Human Rights Foundation of Turkey Documentation Center[1][2][3][4][5]
9 – 18 July 2022 Daily Human Rights Report
(07/077) Operations and Attacks…
The Ministry of National Defence announced that 2 soldiers (Ömer Faruk Civelek and Selahattin Taşkın) died in an attack during the Claw-Lock military operation in the Iraqi Kurdistan Regional Government on July 17, 2022.
It is learned from the news coverage of July 17, 2022 that, 2 militants died in a clash between Turkish Armed Forces units and HPG militants in the Zap area of the Iraqi Kurdistan Regional Government on June 14, 2022.
(07/078) Flood in Bilecik…
It is learned that one person (Asiye Bikmen) died in the Turkmen village of Gölpazarı district of Bilecik, due to flood after heavy rain on July 9, 2022.
(07/079) Racist Attack in Kayseri…
It is learned from the news coverage of July 15, 2022, two people speaking Circassian among themselves on the bus in Kayseri were subjected to racist attack of a person saying “This country is Turkish, the country of the Turks. Everything is Turkish, not Circassian. No second language is spoken in this country; Be it Kurdish or Circassian… Whoever it is. This country is Turkish”.
(07/080) Racist Attack on Jewish Cemetery in Istanbul…
On July 15, 2022, a racist attack was carried out on the Hasköy Jewish Cemetery in the Beyoğlu district of Istanbul, and 36 graves were destroyed as a result of the attack. It is learned that 5 children were detained in connection with the attack and they were released on July 17, 2022.
(07/081) Trans Women Subjected to Torture and Ill-treatment in Izmir…
It is learned that 3 trans women were subjected to verbal violence by the watchmen in Konak district of Izmir, and then they were detained by using physical violence and handcuffed behind their backs on July 16, 2022. It is reported that 3 trans women, who were kept in handcuffs for a long time in the police station they were taken to, were injured in various parts of their bodies. 3 people were released after statement procedures.
Lawyer Sena Yazıbağlı stated the following to the press: “The police use pepper spray and attack the trans women, twisting their arms and getting them on the ground as an argument breaks out. There come 6-7 police teams and they keep my clients in the vehicle for a long time, even though the distance between the Alsancak police station and the crime scene is 100 meters. The two of them have psychological problems about being kept indoors, because they have been subjected to violence before and left near a creek. They were held with handcuffs behind their backs for a long time in the police station with their arms and knees injured. I told them to call 112 after being held in handcuffs behind their backs for a long time. Our aim was to establish a proof there, and right after that, their handcuffs were released and lawyers went to the police station.”
Lawyer Mehmet Baran Selanik, Member of the Izmir Bar Association Board of Directors, made the following statement: “Last night, trans women were detained by torture in Alsancak. They have very severe wounds on their bodies.”
(07/082) Police Violence in Van…
It is learned from the news coverage of July 8, 2022 that, the police used physical violence to intervene the people who were dancing the halay with music and chanting slogans in the Sanat Street of central district of Van.
(07/083) Police Violence in Bingöl…
It is learned that the police used pepper spray to intervene in a quarrel that took place in a football field in the Kültür neighbourhood of Genç district of Bingöl on July 10, 2022 and that numerous people around were affected by the pepper spray and taken to the hospital.
(07/084) Torture and Ill-Treatment in Prison…
It is learned from the news coverage of July 9, 2022 that, İdris Başaran, an ill prisoner was transferred from Bursa H Type Closed Prison to Antalya S Type Prison under coercion.
It is learned from the news coverage of July 9, 2022 that, the prisoners in Izmir Şakran Women’s Closed Prison were forced to change wards on July 5, 2022 when they were subjected to physical and verbal violence of the correction officers and their belongings were damaged. It is also learned that some of the prisoners were not given food.
It is learned from the news coverage of July 9, 2022 that, the letters of journalist Mehmet Ali Ertaş in Diyarbakır D Type Prison to journalists Eylem Akdağ and Hüseyin Aykol, were found “objectionable” and were confiscated by the prison administration.
It is learned from the news coverage of July 12, 2022 that, the letters of Dicle Fırat Journalists’ Association (DFG) co-chair Serdar Altan and journalist Zeynel Abidin Bulut in Diyarbakır D Type Prison were also confiscated on the grounds of being “objectionable”.
It is learned from the news coverage of July 14, 2022 that, the wife of journalist Serdar Altan was subjected to strip search at Diyarbakır D Type Prison where she went for visit.
It is learned from the news coverage of July 17, 2022 that, the food given to prisoners in Tekirdağ T Type Prison No 2 was inadequate.
(07/085) Prevention of Right to Health in Prison…
It is learned from the news coverage of July 11, 2022 that, the prisoners in Manisa Akhisar T Type Prison were forced to mouth searches before hospital transfers and those who reject it were not taken to hospital.
(07/086) Forensic Medicine Institution Decision on Aysel Tuğluk…
It is learned from the news coverage of July 14, 2022 that, the Forensic Medicine Institution has issued a report for the third time saying that politician Aysel Tuğluk, who is ill in prison, is fit for detention.
(07/087) Hunger Strike in Prison…
It is learned that prisoners in Trabzon Beşikdüzü T Type Prison started a 5-day hunger strike in turns on July 14, 2022, to demand and end right violations, torture and ill-treatment in prison.
(07/088) Police Intervention to a Festival in Hatay…
The police interned a stand having a poster of İbrahim Kaypakkaya, that was opened in the traditional July Morning Festival, in Samandağ district of Hatay on July 13, 2022. 24 people who were detained by the police using physical violence, are released on July 14, 2022.
(07/089) Police Intervention to a Protest in Istanbul…
The police intervened the justice watch in front of the Çağlayan Courthouse in Istanbul on July 14, 2022, regarding the ill prisoners, and detained 6 people by using physical violence. Detained people are released after statement procedures on the same day. It is learned that 2 people were injured in several parts of their bodies in the police intervention.
(07/090) Police Intervention to a Protest in Ankara…
The police intervened the press declaration of family of Umut Gündüz, who died in a traffic accident in Ankara on July 15, 2022; that was held in Yüksel Street of Ankara on July 15, 2022. It is learned that nobody was detained but Umut Gündüz’s parents were subjected to physical violence of the police.
(07/091) Police Intervention Against “I Want My Job Back” Protest in Ankara…
The police intervened the press declarations which were made within the scope of “I Want My Job Back Protest” in front of Human Rights Monument in Yüksel Street on July 13, 14, and 15, 2022 and forced people away from the monument by using physical violence.
(07/092) Police Prevention to Commemoration in Diyarbakır…
It is learned that the commemoration that was intended to be held on July 14, 2022 at the grave of Ali Çiçek, who lost his life during the hunger strike against torture and other ill-treatment in Diyarbakır Prison after the September 12 military coup, was not permitted by the police and the entrance of those who would attend the commemoration was prevented by the police.
(07/093) Police Prevention to Cemetery Visit in Diyarbakır…
It is learned that the visits of MEBYA-DER and TUAYDER members to Sîsê and Çemê Elîkan cemeteries in Lice district and Pîrîjman cemetery in Dicle district of Diyarbakır, on July 8, 2022 due to Eid al-Adha were prevented by the soldiers.
(07/094) Detained People for Distributing Leaflets in Istanbul…
The police intervened the people distributing leaflets about the Suruç Massacre, in Sultangazi district of Istanbul on July 13, 2022 and detained 4 people. Detained people are released after statement procedures on July 14, 2022.
(07/095) Detained Newspaper Employee in Tunceli…
Yeni Yaşam newspaper employee Azime Bozkurt, who was detained on the grounds of “reasonable suspicion” at the checkpoint on the Tunceli-Ovacık road on July 16, 2022, was released after statement procedures on July 17, 2022.
(07/096) Detained Children for Their Acts Against Atatürk Bust…
It is learned that 4 children were detained on July 15, 2022 for their actions against the Atatürk bust in the garden of a school in Bağcılar district of Istanbul.
(07/097) Detained People for Social Media Posts…
It is learned from the news coverage of July 16, 2022 that, 1 person in Izmir (Ş. Y.) and former Erdek district mayor Hüseyin Sarı in Balıkesir are detained on the grounds of social media posts about the July 15 coup attempt. Hüseyin Sarı is released on July 16, 2022 and Ş. Y. is released on July 17, 2022 by the court on judicial control conditions.
(07/098) Legal Action for Social Media Posts…
It is learned from the news coverage of July 14, 2022 that legal action was initiated against 22 social media users on the grounds of social media posts about the murder of doctor Ekrem Karakaya.
(07/099) Arrested HDP Executive in Urfa…
The Peoples’ Democratic Party (HDP) Suruç district executive Kadri Devir, was detained in a house raid on July 11, 2022 on the grounds of a finalised court verdict, and is arrested by the court on the same day.
(07/100) Confiscated Books by Police at the Book Fair in Tunceli…
It is learned from the news coverage of July 14, 2022, that the copies of the books titled “İsyandan İnşaya Kürdistan Özgürlük Hareketi” (Kurdistan Freedom Movement from Rebellion to Build) exhibited at the stand of Dipnot Publications and “Bir Başka Kandil” (Another Qandil) exhibited at the stand of Tekin Publications during the book fair held in Tunceli were confiscated by the police on the grounds of a ban decision.
(07/101) Ban of Concerts in Sakarya and Giresun…
It is learned that the concert of musician Apolas Lermi that was to be held in Sakarya on July 31, 2022 was cancelled by the municipality on July 14, 2022 on the grounds of racist news about Apolas Lermi.
It is learned that the concert of Apolas Lermi that was to be held in Güce district of Giresun on July 17, 2022 was banned by the governorate on July 16, 2022.
(07/102) Suspended Deputy Mayor…
Seyhan Municipality Deputy Mayor Funda Buyruk, who was detained on June 27, 2022 as part of the investigation carried out against the Binevş Culture and Art Association in Adana, was suspended from her post by the Ministry of Interior on July 9, 2022.
(07/103) ECHR Decision on Osman Kavala Case…
Announcing its final decision on the Osman Kavala case on July 11, 2022, the Grand Chamber of the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) ruled that Turkey violated Article 46/1 of the European Convention on Human Rights, which regulates the “bindingness of decisions”, by not fulfilling its obligations regarding the decisions of the ECHR. Turkey is ruled to pay Osman Kavala 7 thousand 500 Euros for court costs. The ECHR has ruled on December 10, 2019 that there was a violation of Article 18 of the ECHR regarding Osman Kavala, but Turkey did not comply with the decision.
(07/104) Ban of Events in Van and Mardin…
Van Governorate’s Office made a declaration on July 14, 2022 and announced that the immediate surroundings of the public institutions and organizations buildings and the specified parks and streets (Sanat Street and Sanat Park, Fekiye Teyran Park, Musa Anter Park, Dabbaoğlu Park, Ahmedihani Park, Kent Park, VANTSO Park, Kurtulus Park, Metropolitan Park and Women’s Park, Sağlık Street and the area known as the People’s Garden next to the Oral and Dental Health Center) were determined as “places where press releases cannot be made”, and that press releases, sit-ins and surveys, opening tents and stands, collecting petitions, distributing leaflets and so on to be held outside these places, has to be notified to the local authority at least 24 hours in advance, and that the “provisions regarding the restrictions taken in the past, other than this decision regarding press releases” were repealed.
Mardin Governorate’s Office made a declaration on July 18, 2022 and announced that all open-door and indoor meetings, press declarations, sit-in protests, opening stands, collecting petitions, distributing leaflets and so on; as well as entrance of people to participate in such activities are banned for 17 days as of July 18, 2022. All events are banned in Mardin for 1019 days since October 17, 2019.
(07/105) Ban of Access to Web Contents…
It is learned that 17 contents including the news reports about death of a patient at the Izmir Medicana International Hospital, published on https://bianet.org/bianet, https://www.evrensel.net/, https://www.haber24.com/, https://www.gercekgundem.com/, https://www.egedesonsoz.com/, https://www.birgun.net/, https://t24.com.tr/, https://www.egeyebakis.com/, https://www.medyaege.com.tr/, https://www.gercekhaberci.com/ websites are banned to Access on the grounds of “violation of personal rights” and “inciting hatred and hostility” by Izmir Penal Court of Peace on July 8, 2022.
It is learned that the news reports about journalist Barış Terkoğlu’s article on “Muhsin Kara, winner of the world azan reading competition”, published on https://www.cumhuriyet.com.tr, https://halktv.com.tr/ and https://www.odatv4.com/ websites are banned to Access on the grounds of “violation of personal rights” by Şarkışla Penal Court of Peace on July 8, 2022.
(07/106) Curfew in Bitlis…
Bitlis Governorate’s Office made a declaration on July 13, 2022 and announced curfew in 3 villages of Hizan district as of 00.30 on July 14, 2022 until 20.00 on July 16, 2022.
The curfew is lifted as of 17.00 on July 14, 2022 by a second declaration.
The villages under curfew were: Yolbilen, Çalışkanlar and Yaylacık.
(07/107) Allegation and Embargo in Şırnak…
It is learned from the news coverage of July 8, 2022 that search points were set up at the entrance of Xinis, Şemga, Sorbitnê and Girêçolya villages of Silopi district of Şırnak on May 10, 2022, on the grounds of the military operation in the region, and that entry and exit can be made with a “permit” obtained from the police station. Entry and exit to the villages of Serêdehlê, Avgamasya Kevin and Şilerût in the central district were banned in the same way on May 15, 2022, and people who want to go to their houses, vineyards, gardens and fields are subjected to a General Information Scan (GBT) process, and the food that could be brough by people who come to their villages with a permit is restricted
(07/108) Detentions and Arrests in Alleged Link to Coup Attempt…
The Minister of Interior Süleyman Soylu stated in a speech he gave at an event he attended on July 15, 2022, that 334 thousand 378 people were detained, 101 thousand people were arrested, 18 thousand 892 people were still in prisons, 104 thousand people were released on judicial control conditions and 23 thousand 927 people were fugitives in connection with the 15 July Coup Attempt.
(07/109) Covid-19 Pandemic…
The Ministry of Health declared on July 10, 2022 that 31 people died due to Covid-19 pandemic and the number of Covid-19 cases is 117,095 between July 4 and 10, 2022.
The death toll from Covid-19 in Turkey increased to 99,088 and total number of confirmed ill patients is 15,297,539 as of July 10, 2022.
[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.