Human Rights Foundation of Turkey Documentation Center[1][2][3][4][5]
27 – 29 June 2020 Daily Human Rights Report
(06/365) Operations and Attacks in Southeast…
It is learned from the news coverage of June 26, 2020 that, 1 HPG militant died in a clash in rural areas of Şırnak on June 8, 2020; 1 HPG militant died in an air operation of Turkish Armed Forces to Haftanin area of Iraqi Kurdistan Regional Government on June 25, 2020; and 1 HPG militant died in a clash in the same place on the same day.
Ministry of National Defence declared that 1 soldier (Yunus Gül) died in a clash between security forces and HPG militants on June 26, 2020; and 1 soldier (Recep Yüksel) died in a clash on June 28, 2020, during the “Claw-Tiger Operation” in Iraqi Kurdistan Regional Government.
It is learned from the news coverage of June 28, 2020 that 3 HPG militants died in a clash in rural areas of Çukurca district of Hakkari on May 31, 2020; and 5 HPG militants died in a clash in Haftanin area of Iraqi Kurdistan Regional Government on June 25, 2020.
(06/366) Torture and Ill-Treatment Under Custody in Diyarbakır…
Sevil Rojbin Çetin, a member of Peoples’ Democratic Party (HDP) Democratic Local Administrations Board and Free Women’s Movement (TJA) is detained in a house raid on June 26, 2020, through a Mardin based investigation.
It is learned that Sevil Rojbin Çetin was physically attacked by police dogs during the raid. It is reported that Sevil Rojbin Çetin was injured at face, feet and body due to attack of police dogs and physical violence of the police which lasted for 3 hours.
Sevil Rojbin Çetin described the torture and ill-treatment that she was subjected to through her lawyers, and stated the following: “They broke the door. I did not understand what was happening at first. They went in my house with dogs and let the dogs on me. One of the dogs caught me at my upper leg while the other one was catching the other leg. I tried to get my leg back, the dog pushed me to the wall. I shouted, ‘Take off your dogs, why did you enter in this way?’ but they were just watching. They yelled, ‘get down on the floor, get down’, and I said that I would not. The dogs were almost tearing my flesh out. Then they forced me to get down on the floor, I was not doing so, and they pulled my hair and pushed me to the floor. They were beating me, hitting me with gunstocks and kicking me. (…) They started to kick me at the eye whenever I raised my head. They tried to tie my hands behind my back. (…) They closed my eyes with a tie. They were hitting me, and pouring water on me. There were two female police officers and one of them constantly beat me. (…) They put a gun to my head and threatened me, saying ‘if you make noise we will make it worse’. They said, ‘If only your house was at the fifth floor, you would directly jump off there so that we would not deal with you’. (…) They tore my clothes and trousers off. They got me half naked and probably took photos because I heard the button. (…) They took me to Selahattin Eyyubi Public Hospital. The doctor said ‘I cannot examine her like this’. I wanted the police officers out. And then I told everything to the doctor”.
It is learned from the news coverage of June 27, 2020 that, Diyarbakır Public Prosecutor’s Office initiated an investigation against the lawyer who visited Sevil Rojbin Çetin under custody and recorded torture and ill-treatment that she was subjected to; and it is learned that the prosecutor’s office sent a directive to Diyarbakır Security Directorate Anti-Terror Department for official statement procedures fort his investigation.
It is reported that Sevil Rojbin Çetin was taken to Mardin on June 27, 2020.
Diyarbakır Governorate made a declaration about torture and ill-treatment against Sevil Rojbin Çetin, on June 28, 2020, and stated the following: “While the officers were entering the residence, specially trained dog caught the person at her right leg to prevent her escaping from the balcony door; and the operation dog was immediately taken under control by its trainer; and the suspect was captured by use of gradual force in order to prevent her damaging herself and the officers. There is no intentional attack by operation dog as it is alleged”.
(06/367) Intervention to Prisoners on Death Fast in Prison…
It is learned that lawyers who went to Izmir Şakran Prison to visit Didem Akman and Özgür Karakaya, on June 26, 2020, were not allowed to see them on the grounds of Covid-19 pandemic. Didem Akman (in Izmir Şakran Women’s Prison) and Özgür Karakaya (Izmir Şakran T Type Prison No 2) who were on death fast to demand a fair trial, were taken to the hospital in prison compound without their consents on June 25, 2020.
People’s Law Office declared on June 27, 2020 that Didem Akman was subjected to forcefully blood sample drawing at prison compound hospital.
Progressive Lawyers’ Association (ÇHD) declared on June 27, 2020 that Didem Akman and Özgür Karakaya were discharged from hospital and taken back to prison.
(06/368) Hunger Strike in Prison…
It is learned that 3 prisoners (Elif Deniz, Ronahi Sırdaş and Melek Evren) in Mardin E Type Prison who went on an indefinite hunger strike to demand an end to right violations in prison, ended their strike on June 28, 2020 after prison administration’s declaration for ending the right violations.
(06/369) Torture and Ill-Treatment in Prison…
It is learned from the news coverage of June 26, 2020 that there were more prisoners kept in Mardin E Type Prison than capacity, despite of Covid-19 pandemic; and prisoners were provided water three times a day and 45 minutes each time; prisoners were not given sufficient cleaning supplies; wardens were not following social distancing rules during ward searches. It is also stated in the news reports that books, magazines and newspapers sent to prisoners were not given to them although they were not banned; and that prisoners were forced to stand up during roll-calls in open areas.
It is learned from the news coverage of June 27, 2020 that, Ömer Umut Karataş, a prisoner in Bolu T Type Prison was subjected to physical and verbal violence of wardens and was threatened as “Your dead body will leave here. We will kill you”.
It is learned from the news coverage of June 28, 2020 that, wards in Gebze Women’s Prison were not disinfected despite of Covid-19 pandemic; and cleaning supplies were sold at high prices at prison commissary. It is also stated in the news reports that letters sent to prisoners were not given to them and social rights of prisoners were restricted.
(06/370) Prevention of Right to Health in Prison…
It is learned from the news coverage of June 26, 2020 that prisoners in Mardin E Type Prison were not taken to hospital in case of need.
It is learned from the news coverage of June 28, 2020 that ill prisoners in Gebze Women’s Prison were not taken to infirmary and hospital.
(06/371) Police Intervention Against “I Want My Job Back” Protest in Ankara…
The police intervened the press declarations of public labourers who had been dismissed by a state of emergency decree and have been struggling 1328 days to regain their jobs, in front of Human Rights Monument in Yüksel Street on June 26, 2020 at 13.30 and 18.00 and forced people away from the monument by using physical violence.
The police intervened the press declaration at 13.30 on June 27, 2020 and detained 1 person (Nazan Bozkurt) by using physical violence. The police intervened the press declaration at 18.00 and forced people away from the monument by using physical violence.
The police intervened the press declaration at 13.30 and forced people away from the monument by using physical violence. The police intervened the press declaration at 18.00 on June 28, 2020 and detained 1 person (Mehmet Dersulu) by using physical violence.
Thus, 2 people are detained in police interventions to press declarations on June 26, 27, and 28, 2020.
(06/372) Police Intervention to a Protest in Diyarbakır…
The police prevented the press declaration in Diyarbakır on June 26, 2020; which was to protest detentions through an investigation against Democratic Society Congress (DTK).
(06/373) Detained Co-Mayors in Elazığ…
Canan Tağtekin and Bekir Polat, HDP co-mayors of Sarıcan town of Karakoçan district of Elazığ, who were detained in house raids on June 23, 2020; are released by the court on judicial control conditions on June 26, 2020.
(06/374) Detentions Through the Investigation Against DTK…
It is learned that detention warrants are issued for 64 people including journalists, co-mayors, city council members; and executives and members of political parties, associations and unions, through an investigation against Democratic Society Congress (DTK) on June 26, 2020.
42 people are detained in house raids in Diyarbakır, İstanbul, Adana, Şırnak, Batman and Van. Names of detained people learned so far are: Hazro city council member Fesih Balbey, Bismil city council members Enver Çelik and Aynur Aktar, HDP Kocaköy district co-chair Cahit Ay, HDP Kulp district former co-chair Selva Akkoyun, Enver Temiz, DTK board member Jiyan Taş and Hüseyin Kaya, Rosa Women’s Association executive Rojda Barış, Silvan co-mayor Naşide Toprak (she was suspended and was sentenced to house confinement), MEBYA-DER executive Yıldız Damla and Derya Damla, Democratic Regions Party (DBP) Party Assembly member Leyla Bağatır, Confederation of Public Employees’ Unions (KESK) general assembly member and Municipality and Local Administration Employees Union member Ayten Tekeş, Union of Bureau, Office, Banking Employees (BES) Diyarbakır branch chair Suphi İzol, Chamber of Mechanical Engineers Diyarbakır branch executive Arin Zümrüt, Peace Mother Makbule Özbek, lawyer Berdan Acun, HDP Silvan district executives and members Mehmet Sağlam, Fatma Bülbül, Tahir Duran, HDP Bağlar district executive Gurbet Çakar, Felek Akyüz, Orhan Akyüz, Mehmet Güngörmüş, Velat Esin, İbrahim Halil Taş, Ferhat Erkuş, Seher Özgen Aytek, Nesrin Şanlı, Ümran Baturay, Cahit Şık, Erdal Bayram, Fedai Akar, Zekiye Yılmaz, Ömer Baran, Gönül, Tevfik Kaçar, journalist Ayşe Kara.
16 of detained 42 people are referred to the court on June 28, 2020. The court arrested 8 people (Ayten Tekeş, Arin Zümrüt, Rojda Barış, Nesrin Şanlı, Piran Başkurt, Hüseyin Kaya, Mehmet Şengül and Ümran Baturay) and released 8 people (Fatma Bülbül, Berdan Acun, Adem Firik, Velat Esin, Aytaç Duymuş, Ömer Baran, Zekiye Yılmaz and Aynur Aktar) on judicial control conditions.
It is learned that DTK office in Diyarbakır was searched and the signboard, computers and books in there were seized; and the office was sealed upon Diyarbakır Public Prosecutor’s Office instruction.
It is also reported that J&J Bookstore was also searched through the investigation and some books were seized on the grounds of ban decisions.
(06/375) Detained HDP Executive in Elazığ…
HDP executive Mehmet Sarı who was detained in a house raid in Sarıcan town of Karakoçan district of Elazığ on June 23, 2020, is released by the court on judicial control conditions on June 26, 2020.
(06/376) Detained HDP Executive in Mardin…
HDP Party Assembly member Ercan Oğuz is detained in Kızıltepe district of Mardin on June 26, 2020. The reason of detention is unknown.
(06/377) Arrested Lawyers in Istanbul…
Özgür Yılmaz and Süleyman Gökten, lawyers from Progressive Lawyers’ Association (ÇHD) and People’s Law Office, who were detained in Istanbul on June 25, 2020, on the grounds of detention warrants, are arrested by the court on the charge of ‘being an illegal organisation member’, on June 27, 2020.
(06/378) Person on Trial for Social Media Posts…
The final trial of the case against Colonel Ahmet Zeki Üçok, former prosecutor of Turkish Air Force, for his social media posts on July 15 coup attempt and on Hulusi Akar, Chief of General Staff, is held at Ankara Penal Court of First Instance No 20 on June 26, 2020.
The court sentenced Zeki Üçok to 6 months and 7 days for ‘deeds and acts that publicly insult or deride which is directed towards destroying trust and confidence to chiefs and commanders, and to damage superior-subordinate relationship’ according to Article 95/4 of Military Criminal Law Number 1632; and suspended the sentence.
(06/379) Investigation Against Co-Mayor in Şırnak…
It is learned that an investigation is initiated against Mehmet Zırığ, HDP co-mayor of Cizre district of Şırnak to where a trustee was appointed; on the grounds of ‘provoking hatred and hostility among public and insult’ for his speech at the protest for trustee appointments, and that Mehmet Zırığ gave his official statement through this investigation at Cizre Police Directorate.
(06/380) Investigation Against Mayor in Izmir…
It is learned that Menemen Public Prosecutor’s Office initiated an investigation against Serdar Aksoy, Republican People’s Party (CHP) mayor of Menemen district of Izmir. It is learned that the investigation is on the grounds of ‘making propaganda for 9 illegal organisations (THKP-C, Revolutionary Path, Revolutionary Youth, MLKP, MKP, HKO, TKP/ML, TİKKO, KP/İÖ)’, in Serdar Aksoy’s speech at CHP’s district congress where he mentioned names of İbrahim Kaypakkaya, Mahir Çayan and Deniz Gezmiş.
(06/381) Investigation Against Journalist in Sakarya…
It is learned from the news coverage of June 27, 2020 that, an investigation is initiated against Mustafa Sarı, grant holder; Sedat Balta, executive editor; and İsmail Erken, news editor of Adapazarı Akşam Haberleri local newspaper; on the grounds of ‘insult and defamation to public officer’, for the news reports on Justice and Development Party (AKP) Sakarya MP Ali İhsan Yavuz’s statements as “Media does not reflect good things”.
(06/382) Investigation Against CHP Members in Istanbul…
It is learned that 8 members of CHP Youth Organisation, including 2 candidates of Higher Education Institutions Examination (YKS) on June 28, 2020; were called to give official statements to the police for they held a banner on the exam.
(06/383) Proceedings Against Parliamentary Members…
It is learned from the news coverage of June 28, 2020 that, 16 proceedings demanding lift of impunity of 13 parliamentary members from CHP, HDP and IYI Party are submitted to Grand National Assembly.
Parliamentary members subjected to proceedings are:
- HDP co-chair and Istanbul MP Pervin Buldan (1 proceeding)
- HDP Muş MP Şevin Coşkun (1 proceeding)
- HDP Şırnak MP (2 proceedings)
- HDP Diyarbakır MP Remziye Tosun (1 proceeding)
- HDP Izmir MP Murat Çepni (1 proceeding)
- HDP Mardin MP Tuma Çelik (1 proceeding)
- HDP Mardin MP Ebru Günay (1 proceeding)
- HDP Van MP Murat Sarısaç (3 proceedings)
- CHP group deputy chair and Sakarya MP Engin Özkoç (1 proceeding)
- CHP Malatya MP Veli Ağababa (1 proceeding)
- IYI Party group deputy chair and Kocaeli MP Lütfü Türkkan (1 proceeding)
- IYI Party Ankara MP Koray Aydın (1 proceeding)
- IYI Party Istanbul MP Ümit Özdağ (1 proceeding)
(06/384) Ban of Access to a News Report…
It is learned that access to a news report on https://sozcu.com.tr/ website is banned on verdict of Ankara Bala Penal Court of Peace on June 26, 2020.
(06/385) Detentions and Arrests in Alleged Link to Coup Attempt…
On June 26, 2020, 15 people are detained in operations covering 18 cities through a Konya based investigation.
9 people who were detained in Tokat are arrested by the court on June 27, 2020.
(06/386) Trials in Alleged Link to Coup Attempt…
The final trial of the case against 245 people for acts at Gendarmerie General Command during July 15 coup attempt, is held at Ankara Heavy Penal Court No 23 on June 26, 2020.
The court sentenced 86 defendants to heavy life imprisonment on the charge of ‘attempting to abolish the constitutional order’ and 35 defendants to life imprisonment on the same charge. The court sentenced 8 defendants to 12 years and 6 months each for ‘aiding the attempt to abolish the constitutional order’, and 7 defendants to 15 years each for the same charge. The court sentenced 23 defendants to jail penalties from 6 years and 3 months to 12 years for ‘being an illegal organisation member’. The court separated the cases against 10 fugitives; drop the case for 2 defendants who lost their lives during trials; and acquitted 74 defendants.
(06/387) Covid-19 Pandemic…
Ministry of Health declared that 19 people died due to Covid-19 pandemic and 1,396 new Covid-19 cases were diagnosed on June 26, 2020.
Ministry of Health declared that 17 people died due to Covid-19 pandemic and 1,372 new Covid-19 cases were diagnosed on June 27, 2020.
Ministry of Health declared that 15 people died due to Covid-19 pandemic and 1,356 new Covid-19 cases were diagnosed on June 28, 2020.
The death toll from Covid-19 in Turkey increased to 5,097 and total number of confirmed cases is 197,239 as of June 28, 2020.
It is claimed in the news coverage of June 27, 2020 that 22 prisoners in Afyon E Type Prison tested positive for Covid-19 and were referred to hospital.
[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.