Human Rights Foundation of Turkey Documentation Center[1][2][3][4][5]
31 May 2018 Daily Human Rights Report
(05/289) Operations and Attacks in Southeast…
It is learned from news coverage of May 30, 2018 that, 1 HPG militant died in a clash during military operation of Turkish Armed Forces in Iraqi Kurdistan Regional Government.
(05/290) 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 May 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 May 30, 2018, 3 people (Nazan Bozkurt, Gülnaz Bozkurt and Mahmut Konuk) and at 18.00 2 people (Nazan Bozkurt and Gülnaz Bozkurt) were detained.
Thus in total 5 people were detained due to press declaration intended to be held in Yüksel Street on May 30, 2018. It is learned that detainees were released the same day.
(05/291) The Cases Against Academics Who Are the Signatories of the Petition “We will not be a party to this crime!”…
The separate cases against 7 academicians (Assist. Professor Bülent Küçük, Professor B. K., Assoc. Professor Çiğdem Kafesçioğlu, Professor N. N., Assist. Professor O. A., Professor Güler Fişek, PhD Gaye Yılmaz) for signing the petition “We will not be a party to this crime!” on Istanbul Heavy Penal Court No 28 for ‘making propaganda for an illegal organisation’ is held on May 30, 2018. After defence hearings the court adjourned 4 of the trials to September 18, 1 trial to September 25, 1 trial to September 26, and 1 trial to October 2, 2018. During the trial of the case against Professor Güler Fişek, a discussion took place between the court board and lawyers on the issue of registration of defence declarations and the court decided to clear lawyers and the audience out of the court room.
(05/292) The Case of Sözcü Newspaper…
The case against Burak Akbay, grant holder of Sözcü newspaper; Mediha Olgun, news director of www.sozcu.com.tr portal; Yonca Yücekaleli, finance director and reporter Gökmen Ulu, on Istanbul Heavy Penal Court Bo 37 is held on May 30, 2018. After defence hearings the court rejected the demand for lifting the ban on leaving the country for Mediha Olgun and Gökmen Ulu, and adjourned the trial to November 7, 2018.
On May 19, 2017, a detention warrant has been issued through “Fethullahist Terrorist Organisation / Parallel State Structure Investigations”, for Burak Akbay, Mediha Olgun, Gökmen Ulu and Yonca Yücekaleli. Gökmen Ulu and Mediha Olgun have been arrested by the court on May 26, 2017. Mediha Olgun was released on September 22, Gökmen Ulu was released on November 9, 2017 on juridical control conditions.
The indictment of the case is based on a news report “Sözcü Found Erdoğan” by Gökmen Ulu, and stated that the news report “leads the way, calls on to the planned assassination against President and paves the way for it”.
(05/293) Former HDP Co-Chair on Trial…
The case against Figen Yüksekdağ, former co-chair of HDP, on Mersin Penal Court of First Instance No 9, on the charge of insulting former prime minister Ahmet Davutoğlu in a speech she made at provincial convention of HDP in Mersin on March 13, 2016; is held on May 30, 2018. The court adjourned the trial to November 27, 2018.
(05/294) Co-Mayor on Trial…
The case against Bekir Kaya, co-mayor of Van and 10 employees of municipality, on Van Penal Court of First Instance No 3, on the grounds that the fire department did not intervene the fire started during Kobane incidents in 2014, is held on May 30, 2018. The court adjourned the trial to October 25, 2018.
(05/295) Ayla Akat Ata and Others on Trial…
The case against 5 people including Ayla Akat Ata, activist of Free Women Movement (TJA) and Taşkın Aktaş, HDP’s MP candidate for Ardahan, for the speeches made at funeral service for Kamber Morkoç, on Ardahan Heavy Penal Court No 1 is held on May 30, 2018. Kamber Morkoç has died due to gunfire of military members in Koyunlu village of Ardahan’s Göle district on July 12, 2015. After defence hearings the court released 5 people and adjourned the trial.
(05/296) Singer on Trial for ‘Insulting the President’…
The final trial of the case against singer Erdal Güney, on the charge of ‘insulting the President’ in the lyrics of a song he made, is held on May 29, 2018. The court sentenced Erdal Güney to 11 months and 20 days and postponed the sentence.
(05/297) Investigation for April 24 Armenian Genocide Commemoration…
It is learned from news coverage of May 30, 2018 that, Istanbul Public Prosecutor’s Office decided on non-prosecution of Leman Yurtsever, Jiyan Tosun and Gamze Özdemir for whom Department of Press Offences has initiated an investigation. Leman Yurtsever, Jiyan Tosun and Gamze Özdemir was detained in police intervention to the commemoration for Armenian Genocide organized by Human Rights Association (IHD) Committee Against Racism and Discrimination on April 24, 2018.
(05/298) Detentions and Arrests in Alleged Link to Coup Attempt…
9 of 16 people who were detained in Antalya on May 17, 2018 are arrested by the court on May 30, 2018. 7 people are released on juridical control conditions.
(05/299) Trials in Alleged Link to Coup Attempt…
The final trial of the case against 16 military officers including 9 arrestees on Istanbul Heavy Penal Court No 27 is held on May 30, 2018. The court sentenced 7 defendants to heavy life penalty for ‘attempting to violate the constitutional order’, 3 defendants to jail penalties differing from 6 years 3 months to 10 years for ‘being an illegal organisation member’. The court acquitted 6 defendants.
The final trials of the separate cases against 8 people for leaking the questions of Public Personnel Selection Exam in 2010, on Ankara Heavy Penal Court No 2 is held on May 30, 2018. The court sentenced 5 defendants to 6 years and 3 months each for ‘being an illegal organisation member’. The court also sentenced 2 defendants to 3 years 1 month and 15 days and fine penalty for ‘chain fraud towards public institutions’. The court acquitted 3 defendants.
The final trial of the case against 13 defendants including 8 arrestees on Samsun Heavy Penal Court No 3 is held on May 30, 2018. The court sentenced Black Sea Coast Guard commander senior colonel Murat Özer and lieutenant Ömer Binici to life penalty for ‘attempting to violate the constitutional order’. The court sentenced 6 defendants to jail penalties differing from 2 years and 1 month to 7 years and 6 months for ‘being an illegal organisation member’. The court acquitted 5 defendants.
(05/300) Elections on June 24, 2018…
The appeal made to Supreme Election Committee about telephone interview of Selahattin Demirtaş, HDP’s candidate for presidency, for a television programme aired on FOX TV, is rejected. It is learned that 2 members of the committee added annotation to the decision in which it is stated as following: “It is not conceivable that Selahattin Demirtaş who is a candidate for presidency is not entitled to propaganda rights for candidates just for being arrested. Regarding that, Ministry of Justice is the authority for providing Selahattin Demirtaş the right of propaganda which is projected in electoral laws provided that required measures are taken under conditions of prison; and thus we do not approve the decision”.
It is learned that a racist group attacked people after the meeting of HDP at Ankara Batıkent on May 29, 2018. It is reported in the news that the police intervened with pepper spray into the participators of the meeting. It is learned that 2 people are injured due to attack.
On May 30, 2018, 13 volunteers of HDP’s electoral campaign are detained in Diyarbakır: The names of detainees known so far are: Democratic Regions Party (DBP) Bağlar district co-chair Hasret Akay, Bağcılar campaign office director Sinan Doğan, Saadettin Akay, Yasin Biet, Arzu Karaman, Özlem Noyan, Hacer Yaşar, Hasan Al.
It is learned that on May 30, 2018, during the opening of a campaign office of HDP in Seyhan district of Adana, 1 person named Cahit Güven, is detained based on a finalised sentence. It is learned from news reports that Cahit Güven was subjected to physical violence by the police at station.
On May 30, 2018, a racist group attempted to attack HDP’s campaign stand in Konur Street in Ankara.
On May 30, 2018, an anonymous attack was organised against HDP’s campaign office in Iskenderun district of Hatay. It is learned that the office was materially damaged due to the attack.
It is learned that campaign Stand of İyi Party in Şehzadeler district of Manisa was attempted to be lifted by municipality police on May 30, 2018.
It is learned from news coverage of May 30, 2018 that Alpaslan Kılıç, appointed trustee of Dicle district municipality in Diyarbakır, banned HDP flags until June 5, 2018 based on the decision of Supreme Electoral Committee. It is stated in the news reports that AKP flags are being held by municipality employees in the district.
(05/301) Prevented Event in Ankara…
It is learned from the news coverage of May 30, 2018 that LGBTI themed short film screening organised by Ankara Bar Human Rights Center is banned by Ankara Governorate on the grounds of “social sensibility”. Ankara Governorate made a declaration on November 19, 2017 and announced that all events and activities of LGTI organisations are indefinitely banned.
(05/302) Special Security Zone in Bingöl…
Bingöl Governorate made a declaration on May 29, 2018 and announced that 21 areas with given coordinates in central, Adaklı, Genç, Solhan, Yayladere, Kiğı, Karlıova and Yedisu districts are special security zones as of May 30, 2018 until June 13, 2018.
[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.