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25 – 27 May 2019 HRFT Documentation Center Daily Human Rights Report

Human Rights Foundation of Turkey Documentation Center[1][2][3][4][5]

25 – 27 May Daily Human Rights Report

(05/307) Operations and Attacks in Southeast…

It is learned that on May 24, 2019, 1 soldier due to an attack to a military base in Avaşin Basyan area in Iraqi Kurdistan Regional Government.

It is learned that 1 village guard who was injured due to a bombing attack to rural areas of Silopi district of Şırnak on May 13, 2019, died in hospital on May 24, 2019.

(05/308) Suspicious Death in Prison…

It is learned from the news coverage of May 24, 2019 that Forensic Medicine Institution prepared an autopsy report for Zaki M.Y. Hasan, a United Arab Emirates citizen who was found dead on April 28, 2019, in the single cell he was kept in Silivri Prison. It is reported that the autopsy report states that “death of the person is due to hanging”.

Istanbul Public Prosecutor’s Office has made a declaration and has stated that Zaki Y.M. Hasan killed himself.

(05/309) Torture and Ill-Treatment Under Custody in Urfa…

It was claimed that 54 people who were detained after the clash in Dergili neighbourhood of Halfeti district of Urfa on May 18, 2019, where 1 police officer and 2 militants died, were subjected to torture and ill –treatment at Urfa Police Headquarters Anti-Terror department.

It is learned that Mehmet Hayri Çiftçi, who was detained and then was released on judicial control conditions on May 24, 2019, states the following at the court: “They tortured me at the gendarmerie station. They stepped on me, I have the marks of beating on my body. They hit me with clubs, at the fingers, at the feet. They spilt water on me and whipped my feet. These happened at the gendarmerie station. At the police directorate, they took me to the second floor and gave electric shocks to my genitalia. They fastened my hands and feet and sweep down on me. I will make an official against those involved. I reject the judicial control conditions”.

Mustafa Çiftçi, another detainee states the following: “They tortured me under custody. They closed my eyes with a piece of cloth, I don’t know if they gave electric shocks or whether they hit me with bare hand, but I have pain below my waist. They punched me at the gendarmerie station, I have pain in my ear. I will make an official complaint”.

The court released 10 people ın judicial control conditions on May 24, 2019. The court rejected the demand for taking forensic medicine reports for Mehmet Hayri Çiftçi and Mustafa Çiftçi, on the grounds that it is within the scope of evidence collecting which is within the prosecutor’s authorization.

It is learned that on May 24, 2019, 4 people (Mahmut Pehlivan, Vakas Kılıç, Abdullah Polat and Besravi Atmaca) are detained in house raids in Koçhisar neighbourhood of Urfa’s Bozova district, through the investigation about the clash. The detainees are taken to Urfa Police Directorate.

Emin Yıldırım, one of 19 people whose photographs were covered by the press, as they were handcuffed behind their backs and faced down on the ground at Yaylak Gendarmerie Station, stated the following about torture at gendarmerie station and Urfa Police Directorate: “The police went in our yard while we were having sahur meal before sunrise (…) They took us without saying a word. They faced down all of us (…) And then they took us to Yaylak Gendarmerie Station. They handcuffed us behind our backs and faced us down on the ground. They did not let us to look around. They hit us with riffle ends and they kicked us (…) And they took us to Urfa Police Directorate Anti-Terror Department (…) They put us in a bus and took us to the 500-bed hospital (Mehmet Akif İnan Research and Education Hospital). A physician was taken near to the bus, the police said ‘raise your heads’, the physician asked ‘do you have any problems’. And then the physician said ‘ok, there is no problem’, and finished the examination”.

Ahmet Yıldırım, who was detained and was released on May 24, 2019, states the following: “They gave electric shocks to us at Anti-Terror Department. They put a black plastic bag on my head while they were taking me out of the custody room. And they started to beat me. I could not see anything I don’t know how many people were hitting me. They took off my clothes, fastened by hands and feet. They made me lie on my back and gave electric shocks to my genitalia”.

Müslüm Yıldırım, who was detained and was released on May 24, 2019, states the following: “They took us all out. They faced us down on the ground. And then tortured us. They were cursing and insulting us. They beat us with riffle ends. They took us to Anti-Terror Department after beating. We were kept in there for 6-7 days. Torture and ill-treatment continued there too”.

(05/310) Allegation of Torture and Ill-Treatment Under Custody in Mersin…

Law Office of the Oppressed, made a declaration on May 26, 2019 and announced that Ümit Emrah, a person who was detained in Mersin on May 23, 2019 was subjected to torture and ill-treatment under custody.

The following is stated in the declaration: “He was taken to an olive grove and was beaten by several people for half an hour, and was subjected to psychological torture under custody and was forced to give an imposed statement. We could not meet our client under custody for a while due to restrictions. And we could identify the marks of beating on his body during or interview later.”

(05/311) Journalist Was Attacked in Ankara…

Journalist Sabahattin Önkibar is attacked by 3 people who stopped him in his car around his house in Ankara on May 26, 2019. Ankara Public Prosecutor’s Office declared that 3 people are detained related to the attack.

(05/312) Journalist Was Attacked in Adana…

Hakan Denizli, founder of Egemen newspaper in Adana, is attacked by armoured and anonymous 2 people in front of his house on May 24, 2019. Hakan Denizli, who was shot at the feet is taken to hospital.

(05/313) The Principal Committing Physical Violence to Students…

It is learned from the news coverage of May 26, 2019 that, Ö.Ü., the principal of Yukarıöz Elementary School in Yapraklı district of Çankırı, slapped 2 students and threw 1 student up at the ear during National Anthem ceremony on March 8, 2019. It is learned that the Ministry of National Education suspended Ö.Ü. from his executive position after the video recording of the violence was covered by the press.

(05/314) Hunger Strike in Prisons…

It is learned that PKK leader Abdullah Öcalan made a declaration to call for quitting hunger strikes, after he met his lawyers for second time on May 22, 2019, after the first meeting on May 2, 2019. Following this declaration, hunger strikes in and out of prisons ended on May 26, 2019.

Democratic Society Congress (DTK) co-chair and People’s Democratic Party (HDP) Hakkari MP Leyla Güven, started on a hunger strike on November 8, 2018, demanding an end to isolation generally in prisons and particularly in Imrali Prison; prisoners progressively joint the hunger strike and by March 1, 2019, around 3065 prisoners were on hunger strike in 90 prisons. On April 30, 2019 and May 10, 2019, 30 prisoners declared that they are going on a death fast in two groups.

(05/315) Torture and Ill-Treatment in Prisons…

It is learned from the news coverage of May 25, 2019 that, in Giresun R Type Prison, personal belongings of prisoners such as books, magazines and radios are seized after searches in wards.

It is learned from the news coverage of May 26, 2019 that, after end of the hunger strike in prisons, 6 prisoners in Diyarbakır D Type Prison who were taken to Gazi Yaşargil Research and Education Hospital, were subjected to physical violence of the gendarmerie.

It is learned from the news coverage of May 26, 2019 that, in Elazığ Prison, Bandırma T Type Prisons No 1 and 2, Adana Kürkçüler E Type Prison, Ceyhan M Type Prison, Osmaniye T Type Prison No 1 and ‘, Istanbul Bakırköy Women’s Prison, there are problems in transferring prisoners on hunger strike to hospitals, after the end of hunger strikes in prisons.

(05/316) 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 929 days to regain their jobs, intended to be held in front of Human Rights Monument in Yüksel Street on May 24, 25, and 26, 2019 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 May 24, 2019, 2 people (Nazan Bozkurt and İlker Işık) and at 18.00 2 people (Gülnaz Bozkurt and İlker Işık) were detained.

It was reported that during police intervention against the press declaration which was planned to be held at 13.30 on May 25, 2019, 2 people (Acun Karadağ and Merve Demirel) and at 18.00 2 people (Alev Şahin and İlker Işık) were detained.

It was reported that during police intervention against the press declaration which was planned to be held at 13.30 on May 26, 2019, 2 people (Acun Karadağ and Nazan Bozkurt) and at 18.00 2 people (Nazan Bozkurt and İlker Işık) were detained.

Thus in total 12 people were detained due to press declaration intended to be held in Yüksel Street on May 24, 25, and 26, 2019. It is learned that detainees were released the same day.

(05/317) 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 739th time on May 25, 2019. Upon police prevention, the group including human rights defenders and political party members and executives along with families of disappeared people gather in front of Human Rights Association (IHD) Istanbul office and made a declaration there.

(05/318) Prevention of Human Rights Defenders’ Event in Istanbul…

 “F sit-in”, which is organized for the 374th time by Human Rights Association (IHD) Istanbul Branch Prison Watch Committee, to demand release of ill prisoners, on May 25, 2019, is prevented by the police. The police obstructed all the streets around Galatasaray Square. Human rights defenders made the press declaration in front of IHD Istanbul office.

(05/319) Police Prevention to Protests in Diyarbakır, Van and Izmir…

The police intervened into the protest of prisoners’ families and members and executives of political parties (HDP and DBP), about the hunger strike in prisons, which was to be held in Lice district of Diyarbakır on May 25, 2019. It is learned that 1 person was injured due to the intervention which caused bruises on his body. It is learned that the police prevented some people around who were recording the intervention.

The police prevented the protest of prisoners’ families and members and executives of political parties, about the hunger strike in prisons, which was to be held in Van on May 24, 2019.

11 people including People’s Democratic Party (HDP) Izmir co-chair Besriye Tekgür, who were detained in police intervention to the press declaration for the same cause on May 23, 2019 in Izmir, are released by the court on judicial control conditions on May 24, 2019.

(05/320) Police Prevention to Union’s Protest in Ankara…

The march organized by Confederation of Public Employees Trade Union (KESK) demanding “end to precarious work”, to the Ministry of Family, Labour and Social Services in Ankara on May 25, 2019 is prevented by the police.

(05/321) Police Intervention to a Protest in Istanbul…

The police intervened into the demonstration about end of hunger strikes, in 1 Mayıs neighbourhood of Istanbul’s Ümraniye district on May 26, 2019 and detained 4 people. The names of detainees are unknown.

(05/322) Detained Writer in Istanbul…

Writer Faik Bulut is detained in Istanbul on May 25, 2019. The reason of detention is a meeting Faik Bulut attended which was organized by Democratic Society Congress (DTK). Faik Bulut is released on the same day after statement procedures.

(05/323) Detained Person in Tekirdağ for ‘Insulting the President’…

A person named M.S.S., is detained in Çerkezköy district of Tekirdağ on May 26, 2019, on the grounds of ‘insulting the President in social media posts’.

(05/324) Arrested DBP Executive in Batman…

3 of 6 people including Democratic Regions Party (DBP) Batman co-chair Şükrü Tapkan, who were detained in Batman on May 21, 2019, are arrested by the court on the charge of ‘being an illegal organisation member’ on May 24, 2019. 3 people are released 2 of which are on judicial control conditions. The names of arrested people are: Şükrü Tapkan, Abdulbari Karğaç and Şirin Çelik. The people released: Rojda Sürücü, Mahmut Sürücü, Süreyye Demirkılıç.

(05/325) Detained People in Van…

6 people including Leyla Atsak, who was elected on March 31, 2019 as co-mayor from HDP but who was not given her certification of election on the grounds of being dismissed from public duty by a state of emergency decree, who were detained in house raids in Çaldıran district of Van on May 21, 2019 are released by the court on May 24, 2019. 9 people who were also detained were released after statement procedures at the police on May 22, 2019.

(05/326) CHP MP on Trial…

The case against Republican People’s Party (CHP) Manisa MP and group deputy chair Özgür Özel, on the grounds of insulting the Minister of Defence Hulusi Akar, started to be held on Ankara Penal Court of First Instance No 28 on May 24, 2019. Hulusi Akar demands 500.000 Turkish Liras for immaterial damages. After defence hearings the court adjourned the trial to October 11, 2019.

(05/327) Executive of Labour Party on Trial in Tunceli…

The case against Labour Party (EMEP) executive board member and Tunceli provincial chair Mustafa Taşkale, on Tunceli Heavy Penal Court is held on May 24, 2019. After defence hearings the court adjourned the trial to July 19, 2019.

Mustafa Taşkale was arrested on November 17, 2016 and was released on judicial control conditions on May 29, 2017.

(05/328) Person on Trial in Balıkesir for ‘Insulting the President’…

The final trial of the case against Deniz Avcı, on the grounds of sharing cartoons my Sefer Selvi and Musa Kart on social media, is held on Balıkesir Penal Court of First Instance on May 24, 2019. The court sentenced Deniz Avcı to 2 years and 2 months for ‘insulting the President’ and did not suspend the sentence.

It is learned that that the cartoons that Deniz Avcı shared were not prosecuted or charged on trial.

(05/329) Detentions and Arrests in Alleged Link to Coup Attempt…

On May 24, 2019, 15 people are detained in operations covering 11 cities through an Istanbul based; 20 people are detained in operations covering 8 cities through a Denizli based investigation.

(05/330) Trials in Alleged Link to Coup Attempt…

The final trial of the case against former prosecutor Osman Şanal, on Ankara Heavy Penal Court No 16 is held on May 24, 2019. The court sentenced the defendant to 11 years and 3 months for ‘being an illegal organisation member’.

(05/331) Ban on Events in Hakkari…

Hakkari Governorate made a declaration on May 17, 2019 and announced that all events such as demonstrations, press declarations, meetings, sit-ins and opening stands and so on are banned as of May 19, 2019 until June 17, 2019.

(05/332) Special Security Zone in Bingöl…

Bingöl Governorate made a declaration on May 23, 2019 and announced 23 areas with given coordinates in central, Adaklı, Genç, Solhan, Yayladere, Kiğı, Yedisu and Karlıova districts as special security zones as of May 25, 2019 until December 31, 2019.

(05/333) Ban on Events in Siirt…

Hakkari Governorate made a declaration on May 23, 2019 and announced that all events such as demonstrations, press declarations, meetings, sit-ins and opening stands and so on to support indefinite hunger strikes are banned as of May 24, 2019 until June 23, 2019.

[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.

[2]To subscribe to the e-mail group: please write ‘daily human rights reports subscription application’ to the title of your e-mail and sent it to dokumantasyon@tihv.org.tr.

[3]https://www.facebook.com/TIHV.HRFT

[4] https://twitter.com/insanhaklari

[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, Yeni Yaşam, NTV, Yeni Asya, Bianet, Halkinsesi.tv, Cnnturk, Tr724, 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.