Human Rights Foundation of Turkey Documentation Center[1][2][3][4][5]
5 – 7 September 2020 Daily Human Rights Report
(09/044) Military Operation to North and East Syria…
It is learned that 1 soldier (Serdar Aslan) died in an attack to Turkish Armed Forces personnel in Idlib area of Syria on September 6, 2020.
(09/045) Flood in Giresun…
It is learned from the news coverage of September 4, 2020 that 11 people including 5 gendarmerie special sergeant officers died due to flood in Giresun on August 22, 2020.
(09/046) Kurdish Workers Subjected to Racist Attack in Sakarya…
It is learned from the news coverage of September 4, 2020 that 16 Kurdish agriculture workers including women and children were subjected to racist attack of the employer and a group of villagers in Kocaali district of Sakarya. One of the workers, Ş. D., stated the following about the attack: “We were working in the field farm on Friday morning. When we pass on the other side of the farm they insulted us. They cursed us. Then we said we would call the gendarmerie. And the employer said ‘You can call anybody, gendarmerie is on our side. You are coming from the east; they will not believe in you’. Then they started to attack us. A woman among them took an axe and walked up to my cousin, saying ‘kill them’. They pushed a woman to the ground and kicked her. They were saying ‘We will burn you down’ and walking up to us.
Sakarya Governorate made a declaration on September 4, 2020 and stated the following: “It is learned that on 22.08.2020, a quarrel took place between owners of hazelnut fields in Kocaali district and one person drove his car on to another person, and two female workers (Mardin city originated) and one male worker (Düzce city originated) were injured at that time. It is understood that Public Prosecutor’s Office initiated an investigation on the incident which is now submitted to the jurisdiction”.
It is learned from the news coverage of September 7, 2020 that 2 people (K. C. and H. C.) are detained on the charges of ‘threat’ and ‘injury’.
It is learned that workers who were subjected to attack went back to Mardin and got medical reports evidencing the physical violence. It is learned from the news coverage of September 5, 2020 that journalists who went to the village of workers to interview them were prevented by gendarmerie on the grounds of precautions for Covid-19 pandemic.
(09/047) Death Fast in Prison…
It is learned that Özgür Karakaya who was on death fast since February 19, 2020 in Izmir Aliağa Şakran Prison demanding a fair trial, and who was taken to Yeşilyurt Public Hospital on September 2, 2020, ended his strike on September 4, 2020.
(09/048) Allegation of Poisoning of a Prisoner…
It is claimed in the news coverage of September 4, 2020 that İbrahim Alkan, an ill prisoner in Van F Type Closed Prison was poisoned due to wrong medication given to him. It is reported that İbrahim Akın was taken to prison infirmary but not to hospital and his petition addressing prison administration was not put into process.
(09/049) Torture and Ill-Treatment Under Custody in Urfa…
It is learned from the news coverage of September 6, 2020 that, 3 people (Hamdullah Esen, Tayip Temel and Mehmet Sait Yardımcı) who were detained on the charges of ‘being an illegal organisation member’ and ‘aiding to an illegal organisation’ in Viranşehir district of Urfa on September 4, 2020, were subjected to torture and ill-treatment at Anti-Terror Department of Diyarbakır Security Directorate. Sezai Akın, lawyer of Mehmet Sait Yardımcı stated that his client’s clothes’ were torn, and there were blood marks on them while his body had bruises at the time when he could meet his client. It is reported that Hamdullah Esen and Tayip Temel were not allowed to see their lawyers.
(09/050) Torture and Ill-Treatment Under Custody in Istanbul…
It is learned from the news coverage of September 4, 2020 that, 18 people who were detained in police intervention to the press declaration for International Day of Peace on September 1, 2020 in Sarıgazi neighbourhood of Sancaktepe district of Istanbul, were subjected to torture and ill-treatment at Sancaktepe Police Station. 18 people were released on September 2, 2020 with a ban on leaving the country and on judicial control conditions. Detained people were: Metin Özken, Volkan Atmaca, Hakan Salman, Fırat Çağlar, Başak Yeşilot, Umut Doğan, Ulaş Serdar Budak, Beyza Çapar, Doğukan Uçan, Bünyamin Abay, Sedef Özer, Devrim Ürün, Eren Kaya, Beritan Kurt, Fırat Doğan.
(09/051) Detained and Threatened Journalist in Bitlis…
Sinan Aygül, executive editor of Bitlis News local newspaper, is detained on September 4, 2020 on the grounds of lack of his statement through an investigation against him. Sinan Aygül is released after statement procedures on the same day.
It is learned that Sinan Aygül was also threatened to death by Fevzi Piral, who had called him for his news reports on the canned food sent by Red Crescent Turkey Headquarters to Bitlis city. The food sent to be delivered to people in need, were found in a hotel owned by Justice and Development Party (AKP) Bitlis MP Cemal Taşar and his brother Battal Taşar who is Red Crescent Tatvan district chair at the same time. Fevzi Piral, who had called and threatened Sinan Aygül is Cemal Taşar’s nephew, manager of the mentioned hotel and Red Crescent Tatvan district deputy chair at the same time.
(09/052) 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 1399 days to regain their jobs, in front of Human Rights Monument in Yüksel Street on September 4 and 5, 2020 at 13.30 and forced people away from the monument by using physical violence.
(09/053) Police Intervention to a March in Istanbul…
The police intervened the march as a part of “2 September Foundation Festival” in 1 Mayıs neighbourhood of Ümraniye district of Istanbul on September 6, 2020. It is learned that 39 people inducing Pir Sultan Abdal Cultural Center Ataşehir district chair Gülsev Kaya were detained and 1 person’s (Emre Ziya Bayer) leg were broken in police intervention. Names of detained people learned so far are: Vedat Çınar Alta, Gamze Toprak, Özge Doğan, Cansu Aktaş, İrfan Kına, Ümit Özgüngör, Ekrem Ekşi, Murat Çoban, Sinan Ayçiçeği, Ali Ekber Aga, Mehmet Can Alkan, Hankiye Şale, Derya Şale.
(09/054) Detained Person in Izmir…
It is learned that Türkan Albayrak who was detained at Adnan Menderes Airport in Izmir on September 3, 2020 is released on September 4, 2020. Türkan Albayrak was dismissed from her job at Sarıyer district Health Directorate on August 3, 2018 and after her sit-in protests starting on September 3, 2018, she was given back to her job on June 6, 2020.
(09/055) Detained People in Urfa…
It is learned that 2 people (Ahmet Korkmaz and Orhan Çalışmaz) are detained in house raids in Birecik and Halfeti districts of Urfa on September 4, 2020. The reason of detention is unknown.
(09/056) Detained Person in Van…
It is learned that a person named F. Ö. is detained at Van Courthouse for she has a red-yellow-green coloured scarf in her bag, on September 4, 2020. F. Ö. is released after statement procedures at the police on the same day.
(09/057) Investigation Against a Journalist in Şırnak…
It is learned from the news coverage of September 4, 2020 that, Cizre Public Prosecutor’s Office initiated an investigation against Mezopotamya News Agency reporter Gökhan Altay on the grounds of ‘making propaganda for an illegal organisation’ in his social media posts between 2014 and 2018.
(09/058) The Case Against Former Co-mayor and Former DBP Co-chair…
Malatya Heavy Penal Court No 5 has sentenced Gültan Kışanak, former co-mayor of Diyarbakır, to 14 years and 3 months; and Sebahat Tuncel, former co-chair of Democratic Regions Party (DBP), to 15 years; and Penal Department No 18 of Antep Regional Court has reversed the verdict.
The retrial is held at Malatya Heavy Penal Court No 5 on September 4, 2020. Gültan Kışanak and Sebahat Tuncel joined the trial via sound and vision system. It is learned that Kışanak and Tuncel stated that they were not allowed to see their lawyers since March, 2020. The court decided to continue detention of Kışanak and Tuncel and adjourned the trial to November 18, 2020.
(09/059) Singer Detained in Edirne…
The Supreme Court has reversed 6 years and 3 months of jail sentence given by Edirne Heavy Penal Court No 3 to singer Hozan Canê (Saide İnaç), on the grounds of ‘being an illegal organisation member’. The retrial of the case is held on September 4, 2020. The court decided to continue detention of Hozan Canê and adjourned the trial to October 20, 2020.
(09/060) Detentions and Arrests in Alleged Link to Coup Attempt…
On September 4, 2020, 26 people are detained in operations covering 12 cities through an Uşak based investigation; 19 people are detained through an Ankara based investigation against Turkish Land Forces personnel; 15 people are detained in operations covering 10 cities through a Balıkesir based investigation and 4 people are detained in Ankara.
(09/061) Trials in Alleged Link to Coup Attempt…
The final trial of the case against 27 people is held at Kayseri Heavy Penal Court No 4 on September 4, 2020. The court sentenced 16 people to jail penalties from 1 year and 3 months to 9 years and 6 months on the charge of ‘being an illegal organisation member’. The court acquitted 7 people and separated the case against 4 fugitive defendants.
The final trial of the case against 4 people for leakage of examination questions of Student Selection and Placement Center (OSYM) is held at Ankara Heavy Penal Court No 21 on September 4, 2020. The court sentenced 4 people to jail penalties from 6 years and 3 months to 18 years and 9 months for ‘being an illegal organisation member’.
(09/062) Constitutional Court Decision on Torture and Ill-Treatment…
It is learned from the news coverage of September 6, 2020 that, the Constitutional Court rejected the application of Ömer Şimşek for “violation of ban on torture and ill-treatment”. It is learned that the court’s rejection is grounded as “there is no violation in terms of the state’s responsibilities proposed in Article 17 of the Constitution”. Ömer Şimşek was detained on June 28, 2016, in relation to killing of a specialised sergeant in Bismil district of Diyarbakır.
Ömer Şimşek, Yusuf Başkan and Sadrettin Bilir who were in the same car, were stopped by special operation police officers after Erdem Ünal, a specialised sergeant was killed by an armed assault in Bismil district of Diyarbakır, and these 3 people were first subjected to physical violence of the police officers who stopped them, and then were subjected to torture and ill-treatment at Diyarbakır Security Directorate. Photographs and video footage of these 3 people which were taken by the prosecutor’s office upon their lawyers’ demand, were covered by media.
(09/063) Ban of Events in Urfa…
Urfa Governorate has made a declaration on September 4, 2020 and announced that, all open and indoor events such as demonstrations, press declarations, meetings, sit-ins, hunger strikes, opening stands and tents, collecting petitions, concerts, festivals, hanging banners and posters, delivering leaflets, carrying torches, conferences, seminars and so on are banned for 30 days as of September 6, 2020.
(09/064) Ban of Access to Websites…
It is learned that news reports about the property in Üsküdar district which was donated to the Ministry of Finance and Treasure but which is now used as car park of Medipol Hospital (co-founded by Minister of Health Fahrettin Koca), published on https://www.birgun.net/, https://www.cumhuriyet.com.tr/ and https://www.yenicaggazetesi.com.tr/ websites are banned to access by Istanbul Penal Court of Peace No 5 on August 20, 2020.
It is learned that news reports about Duygu Delen who suspiciously died after falling off the balcony of his boyfriend’s house in Gaziantep on August 13 2020, published on https://sol.org.tr, https://www.evrensel.net/, https://www.birgun.net/, https://ilerihaber.org/ and https://www.yenicaggazetesi.com.tr/ websites are banned to access by Gaziantep Penal Court of Peace No 3 on September 2, 2020; and 3 entries on the same issue on https://eksisozluk.com/ web-based dictionary are banned to access by Gaziantep Penal Court of Peace No 1 on September 4, 2020.
It is learned that the entry on https://eksisozluk.com/ web-based dictionary, about a person who allegedly killed his neighbour’s dog, is banned to access by Beykoz Penal Court of Peace on September 4, 2020.
It is learned that news reports about Turkish Medical Association’s report on Covid-19 cases at Vestel factory in Manisa, which were published on https://t24.com.tr/ and https://sol.org.tr websites, and the report itself which was published on https://www.ttb.org.tr/ website are banned to access by Manisa Penal Court of Peace No 2 on August 28, 2020.
It is learned that news reports about Fatih Nurullah, leader of Uşşaki religious cult, who was arrested for sexual abuse to a 12-year-old child, which was published on https://odatv4.com/ website is banned to access by Akyazı Penal Court of Peace on September 3, 2020.
(09/065) Curfew in Bitlis…
Bitlis Governorate made a declaration on September 6, 2020 and announced curfew in 24 villages of the central district as of 01.00 on September 6, 2020 until a further notice. Villages under curfew are: Çeltikli, Aşağıkoçak, Aşağıyolak, Yukarıyolak, Yarönü, Beşkaynak, Dursun, Dikme, Aşağıdikme, Yukarıdikme, Uçankuş, Bayırlı, Kutlu, Akgün, Kınalı, Çobansuyu, Aşağıçobansuyu, Güllüce, Harmanyeri, Karaca, Konalga, Kaşıklı, Kayalıbağ, Cevizdalı.
(09/066) Covid-19 Pandemic…
Ministry of Health declared that 53 people died due to Covid-19 pandemic and 1,612 new Covid-19 cases were diagnosed on September 4, 2020.
Ministry of Health declared that 56 people died due to Covid-19 pandemic and 1,673 new Covid-19 cases were diagnosed on September 5, 2020.
Ministry of Health declared that 53 people died due to Covid-19 pandemic and 1,578 new Covid-19 cases were diagnosed on September 6, 2020.
The death toll from Covid-19 in Turkey increased to 6,673 and total number of confirmed cases is 279,806 as of September 6, 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.