Human Rights Foundation of Turkey Documentation Center[1][2][3][4][5]
7 – 9 July 2018 Daily Human Rights Report
(07/065) State of Emergency Decree No 701…
Decree No 701 as Part of State of Emergency published on the Official Gazette on July 8, 2018. Thus, 199 academicians including 18 Academics for Peace members signing the petition “We will not be a party to this crime!”, and 18.632 public employees in total are dismissed from their jobs; 3 newspapers (Halkın Nabzı, Özgürlükçü Demokrasi and Welat), 1 television channel (Avantaj TV) and 12 associations are closed down.
(07/066) 2 Civilians Died in Diyarbakır…
It is learned from news coverage of July 7, 2018 the responsibility for the death of Remzi Güler (48) and his son Mahmut Güler (26) who were found shot in their heads near Yalımlı village of Diyarbakır’s Lice district on July 5, 2018, after being missing for a while, is taken by HPG.
(07/067) Operations and Attacks in Southeast…
It is learned from news coverage of July 6, 2018 that 6 militants died in a clash between security forces and HPG militants in Cudi mountain in Şırnak on June 18, 2018.
It is learned that 1 soldier died and 2 soldiers were wounded due to explosion of a hand grenade in Kozluk Station in Ağrı on July 8, 2018. It is claimed in press news that explosion was by accident.
(07/068) Claim of Torture Under Custody in Urfa…
It is claimed on news coverage of July 7, 2018 that, S. D., a person who was detained by a road stop on the grounds of ‘being an illegal organisation member’ in Ceylanpınar district of Urfa on June 6, 2018, was subjected to torture at Ceylanpınar Gendarmerie Station. It is reported in the news that, despite of apparent marks of torture, S. D. was not given a medical report evidencing the torture, by the physician in charge of health check procedures.
It is learned from news coverage that S. D. explained the torture to his lawyer as following: “A person they call ‘Dayı’ – [uncle] started to punch me upon I reject the accusations. He attacked me with the iron club hanging on the wall. He kept hitting me on my back, arms and calf. (…) They put my feet through the chair and hit my feet as being bastinadoed. (…) After this, they gave a break. They forced me to lie down on my back and they forcefully take my pants and underpants down to my knees. They started to squeeze my legs first, and then my genitalia and testicles. Right after squeezing they applied electric shock. This took almost 10-15 minutes. Then they gave a 5-10 minutes’ break, and then continued to torture with electric shock. They gave electric shock to my chest, arms and mouth at the second time. (…) They put a thing through my hands and my back while I was handcuffed behind my back. I was lifted up by this thing. They spilt water on me while I was lifted up. They gave electric shocks to my genitalia, testicles and toes.”
It is reported that S. D.’s lawyer made an official complaint about torture to Ceylanpınar Public Prosecutor’s Office.
(07/069) Person Prevented from Lawyer Visit Under Custody in Istanbul…
It is learned from news coverage of July 8, 2018 that, Gülizar Taşdemir, who was deported by Norway and extradited to Turkey on July 4, 2018, is prevented to be visited by lawyers at Istanbul Police Headquarters where she has been taken to. Gülizar Taşdemir’s lawyers stated in press news as following: “Unlawful process is going on. Possibility of torture is quite high. We could not do anything because they never let us see her. We will apply to the prosecutor on Monday.”
(07/070) Torture and Ill-Treatment in Prison…
It is learned from news coverage of July 6, 2018 that, prisoners in Osmaniye T Type Prison No 1, including Kulp municipality co-mayor Sadiye Süer, who reacted entrance of male wardens to wards of women prisoners during roll-calls, were subjected to physical violence by wardens.
(07/071) 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 July 7, 2018 against uniform coercion in prisons is prevented by the police. It is reported that 2 people (Halil İbrahim Şener and Deniz Yılmaz) were detained in police intervention.
(07/072) Hunger Strike in Prison…
It is learned from news coverage of July 8, 2018 that Ziynet Sağlam, a prisoner in Tarsus Women’s Prison who was kept in a single cell, is on hunger strike for 9 days since the prison administration rejected her demand to be kept in a ward.
(07/073) Rejection to Meeting Request with Abdullah Öcalan…
It is learned that the appeal made on July 6, 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 83rd time that appeals for visiting Öcalan have been rejected since September 11, 2016.
(07/074) 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 July 6, 7, and 8, 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 July 6, 2018, 2 people (Alev Şahin and Mehmet Dersulu) and at 18.00 3 people (Acun Karadağ, Alev Şahin and Turgut Türksoy) were detained.
It was reported that during police intervention against the press declaration which was planned to be held at 13.30 on July 7, 2018, 3 people (Alev Şahin, Gülnaz Bozkurt and Mehmet Dersulu) and at 18.00 3 people (Acun Karadağ, 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 July 8, 2018, 3 people (Alev Şahin, Mehmet Dersulu and İlker Işık) and at 18.00 3 people (Acun Karadağ, Gülnaz Bozkurt and İlker Işık) were detained.
Thus in total 16 people were detained due to press declaration intended to be held in Yüksel Street on July 6, 7, and 8, 2018. It is learned that detainees were released the same day.
(07/075) Detention of Nuriye Gülmen…
Academician Nuriye Gülmen, who is among “I Want My Job Back” protests in Yüksel Street, Ankara, is detained in Ankara on July 7, 2018. The reason for detention was a warrant issued based on lack of a statement within a case opened against her. Nuriye Gülmen is released the same day, after statement procedures.
(07/076) Arrested HDP Members in Şırnak…
4 of 30 people who were detained in Cizre district of Şırnak on July 5, 2018, are arrested by the court on July 8, 2018. It is learned that 10 people are released and 16 people are still under custody. The names of arrested people are: Ramazan Çağırga (father of 10 years-old Cemile Çağırga, who was killed by a shot during curfew declared on September 4, 2015), Veysi Durgut (HDP’s MP candidate for Manisa for elections on June 24, 2018) and Osman Erkul.
(07/077) Detained HDP Members in Urfa…
12 people who were detained in Suruç district of Urfa on June 27, 2018, are released on July 6, 2018, provided that 2 of them on juridical control conditions.
(07/078) METU Students Detained for ‘Insulting the President’…
6 of Middle East Technical University students who carry a banner containing “The Kingdom of Tayyips” cartoon at graduation ceremony on July 6, 2018 are detained on July 7, 2018 (3 students) and on July 8, 2018 (3 students). It is reported that the person prepared and printed the banner was also detained. It is learned from news coverage that a warrant is issued for 13 students to give their official statements.
Özgür Mehmet Gür, METU Students’ Representative Council chair who was detained on July 7, 2018 is released on July 9, 2018 after interrogation at the prosecutor’s office.
The cartoon of “The Kingdom of Tayyips” which was published as cover of Penguen humour magazine on February 24, 2005, was brought to the court by Tayyip Erdoğan, prime minister back then, in 2006, reclaiming compensation of 40.000 Turkish Liras, and the court has rejected the case.
(07/079) Person Arrested for ‘Insulting the President’ in Nevşehir…
- C., a person detained in Nevşehir for ‘insulting the President’ in social media posts, is arrested by the court on July 6, 2018.
(07 /080) The Cases Against Academics Who Are the Signatories of the Petition “We will not be a party to this crime!”…
The separate cases against 12 academicians (Research Assistant Aslı Aydemir, Professor Ayşe Rezan Tuncay, Professor Özdemir Aktan, Professor Şahika Yüksel from Istanbul University, Professor Ayşe Erzan, retired from Istanbul Technical University, Professor Nesrin Sungur Çakmak from Marmara University, PhD Onur Buğra Kolcu from Arel University, Lecturer Emrah Dönmez from Işık University, Research Assistant Hazal Halavut, PhD student Elif Çevik, Professor Fatma Gök from Boğaziçi University and Lecturer Aytül Fırat from Kemerburgaz University) for signing the petition “We will not be a party to this crime!” on Istanbul Heavy Penal Court No 32 for ‘making propaganda for an illegal organisation’ is held on July 6, 2018. After declarations the court adjourned 11 trial to September 26, 2018, and 1 trail to October 16, 2018.
(07/081) Former HDP Co-chair on Trial…
The case against Figen Yüksekdağ, former co-chair of HDP (People’s Democratic Party) on Ankara Heavy Penal Court No 16 is held on July 6, 2018. After defence hearings the court decided to continue detention of Figen Yüksekdağ and adjourned the trial to September 24, 2018.
(07/082) Co-mayor on Trial…
The final trial of the case against Tuncer Bakırhan, co-mayor of Siirt, from DBP (Democratic Regions Party), who was replaced by an appointed trustee, on Siirt Heavy Penal Court No 2 is held on July 6, 2018. The court sentenced Tuncer Bakırhan to 10 years and 15 days for ‘being an illegal organisation member’ and ‘making propaganda for an illegal organisation’.
(07/083) Co-mayor on Trial…
The final trial of the case against Rezan Zuğurli, co-mayor of Lice district of Diyarbakır, from DBP (Democratic Regions Party), who was replaced by an appointed trustee, on Diyarbakır Heavy Penal Court No 10, for ‘being an illegal organisation member’, ‘making propaganda for an illegal organisation’, ‘praising crime and criminals’, ‘unarmed participation in illegal meetings and demonstrations and not leaving on warning’ is held on July 6, 2018. The court acquitted Rezan Zuğurli.
(07/084) HDP and DBP Members on Trial in Urfa…
The case against 22 members of HDP and DBP, including 9 arrestees, for their activities within Democratic Society Congress, on Urfa Heavy Penal Court No 6 is held on July 6, 2018. The court rejected demand of release for 9 arrestees and adjourned the trial to July 17, 2018.
(07/085) Lice Case…
The case about incidents happened in Lice district of Diyarbakır on October 22, 1993, where 14 civilians, 1 soldier and Gendarmerie Section Commander Bahtiyar Aydın died, on İzmir Heavy Penal Court No 1 is held on July 6, 2018. Lawyers of complainants demanded recusation due to being rejected for all demands during the trials. The court rejected recusation demand and decided to await the verdict of supreme court on this demand, and adjourned the trial to December 7, 2018.
(07/086) Detentions and Arrests in Alleged Link to Coup Attempt…
On July 6, 2018, in operations covering 21 cities through a Manisa based investigation, 18 people including military members on active duty; 17 military members on active duty in Sakarya; a retired brigadier general on a detention warrant in Muğla; and 3 people in Antalya are detained.
Academician Ali Galip B. and a local news portal holder Kazım Ş., who were detained through an Uşak based investigation, are arrested by the court on July 6, 2018. It is reported that 5 military members on active duty who were detained through the same investigation are still under custody.
6 of 15 military members on active duty who were detained through a Maraş based investigation are arrested by the court on July 7, 2018. 9 people are released on juridical control conditions.
İbrahim Bayır, sub-governor and appointed trustee of Saray district of Van; Ahmet Özkan, sub-governor of Hasköy district of Muş; and Serdar Karal, legal counsellor of Artvin Governorate, who were detained through an Erzurum based investigation are arrested by the court on July 7, 2018. 2 people detained through the same investigation are released. Previously, Muhammet Kaya, deputy governor of Kilis has been arrested and Kamil Aksoy, deputy governor of Ağrı has been released through the same investigation.
(07/087) Journalists on Trial in Istanbul…
The final trial of the case against 11 authors including Ali Bulaç, Şahin Alpay, Mümtazer Türköne, Ahmet Alkan and Mustafa Ünal, of Zaman newspaper, closed by state of emergency decree, on Istanbul Heavy Penal Court No 13 is held on July 6, 2018. The court sentenced Şahin Alpay, Ali Bulaç and Ahmet Turan Alkan to 8 years and 9 months, İbrahim Karayeğen to 9 years, Mümtazer Türköne and Mustafa Ünal to 10 years and 6 months for ‘being an illegal organisation member’. The court released Ahmet Turan Alkan and İbrahim Karayeğen based on its verdict, and decided to continue detention of Mustafa Ünal and Mümtazer Türköne. The court acquitted 5 defendants (İhsan Dağı, Lale Sarıibrahimoğlu, Mehmet Özdemir, Nuriye Akman and Orhan Kemal Cengiz).
(07/088) Trials in Alleged Link to Coup Attempt…
The final trial of the case against Ali Yıldız, former deputy manager of Directorate General of Prisons and Detention Houses on Ankara Heavy Penal Court No 21 is held on July 6, 2018. The court sentenced Ali Yıldız to 10 years for ‘being an illegal organisation member’.
The final trial of the case against Ragıp Kılıç, former police chief of Hatay, on Ankara Heavy Penal Court No 21 is held on July 6, 2018. The court sentenced Ragıp Kılıç to 10 years for ‘being an illegal organisation member’.
(07/089) Curfew in Nusaybin…
Mardin Governorate made a declaration on July 6, 2018 and announced curfew in Doğanlı, a rural neighbourhood of Nusaybin district as of 08.00 on July 6, 2018 until a further notice. Mardin Governorate made another declaration on the same day and lifted the curfew as of 23.00 on July 6, 2018.
(07/090) Curfew in Ömerli…
Mardin Governorate made a declaration on July 6, 2018 and announced curfew in Kovanlı, a rural neighbourhood of Ömerli district as of 08.00 on July 6, 2018 until a further notice. Mardin Governorate made another declaration on the same day and lifted the curfew as of 23.00 on July 6, 2018.
(07/091) Banned Pride in Adana…
Adana Governorate made a declaration on July 6, 2018 and banned the Pride planned to be held on July 7, 2018 based on “public security” and “social sensitivity”.
(07/092) Event Prevented in Istanbul…
It is learned from news coverage of July 7, 2018 that the event of “Kazım is Revolt” to commemorate musician Kazım Koyuncu to be organized in Beşiktaş Abbasağa Park on July 7 and 8, 2018 is cancelled by Beşiktaş sub-governorate on the grounds that security measures would not be taken.
[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, 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.