Human Rights Foundation of Turkey Documentation Center[1][2][3][4][5]
15 – 16 July 2020 Daily Human Rights Report
(07/169) Operations and Attacks in Southeast…
It is learned from the news coverage of July 14, 2020 that, 1 militant died in a clash between Turkish Armed Forces units and HPG militants in Haftanin area of Iraqi Kurdistan Regional Government on July 12, 2020; and 4 HPG militants died in a clash in Haftanin area on July 13, 2020.
(07/170) Asylum Seekers Died in Van…
It is learned from the news coverage of July 15, 2020 that the death toll raised up to 37 in the sinking boat in Van Lake on June 26, 2020 where numerous asylum seekers are lost.
(07/171) People Subjected to Police Violence in Batman…
It is learned that the police raided some shops on the grounds of ‘selling smuggled cell phones’ at Gülistan Street of Batman on July 15, 2020; and one shopkeeper was subjected to physical violence of the police and was detained. It is reported that the police prevented people around recording the violence, pulled a gun up into the air and detained 7 people. Names of detained people are unknown.
(07/172) Child Subjected to Sexual Assault by a Soldier in Şırnak…
It is learned that a 13 years old child was subjected to sexual assault by specialised sergeant A. A. from Gendarmerie Commando Brigade No 1 in Şırnak, on July 15, 2020.
It is learned that the child gave her testimony at Juvenile Security Department without being accompanied by a pedagogue and psychologist. It is reported that the child states the following: “When we came in front of our neighbour’s apartment we were trying to open the door, and a brunette man with dark hair at his twenties, about 1.75 centimetres tall, whom I have never seen before and I have not known, but whom I can recognize in case I see him again; caught me at my neck and tried to pull me towards himself (…) When I screamed, this person rapidly moved away to the yard. We went nearby our mothers who were sitting at the yard at that moment. This person was still wandering in the yard and taking glances at us. (…) Our neighbours at that building checked the surveillance camera records and went near this man. And a quarrel took place there (…) The police arrived. I told the police what has happened. And we went to Juvenile Security Department to file a criminal complaint. I file charges against this person A. A., for he caught me from my neck and pulled towards himself”.
Şırnak Governorate made a declaration on July 15, 2020 and stated the following: “It has been detected that public officer A. A. was excessively intoxicated, and was acting improperly which disquiets residents there, and this person is detained. Public Prosecutor’s Office initiated the necessary investigation and an administrative investigation has also begun; and this person is suspended from his duty for the safety of investigations.
It is reported that A. A., is arrested by the court on the charges of ‘sexual abuse’ and ‘threatening with a gun’ on the same day.
(07/173) Torture and Ill-Treatment in Prison…
It is learned from the news coverage of July 15, 2020, a 75 years old ill-prisoner Ramazan Özyiğit, was being kept in a solitary cell in Van High Security Prison.
(07/174) Police Intervention to HDP Protest in Ankara…
The police prevented the press declaration of Peoples’ Democratic Party (HDP) in front of Ankara Ulucanlar Prison Museum on July 14, 2020 and detained HDP executive board member Veli Saçılık by using physical violence. Veli Saçılık is released on the same day.
(07/175) Police Intervention to Protests in Istanbul…
The police intervened members of TAYAD (Solidarity Association of Families of Prisoners) who march from Silivri Prison to Ankara on July 14, 2020; to support lawyers Ebru Timtik and Aytaç Ünsal. Ebru Timtik is on a death fast for 196 days in Silivri Prison No 9 and Aytaç Ünsal is on a death fast for 165 days in Burhaniye T Type Prison to demand a fair trial. The police detained 3 people (Yıldırım Deniz, Feridun Osmanağaoğlu and Ali Dilmen) who were released on judicial control conditions later on the same day.
The police intervened TAYAD members gathering for the same cause at Khalkedon Square in Kadıköy district of Istanbul on July 15, 2020, and detained 5 people (Kemal Gün, Yıldız Turan, Ali Dilmen, Emircan Yazı, Berkay Köroğlu). Detained 5 people are released on the same day.
(07/176) 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 1345 days to regain their jobs, in front of Human Rights Monument in Yüksel Street on July 14, 2020 at 13.30 and detained 3 people (Nazan Bozkurt, Ozan Eftekin and Haktan Eftekin) who are released later on the same day. The police intervened the press declaration at 18.00 and detained 3 people (Mahmut Konuk, Ozan Eftekin and Haktan Eftekin). Detained 3 people are released on the same day.
The police intervened the press declarations at 13.30 and 18.00 on July 15, 2020 and forced people away from the monument by using physical violence.
Thus, 6 people are detained in police interventions against press declarations on July 14, and 15, 2020.
(07/177) Detained Co-Mayor in Ağrı…
Betül Yaşar, HDP co-mayor of Diyadin district of Ağrı who was detained on July 13, 2020; is arrested by the court on the charges of ‘being an illegal organisation member’ and ‘making propaganda for an illegal organisation’ on July 15, 2020.
(07/178) Detained Journalist in Diyarbakır…
Ayşe Güney, spokesperson of Mesopotamia Women Journalists Platform (MKGP) and editor of Jinnews agency, is detained in a house raid in Diyarbakır on July 14, 2020.
(07/179) Detained City Council Members in Diyarbakır…
Gülşen Güneş and Ronda Bat, city council members from HDP in Yenişehir district; and Panayır Çelik and Halime Bayram, city council members from HDP in Bağlar district of Diyarbakır are detained on July 14, 2020.
(07/180) Detained People in Diyarbakır…
On July 14, 2020, 19 people including TUHAD-FED co-chair Elif Haran and Tevgera Jinên Azad (Free Women’s Movement – TJA) spokesperson Ayşe Gökkan and activists are detained in house raids in Diyarbakır.
Detained people learned so far are: TJA spokesperson Ayşe Gökkan, Elif Haran, Zekiye Güler, Hatun Yıldız, Rozerin Çatak, Emine Kaya, Selma Metin, Figen Ekti, Rabia Ateş, Demet Özkaran, Ronda Bat, Dilan Yakut, Hayriye Türkekul, Figen Ekti, Dilan Yakut, Zeynep Suncak, Tekoşin Tekin, Ruken Şehir, Aklime Hanas.
It is learned that Hayriye Türkekul (70) is released by the court on July 15, 2020.
(07/181) Detained People in Diyarbakır…
HDP Kayapınar district co-chair Besile Narin and TJA activist Haster Alp are detained on the grounds of warrants, after the press declaration in Diyarbakır on July 14, 2020 which was about detentions in Diyarbakır.
(07/182) Detained Executives and Members of HDP and DBP in Antep…
On July 14, 2020, 31 people including HDP and Democratic Regions Party (DBP) provincial co-chairs are detained in house raids in Antep.
Detained people learned so far are: HDP provincial co-chair Songül Koçdağ, HDP provincial co-chair Musa Aydın, HDP Şehitkamil district co-chair İbrahim Dağ, HDP İslahiye district co-chair Yusuf İyem, HDP Şahinbey district co-chair Bahri Yarış, lawyer Adnan Erol and Hurşit Besle.
(07/183) Detained Local Authorities in Antep…
On July 14, 2020, 2 local authorities in neighbourhoods are detained in house raids in Antep.
(07/184) Detained People in Ağrı…
3 people (Zeynel Abidin Bozkurt, Mesut Arslan and Mustafa Alparslan) who were detained on July 13, 2020, through the investigation in which HDP co-mayor of Diyadin district of Ağrı was detained; are released by the court on judicial control conditions on July 14, 2020.
(07/185) Former HDP Co-Chair on Trial…
The case against Figen Yüksekdağ, former co-chair of HDP, is held at Ankara Heavy Penal Court No 16 on July 14, 2020.
The indictment demands Figen Yüksekdağ to be sentenced from 30 years up to 83 years for ‘leading an illegal organisation’, ‘making propaganda for an illegal organisation’, ‘opposing to the Law on Meetings and Demonstrations’, and ‘inciting hostility and hate among people’.
The court decided to continue detention of Figen Yüksekdağ adjourned the trial to September 28, 2020.
(07/186) Journalist on Trial in Diyarbakır…
The case against journalist Kibriye Evren on Diyarbakır Heavy Penal Court No 5 is held on July 14, 2020.
The indictment demands Kibriye Evren to be sentenced for ‘being an illegal organisation member’ and ‘making propaganda for an illegal organisation’.
After defence hearings the court adjourned the trial to November 26, 2020.
Kibriye Evren was arrested after being detained with 141 others through a Diyarbakır based investigation on October 9, 2018, and was released at the first trial on November 12, 2019
(07/187) Journalists and ESP Members and Executives on Trial…
The case against 27 people including Etkin News Agency reporter Meşale Tolu and writer Mukaddes Erdoğdu Çelik, on Istanbul Heavy Penal Court No 29 is held on July 14, 2020. After defence hearings the court adjourned the trial to February 11, 2021.
(07/188) Police Officer on Trial in Istanbul…
The trial of the case against police officer Murat A., on the grounds of hitting and breaking the back of lawyer Zeycan Balcı, during a press declaration on March 30, 2016 in front of Istanbul Court House, is held on Istanbul Penal Court of First Instance No 22 on July 14, 2020.
The indictment demands sentence for Murat A. on the charges of ‘injury’, ‘intentional injury that cause bone fracture’, ‘extensive use of force’. It is stated in the expert report that “It is understood that, during the intervention by the prosecutor’s order against lawyers of Istanbul Bar Association having a sit-in protest in front of Istanbul Courthouse, suspect police officer M. A. excessed the limit of using force and kicked Balcı, and injured her to cause bone fracture”.
The court adjourned the trial to October 9, 2020.
(07/189) 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 July 14, 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 1 person (Halil Karataş) to heavy life imprisonment on the charge of ‘distributing unity and integrity of the state’, to 18 years on the charge of ‘attempt to killing’, and to 3 years for ‘damage to public property’. With the last verdicts, 49 people in total are sentenced through this case.
(07/190) Special Security Zone in Şırnak…
Şırnak Governorate made a declaration on July 13, 2020 and announced 22 areas with given coordinates in central, Cizre and Silopi districts as special security zones as of 18.00 on July 13, 2020 until 24.00 on July 16, 2020.
(07/191) Special Security Zone in Tunceli…
Tunceli Governorate made a declaration on July 14, 2020 and announced 29 areas with given coordinates in central, Ovacık, Hozat, Nazımiye and Pülümür districts as special security until December 31, 2020.
(07/192) Ban of Access to Web Contents…
It is learned that a news report on the contribution that should be paid by Ministry of Treasury and Finance to Social Security Institution, which was published on https://odatv4.com/, https://www.birgun.net/, https://tele1.com/, https://t24.com.tr/, https://dokuz8haber.net/ websites is banned to access by Ankara Penal Court of Peace No 5 on July 15, 2020.
(07/193) Detentions and Arrests in Alleged Link to Coup Attempt…
On July 14, 2020; 25 people are detained in house raids in Izmir; 10 people are detained in operations covering 5 cities through an Izmir based investigation; 19 people are detained in operations covering 5 cities through an Ankara based investigation; and 33 people are detained in house raids in Samsun.
On July 15, 2020, 35 people are detained in operations covering 30 cities through an Ankara based investigation.
Ministry of Interior Süleyman Soylu, declared on July 15, 2020 that, 282,790 people are detained and 94,975 people are arrested through “Fethullahist Terrorist Organisation /Parallel State Structure Investigations” since July 15, 2016.
(07/194) Covid-19 Pandemic…
Ministry of Health declared that 20 people died due to Covid-19 pandemic and 992 new Covid-19 cases were diagnosed on July 14, 2020.
Ministry of Health declared that 17 people died due to Covid-19 pandemic and 947 new Covid-19 cases were diagnosed on July 15, 2020.
The death toll from Covid-19 in Turkey increased to 5,419 and total number of confirmed cases is 215,940 as of July 15, 2020.
[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.