Human Rights Foundation of Turkey Documentation Center[1][2][3][4][5]
18 October 2019 Daily Human Rights Report
(10/200) Military Operation to North and East Syria…
Within the military operation of Turkish Armed Forces to north and east Syria;
Ministry of National Defence made a declaration on October 17, 2019 and announced that 1 soldier got wounded due to a mortar shell alleged to be fired from Syrian side to Nusaybin district of Mardin.
Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR) made a declaration on October 17, 2019 and announced that 171 members of Syria Democratic Forces (SDF) and 21 members Syrian factions loyal to Turkey died during the military operation since October 9, 2019.
(10/201) Interventions and Detentions Related to Reactions Against Military Operation to North and East Syria…
2 people (Revolutionary Party member Nüpelda Çelik and Meşale magazine editor Özgür Sazlık) are detained in house raids in Istanbul on October 17, 2019, on the grounds of social media posts about Turkish Armed Forces operation to North and east Syria.
On October 17, 2019, 4 people in Gebze district of Kocaeli, 13 people in Adana, 8 people in Denizli, 10 people in Ankara, 1 person in Urfa, 8 people in Mardin, 14 people in Elazığ are detained on the grounds of social media posts about Turkish Armed Forces operation to North and east Syria. The names of detained people are unknown.
It is learned from the news coverage of October 17, 2019 that, 8 people are arrested in Bursa, Kocaeli, Antalya and Konya, on the grounds of social media posts about Turkish Armed Forces operation to North and east Syria. The names of arrested people are unknown.
At least 6 people are detained in house raids in Çanakkale on October 17, 2019, on the grounds of social media posts about Turkish Armed Forces operation to North and east Syria. The names of detained people are: People’s Democratic Party (HDP) central district co-chair Hamit Kılıç, HDP Biga district co-chair Abdülhamit Aytaç, HDP Gelibolu district executive Fahrettin Aydın, HDP Biga former district co-chair Mehmet Aytaç, Beşir Şeker and Azmi Karali.
It is learned that detention period for 30 people who were detained in house raids in Nusaybin district of Mardin on October 11, 2019, on the grounds of social media posts about Turkish Armed Forces operation to North and east Syria, is extended once again on October 17, 2019.
3 of 11 people who were detained in house raids in Antalya on October 15, 2019, on the grounds of social media posts about Turkish Armed Forces operation to North and east Syria, are arrested on October 17, 2019. The names of detained people are unknown.
Kurdistan Communist Party chair Sinan Çiftyürek who was detained in house raids in Diyarbakır on October 16, 2019, on the grounds of social media posts about Turkish Armed Forces operation to North and east Syria, is released on judicial control conditions on October 17, 2019.
(10/202) Extra-judicial Killing Allegation in Diyarbakır…
It is learned from the news coverage of October 17, 2019 that, 1 person named Bayram Ekinci died due to fire opened by soldiers in an operation to a house in Gürbeyli neighbourhood of Diyarbakır’s Lice district on October 16, 2019. It is stated in the news reports that the reason of operation was that Bayram Ekinci violated judicial control conditions.
(10/203) 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 1072 days to regain their jobs, intended to be held in front of Human Rights Monument in Yüksel Street on October 17, 2019 at 13.30, and at 18.00.
It was reported that during police intervention against the press declaration which was planned to be held at 13.30 on October 17, 2019, 2 people (Nazan Bozkurt and Merve Demirel) and at 18.00 2 people (Acun Karadağ and Merve Demirel) were detained.
Thus in total 4 people were detained due to press declaration intended to be held in Yüksel Street on October 17, 2019. It is learned detained people were released on the same days they were detained.
(10/204) Police Intervention to a Protest in Düzce…
On October 17, 2019, the police intervened the sit-in protest of Alev Şahin, who rallies in Düzce in order to regain her job from which she was dismissed by a state of emergency decree and detained Alev Şahin.
(10/205) Police Intervention to a Press Declaration in Izmir…
The police intervened “Democracy Meeting” of HDP, in front of HDP Izmir office on October 17, 2019; on the grounds of governorate’s interdict. It is learned that the police allowed only HDP co-chair Sezai Temelli and HDP MP’s to make a declaration and removed other people in front of HDP office. It is reported that the police pushed some of the people into the party office. It is learned that HDP co-chair Sezai Temelli made the press declaration in the office.
Izmir Governorate has banned the meeting on October 14, 2019 and banned all events in the city on October 15, 2019.
(10/206) Police Intervention to a Press Declaration in Van…
The police intervened the press declaration in front of HDP Van office on October 17, 2019. It is learned that the pushed the people including HDP MP’s into the party office where the press declaration was made later.
(10/207) Police Intervention to a Protest in Istanbul…
5 members of Women’s Collectives who protest writer Sema Maraşlı in front of Akit television channel on October 17, 2019 are detained and released on the same day. Sema Maraşlı has shared the video footage of sexual abuse to a student at Ege University and said “Terrorists in mountains and feminists in cities are attacking our beautiful country. Feminists are more dangerous than terrorists”.
(10/208) People Detained in Diyarbakır…
On October 17, 2019, Socialist Women’s Assemblies central executive board member Satiye Ok, Free Young Women member Helin Yağmur and Socialist Youth Associations Federation member Sedat Türlü are detained in house raids in Diyarbakır. It is learned that Satiye Ok and Helin Yağmur were subjected to verbal sexual abuse and threats of sexual assaults of the police.
(10/209) Detained Co-Mayors in Hakkari and Mardin…
Nusaybin district co-mayors Semire Nergiz and Ferhat Kurt, Hakkari co-mayor Cihan Karaman and Yüksekova district co-mayors Remziye Yaşar and İrfan Sarı who were detained on October 15, 2019, are arrested by the court on the charge of ‘being an illegal organisation member’ on October 17, 2019. It is learned that Mehmet Emin Alkan, Nusaybin district council member who was detained through the same investigation is released.
(10/210) Detained PSAKD Executive in Istanbul…
It is learned that Pir Sultan Abdal Cultural Association (PSAKD) Sarıyer branch executive Songül Çimen is detained on October 17, 2019, after visiting her son in Silivri Prison, and was arrested on the same day.
(10/211) Actor on Trial for ‘Insulting the President’ in Aydın…
The final trial of the case against actor Orhan Aydın, on the grounds of ‘insulting the President’ in a speech he made in 2017 at a commemoration event of Kuşadası Hacı Bektaş Veli Anatolian Cultural Association, is held at Aydın Heavy Penal Court No 1 on October 17, 2019. The court sentenced Orhan Aydın to 11 months and 20 days.
(10/212) Journalist on Trial in Ankara…
The case against journalist Çiğdem Toker, for her news report “If you are looking for austerity check the subway tenders” which was published on Cumhuriyet daily on October 27, 2017, is held on Ankara Penal Court of First Instance No 13 on July 9, 2019. The lawsuit demanding 1.5 million Turkish Liras for immaterial damages was brought to court upon complaint of Şenbay Mining Corporation. The court decided to cancel the case since the lawyers of Şenbay Mining Corporation did not attend the trial without excuse.
(10/213) Journalist on Trial in Istanbul…
The final trial of the case against Cumhuriyet newspaper editor Tuğba Özer, for the news reports “Education committed to ISIS mentality: IHH associated teacher gave halter rope to students and took photos!”, is held at Istanbul Penal Court of First Instance on October 17, 2019. The case was opened upon complaint of Humanitarian Relief Foundation (IHH). The court sentenced Tuğba Özer to a fine of 5.000 Turkish Liras.
(10/214) Journalist on Trial in Istanbul…
The case against Deniz Yücel, Turkey reporter of German Die Welt newspaper, on the charges of ‘making propaganda for an illegal organisation’ and ‘inciting hatred and hostility among people’ is held on Istanbul Heavy Penal Court No 32 on October 17, 2019.
The indictment demands sentence for Deniz Yücel from 4 years to 18 years on the charges of ‘making propaganda for an illegal organisation’ and ‘inciting hatred and hostility among people’.
The court adjourned the trial to February 13, 2020.
Deniz Yücel was detained on February 14, 2017 and was arrested by the court on February 27, 2017. The indictment against him was accepted by the court on February 16, 2018 and released Deniz Yücel on scheduling order.
(10/215) HDP Executive on Trial in Hakkari…
The final trial of the case against HDP Hakkari co-chair Sinan Kaya is held at Hakkari Heavy Penal Court No 1 on October 17, 2019. The court sentenced Sinan Kaya to 10 years and 4 months on the charges of ‘making propaganda for an illegal organisation’, ‘aiding and abetting an illegal organisation’ and ‘resisting a police officer’.
(10/216) Medeni Yıldırım Case…
The case against Adem Çiftçi, a soldier on compulsory military service, for death of Medeni Yıldırım in Lice district of Diyarbakır on June 28, 2018, on Diyarbakır Heavy Penal Court No 7 is held on February 7, 2019. Medeni Yıldırım was killed with a shot fired from military station during a march to protest the construction of a high security military station in Kalecik village of Lice. The indictment demands jail penalty up to 18 years for Adem Çiftçi for ‘killing with an eventual intent under unjust provocation’.
The court decided to ask the result of official complaint against 2 commanders on duty at the military station and the result of expert report from Istanbul Forensic Medicine Institution and adjourned the trial.
(10/217) Detentions and Arrests in Alleged Link to Coup Attempt…
On October 17, 2019, 49 people are detained in operations covering 6 cities through a Mersin based investigation.
(10/218) Trials in Alleged Link to Coup Attempt…
The final trial of the case against Ekrem Yeter is held at Ankara Heavy Penal Court No 19 on October 17, 2019. The court decided to acquit Ekrem Yeter on the grounds of lack of evidence.
(10/219) Trustees Appointed to Nusaybin, Yüksekova and Hakkari…
It is learned that Semire Nergiz and Ferhat Kut, HDP co-mayors of Mardin’s Nusaybin district are suspended by Ministry of Interior on October 17, 2019 and Nusaybin sub-governor Mehmet Balıkçılar is appointed as trustee.
It is learned that Remziye Yaşar and İrfan Sarı, HDP co-mayors of Hakkari’s Yüksekova district are suspended by Ministry of Interior on October 17, 2019 and Yüksekova sub-governor Osman Doğramacı is appointed as trustee.
It is learned that Cihan Karaman, HDP co-mayor Hakkari is suspended by Ministry of Interior on October 17, 2019 and Hakkari governor İdris Akbıyık is appointed as trustee.
(10/220) Ban of Event in Istanbul…
It is learned that “Social, Cultural and Economic History of Kayseri and the Region” conference of Hrant Dink Foundation which was to be held at Anarad Hığutyun Building on October 18 and 19, 2019 is banned by Şişli sub-governorate on October 17, 2019.
(10/221) Ban of Events in Mardin, Eskişehir and Adana…
Mardin Governorate made a declaration on October 17, 2019 and announced that, on the grounds of possible protests related to Turkish Armed Forces military operation to north and east Syria, all open-door 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 30 days as of October 17, 2019.
Eskişehir Governorate made a declaration on October 17, 2019 and announced that, on the grounds of possible protests related to Turkish Armed Forces military operation to north and east Syria, all open-door 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 October 10, 2019.
Adana Governorate made a declaration on October 17, 2019 and announced that, on the grounds of possible protests related to Turkish Armed Forces military operation to north and east Syria, all open-door 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 October 18, 2019.
(10/222) Special Security Zone in Hakkari…
Hakkari Governorate made a declaration on October 17, 2019, and announced 11 areas of central, Çukurca, Şemdinli, Yüksekova districts as special security zones as of October 17, 2019 until October 21, 2019.
[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.