Human Rights Foundation of Turkey Documentation Center[1][2][3][4][5]
29 – 31 December 2018 Daily Human Rights Report
(12/371) Operations and Attacks in Southeast…
It is learned from the news coverage of December 28, 2018 that 1 HPG militant died in a clash between security forces and HPG militants in rural areas of Tunceli on July 20, 2018; and 1 HPG militant died in a clash in Nusaybin district of Mardin on September 6, 2018.
It is learned that 1 soldier died and 1 soldier got injured due to avalanche falling in Tekeli village of Şemdinli district of Hakkari on December 29, 2018.
(12/372) Prisoner Died in Prison…
It is learned from the news coverage of December 29, 2018 that, İbrahim Akbaba, an ill prisoner kept in Edirne F Type Closed Prison, died due to heart attack he had during attending the trial of his case via sound and vision system in prison. It is stated in the news reports that, Akbaba was in prison for 17 months and Edirne Sultan Murat Hospital has given a medical report saying “no need for suspension of the sentence and it is proper to keep him in prison in uneffortful conditions”. It is learned that İbrahim Akbaba was transferred from Mardin E Type Closed Prison to Edirne F Type Prison under coercion, and the prosthetic leg he uses for his amputed leg due to diabetes was not renewed due to not being paid by state budget.
(12/373) Hunger Strike in Prisons…
It is learned from the news coverage of December 29, 2018 that 91 prisoners in 23 prisons are on hunger strike to demand an end to isolation of PKK leader Abdullah Öcalan. The prisoners on hunger strike are:
- Gebze Women’s Closed Prison: Hacer Halil Yusuf, Ruhşan Bozan, Özlem Özdemir, Ayten Gülsüm, Özlem Söyler (5 prisoners);
- Kandıra F Type Closed Prison No 1: İbrahim Kaya, Umut Çamlıbel, Yusuf Başaran, Güven Süvarioğlu, Rıdvan Güven, Necla Atak and People’s Democratic Party (HDP) former co-chair Figen Yüksekdağ (7 prisoners);
- Patnos L Type Closed Prison: Mehmet Bozdağ, Cengaver Aykul, Atilla Coşkun Özer, Ömer Kabul, Abdullah Kızılkaya (5 prisoners);
- Elazığ Closed Prison No 1: Metin Serhat, Harun Alkan, Musa Candemir (3 prisoners);
- Diyarbakır D Type Closed Prison: Sercan Gümüş, Rıdvan Kaya, Nimetullah Cinkılıç, Hayati Uzman, Cüneyt Aslan (5 prisoners);
- Van F Type Closed Prison: Cihan Tamur, Barış Kahraman, Şahin Öncü, Azim Sökemen, Bahtiyar Kemal Hasan (5 prisoners);
- Bakırköy Women’s Closed Prison: Esma Başkale, Belgin Kanat, Zozan Kutum, Reyhan Coşmuşlu (4 prisoners);
- Diyarbakır E Type Closed Prison: Leyla Güven, Evin Kaya, Kibriye Evren, Hilal Ölmez (4 prisoners);
- Trabzon Beşikdüzü T Type Closed Prison: Ali Bektaş, Dılgeş Yaşar, Abdullah Aydın (3 prisoners);
- Tekirdağ F Type Prison No 2: Ahmet Osman, Seyhan Kurt, Yakup Kaymaz, Serdar Şahin, Ahmet Sürme, Ümit Akgümüş, Ahmet Arif Yöyler, Roger Tirej Özalp (8 prisoners);
- Kandıra F Type Closed Prison No 2: Sadettin Yaşar, Turan Günana, Mesut Atış (3 prisoners);
- Edirne F Type Closed Prison: Ramazan Çeper, Zerdeşt Oduncu, Adem Arslan (3 prisoners);
- Ödemiş T Type Closed Prison: Uğur Çiçek, Abdurrahman Yılmaz, Mehmet Kaplan, Serhat Güzel (4 prisoners);
- İzmir Şakran T Type Closed Prison No 2: Mehmet Durak, Tanju Yıldırım, Nihat Ekmez, Yakup Güneş, Ramazan Atalay (5 prisoners);
- İzmir Women’s Closed Prison: Rahşan Aydın, Ebru Güden, Gülten Akgün (3 prisoners);
- Kırıklar F Type Closed Prison No 1: Erdal Polat, Abdullah Oral, Sami Öztürk (3 prisoners);
- Kırıklar F Type Closed Prison No 2: Ozan Alpkaya, Halis Dağhan (2 prisoners);
- Tekirdağ F Type Prison No 1: Sinan Çelik, Rıdvan Turan, Burhan Barut, Erhan Aydın, Ali İlhan Bayer (5 prisoners);
- Silivri Prison No 5: Zafer Sağlam, Abdulselam Akdoğan, Hamza Doğrul, Yusuf Bayram, Halil Ay, Şiyar Yıldırım (6 prisoners);
- Silivri Prison No 9: Seyhan Çiçekli (1 prisoner);
- Kırıkkale F Type Closed Prison: Sedat Alçiçek, İsa İpekli, Davud Önder, Emrah Ubik, Kerem İmrak (5 prisoners);
- Bafra F Type Closed Prison: Abdullatif Teymur (1 prisoner);
- Düzce T Type Closed Prison: Süleyman Benzer, Mehmet Erbey (2 prisoners).
- Ankara Sincan Women’s Closed Prison: Çiçek Otlu (chair of Socialist Party of the Oppressed) and Erçiş district co-mayor Diba Keskin (2 prisoners).
(12/374) Torture and Ill-Treatment in Prison…
It is learned from the news coverage of December 28, 2018 that, in Patnos L Type Prison, extraneous objects such as razors and wood chips are found in meals, sewage water is mixed into tap water, prisoners are not given hot water and their right to medical treatment is prevented.
It is learned from the news coverage of December 29, 2018 that mother of Mustafa Özgür Mulla, a prisoner kept in Silivri Prison, is prevented from visits for 2 months as a penalty for reacting against the torture to his son.
Ankara Bar Association Prison Watch Committee made a declaration on December 29, 2018 and announced that prisoners in Sincan Women’s Closed Prison who protested prevention of their communication rights, were subjected to physical violence of the wardens, to strip search and were put into solitary cells. Committee stated in the report on “ill-treatment” in Sincan Women’s Closed Prison in between December 19-27, 2018 that, prisoners Fadik Adıyaman, Gülhan Sağaltıcı, Elif Akkurt, Eda Kaya and Şirin Ayaz were subjected to physical violence and then were put into solitary cells; Semiha Eyilik and Aysun Akdağ were transferred to Kandıra F Type Prison under coercion.
It is learned from the news coverage of December 30, 2018 that prisoners in Bandırma T Type Closed Prison No 1 were subjected to verbal and physical violence of the wardens on December 20, 2018 and 3 prisoners got wounded due to violence.
It is learned from the news coverage of December 30, 2018 that in Siverek T Type Prison, books found in wards during searches were seized and although the seized books were taken into wardens within knowledge and approval of prison administration, prisoners were subjected to disciplinary proceedings for having these books, which resulted in solitary cell penalties.
(12/375) Rejection to Meeting Request with Abdullah Öcalan…
It is learned that the appeal made on December 28, 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 92nd time that appeals for visiting Öcalan have been rejected since September 11, 2016.
(12/376) 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 December 29, 2018 against uniform coercion in prisons is prevented by the police. It is reported that 3 people (Bengisu Demirel, Taylan Sungur and Umutcan Aybak) were detained in police intervention.
(12/377) 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 782 days to regain their jobs, intended to be held in front of Human Rights Monument in Yüksel Street on December 28, 29, and 30, 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 28, 2018, 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 December 29, 2018, 3 people (Mehmet Dersulu, Hatice Yüksel and 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 December 30, 2018, 2 people (Mehmet Dersulu and Alev Şahin) and at 18.00 3 people (Mehmet Dersulu, Nazan Bozkurt and Alev Şahin) were detained.
Thus in total 10 people were detained due to press declaration intended to be held in Yüksel Street on December 28, 29, and 30, 2018. It is learned that detainees were released the same day.
(12/378) 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 718th time on December 29, 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. It is learned that the police prevented the journalists reporting on the press declaration as well.
(12/379) Prevention of Human Rights Defenders’ Event in Istanbul…
“F sit-in”, which is organized for the 353rd time by Human Rights Association (IHD) Istanbul Branch Prisons Committee, to demand release of ill prisoners, on December 29, 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.
(12/380) Police Intervention into a Protest Against Syrian Asylum Seekers…
On December 23, 2018, 1 person (Necati Bağcı) got wounded in a fight between Syrian asylum seekers and a local group in Şehitkamil district of Antep. On December 30, 2018 the police intervened into the group gathering at Demokrasi Square to protest the incident, and detained 3 people. Antep Governorate made a declaration and announced that 7 people were detained for the injuring of Necati Bağcı and 5 of them are arrested.
(12/381) Detained People in Urfa…
It is learned that 20 people are detained in house raids in Ceylanpınar district of Urfa on December 30, 2018. The names of detainees known so far are: Urfa city council member Esra Güler, Cemile Dağtekin, Fethi Ötken, Mehmet Ali Asan, Veysi Beken, Harun Dağtekin, Çetin İsi, Mizgin Aslan, Mehmet Özkan, Mustafa Şahin, İbrahim Polat.
(12/382) Detained People in Adana…
4 people are detained in house raids in Adana on December 30, 2018. The names of detained people are: People’s Democratic Congress (HDK) Adana spokesperson Olcay Süzgün, Democratic Regions Party (DBP) Adana deputy chair and Adana Yeni Yaşam Association chair Hasan Kocaman, DBP Adana provincial executive Güle Bal and Socialist Refoundation Party (SYKP) Adana chair Mehmet Ali Gülşen.
(12/383) Police Raid to HDP Office in Diyarbakır…
On December 28, 2018 the police raided HDP’s Sur district office in Diyarbakır. It is learned that nobody was inside during the police raid and that the police seized several magazines and banners.
(12/384) Detained Person in Istanbul…
People’s Law Office made a declaration on December 28, 2018 and announced that their client Ömer Akyel, who was detained on December 27, 2018 in Kadıköy district of Istanbul, is arrested by the court on December 28, 2018.
(12/385) Allegation of Racist Treatment and Violence in a Public Bath in Istanbul…
It is claimed in the news coverage of December 28, 2018 that, Sinan Encü, a person who went to a public bath in Gaziosmanpaşa district of Istanbul, was roughly rubbed with a bath glove by the bath attendant because he spoke Kurdish with his brother; and thus he has wounds on his back and legs due to rubbing. It is learned that Encü complained about the bath attendant to the bath manager and was responded as “It has nothing to do with us you have allergy”. It is also learned that Sinan Encü had a medical report evidencing the violence and made an official complaint to Gaziosmanpaşa Public Prosecutor’s Office.
(12/386) Journalist on Trial in Tunceli…
The case against Evrensel newspaper journalist Kemal Özer on Tunceli Heavy Penal Court No 1 is held on December 28, 2018. The court decided to continue detention of Kemal Özer and adjourned the trial to January 21, 2019.
Kemal Özer was arrested on September 4, 2017 on the charge of ‘being an illegal organisation member’.
(12/387) Investigation on Fox TV Anchor Fatih Portakal…
It is learned from the news coverage of December 29, 2018 that Bakırköy Public Prosecutor’s Office initiated an investigation against Fox TV anchor Fatih Portakal. It is reported that the investigation is on the charge of “publicly provoking to commit an offence” with his words in prime time newscast on December 10, 2018.
President Tayyip Erdoğan targeted Fox TV news anchor Fatih Portakal in a speech he made in Konya on December 17, 2018 and said the following: “Somebody shows up, I do not know if he is orange, mandarin or citrus [with reference to Fatih Portakal’s surname which means orange, tn.], calls people to streets. Know your place. If you do not know your place, this nation will hit you in the back of your neck”.
Radio and Television Supreme Council (RTÜK) considered the appeal of President Tayyip Erdoğan’s lawyer Hüseyin Aydın and decided to cease the broadcasting of the newscast 3 times, and 3 per cent of advertising income of the channel in November as penalty fine.
(12/388) Investigation on Journalist Mine Kırıkkanat…
It is learned from the news coverage of December 28, 2018 that Istanbul Public Prosecutor’s Office initiated an investigation against Cumhuriyet newspaper writer Mine Kırıkkanat for her words in “Halk Arenası” show aired on Halk TV channel, on the charge of “degrading a section of the public”.
On December 21, 2018, another investigation was initiated by Istanbul Public Prosecutor’s Office against actors Metin Akpınar and Müjdat Gezen for their words in the same show; Akpınar and Gezen was detained on December 24, 2018 and they were released on judicial control conditions by the court on the same day.
Radio and Television Supreme Council (RTÜK) decided to cease the broadcasting of the show for 8 times and a fine of 80.000 Turkish Liras as a penalty for “crossing the line of criticism”.
(12/389) Prevention of Theatre Play in Hatay…
It is learned from the news coverage of December 30, 2018 that actor Levent Üzümcü’s play “Anlatılan Senin Hikayendir” which was planned to be performed in İskenderun district of Hatay on January 10, 2019, was cancelled by the college owning the theatre hall, on the grounds of “pressure”.
The play was planned to be performed at A. Nihat Gökyiğit Convention Center in Çoruh University in Artvin on December 3, 2018; and it was cancelled by Artvin Governorate too.
(12/390) State of Emergency Procedures Investigation Commission Appeals…
State of Emergency Procedures Investigation Commission made a declaration on December 29, 2018 and announced that 125.600 people applied to the committee and the committee finalised applications of 50.300 people. The committee accepted appeals of 3.700 people and rejected appeals of 46.600 people.
(12/391) Detentions and Arrests in Alleged Link to Coup Attempt…
On December 28, 2018, 13 people including 12 military members on active duty are detained in operations covering 11 cities through a Hatay based investigation; and 8 people are detained in operations covering 3 cities through an Uşak based investigation.
On December 29, 2018, 1 person is detained by National Intelligence Service of Turkey in Azerbaijan.
17 of 28 people who were detained in Izmir are arrested by the court on December 29, 2018. 12 people are released on judicial control conditions.
(12/392) Trials in Alleged Link to Coup Attempt…
The final trial of the case against 122 people including former police officers and teachers who were dismissed by state of emergency decrees, on Düzce Heavy Penal Court No 2 is held on December 28, 2018. The court sentenced 77 people to jail imprisonment of 1 year and 10 months to 10 years for ‘being an illegal organisation member’. The court acquitted 34 people and separated the case of 11 people.
[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.