Human Rights Foundation of Turkey Documentation Center[1][2][3][4][5]
27 – 29 July 2019 Daily Human Rights Report
(07/299) Operations and Attacks in Southeast…
It is learned that 1 soldier died and 1 soldier got wounded in a clash in rural areas of Çukurca district of Hakkari.
On July 27, 2019, 1 police officer who got wounded in an attack to a police car in Sincik district of Adıyaman on July 26, 2019, died in hospital.
It is learned from the news coverage of July 27, 2019 that, 4 HPG militants died in a clash in rural areas of Bingöl’s central district on July 22, 2019; 3 HPG militants died in a clash in rural areas of Siirt’s Baykan district on May 1, 2019.
It is learned from the news coverage of July 28, 2019 that 2 HPG militants died in a clash in rural areas of Hakkari’s Çukurca district on July 26, 2019.
(07/300) Torture and Ill-Treatment Allegation in Urfa…
It is claimed on the news coverage of July 26, 2019 that, a specialised sergeant coming back to his military unit in Urfa from his duty in operations in Syria, was forced by his commanders to run with 3 sandbags on his back in 45-degree weather. It is reported that the specialised sergeant whose name is unknown fainted during run and was taken to hospital in an unconscious condition.
(07/301) Torture and Ill-Treatment in Diyarbakır…
It is learned from the news coverage of July 28, 2019 that, 2 children (M. A. (17) and A. E. (17)) who were detained in relation to the attack to an armoured police vehicle in Yenişehir district of Diyarbakır on July 24, 2019 were subjected to torture and ill-treatment in the field they were taken to. It is reported that M. A. and A. E. were then taken to Anti-Terror Department instead of Juvenile Department, and were subjected to torture and ill-treatment there too.
Fatma A., M. A.’s mother, stated the following: “When I heard of detention I went directly to Juvenile Department, There they told me that they don’t have a person with this name. When I got out of Juvenile Department I saw my son’s friend in a police car. He was looking terrible. He could not walk; he could not stand. He had some bruises on his face (…) Then it is understood that my son was at Anti-Terror Department. I asked them why my son was in Anti-Terror Department although he is a juvenile. I went to Anti-Terror Department and they told me that they do not have my son either. They sent us from department to department to distract. They were torturing our child at that time. At around 01.00, when the lawyers arrived, the police took the children to Juvenile Department (…) There was blood on his face. They did not let me to approach my son. I saw my son; he was dragging himself on foot. Lawyer saw my son the next day and told me that my son was in such a condition that he could not express himself (…) My son told that they were detained in Şehitlik neighbourhood and were taken to a waste field where they were undressed. He told that they were beaten with gunstocks and an iron material that he does not know what it was. He told that they were cursed and threatened with expressions such as ‘This is your last chance, we will kill you’ (…) My son was first taken to public hospital and then to army hospital but they did not give him a report evidencing the torture.”
(07/302) Torture and Ill-Treatment Under in Diyarbakır…
It is learned from the news coverage of July 29, 2019 that Ahmet Yoldaş, who was subjected to torture and ill-treatment under custody after being detained in a house raid on July 21, 2019 in Bağlar district of Diyarbakır where a person named Mücahit Yılmaz died; had a leg surgery in Diyarbakır Army Hospital. It is also claimed in the news reports that Ahmet Yoldaş has bandages on his right ear and has marks of torture and ill-treatment on his body.
It is learned that Birsen Yoldaş, Ahmet Yoldaş’s wife who was also detained in the house raid, is released after statement procedures on July 26, 2019.
(07/303) People Were Subjected to Physical Violence of the Police in Antalya…
It is learned from the news coverage of July 27, 2019 that street musicians in Konyaaltı district of Antalya were intervened by the watchmen on the grounds of lack of official permission. It is reported that one musician’s arm was dislocated due to intervention. It is learned that musicians were released after statement procedures at the police station.
(07/304) Torture and Ill-Treatment in Prison…
It is learned from the news coverage of July 28, 2019 that, Hakan İnci, a prisoner in Adana Kürkçüler E Type Prison, was subjected to physical violence of the wardens because of rejecting to stand in military order during roll-calls. Hakan İnci’s letter was covered by media in which he states the following: “They forced us to stand in during the morning roll-call. I did not accept to do so and I was then taken out by around 10 wardens kicking and punching me. The chief warden and 4 or 5 wardens put me in a solitary cell which is insanitary and had no bathroom (…) Another chief warden came with 6 or 7 wardens towards evening and took me to the alert force room right next to my cell. There was a short man who was said to be prison director. This person started shouting at me and provoking me by poking at arm and chest. They made me lay down and handcuffed my hands and feet behind my back. They whipped my feet with clubs which continued until I fell unconscious. They made me regain my consciousness by pouring water and cologne over my head. They put 2 packages of salt (1 or 2 kilos) on the ground and watered the salt on which I was lifted and pushed over and over by the wardens. Salt was put in order to increase the pain and to diminish the marks of torture. I had spasms beginning from my toes spreading all over my body, and my jaw got locked. I was conscious but I could not move, not even open my eyes just like being paralysed. They wanted me to walk to my cell (…) I fell unconscious after a while. When I opened my eyes I was on a stool leaning my back to the wall in the outdoor area. I noticed that the wardens who tortured me were talking. When I became completely conscious they took my arms and walked me on my tiptoes to the cell.”
It is learned from the news coverage of July 28, 2019 that 6 prisoners (Ahmet Nas, Ercan Daşkesen, Veysi Altan, Şifa Erdoğan, Rıdvan Kaya and Suat Okur) kept in Tarsus T Type Prison No 3 were transferred to newly opened Maraş Türkoğlu T Type Prison No 1 under coercion. It is reported that the prisoners were subjected to physical and psychological violence at the entrance of the prison because of rejecting strip search. A prisoner, who expressed himself via his family members, stated the following: “We were forced to strip search at the entrance and we did not accept it. They used force and tortured us to search as. And then they put us in a place looking like construction site. And they are forcing us to be in military order during roll-calls.”
(07/305) Prevention of Right to Health in Prison…
It is learned from the news coverage of July 27, 2019 that, ill prisoner Ergin Aktaş was spitting blood and was diagnosed with pneumonia in Izmir Menemen R Type Prison where he was kept. Ergin Aktaş was then transferred to Silivri Prison No 9 and was diagnosed with tuberculosis there and started taking medication. Gülizar Tuncer, Ergin Aktaş’s lawyer made a statement and said that Ergin Aktaş was not referred to hospital although he needs to be treated in hospital.
(07/306) Letter Was Not Given to Prisoner…
It is learned from the news coverage of July 27, 2019 that the letter of People’s Democratic Party (HDP) Hakkari MP and Democratic Society Congress (DTK) co-chair Leyla Güven sent to Zafer Sağlam, a prisoner in Silivri Prison No 5, was not given to him on the grounds of “having inconvenient content”.
(07/307) Rejection to Meeting Request with Abdullah Öcalan…
It is learned that the appeal made on July 26, 2019 to chief public prosecutor’s office in Bursa by PKK leader Abdullah Öcalan’s sister and brother and tutelary 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.
(07/308) 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 992 days to regain their jobs, intended to be held in front of Human Rights Monument in Yüksel Street on July 26, 27, and 28, 2019 at 13.30, and at 18.00.
It was reported that during police intervention against the press declaration which was planned to be held at 13.30 on July 26, 2019, 2 people (Mehmet Dersulu and Nazan Bozkurt) and at 18.00 2 people (Acun Karadağ 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 July 27, 2019, 2 people (Mehmet Dersulu and Nazan Bozkurt) and at 18.00 2 people (Mehmet Dersulu and Nazan Bozkurt) were detained.
It was reported that during police intervention against the press declaration which was planned to be held at 13.30 on July 28, 2019, 2 people (İlker Işık and Mehmet Dersulu) and at 18.00 2 people (İlker Işık and Mehmet Dersulu) were detained.
Thus in total 12 people were detained due to press declaration intended to be held in Yüksel Street on July 26, 27, and 28, 2019. It is learned detained people were released on the same days they were detained.
(07/309) Prevention of 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 748th time on July 27, 2019. Upon police prevention, the group including representatives of political parties, human rights defenders and artists along with families of disappeared people held a press declaration on the street of Human Rights Association (IHD) Istanbul office.
(07/310) Prevention of Human Rights Defenders’ Event in Istanbul…
“F sit-in”, which is organized for the 382nd time by Human Rights Association (IHD) Istanbul Branch Prison Watch Committee, to demand release of ill prisoners, on July 27, 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.
(07/311) Detained HDP Members for Delivering Leaflets in Antep…
The police intervened HDP Youth Assembly members who deliver leaflets for “Do not be addicted, be free” campaign in Antep on July 27, 2019 and detained 15 people. Detained people whose names are unknown are taken to Antep Security Directorate Anti-Terror Department.
(07/312) Detained Human Rights Defender and Political Party Executive in Kars…
Adem Yıldırım, 1 of 12 people including Human Rights Association Kars Branch chair Güldane Kılıç and HDP provincial executive Nuriye Erkmen, city council member Münevver Subaşı, former HDP executives İdris Ağbaba and Mustafa Özmen who were detained in house raids in Kars on July 23, 2019, is arrested by the court on July 26, 2019. 5 people Tuğba Yağışlı, Seyfettin Gönel, Mustafa Özmen, Ünal Çalışkan, Mehmet Sena Oral) are released. It is reported that detention period for HRA branch chair Güldane Kılıç, HDP provincial executive Nuriye Erkmen, city council member Münevver Subaşı, former HDP executive İdris Ağbaba and 1 more person is extended for 4 more days.
(07/313) Detained HDP Members in Izmir…
12 members of People’s Democratic Party (HDP) Youth Assembly who were detained on the grounds of ‘making propaganda for an illegal organisation’, in house raids in Menemen and Buca districts of Izmir on July 25, 2019, are released by the court on judicial control conditions on July 26, 2019.
The names of detainees known so far are: Yusuf Çil, Güney Demir, Diyar Demir, Ceren Çepik, H.K. (16), Yiğit Özdemir, Gülader Özçelik, Welat Yalçınkaya and Fatma Akgül.
(07/314) Constitutional Court’s Decision on Academics for Peace…
On July 26, 2019, Constitutional Court concluded on the appeal of 10 academicians who were sentenced to jail penalties on the charge of ‘making propaganda for an illegal organisation’ for signing the petition “We will not be a party to this crime!”. The court decided that freedom of expression of the academicians was violated and thus they should be paid a compensation of 9.000 Turkish Liras. The court also decided to send the verdict to local courts for re-trials.
(07/315) Constitutional Court’s Decision on Union Member…
On July 26, 2019, Constitutional Court concluded on the appeal of Eğitim-Sen (Education and Science Workers’ Union) member Erdal Karadaş who was sentenced to a fine for delivering leaflets and opening campaign stands for dismissals in Aydın. The court decided that Erdal Karadaş’s right to assembly and demonstration was violated.
(07/316) Constitutional Court’s Decision on Journalist…
On July 26, 2019, Constitutional Court concluded on the appeal of journalist Kemal Baytaş who was sentenced to a fine of 7000 Turkish Liras for an article he wrote on Turkish Armed Forces chief of staff. The court decided that Kemal Baytaş’s freedom of expression and press was violated. The court also decided that Kemal Baytaş should be paid a compensation of 9.150 Turkish Liras and sent the verdict to Küçükçekmece Penal Court of First Instance No 2.
(07/317) Former HDP Co-Chair on Trial…
The case against former HDP co-chair Figen Yüksekdağ on Ankara Heavy Penal Court No 16 is held on July 26, 2019. Figen Yüksekdağ joined the trial via sound and vision system. The court decided to continue detention for Figen Yüksekdağ and adjourned the trial to September 27, 2019.
(07/318) Detentions and Arrests in Alleged Link to Coup Attempt…
On July 26, 2019 47 people are detained in operations covering 30 cities through an Istanbul based investigation.
1 of 3 people (2 former soldiers and 1 former police chief) who were detained in an attempt to illegally cross to Greece, is arrested by the court on July 28, 2019. It is learned that 2 people are still under custody.
(07/319) Ban of Events in Van…
Van Governorate made a declaration on July 27, 2019 and announced that all events such as demonstrations, press declarations, meetings, sit-ins and opening stands and so on are banned as of July 28, 2019 until August 11, 2019.
(07/320) Banned Events in Tunceli…
It is learned from the news coverage of July 26, 2019 that, Tunceli Governorate banned the screening of documentary about Saturday Mothers and “LGBTI+ Concepts Workshop” which were to be held at Munzur Culture and Nature Festival. It is also reported that the governorate banned all events related to Saturday Mothers and LGBTI+.
(07/321) Ban of Event in Mardin…
It is learned from the news coverage of July 26, 2019 that the concert of Azad Bedran and Zinar Sozdar on July 28, 2019 in Nusaybin district of Mardin is banned by Nusaybin Sub-governorate. It is reported that the reason of ban was cases opened against 2 musicians.
(07/322) Curfew in Tatvan…
Bitlis Governorate made a declaration on July 27, 2019 and announced curfew in 16 villages of Tatvan from 10.00 to 23.00 on July 27, 2019.
The villages under curfew are: Teknecik, Sallıca, Boblesür, Beşikli, Dönertaş, Kepenek, Aktoprak, Özekli, Kısıklı, Suboyu, Yumrukaya, Uçankuş, Çörekli, Sarıdal, Güntepe, Beşparmak.
[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, 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.