
It is learned that HDP flags around HDP’s Kocaeli office are taken off by a group chanting racist slogans on June 17, 2018. It is reported that the police did not intervene the group.
It is learned that the police banned with no reason the screening of Selahattin Demirtaş’s campaign speech on Turkish Radio and Television channel, during the feast of HDP in Mehmet Arif park in Ankara on June 17, 2018.
It is learned from news coverage of June 17, 2018 that Mehmet Fatih Yakınoğlu, sub-governor of Şırnak’s Uludere district made a meeting with village guards and threatened them to not vote for HDP in elections on June, 24.
It is learned that İYİ Party banners and posters are destroyed by anonymous people in Elazığ on June 17, 2018.
(06/156) Detentions and Arrests in Alleged Link to Coup Attempt…
20 of 31 people who were detained through an Istanbul based investigation on June 1, 2018 are arrested by the court on June 14, 2018. 11 people (4 of them are on juridical control conditions) are released.
4 of 5 people detained in Sivas are arrested by the court on June 15, 2018. 1 person is released.
1 person detained in Erzurum is arrested by the court on June 15, 2018.
2 of 5 people who were detained for illegally fleeing to Greece, are arrested by the court on June 15, 2018. It is reported that 3 people are still under custody.
It is learned that 5 people including people dismissed by the state of emergency decree, are detained in an attempt to illegally flee to Greece in Edirne on June 17, 2018.
(06/157) Trials in Alleged Link to Coup Attempt…
The final trial of the case against Fethullah Gülen’s nephew Selman Gülen on Istanbul Heavy Penal Court No 24 is held on June 14, 2018. The court sentenced Selman Gülen to 8 years and 9 months for ‘being an illegal organisation member’.
[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.