MENU
HOMEPAGE ABOUT HRFT PROJECTS REPORTS PRESS RELEASES SCIENTIFIC STUDIES DOCUMENTATION
x

29 September – 01 October 2018 HRFT Documentation Center Daily Human Rights Report

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

29 September – 01 October 2018 Daily Human Rights Report

(10/001) Civilian Died in Şemdinli…

It is learned from the news coverage of September 28, 2018 that PKK claimed responsibility of death of Erol Tekin, who was killed in Şemdinli district of Hakkari. Hakkari Governorate made a declaration on October 1, 2018 and stated that the news reports claiming that Erol Tekin was kidnapped and killed on September 20, 2018 were not accurate, and expressed that “kidnapping and killing happened after Erol Tekin’s crossing to Northern Iraqi Region on his will on September 12, 2018”.

(10/002) Operations and Attacks in Southeast…

It is learned from the news coverage of September 28, 2018 that, 2 militants died in a clash between security forces and HPG militants in rural areas of Payas district of Hatay on August 29, 2018.

It is learned that 1 soldier died and 4 soldiers were wounded in a bombing attack during the military operation in Gara region of Iraqi Kurdistan Regional Government.

It is learned from the news coverage of September 29, 2018 that 3 militants died in a clash between security forces and HPG militants in rural areas of Baykan district of Siirt on September 23, 2018.

It is learned from the news coverage of September 29, 2018 that 2 HPG militants died in a clash in rural areas of Lice district of Diyarbakır on September 24, 2018.

(10/003) Attack to Abdullah Cömert’s Family House…

It is learned from the news coverage of September 30, 2018 that house of Abdullah Cömert’s family in Gazi neighbourhood of Hatay was attacked by anonymous people. Abdullah Cömert died due to a gas bomb capsule shot by the police in Hatay during Gezi protests in 2013. It is reported that the house and the car in front of the house were damaged due to the attack.

(10/004) Torture and Ill-Treatment in Prison…

People’s Law Office made a declaration on September 28, 2018 and announced that Aysu Baykal, a prisoner in Kandıra F Type Prison No 1 is transferred to Silivri Prison under coercion. It is reported that Aysu Baykal was subjected to physical violence during transfer.

It is learned from the news coverage of September 28, 2018 that Medet Oruç and Karwan Mirzayim, two prisoners from Van F Type Prison were subjected to physical violence by the wardens and Medet Oruç’s nose was broken due to this. It is also stated in the news reports that, mails posted to prisoners were not given to them, and letters written by prisoners in Kurdish were not sent on the grounds of “lack of translator” and the food given to prisoners is not hygienic.

It is learned from the news coverage of September 28, 2018 that, letters and petitions written by prisoners were not posted, and the books sent to prisoners were not delivered in Sincan F Type Prison.

It is learned from the news coverage of September 28, 2018 that prisoners in Tarsus T Type Prison are forced to walk file in military order in corridors, and are prevented from any kind of culture, sports and communication rights while contact and non-contact visits are limited to half an hour.

It is learned from the news coverage of September 29, 2018 that no news has been received for 5 days from Vefa Kartal, who is on indefinite hunger strike for 86 days in Tekirdağ F Type Prison No 1. It is stated in the news reports that, according to Vefa Kartal’s brother Umut Kartal’s expressions, visit requests made by the family, lawyers and Turkish Medical Association were rejected.

It is reported on the news coverage of September 28 and 29, 2018 that, 32 prisoners in Düzce T Type Prison are subjected to physical violence of the wardens because of rejecting to stand in military order for roll-calls. It is claimed in the news reports that prisoners were handcuffed behind their backs, dragged on floors, were taken to padded cells and were hanged by strappado. It is also expressed that 32 people including ill prisoners who were subjected to torture and ill-treatment were threatened by prison manager who said the following: “You will see the power of Turk. Your ancestors will pay the price. You will pay the price. We will shed your blood”.

People’s Law Office made a declaration on September 29, 2018 and announced that Meral Dönmez, who is on hunger strike since September 7, 2018 demanding to be transferred from Tarsus Prison to a prison in Istanbul where her family leaves, were subjected to physical violence by the wardens and has bruises on her right leg due to this.

(10/005) Prevention of Right to Health of Prisoners…

It is learned from the news coverage of September 29, 2018 that ill prisoners in Bayburt M Type Prison are not given medication.

(10/006) Seizure of Books sent to HDP PM Leyla Güven…

It is learned from the news coverage of September 29, 2018 that 2 books sent to People’s Democratic Party (HDP) Hakkari MP and Democratic Society Congress (DTK) co-chair Leyla Güven, who is kept in Diyarbakır E Type Prison, are seized by prison administration. The books sent to Leyla Güven are, HDP former co-chair Selahattin Demirtaş’s Seher and former HDP MP İdris Baluken’s Üç Kırık Dal. It is stated in the news reports that the books are sent to Diyarbakır Police Headquarters for further inquiry and will be submitted to Leyla Güven in case they are found appropriate.

(10/007) 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 September 29, 2018 against uniform coercion in prisons is prevented by the police. It is reported that 2 people (Halil İbrahim Şener and Mehmet Yılmaz) were detained in police intervention.

(10/008) 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 September 28, 28, 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 September 28, 2018, 2 people (Acun Karadağ and Nazan Bozkurt) and at 18.00 2 people (Nazan Bozkurt 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 September 29, 2018, 3 people (Alev Şahin, Gülnaz Bozkurt and Helin Yılmaz) and at 18.00 2 people (Nazan Bozkurt 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 September 30, 2018, 2 people (Nazan Bozkurt and Gülnaz Bozkurt) and at 18.00 2 people (Nazan Bozkurt and Gülnaz Bozkurt) were detained.

Thus in total 13 people were detained due to press declaration intended to be held in Yüksel Street on September 28, 29, and 30, 2018. It is learned that detainees were released the same day.

(10/009) Police Intervention Against a Protest in Istanbul…

Türkan Albayrak, who was dismissed from her job at Sarıyer district Health Department, on the grounds of ‘personnel security investigation’ and ‘archive search’, on August 3, 2018; made a press declaration to regain her job on September 28, 2018 and attempted for a sit-in protest in front of Health Department. The police intervened the sit-in and detained Türkan Albayrak. It is learned that Türkan Albayrak was released the same day.

(10/010) Police Intervention Against Workers’ Protest in Ankara…

It is learned that Kenan Güngördü and Sinan Yerdelen, 2 workers dismissed from Zeytinburnu Municipality on the grounds of ‘personnel security investigation’, who march to Ankara, were detained in Ankara on September 30, 2018 and were released the same day.

(10/011) Police Intervention Against Saturday Mothers’ Protest in Istanbul…

Police obstructed all the streets around Galatasaray Square in Istanbul to prevent Saturday Mothers to gather for the 705th time who rally every Saturday for 23 years in the same place. 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 reported that the police prevented journalists who watch the protest to report.

(10/012) Prevention of Human Rights Defenders’ Activity in Istanbul…

“F sit-in”, which is organized for the 340th time by Human Rights Association (IHD) Istanbul Branch Prisons Committee, to demand release of ill prisoners, on September 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.

(10/013) Police Intervention into Protest of Makro and Uyum Supermarkets’ Workers in Istanbul…

Private security guards and the police intervened into workers of Makro and Uyum supermarkets, who organized a protest in Migros supermarket in Koçtaş Mall on September 30, 2018. Workers organize the action for unpaid wages, in Migros supermarket which has purchased Makro and Uyum supermarkets however they were not allowed in by private security guards and the police.

(10/014) Arrested Director in Diyarbakır…

Director Gıyasettin Şehir, who holds “The Best Art Director Award” at the 48th Antalya Golden Orange Film Festival with the movie “The March” (Meş) is detained in Diyarbakır on September 26, 2018. Gıyasettin Şehir is arrested by the court on the charge of “being an illegal organisation member” on September 29, 2018.

(10/015) Person Arrested for Social Media Posts in Maraş…

It is learned from the news coverage of September 28, 2018 that M. A., a person in Pazarcık district of Maraş, is arrested by the court on the charge of making propaganda for ISIS.

(10/016) Detentions and Arrests…

4 of 13 people who were detained in house raids in Beytüşşebap district of Şırnak on September 27 and 28, 2018, are arrested by the court on the charge of ‘aiding an illegal organisation’ on September 29, 2018. It is learned that 9 people are released.

(10/017) Health Professionals on Trial in Şırnak…

The case against 14 health professionals (9 doctors, 4 nurses and 1 ambulance driver from Turkish Medical Association (TTB) and Trade Union of Public Employees in Health and Social Services (SES)), on Mardin Heavy Penal Court No 3, on the grounds of organizing a “health corridor” for the people injured in basements in Cizre during the curfew, is held on September 28, 2018. After defence hearings the court adjourned the trial to December 26, 2018.

(10/018) “Istanbul KCK Main Case”

The case against 205 people including members and executives of Peace and Democracy Party (BDP), on Istanbul Heavy Penal Court No 3 is held on September 28, 2018. The court issued a warrant for 18 people in order to take testimonials, rejected the demand of cancelling the red notice issued for writer and publisher Ragıp Zarakolu and adjourned the trial to November 30, 2018.

(10/019) Detentions and Arrests in Alleged Link to Coup Attempt…

On September 28, 2018 1 person in Kayseri is detained.

36 of 61 people who were detained on September 21, 2018 through an Ankara based investigation on Turkish Air Force personnel, are arrested by the court on September 28, 2018. 25 people are released 22 of which are on juridical control conditions. It is reported that 9 people who were also detained through the same investigation are released after statement procedures at the police and 40 people are still under custody. 3 colonels, 2 lieutenant colonels, 3 major generals, ad 3 lieutenants were detained through this investigation.

Hikmet Bulak, former police chief of Giresun, dismissed by a state of emergency decree, who were detained in Ankara on September 26, 2018 is arrested by the court on September 28, 2018.

15 of 21 people including dismissed public employees who were detained through an Istanbul based investigation are arrested by the court on September 28, 2018. 5 people are released, 1 of which is on house arrest. It is reported that 1 person is taken back to the police headquarters due to incomplete testimonial.

1 person who was detained in Çanakkale through an Adana based investigation is arrested by the court on September 28, 2018.

5 of 14 people who were detained through an Adana based investigation on September 25, 2018 are arrested by the court on September 29, 2018. 1 person is released on juridical control conditions. 3 people were arrested and 5 people were released on juridical control conditions through this investigation earlier.

1 person who were detained in Eskişehir is arrested by the court on September 29, 2018.

3 people are detained in house raids in Aydın on September 29, 2018.

8 of 18 military members on active duty who were detained through a Van based investigation are arrested by the court on September 29, 2018. 10 people are released on juridical control conditions.

25 of 50 people including military members on active duty, who were detained through an Istanbul based investigation on September 26, 2018, are arrested by the court on September 29, 2018. 25 people are released.

(10/020) Trials in Alleged Link to Coup Attempt…

The final trial of the case against Murat Gökçe, former chief public prosecutor of Ankara Batı Courthouse, on Ankara Heavy Penal Court No 21 is held on September 28, 2018. The court sentenced Murat Gökçe to 8 years and 9 months for ‘being an illegal organisation member’.

The final trial of the case against 5 former military personnel of Giresun Gendarmerie Regional Command (former Deputy Gendarmerie Commander Major Erol Çetin, former Gendarmerie Regional Command Deputy Staff Commander Major Ayhan Yalçın, Bulancak district Gendarmerie Commander Lieutenant Şenol Tayan, Lieutenant Mustafa İşcen and sergeant V. Y.) on Giresun Heavy Penal Court No 2 is held on September 28, 2018. The court sentenced Ayhan Yalçın and Şenol Tayan to heavy life imprisonment on the charge of ‘attempting to demolish the constitutional order’, Erol Çetin to 10 years for ‘being an illegal organisation member’, and Mustafa İşcen to 9 years for the same reason. The court acquitted V. Y.

(10/021) Special Security Zone in Bingöl…

Bingöl Governorate made a declaration on September 27, 2018 and announced that 26 areas with given coordinates in central, Adaklı, Genç, Solhan, Yayladere, Kiğı, Karlıova and Yedisu districts are special security zones between September 27 to October 11, 2018.

(10/022) Special Security Zone in Antep…

Antep Governorate made a declaration on September 28, 2018 and announced that areas with given coordinates on Syrian border are special security zones between September 28 to October 12, 2018.

(10/023) Curfew in Nusaybin…

Mardin Governorate made a declaration on September 30, 2018 and announced curfew in Dibek neighbourhood of Nusaybin district as of 09.00, on September 30, 2018 until further notice.

(10/024) Media Freedom Report in September…

On September 30, 2018 former CHP PM Barış Yarkadaş, declared the report on violations of rights in media in September 2018. According to the report, 84 journalists and press employees went on trials; 4 journalists are detained; 1 foreign journalist is arrested; 3 journalists are investigated; 8 journalists are sentenced to 24 years and 2 months in total; 5 journalists are fined to 29.210 Turkish Liras; 2 journalists was subjected to physical violence and 2 newspapers were censored.

[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, 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.