Human Rights Foundation of Turkey Documentation Center[1][2][3][4][5]
22 – 24 August 2020 Daily Human Rights Report
(08/161) Operations and Attacks in Southeast…
It is learned from the news coverage of August 22, 2020 that, 2 militants died in a clash between security forces and HPG militants in rural areas of Şirvan district of Siirt on July 23, 2020; 3 HPG militants died in an air operation of Turkish Armed Forces to rural areas of Bitlis on August 11, 2020; and 1 militant died in a clash between security forces and HPF militants in Beytüşşebap district of Şırnak on August 17, 2020.
(08/162) Person Abducted in Ankara…
It is learned from the news coverage of August 21, 2020 that, Burcu Durak, member of Socialist Party of the Oppressed (ESP) and Ankara provincial spokesperson of Socialist Women’s Assembly (SKM) is abducted by people claim themselves to be police officers, on August 19, 2020 in Ankara.
Burcu Durak made a press declaration at Human Rights Association (IHD) headquarters in Ankara and stated the following: “Several female undercover police officers came to me while I was leaving my workplace. I told them I did not want to talk to them. They said ‘It does not matter what you think’. Male undercover officers came around and forced me to get in a car. The police officers said ‘We will help you to be appointed as a public officer if you do what we say’. I asked, ‘you are public officers too, how could you help?’; and they responded ‘we are the state’. They forced me to be a police informant. They threatened me with my family. And they said they would arrest me if I participate in protests. They also asked me why I participated in the protest about Istanbul Convention. They kept me in the car on the move for about 40 minutes. Then they left me on a wayside after travelling in some desolated areas that I do not know.”
(08/163) Person Subjected to Physical Violence of Watchmen in Adana…
It is learned that a person named Mehmet Çelik was subjected to physical violence of the watchmen in Adana. It is reported that Mehmet Çelik was injured at his arm and feet due to violence. It is learned that Mehmet Çelik was detained and was released after being fined on the same day. It is stated in the news reports that Mehmet Çelik’s brother who reacted against detention of him was also detained and released after being fined. It is reported that Mehmet Çelik got a medical report evidencing the violence and will make a criminal complaint against officers on duty.
Mehmet Çelik states the following: “I was sitting in front of my house while watchmen came around and asked for my identity card. I said, ‘I am in front of my house, why are you asking for my ID? Do you have a permit for this? You are not authorised for this, this is unlawful’ and did not give my ID card to them. They started to yell at me, saying ‘We are watchmen, you have to give your ID card’. I told them again that I would not do so, and said them to call the police if they need to see my ID card. (…) They hit me with clubs and wood planks, they kicked me.”
(08/164) Person Subjected to Physical Violence of Municipal Police in Istanbul…
It is learned that, Arif Gülmez, a street seller in Kadıköy district of Istanbul was subjected to physical violence of municipal police officers of Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality. It is reported that Arif Gülmez was injured due to physical violence and made a criminal complaint against officers on duty.
(08/165) People Subjected to Police Violence in Istanbul…
On August 19,2020, 2 women were subjected to verbal and physical violence of the police in Kadıköy district of Istanbul on August 19, 2020; on the grounds of not wearing face masks. Rana Batı, one of these women, stated the following about police violence: “I was smoking so I removed my mask to my chin level. There are many people around without face masks. The police officer who stopped me did not wear a face mask. They got nervous when I said ‘You do not have face masks’ and both of the police officers wore their masks after I said so. Then they gave a penalty fine to me. When I reacted against this, one of them tried to detain me. First he held my arms behind my back and tried to lay me down. He was kicking my legs to make me fall. I could not breathe when I fell down on the ground. He was pushing me to the ground although I said ‘Okay, stop, I will come to the police station’. People around me intervened them. I never cursed to the police officers.”
Istanbul Governorate has declared that 2 police officers were suspended through the investigation. It is learned from the news coverage of August 21, 2020 that 2 police officers were given back to duty.
(08/166) Detained People in Ankara and Düzce…
On August 13, 2020, 7 people, participators of “I Want My Job Back” protests in Yüksel Street, Ankara have been detained in house raids in Ankara and Düzce. 6 people (Nazan Bozkurt, Acun Karadağ, Mahmut Konuk, Mehmet Dersulu, Armağan Özbaş and Alev Şahin) are arrested by the court on the charge of ‘being an illegal organisation member’, and 1 person (Gülnaz Bozkurt) is released on judicial control conditions on August 22, 2020.
(08/167) Detained Journalist in Kocaeli…
Erkan Akkuş, former news editor and news anchor of Bugün TV channel is detained in Izmit district of Kocaeli, on August 22, 2020. It is learned that Erkan Akkuş was taken to Istanbul.
(08/168) Detained Union Members and Executive…
Derya Yulcu, women’s secretary of Education and Science Workers’ Union (Eğitim-Sen) and 2 members of union (Selman Karasu and Saim Atılgan) who were detained through a Muş based investigation on August 15, 2020, are referred to the court on August 21, 2020. Derya Yulcu and Saim Atılgan are arrested by the court, Selman Karasu is released on judicial control conditions. The reason of arrest is unknown.
(08/169) Detained City Council Member and Others in Siirt…
8 people including 2 members of city council from Peoples’ Democratic Party (HDP), who were detained in house raids in Siirt on August 19, 2020 are arrested by the court on the charge of ‘being an illegal organisation member’ on August 22, 2020.
Arrested people are: city council members Hatice Tay and Sabri Basut; Bahri Beştaş, Fayık Taş, Hayrettin Batur, İdris İlhan, Medeni Aydın and Zeki Erdemci.
(08/170) Detentions and Arrests in Alleged Link to Coup Attempt…
36 of 47 people including military members on active duty who were detained through an Izmir based investigation against Turkish Armed Forces personnel, are arrested by the court on August 22, 2020. 11 people are released provided that 1 of them will be on judicial control conditions.
(08/171) Covid-19 Pandemic…
Ministry of Health declared that 22 people died due to Covid-19 pandemic and 1,203 new Covid-19 cases were diagnosed on August 21, 2020.
Ministry of Health declared that 22 people died due to Covid-19 pandemic and 1,309 new Covid-19 cases were diagnosed on August 22, 2020.
Ministry of Health declared that 19 people died due to Covid-19 pandemic and 1,217 new Covid-19 cases were diagnosed on August 23, 2020.
The death toll from Covid-19 in Turkey increased to 6,121 and total number of confirmed cases is 258,249 as of August 23, 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.