Human Rights Foundation of Turkey Documentation Center[1][2][3][4][5]
11 October 2017 Daily Human Rights Report
(10/124) Civilian Death in Şemdinli…
It is learned that on October 10, 2017 a civilian named Çetin Başer died and a civilian named Kerim Zerender was heavily injured due to open fire at a control point in Şemdinli Yüksekova road. Kerim Zerender has been transferred to Yüksekova State Hospital.
Governatorate of Hakkari released a statement on the incident and revealed that Çetin Başer’s vehicle turned back in the opposite direction and rushed back when it was his turn at the control point. Security forces gave a stop warning than fired 4 shots in the air as a warning but Çetin’s car allegedly didn’t stop. Security forces than shot 2 fires at the vehicles tires. 300 meters further Çetin’s car crashed with a truck resulting in Çelik’s death and Zerender’s injury. The governorate said the exact cause of death Çelik’s death will be revealed after the autopsy.
(10/125) Abduction Claim in Ankara …
Central Executive Board (MYK) member of Federation of Socialist Youth Associations (SGDF) and Ankara University student Deniz Bahçeci organized a press briefing in Human Rights Association’s Ankara Office on October 10, 2017 and revealed that he was abducted by unidentified people on October 9, 2017. Bahçeci revealed that while on his way to Hüseyin Gazi student dormitory, he was stopped by people claiming to be police officers and forced him to get in a car. According to Bahçeci, after a while a black van stopped the car and 4-5 people in balaclavas took him inside the van. After his hands were cuffed from his back and a balaclava was put on his head, he was asked questions about SGDF and Socialist Party of the Oppressed (ESP). Bahçeci revealed that he was physically abused by these people calling themselves KGT, and after two hours he was left nearby Fatih subway station. He said that he was given his cellphone but the group kept his wallet and bag.
(10/126) Operations and Attacks in Southeast…
It is learned from news coverage of October 10, 2017 that 1 HPG militant died during an air strike to Kandil on September 25, 2017. Another militant died during clashes between HPG militants and armed forces in Bingöl on August 31, 2017.
(10/127) Police Intervention Towards ‘‘I Want My Job Back’’ demonstrations in Ankara…
Civil servants discharged from their jobs with Statuary Decree’s planned for press meetings in front of the Human Rights Monument in Ankara Yüksel Street on October 10, 2017. Demonstrations of the group has been going on for several weeks. Two meetings planned at 13.00 and 18.00 respectively were both prevented by the police forces who clocked entrance to the street by barriers.
It is learned that 3 people at the 13.030 meeting were physically abused and detained. Journalists covering the briefing were also prevented by the police and they were threatened to be detained.
It is learned that 8 people at the 18.00 meeting were physically abused and detained. During the detention, Veli Saçılık was harassed for a long time. Journalists covering the briefing were also prevented by the police.
(10/128) Police Intervention Towards October 10 Commemorations in Ankara and İstanbul…
The monument built in Konur Street in Ankara, Kızılay in memory of October 10 Ankara Massacre was dmaged following an attack by an unidentified group. A group including families of the deceased wanted to organize a commemoration event after the monument was repaired the same day. Police officers dispersed the crowd with tear gas and rubber bullets, justifying the act with governorate’s ban on gatherings.
It is learned that from news coverage of October 10, 2017 that 67 people who attended the commemoration event of Ankara Massacre in Istanbul University were physically abused and detained. They were put in a van with their hands cuffed from their backs and waited for a couple of hours. Those who resisted were beaten. Those who went to Haseki State Hospital for medical reports were turned down.
(10/129) Torture and Other Ill-Treatment in Prison…
It is learned from news coverage of October 10, 2017 that prisoners in Afyonkarahisar Type E Closed Prison were shaved forcibly. It is also reported that wards were raided arbitrarily, personal belongings of prisoners were seized and prisoners were restrained from their social and cultural rights. It is learned that prisoners have been boycotting visitations to protest this treatment.
It is learned from news coverage of October 10, 2017 that prisoners in İskenderun Type M Prison were restrained from their medical rights and prisoners were handcuffed from their backs when going to the hospital and during examinations. It is also learned that prisoners social and cultural rights were prevented, insects were found in the food. Investigations were opened for prisoners protesting the situation with chanting and hitting cell doors and some prisoners were transferred to other locations.
Prisoner Hasan Aşa from Diyarbakır Type D Prison wrote a letter to press which was published on October 11, 2017. The letter revealed that during visits to the hospital prisoners were subjected to humiliating procedure and those who refuse were restrained from going to the hospital. Hasan Aşa stated that he needs to visit the hospital 3 times a week due to his hemodialysis treatment but was restrained from doing so.
It is learned on October 10, 2017 that prisoners Bahar Kurt and Nagehan Kurt who were arrested in İstanbul on September 28, 2017 were transferred to Burhaniye Type T prison.
The letter sent to HDP former co-chair Figen yüksekdağ from Germany Marxist Leninists Party Member Monika Garther Enge was censored. Some lines in the letter was allegedly scribbled due to insulting the President. It is reported that Yüksekdağ’s attorneys filed objections to Kocaeli Judge of Execution.
It is learned that prisoners in Diyarbakır Type D prison 26 prisoners were transferred to Patnos Prison against their will on October 9, 2017.
(10/130) Hunger strike in Prison…
It is learned from news coverage of October 10, 2017 that prisoners in Ceyhan Type M Prison have been on a hunger strike with 5 day rotations to protest right violations they have been experiencing in prison.
(10/131) Police Operation Towards DP…
It is learned that DP (Revolutionary Party) İzmir City Chair Hazal Elçin was detained on October 10, 2017. The reason for her detention is unknown.
(10/132) Detentions and Arrests…
It is learned that 8 of 10 people including children detained on October 5, 2017 were transferred to court on October 10, 2017. A child named H.Ş. (16, m) was arrested due to ‘membership of an illegal organization’ and ‘attacking Atatürk monument’. 7 people were released with judiciary control condition.
(10/133) Detentions and Arrests in Connection with the Coup d’État Attempt…
It is learned that 30 of 70 soldiers issued with warrant of arrests through a Konya based investigation were detained on October 10, 2017. Through a Siirt based investigation, 24 soldiers and 2 teachers were detained. 24 of 47 people issued with warrant of arrests were detained in Diyarbakır.
It is reported that through a Tokat based investigation warrant of arrests were issued concerning 14 soldiers and 5 civilians and operations began to capture these people.
It is reported that 33 of 63 people detained through an Izmir based investigation on September 29, 2017 were arrested on October 10, 2017 due to ‘membership of an illegal organization’. 7 people were released with judiciary control condition. 23 people are reportedly still in detention.
It is learned that 4 of 9 people detained in Adana on October 5, 2017 were arrested in court on October 10, 2017. 5 were released with judiciary control condition.
It is reported that 3 of 14 people detained through an Uşak based investigation on October 5, 2017 were arrested on October 10, 2017 due to ‘membership of an illegal organization’. Through the same investigation 7 people were arrested on October 9, 2017. 4 people reportedly remain in detention.
(10/134) Trials of HDP MP’s…
The final trials of HDP Co-Chair Selahattin Demirtaş, HDP İstanbul MP Pervin Buldan, HDP Diyarbakır MP Nursel Aydoğan due to the accusation of ‘violating the law on meetings and demonstrations’ took place on October 10, 2017. The case was opened by Siirt Penal Court of First Instance No 2. Demirtaş did not attend the trial as he refused to attend through SEGBİS. Attorneys revealed Demirtaş’s request to be present at the courtroom to make his defense. The court overruled the objection of attorneys regarding the unconstitutional SEGBİS regulation implemented through a Statuary Decree, citing the objection was ‘frivolous’. Following the defenses the court ruled for the postponement of the proceeding due to Law number 6352. According to this clause, crimes committed before December 31, 2012 based on speeches and briefings that require less than 5 years prison time can be postponed.
(10/135) Trial of Journalist…
US newspaper Wall Street Journal’s Turkey reporter Ayla Albayrak was sentenced to 2 years 1 month due to the allegation of ‘making propaganda of an illegal organization’.
Ayla Albayrak’s article titled “Urban Warfare Escalates in Turkey’s Kurdish-Majority Southeast” was published on August 19 2015 and a case was filed against Albayrak after.
(10/136) Trial of Unionist…
The trial of Ebru Yiğit, Legal Counsel of Eğitim Sen, began on October 11, 2017. The case was opened by Diyarbakır Heavy Penal Court No 9. Following the defenses the court ruled for the release of Yiğit with judiciary control condition.
Ebru Yiğit was detained on July 19, 2017 through a Diyarbakır based investigation on DTK and later arrested on July 25, 2017.
(10/137) Trial of Journalist…
Reporter of closed Daily Zaman Ayşenur Parıldak’s trial for ‘membership of an illegal organization’ continued on October 10, 2017. Daily Zaman was shut down with a Decree with the Force of Law Parıldak’s case was opened by Ankara Heavy Penal Court No 14. Following the defenses the court ruled for the continuity of Parıldak2s arrest and adjourned the trial to a further date. Parıldak was arrested on May 2, 2017.
(10/138) Trials in Connection with the Coup d’État Attempt…
The final trial of 7 soldiers including 1 major and 3 corporals, regarding the incidents in İstanbul Municipality Logistics Support Center during July 15 coup attempt, took place on October 10, 2017. Following the defenses the court sentenced 5 defendants to heavy life sentences plus 200 years, 2 defendants to life sentences plus 166 years.
The trial of 285 defendants including 49 arrested defendants such as Commander of 23rd Gendarme Boarder Division Major General Abdullah Baysar and Commander of Çakırsöüt Gendarme Commando Brigade Brigadier General Ali Osman Gürcan continued on October 10, 2017. The case was opened by Adana Heavy Penal Court No 12. Following the defenses the court ruled for the release of 32 defendants with judiciary control condition and adjourned the trial to October 16, 2017.
The final trial of 2 defendants due to ‘membership of an illegal organization’ took place on October 10, 2017. The case was opened by Rize Heavy Peal Court No 1. Following the defenses the court sentenced Seyfi B. And Hilal T. To 6 years and 3 months. The court also ruled the release of the 2 defendants with judicial control condition.
The final trial of 10 defendants including 7 arrested took place on October 10, 2017. Former Erzurum Bar President Mehmet Güzel was among the defendants. The case was opened by Erzurum Heavy Peal Court No 2. The court sentenced 5 defendants to penalties ranging from 1 year 6 months 22 days to 15 years. The court ruled for the release of 2 defendants and continuity of arrests for 3 defendants including Mehmet Güzel.
(10/139) Teachers Issued with Administrative Penalties for October 10 Commemorations…
It is learned from news coverage of October 10, 2017 that 20 teachers in Şırnak were issued with administrative penalties for attending the 2-day strike organized by KESK, DİSK, TMMOB, TTB following Ankara massacre. According to this, a portion of these teacher’s wages will be cut. One teacher received a promotion penalty preventing him/her from receiving any promotions for a year because his/her social media posts regarding the Ankara massacre were not suitable for a state official.
(10/140) Curfew in Mutki…
Governorate of Bitlis declared on October 10, 2017 an open ended curfew that is effective as of October 11, 2017, 0:00, in 3 villages of Mutki. Villages with curfews are: Kapaklı, Küllüce, Koyunlu.
(10/141) Curfew in Güroymak…
Governorate of Bitlis declared on October 10, 2017 an open ended curfew that is effective as of October 11, 2017, 0:00, in 4 villages of Güroymak. Villages with curfews are: Çallı, Saklı, Işıklı, Cevizyatağı.
(10/142) Curfew in Bitlis…
Governorate of Bitlis declared on October 10, 2017 an open ended curfew that is effective as of October 11, 2017, 0:00, in 7 neighborhoods, 20 villages, 1 hamlet in Bitlis Central Distirct . Areas with curfews are: Yukarıdikme, Aşağıdikme, Kutlu, Akgün, Bayırlı, Aşağıçobansuyu, Güçlü neighborhoods; Çeltikli, Aşağıkoçak, Aşağıyolak, Yukarıyolak, Beşkaynak, Yarönü, Dursun, Uçankuş, Dikme, Kınalı, Çobansuyu, Harmanyeri, Esenburun, Cevizdalı, Konalga, Güllüce, Kayalıbağ, Kaşıklı, Sarıyurt, Karaca villages; Yukarıçeman hamlet.
[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, 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.