Human Rights Foundation of Turkey Documentation Center[1][2][3][4][5]
1 – 4 May 2020 Daily Human Rights Report
(05/001) Operations and Attacks in Southeast…
It is learned that 2 soldiers died and 4 soldiers got wounded in a clash between security forces and HPG militants in rural areas of Bitlis on May 2, 2020.
It is learned from the news coverage of May 2, 2020 that 4 militants died in a clash between security forces and HPG militants in rural areas of Kağızman district of Kars on April 30, 2020.
(05/002) Person Died in Prison…
It is learned from declaration of Peoples’ Democratic Party (HDP) Kocaeli MP Ömer Faruk Gergerlioğlu on May 1, 2020 that a prisoner named Erhan Fidan killed himself in Denizli Prison.
(05/003) Person Died in Prison…
It is learned from the news coverage of April 30, 2020 that a prisoner named Mehmet E. (62) killed himself in a single cell in Ağrı Doğubayazıt Prison. It is learned that body of Mehmet E. is taken to mortuary of Doğubayazıt Public Hospital for autopsy.
(05/004) Torture and Ill-Treatment in Prison…
It is learned from the news coverage of April 29, 2020 that in Aydın Prison, 20 people are kept in a ward for 6 people.
It is learned from the news coverage of April 30, 2020 that, Peoples’ Democratic Party (HDP) Izmir MP’s Serpil Kemalbay and Murat Çepni and members of Aegean Association of Families of Prisoners (Ege TUHAY-DER) who visits Izmir Şakran Prison to meet prison administration about right violations, were rejected.
Ministry of Justice made a declaration on May 1, 2020 via twitter and announced that, as a part of precautions for Covid-19 pandemic, all visits to open and closed prisons including lawyer visits, workshop activities, leave permissions special to open prisons, using family visit rooms, collective activities for prisoners, transfers between prisons, nursery and kindergarten for children under the age of 6 who are with their mothers in prison, or sending them out to their parents or relatives are suspended until May 15, 2020.
It is learned from the news coverage of May 1, 2020 that, despite of Covid-19 pandemic, prisoners in Maraş Türkoğlu L Type Prison No 1 were given face masks only once.
It is learned from the news coverage of May 3, 2020 that, despite of Covid-19 pandemic, prisoners in Kocaeli Kandıra F Type Prison No 2 were not given disinfectants, cleaning supplies and face masks.
(05/005) Prevention of Right to Health in Prison…
It is learned that 3 prisoners (Merve Aydoğan, Nazlı Solgun and Rojda Tokçu) in Kayseri Bünyan Women’s Prison who were kept in quarantine for having symptoms of Covid-19, were not tested.
(05/006) Torture and Ill-Treatment Under Custody in Istanbul…
It is learned that Resul Özdemir, an asylum seeker who was repatriated to Turkey by Sweden on April 22, 2020, was subjected to torture and ill-treatment under custody in Turkey.
Resul Özdemir’s lawyer states the following: “Özdemir was given to National Intelligence Organisation (MIT) officers after his plane landed in Sabiha Gökçen Airport. MIT officers took my client to their place and interrogated, torturing him for 5 hours. Then he was given to Anti-Terror Department squad. After being taken to Anti-Terror Department, he was subjected to torture; electric shocks, battering, insults and was forced to stand on foot for a day.”
It is learned that Resul Özdemir was not given a medical report evidencing the torture.
Resul Özdemir was arrested by the court on April 23, 2020.
(05/007) Torture and Ill-Treatment Under Custody in Mardin…
It is learned from the news coverage of May 1, 2020 that, Abdullah Solmaz (30) who was detained in a house raid in Derik district of Mardin on April 24, 2020, was subjected to torture and ill-treatment during the raid and under custody. It is learned that a police officer was with Abdullah Solmaz when he was seeing the doctor at hospital after detention, and that he was not given a medical report evidencing the torture.
(05/008) Assault to a Newspaper’s Office in Kocaeli…
2 of 6 people who were detained in relation to the armed assault against Ses Kocaeli newspaper’s office in Kocaeli on April 20, 2020; are arrested by the court on April 30, 2020. 2 people are released.
(05/009) Interventions and Preventions Against May 1 Demonstrations…
The police intervened the press declaration of Labour Movement Party (EHP) members on May 1, in Şişli district of Istanbul on April 30, 2020; and detained 11 people including EHP spokesperson Özge Akman, by using physical violence. It is learned that the police did not follow social distancing rule for Covid-19 and some officers did not wear face masks. Names of detained people are unknown.
The press declaration of Health and Social Service Employees’ Union (SES) Ankara branch, Ankara Medical Chamber (ATO) and Union of Progressive Health Workers (Dev-Sağlık İş) for May 1, at Hacettepe Hospital in Ankara on April 30, 2020, was prevented by the police on the grounds of governorate’s ban.
It is learned that the banner at Confederation of Public Employees’ Unions (KESK) Van branch building, saying “We Produce, We Should Unite Against the Order that Kills Us, Long Live May 1”, is removed and seized by the police, on the grounds of verbal instruction of Van Public Prosecutor’s Office.
The police intervened Confederation of Progressive Trade Unions of Turkey (DISK) members in front of DISK Central Office, attempting to march to Taksim Square in Istanbul to celebrate May 1, and detained 15 people including DISK chair Arzu Çerkezoğlu. Detained people are: Arzu Çerkezoğlu, DİSK Secretary General Adnan Serdaroğlu, Progressive Construction Workers’ Union (Dev-Yapı İŞ) chair Özgür Karabulut, Progressive Health Workers Union (Dev-Sağlık İş) Secretary General Erdoğan Demir, Food Workers Union (Gıda İş) chair Seyit Aslan, Energy Workers Union (Enerji-Sen) chair Süleyman Keskin, Food Workers Union (Gıda İş) Secretary General Olcay Ozak, United Metal Workers’ Union (Birleşik Metal İş) executives Seyfettin Gülengün and Muhammet Yurtsever, Textile Workers Union (Tekstil-Sen) Istanbul chair Asalettin Aslanoğlu, DISK specialist Faruk Işık, Social Service Workers Union (Sosyal-İş) specialist Cemal Bilgin, Community Houses Secretary General Özge Ozan, Community Houses member Ersin Kiriş and Polat Deniz Gülşen. Detained people are released after being imposed a penalty fine of 3,180 Turkish Liras on the same day.
The police intervened the group to march to Taksim Square from Şişli district of Istanbul on May 1, 2020 and detained 12 people.
The police intervened the group holding a banner at Taksim Square in Istanbul on May 1, 2020 and detained 3 people including a journalist (Gamze Nihal İyidoğan, Ekinsu Aktaş and Önsöz TV reporter Sena Şat Karaköy). Detained people are released after being imposed to penalty fine.
Grup Yorum music choir member Tuğçe Tayyar and İdil Cultural Center worker Baki Can Işık who had a demonstration at Taksim Square of Istanbul on May 1, 2020 are detained. Detained 2 people are released on the same day.
The police intervened Community Houses members celebrating May 1 at Gündoğdu Square in Izmir on May 1, 2020 and detained 5 people (Doğan Barış Halidi, Tuncay Olguner, Evrim Çakır, Gizem Coşkun and Erdem Engin). Detained people are released on the same day after administrative act for violating
The police intervened Community Houses members attempting to march to Taksim Square in Istanbul on May 1, 2020, and detained 4 people.
The police intervened Construction Workers Union (İnşaat-İş) and Umut-Sen Labour Union members celebrating May 1 in Kadıköy district of Istanbul on May 1, 2020 and detained 8 people. Detained people are released on the same day.
The police detained 4 people after May 1 celebration in Tuzluçayır neighbourhood of Mamak district of Ankara on May 1, 2020. Names of detained people known so far are: Ekin Erdem Evliya and Anıl Yeşiltepe.
It is learned that convoy of cleaning vehicles formed by DISK members in Mersin were stopped by the police and DISK flags on vehicles were removed.
Middle East Technical University students hanging a banner at university campus in Ankara on May 1, 2020 were intervened by private security chief. It is learned that students hung the banner.
It is learned that May 1 banner on Tunceli Municipality building was removed on the grounds of governorate’s instruction.
It is learned that house of a Students Collective member who hung a banner on their house window in Zonguldak on May 1, 2020 was raided and searched by the police.
(05/010) Police Intervention Against “I Want My Job Back” Protest in Ankara…
The police intervened the press declarations of public labourers who had been dismissed by a state of emergency decree and have been struggling 1272 days to regain their jobs, in front of Human Rights Monument in Yüksel Street on April 30, 2020 at 13.30 and at 18.00, and forced people away from the monument by using physical violence.
(05/011) Police Intervention to a Protest in Düzce…
On April 30, 2020, the police intervened the press declaration of Alev Şahin in order to regain her job from which she was dismissed by a state of emergency decree, in front of Düzce Governorate and detained her. Alev Şahin was released on the same day, after being fined for violating Law of Misdemeanour and Public Health Law.
(05/012) Police Intervention to a Protest in Istanbul…
2 people (Baki Can Işık and Aydın Gevin) hanging a banner on death fasts, on Bosporus Bridge of Istanbul on April 29, 2020 are detained. Detained people are released on the same day.
(05/013) Detained Journalist in Tekirdağ…
It is learned from the news coverage of May 2, 2020 that, journalist Ferhat Akgün who were detained on the grounds of “violating workplace impunity by entering without permission” to Tekirdağ Public Hospital which is used for Covid-19 pandemic; is released by the court on house confinement during investigation.
(05/014) Detained Person in Diyarbakır for Social Media Posts…
Hülya Oruç, wife of journalist Aziz Oruç who is kept in Ağrı Patnos Prison, is detained in Diyarbakır on April 30, 2020, for her social media posts on right violations in Patnos Prison during Covid-19 pandemic. Hülya Oruç is released by the court on ban on leaving the house and the country.
(05/015) Arrested EMEP Executive in Adana…
Ferit Kilis, Yüreğir district chair of Labour Party (EMEP) in Adana, is detained on May 1, 2020 for his social media posts. Ferit Kilis is arrested by the court on the same day, on the grounds of ‘targeting public employee assigned in anti-terror activity’.
(05/016) Detained People in Van…
14 people are detained in house raids in İpekyolu district of Van on May 1, 2020; on the grounds of participating in a demonstration to protest sending of funeral of a HPG militant to his family by cargo. Names of detained people are unknown.
(05/017) Detained TUHAY-DER Members in Van…
2 members of (Halime Albay and Zeki İtah) Association of Families of Prisoners (TUHAY-DER) who were detained in house raids in Van on April 29, 2020, are released on judicial control conditions on May 1, 2020.
(05/018) Detained Future Party Members in Bitlis…
5 members of The Future Party (Gelecek Partisi) giving away face masks in Bitlis are detained on May 2, 2020.
(05/019) Investigation Against CHP Executive in Istanbul…
On April 30, 2020, Republican People’s Party (CHP) Istanbul chair Canan Kaftancıoğlu, gave her official statement to Press Offences Department at Istanbul Courthouse, through the investigation about taking pictures of house of Fahrettin Altun, Communications Director Republic of Turkey.
(05/020) Investigation Against Journalists in Istanbul…
On April 30, 2020, Cumhuriyet newspaper reporter Hazal Ocal, photo-journalist Vedat Arık, executive editors Olcay Büyüktaş and İpek Özbey gave their official statements at Istanbul Security Directorate through the investigation about taking pictures of house of Fahrettin Altun, Communications Director Republic of Turkey.
(05/021) Investigation Against Journalist in Istanbul…
It is learned from the news coverage of April 30, 2020 that, Istanbul Public Prosecutor’s Office prepared an indictment against journalist Fatih Portakal for his social media posts, on the charge of violating Article 74 of Banking Law related to ‘protection of reputation’.
Fatih Portakal’s social media post on April 6, 2020 was as following: “We are having tough days. I hope they would not demand money from those who have deposit and savings. Unfortunately, I cannot say it is impossible”.
(05/022) Broadcast Ban for TV Channels…
On April 30, 2020, the Radio and Television Supreme Council (RTÜK) issued Ayşenur Arslan’s programme on Halk TV with a broadcast ban for five times. The reason of ban is unknown.
On April 30, 2020, the Radio and Television Supreme Council (RTÜK) issued FOX TV with an administrative sanction at top level. The reason of sanction is appearance of Ercan Gün, who is in prison through “Fethullahist Terrorist Organisation/Parallel State Structure” cases, as Planning Director in prime time newscast’s credits and titles.
(05/023) Covid-19 Pandemic…
Ministry of Health declared that 93 people died due to Covid-19 pandemic and 2,615 new Covid-19 cases were diagnosed on April 30, 2020.
Ministry of Health declared that 84 people died due to Covid-19 pandemic and 2,188 new Covid-19 cases were diagnosed on May 1, 2020.
Ministry of Health declared that 78 people died due to Covid-19 pandemic and 1,983 new Covid-19 cases were diagnosed on May 2, 2020.
Ministry of Health declared that 61 people died due to Covid-19 pandemic and 1,670 new Covid-19 cases were diagnosed on May 3, 2020.
The death toll from Covid-19 in Turkey increased to 3,397 and total number of confirmed cases is 126,045 as of May 3, 2020.
It is learned from the news coverage of April 30, 2020 that a prisoner who was released from Ankara Sincan Prison, died from Covid-19 in hospital on April 14, 2020. HDP Kocaeli MP Ömer Faruk Gergerlioğlu declared on March 25, 2020 that a prisoner in Sincan Prisoner has Covid-19. Ankara Public Prosecutor’s Office denied the allegation and initiated an investigation against Ömer Faruk Gergerlioğlu on the charge of ‘provoking fear and panic among 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.
[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, 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.