Human Rights Foundation of Turkey Documentation Center[1][2][3][4][5]
8 – 10 February 2020 Daily Human Rights Report
(02/070) Operations and Attacks in Southeast…
It is learned from the news coverage of February 9, 2020 that 2 militants died in a clash between security forces and HPG militants in rural areas of Beytüşşebap district of Şırnak on September 18, 2019.
(02/071) Military Operation to North and South Syria and Attacks…
Ministry of National Defence announced that 1 soldier died and 4 soldiers got wounded due to roll-over of a military vehicle in Syria in February 8, 2020.
(02/072) Person Burned Himself in Hatay…
A person named A. Y. who has been unemployed for a long time and who has burned himself in front of Hatay Governorate saying “My children are hungry” on February 7, 2020, died in Hatay Public Hospital.
(02/073) Asylum Seekers Died in Van…
It is learned that 13 asylum seekers found dead due to cold in rural areas of Sarıçimen neighbourhood of Çaldıran district of Van on February 9, 2020. It is stated in the news reports that 10 of them were from Afghanistan and 3 of them are from Syria.
(02/074) Torture and Ill-Treatment in Erzurum…
It is learned from the news coverage of February 8, 2020 that, 3 people (İrfan Arslan, Şevin Arslan and Halis Arslan) were subjected to torture and ill-treatment of security forces raiding a house in Çavuş village of Karayazı district of Erzurum. It is stated in the news reports that İrfan Arslan got deteriorated due to torture and was taken to Karayazı Public Hospital first and then to Erzurum by ambulance.
It is learned that Şevin Arslan and Halis Arslan were detained after the raid and were taken to Erzurum Police Headquarters.
(02/75) Torture and Ill-Treatment in Prison…
It is learned from the news coverage of February 7, 2020 that, Grand National Assembly Human Rights Inquiry Committee’s Sub-Committee on Prisoners’ Rights has declared its report on prisons in Elazığ and stated that 704 prisoners are kept in Elazığ E Type Prison which has a capacity of 468 people. It is also stated in the report that, heating do not work, tap water is dirty, prisoners are referred to prison infirmary with a delay of 2 weeks and to hospitals with a delay of months, stuff that prisoners buy from prison commissary store is seized during ward searches, food given to prisoners is not adequate and hygienic enough all the time, petitions of prisoners are not put in process, visit time is reduced from 1 hour to 30 minutes; and cultural, sports and social rights of prisoners are limited.
It is also stated in the report that food given to prisoners is not adequate and hygienic, outdoor time for prisoners is reduced, children staying in prison with their mothers are not given food required for their development, personal belongings of prisoners are scattered around during ward searches, and prisoners are forced to be medically examined in handcuffs in Elazığ Women’s Prison.
It is also stated in the report that in Elazığ High Security Prison No 1, food for 1 person is portioned out to 3 people.
It is learned from the news coverage of February 7, 2020 that political prisoners in Rize L Type Prison are put in wards of ordinary prisoners under coercion. It is stated in the news reports that political prisoners are subjected to psychological pressure, death threats and insults in these wards.
It is learned from the news coverage of February 8, 2020 that Hüseyin Bağ, a prisoner kept in Elazığ High Security Prison No 2 was subjected to physical violence of wardens because of reacting them for scattering his personal belongings during a search on February 3, 2020.
(02/076) Prevention of Right to Health in Prison…
It is learned from the news coverage of February 9, 2020 that Adem Durmuş, a prisoner with cataract in Samsun Bafra T Type Prison was not treated and has visual impairment due to this.
(02/077) Rejection to Meeting Request with Abdullah Öcalan…
It is learned that the appeal made on February 7, 2020 to chief public prosecutor’s office in Bursa by PKK leader Abdullah Öcalan’s sister and brother and tutelary 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. Abdullah Öcalan met his family on January 12, 2019 for the first time after September 11, 2016 and meeting requests have been rejected for 93 times to this date.
(02/078) Police Intervention Against “I Want My Job Back” Protest in Ankara…
The police intervened the sit-in protests after press declaration of public labourers who had been dismissed by a state of emergency decree and have been struggling 1181 days to regain their jobs, in front of Human Rights Monument in Yüksel Street on February 7, 8, and 9, 2020 at 13.30, and at 18.00.
It was reported that the police intervened the sit-in protest after press declaration at 13.30 on February 7, 2020, and detained Nazan Bozkurt and Acun Karadağ by using physical violence and forcing them away from Human Rights Monument.
It was reported that that the police intervened the sit-in protest after press declaration at 13.30 on February 8, 2020, and detained Acun Karadağ, Merve Demirel and Fatma Karataş by using physical violence. Nazan Bozkurt, who then wanted to hold another sit-in protest in front of Human Rights Monument is also detained by the police by using physical violence. The police intervened the sit-in protest after press declaration at 18.00 same day and forced participators away from the monument; and detained Acun Karadağ, Nazan Bozkurt, Merve Demirel and Fatma Karataş by using physical violence.
It was reported that that the police intervened the sit-in protest after press declaration at 13.30 on February 9, 2020, and detained Acun Karadağ and Merve Demirel by using physical violence.
Thus in total 12 people were detained in police interventions in Yüksel Street on February 7, 8, and 9, 2020. It is learned detained people were released on the same days they were detained.
(02/079) Police Intervention to a Protest in Ankara…
The police intervened press declaration of Alev Şahin, who was dismissed by a state of emergency decree, in front of Ministry of Environment and Urban Planning in Ankara on February 7, 2020 and detained her and Merve Demirel who was recording the protest. It is learned that Alev Şahin and Merve Demirel were released on the same day.
(02/080) Police Intervention to a Protest in Istanbul…
The police intervened the press declaration for Mustafa Koçak, İbrahim Gökçek and Helin Bölek, at Khalkedon Square in Kadıköy district of Istanbul on February 6, 2020 and detained Feridun Osmanoğlu. Mustafa Koçak is on death fast for 223 days in Izmir Şakran T Type Prison, to demand a fair trial. İbrahim Gökçek and Helin Bölek have gone on a hunger strike on June 18, 2019 and İbrahim Gökçek turned his strike to a death fast on January 3, 2020 and Helin Bölek did it so on January 20, 2020.
(02/081) Police Intervention to a Protest in Istanbul…
The police intervened the press declaration for Mustafa Koçak, İbrahim Gökçek and Helin Bölek, at Özgürlük Square in Bakırköy district of Istanbul on February 9, 2020 and detained 2 people (Ahmet Gökçek and Aygül Bilgi).
(02/082) Police Intervention to a Protest in Istanbul…
The police intervened the press declaration for Mustafa Koçak, İbrahim Gökçek and Helin Bölek, at Güvenpark in Ankara on February 8, 2020 and detained 3 people (Sercan Çakır, Umutcan Aybak and Deniz Eriş).
(02/083) Police Intervention to a Protest in Ankara…
The police intervened the press declaration of Cemal Yıldırım, who was dismissed from his job by a state of emergency decree and Melek Çetinkaya, mother of an Air Force Academy student who was sentenced to heavy life imprisonment through “Fethullahist Terrorist Organisation / Parallel State Structure” cases, in Sakarya Street of Ankara on February 8, 2020 and detained 2 people.
(02/084) Prevention of 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 776th time on February 8, 2020. Upon police prevention, the group including representatives of political parties, human rights defenders and artists along with families of disappeared people held a press declaration on the street of Human Rights Association (IHD) Istanbul office.
(02/085) Prevention of Human Rights Defenders’ Event in Istanbul…
“F sit-in”, which is organized for the 411st time by Human Rights Association (IHD) Istanbul Branch Prison Watch Committee, to demand release of ill prisoners, on February 8, 2020, is prevented by the police. The police obstructed all the streets around Galatasaray Square. Human rights defenders made the press declaration in front of IHD Istanbul office.
(02/086) Police Intervention to a Protest in Istanbul…
The police intervened Youth Committees members in Şişli district on February 8, 2020, protesting increased public transportation fees in Istanbul, and detained 10 people and Sendika.Org news portal reporter Vedat Örüç. It is learned that the police did not end intervention although 1 person fainted due to police violence. The names of detained 11 people who were released by the court on judicial control conditions and with a ban on leaving the country on February 9, 2020, are unknown.
(02/087) Police Intervention to a Protest in Istanbul…
The police intervened Dev-Lis (Revolutionary High School Students) members who block the way in Kadıköy district of Istanbul on February 9, 2020, with a banner saying “We are students not customers” to protest increase of application fee for Higher Education Exam; and detained 3 people (Bünyamin Süskü, Yıldız İdil Şen and Berivan Han) by using physical violence. 3 people are released after statement procedures at the prosecutor’s office on February 10, 2020.
(02/088) Arrested Local Authority in Diyarbakır…
Çetin Dirin, local authority of Kali neighbourhood of Lice district of Diyarbakır, who was detained on February 8, 2020, is arrested by the court on the same day on the charge of ‘being an illegal organisation’.
(02/089) Detained HDP Executive, Peace Mother and Other People in Istanbul…
On February 7, 2020, at least 5 people including People’s Democratic Party (HDP) executive and one of Peace Mothers are detained in house raids in Istanbul. Detained people are: Peace Mother Canşah Cemile Çelik, HDP Bahçelievler district executive Serkan Yılmaz, HDP provincial office security officer Mustafa Turgut, İhsan Sinmiş, Adem Özyurt.
(02/090) Detained HDP Member in Diyarbakır…
HDP Youth Assembly member Muhsin Acar, who was detained in Diyarbakır on February 1, 2020, is arrested by the court on the charge of ‘disturbing integrity and unity of the state’ on February 8, 2020.
(02/091) Raided Music Center in Adana…
Dem Music Center in Adana is raided by the police on February 8, 2020. 2 people (İlyas Arzu and Jiyan Savcı) are detained in the center. It is learned that the police searched the houses of 2 people and seized books and digital material in these houses.
(02/092) Fine Penalty for a Journalist in Istanbul…
It is learned from the news coverage of February 8, 2020 that, journalist Ersan Kınık was asked to give his ID card to watchmen in Beşiktaş district of Istanbul, was taken to Beşiktaş Police Station after he told the watchmen that it was not lawful; and was given a fine penalty of 579 Turkish Liras in total – 392 Turkish Liras and 187 Turkish Liras for violating Article 32 and Article 40 of Law of Misdemeanour.
(02/093) Journalist on Trial in Istanbul…
The first trial of the case against Aydın Keser, editor in chief of Yeni Yaşam newspaper, for headline “No peace flows from this spring” related to military operation “Peace Spring”, is held at Istanbul Heavy Penal Court No 21 on February 7, 2020.
The indictment demands sentence for Aydın Keser on the charge of ‘making propaganda for an illegal organisation’.
After defence hearings the prosecutor declared legal opinion and demanded acquittal. The court acquitted Aydın Keser.
(02/094) People on Trial in Urfa…
The first trial of the case against 30 people including 25 arrestees is held at Urfa Heavy Penal Court No 5 on February 7, 2020.
The indictment demands sentence for defendants on the charges of ‘being an illegal organisation member’ and ‘making propaganda for an illegal organisation’.
After defence hearings the court decided to release 15 people and adjourned the trial to March 6, 2020.
30 people were detained on October 9, 2019 and 25 of them were arrested on October 21, 2019.
(02/095) The Case Against People Evacuated from Nusaybin…
The case against 70 people who were detained and then arrested on May 26, 2016, after being evacuated from the buildings they were stuck in during the curfew on Nusaybin district, is held on February 7, 2020 on Mardin Heavy Penal Court No 4. The court has decided to separate the case for each defendant and to start proceedings all over again with new case files on April 5, 2019. The court sentenced 2 people (İsmail Yılmaz and Ömer Günür) to heavy life imprisonment and 18 years each. The court adjourned the trial of İbrahim Halil İldiz. With the last verdicts, 39 people in total are sentenced through this case.
(02/096) End of Scholarship for Participating in a Protest in Ankara…
It is learned from the news coverage of February 8, 2010 that, General Directorate of Credit and Dormitories Agency ended scholarship of students who participated in “Las Tesis” protest against violence against women on December 25, 2019. The police have intervened the protest at Cebeci campus of Ankara University and detained 8 students.
(02/097) Seizure of Passport of Journalist…
Journalist Hüseyin Aykol’s passport is seized at Istanbul Airport on February 7, 2020, on the grounds of a restriction order of Registration Office.
(02/098) Detentions and Arrests in Alleged Link to Coup Attempt…
On February 7, 2020, 18 people are detained in operations covering 11 cities through an Istanbul based investigation.
Mehmet Serdar Ö., adjutant of former general Akın Öztürk, who was detained in Ankara on February 7, 2020, is arrested by the court on February 8, 2020.
(02/099) Labor Killings…
Worker Health and Worker Safety Council (ISIG) revealed that at least 112 workers including 3 children, 12 women, and 7 asylum seekers died while working in January 2020.
(02/100) Ban of Events in Van…
Van Governorate made a declaration on February 7, 2020 and announced that, all open and indoor events such as demonstrations, press declarations, meetings, sit-ins, opening stands and tents, festivals, concerts, delivering leaflets and so on are banned for 15 days as of February 8, 2020. All events are banned in Van for 1189 days since November 21, 2016.
[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, 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.