Human Rights Foundation of Turkey Documentation Center[1][2][3][4][5]
13-16 July 2024 Daily Human Rights Report
(07/137) Operations and Attacks…
The Ministry of National Defence (MND) announced on July 12, 2024, that 1 soldier (Bahadır Rıdvan Talay) died and 1 soldier was wounded in an explosion during the “Pençe-Kilit” operation in the Iraqi Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG).
It is learned from the news coverage of July 13, 2024, that 2 militants died in a clash between the security forces and HPG militants in the rural areas of Mardin on July 13, 2024, and their bodies were damaged.
It is learned from the news coverage of July 15, 2024, that 2 militants died in the clashes between the Turkish Armed Forces units and HPG militants in the Metina area of KRG on May 19 and 20, 2024.
(07/138) People Who Lost Their Lives in a Fire in Izmir…
It is learned from the news coverage of July 15, 2024, that 3 people (Mesut Coşkunöz (68), Hilmi Coşkunöz (40), and Mine Elmas (35) lost their lives in a forest fire in the Çeşme district of Izmir. It is also reported in the news that 4 people were detained in connection with the fire.
(07/139) People Lost Their Lives by Being Caught by Electric Current in Izmir…
On July 13, 2024, İnanç Öktemay (44) and Özge Ceren Deniz (23) lost their lives due to an electric current after stepping into a puddle in the Konak district of Izmir. It is reported that 31 people were detained in connection with the incident.
(07/140) Phobic Hate Attack in Izmir…
It is learned from the news coverage of July 13, 2024, that an LGBTI+ person named E. Ş. who was attacked with a knife by an anonymous person on Bornova Street in the Konak district of Izmir, was seriously wounded and is under treatment in hospital.
(07/141) Torture and Other Ill-Treatment Under Custody in Urfa…
It is learned from the news coverage of July 13, 2024, that 1 person named A. R., who was detained in the Ceylanpınar district of Urfa, on the grounds of social media posts, was subjected to physical violence by police officers because he objected to reverse handcuffs during detention and was pressured by a police officer to recite the National Anthem during statement procedures at the police station.
A.R. stated the following to the press: “Police officers arrived in front of my workplace in armored vehicles. They told me that I was detained and that they would put me in the car in handcuffs behind my back. I asked to see the letter from the prosecutor’s office about the detention order. I objected to being handcuffed behind my back. I told them that I was a shopkeeper in the bazaar and that I would not accept being taken away like this. Then they handcuffed me behind my back and started beating me. Then when they tried to put me in the armored car, they didn’t open the stairs, so I fell and hurt my foot. My foot is still swollen… Here (at the hospital) the doctor asked me verbally if I had anything wrong. Then he immediately gave me a paper and we left. They took me to the police station for a statement, but while I was waiting for my lawyer, they started asking me irrelevant questions. Even though I had my ID card in my car in front of the shop, they asked me, ‘Why don’t you carry your ID card, is it because you have a Turkish flag on it? A police officer told me, ‘What are you doing with the party, go hang out with girls’. Another officer asked me if I knew the National Anthem. When I said I didn’t, he left and came back with a paper in his hand. The National Anthem was written on the paper and he told me to read it. I told him that I would not get into polemics with them and refused to read it. Then my statement was taken and I left.”
(07/142) Torture and Other Ill-Treatment in Istanbul…
It is learned from the news coverage of July 16, 2024, that 1 person named H. D. Ö. was subjected to physical violence by police officers when he was stopped by a plain-clothes police officer in the Sarıyer district of Istanbul on July 12, 2024. It is also reported that H. D. Ö. was released on judicial control conditions with a fine of 900 Turkish Liras and a ban on leaving the country.
H.D.Ö. made the following statements about the torture and ill-treatment he was subjected to: “A police officer told me to put down the drink in my hand. I didn’t even drink 25 percent of it. The plainclothes police officer started shouting at me saying ‘You will throw that beer away’. I said, “If you need to take action, do it.” He gritted his teeth and talked to me. Afterwards, I said, ‘Fine me under the Law on Misdemeanours and I’ll be on my way.’ I said I wanted to call my lawyer. He said, ‘You can’t call anyone in front of me. He started to intervene against me. Then they wanted to detain me. I held out my hands for them to handcuff me. The plainclothes police started to squeeze my throat. I couldn’t breathe. It went on like this for a while because I didn’t let go of my phone. He put me on the ground…My friend saw what happened. While I was on the ground, he grabbed my throat and stepped on my back. They put me in the squad car, I was handcuffed. We were driving very calmly. We went to the hospital, they directed us to a tomography scan. On the way from the hospital to the police station, they said they wanted to handcuff me behind my back. I asked why they wanted to handcuff me behind my back and that it wasn’t necessary, and I put my hands out in front of me. They wanted to handcuff me behind my back, and I didn’t want to let them. When they failed, they handcuffed me in front. We got into the car, the police officers got in with me…When I realized he was going to attack me, I defended myself. He started kicking me. He kicked me several times in the nape of my neck. I had two stitches in my head. I have bruises on various parts of my body. At the police station, I realized that I was bleeding from my head. We went to the hospital again, but the doctor did not look at my open wound. After the courthouse, I took a medical report on my own. I filed a complaint against the officers in charge. By the way, I asked for a breathalyzer test from the moment I was put in the car. I asked for one at the hospital, but they didn’t give me one. In their statements, the police officers claimed that I insulted the President. They claimed that I had harmed myself…”
(07/143) Person Pressured into Being a Spying Agent in Germany…
It is learned from the news coverage of July 16, 2024, that Deniz Çokgül, a person living in Germany, was called by a person claiming to call ‘on behalf of the Turkish state’ and was threatened with his wife and child and was pressured into being a spying agent.
(07/144) Torture and Other Ill-Treatment in Prison…
It is learned from the news coverage of July 13, 2024 that, 16 prisoners in Izmir F Type Prison were transferred to other prisons against their will within the last 1 month. Prisoners who were transferred against their will: Zeki Bayhan from Izmir F Type Prison No 2 to Kocaeli F Type Prison No 2 on July 8, 2024; Yaşar Cinbaş from Izmir F Type Prison No 1 to Tekirdağ Çorlu High Security Prison, Mehmet Salih Atlı from Izmir F Type Prison No 2 to Burdur High Security Prison, Nihat Ekmez from Izmir T Type Prison No 2 to Tekirdağ Çorlu High Security Prison, Ferhan Mordeniz from Menemen T Type Prison to a prison in Antalya; It is reported that 5 prisoners (Erbin Baran, Abdülaziz Yılmaz, Abdullah Günsel, Adem İşliyen and Nedim Gül) in Izmir Ödemiş T Type Prison were transferred from Izmir Ödemiş T Type Prison to Burdur High Security Prison, 1 prisoner (Şiyar Aydemir) in Ödemiş T Type Prison and 5 prisoners with unknown names were transferred to Tekirdağ Çorlu High Security Prison.
It is learned from the news coverage of July 13, 2024, that prisoners in Bolu F Type Prison were allowed to see only 1 lawyer on the same day.
It is learned from the news coverage of July 16, 2024, that Antalya Döşemealtı L Type Prison had long water cuts.
It is learned from the news coverage of July 16, 2024, that Rıdvan Barık, a prisoner in Erzurum Dumlu High-Security Prison No 2 was subjected to physical violence by the correction officers and was threatened to death. Rıdvan Barık stated the following to the press: “Two other people on trial from the same case with me died suspiciously in prison, but they said they committed suicide. One of them was reported as ‘psychologically disturbed, that’s why he committed suicide’. I have no security of life here. ‘We will destroy you like the others and make it look like suicide…I face the same things in every prison I go to… They beat and torture me all the time… One of the two people on trial from the same case as me was killed in Diyarbakır Prison No. 1 and the other in Elazığ. The execution officers here have been threatening me for a week”.
(07/145) Hunger Strike in Prison…
It is learned from the news coverage of July 13, 2024, that Nurettin Kaya, a prisoner in Bolu F Type Prison who has been on hunger strike for 268 days with the demand for improvement of conditions in Y Type prisons and the transfer of Cemil Kurt and Alişan Gül in Erzurum Dumlu High-Security Prison, has health problems due to prolonged hunger and demanded an air mattress from the prison administration but his demand was rejected.
(07/146) Meeting Request with Abdullah Öcalan not Responded to…
It is learned that the appeal made on July 16, 2024, to the chief public prosecutor’s office in Bursa by lawyers in order to visit their clients PKK leader Abdullah Öcalan, Ömer Hayri Konar, Hamili Yıldırım and Veysi Aktaş in İmralı Prison was not responded.
(07/147) Bans and Interventions against Pride Month Demonstrations and Events…
On July 14, 2024, 4 people were detained in the police intervention against LGBTI+ activists who held a press statement for Pride Month at the Attalos Square in the Muratpaşa district of Antalya and were subjected to torture and ill-treatment. It is learned that detained people were released the same day after statement procedures at the police station.
(07/148) Journalist and Another Person Arrested in Istanbul…
Journalist Sadık Topaloğlu and 1 person named Mehmet Savaş, who were detained on July 10, 2024, were arrested by the criminal peace judgeship on July 13, 2024, on the charge of ‘being a member of an illegal organization’.
(07/149) Person Arrested for Social Media Posts in Istanbul…
LGBTI+ rights activist Iris Mozalar, who was detained in a house raid on July 10, 2024, on the grounds of a social media post she made about the racist attacks against Syrian refugees/asylum-seekers that started in Kayseri and continued across the country, was arrested by the criminal peace judgeship on July 11, 2024, on the allegation of ‘inciting hatred and hostility among the public, was released on July 12, 2024.
(07/150) People Arrested for May 1 Celebrations…
It is learned that 5 people (Diyar Sarıkuş, İbrahim Hakkı Eren, Metin Kaya, Mertcan İncioğulları and Özgür Cihan Uçar) who were arrested after being detained during May 1 celebrations in Istanbul, were released after a detention review on July 12, 2024.
(07/151) People Detained in Mardin…
On July 12, 2024, 4 people were detained in house raids in the Dargeçit district of Mardin. The reason for the detention could not be learned. Names of detainees: İbrahim Akyüz, Çaçan Akyüz, Ahmet Akyüz and Bilal Akyüz.
(07/152) People Arrested for the Armed Attack in Diyarbakır…
It is learned from the news coverage of July 14, 2024, that, 3 people (V. G., U. Y., and G. Ç.) were arrested on the charges of ‘threatening’ and ‘damaging property’ in relation to the armed and sound bomb attacks to 2 cafes in the Sur district of Diyarbakır on July 12, 2024.
(07/153) Person Arrested in Istanbul…
It is learned from the news coverage of July 14, 2024, that 1 person named Mustafa Yaşar, who has a 68% disability report, was arrested for a 1 year 6 months and 22 days prison sentence on the charge of ‘making propaganda for an illegal organization’, on the grounds of his social media posts.
(07/154) Person Detained for Social Media Posts in Urfa…
It is learned from the news coverage of July 13, 2024, that 1 person named A. R. was detained in the Ceylanpınar district of Urfa, on the grounds of social media posts.
(07/155) People Arrested in Batman…
The prosecutor’s office objected to the release of 11 people who were detained during the house raids in the Gercüş district of Batman and detained 11 people again on July 13, 2024. 9 of 11 people were arrested by the criminal peace judgeship on the charge of ‘aiding an illegal organization’. 2 people (Abdülcelil Gitmez and Yüksel Gitmez) were released on judicial control conditions. The names of arrestees are Emine Kaya (54), Habib Kaya (61), İsa Gitmez (60), Nedim Kaya (62), Nezete Bölek (58), Sare Kaya (59), Yusuf Bölek (68), Zübeyir Şimşek (41) and Muhtar Murat Gelir (24).
(07/156) Person Detained in Elazığ…
It is learned from the news coverage of July 15, 2024, that 1 person named H. K. was detained for allegedly attacking an Atatürk bust with stones in the Gazi Street of Elazığ’s central district.
(07/157) Party Executive on Trial in Urfa…
The first trial of the case against Muhammed Ayten, Party Assembly member of Peoples’ Equality and Democracy Party (DEM Party), started on July 16, 2024, at Urfa Heavy Penal Court No 2. The indictment demands a sentence for Muhammed Ayten on the charge of ‘being a member of an illegal organization’. The court ruled for the release of Muhammed Ayten on judicial control conditions and adjourned the trial to a later date.
Muhammed Ayten was arrested on February 3, 2024.
(07/158) Village Guard on Trial in Van…
On July 9, 2024, the final hearing of the case against village guard B. A. in relation to the detention and qualified sexual assault of a person named M. Ş. in the Başkale district of Van on August 15, 2023, was held at Van Heavy Penal Court No 6. The court sentenced village guard B. A. to 4 years and 6 months for ‘simple sexual assault’ and 2 years and 2 months for ‘deprivation of liberty’.
(07/159) Police Officer on Trial in Manisa…
On July 12, 2024, the final trial of the case against police officer D. Y., about Yeşim Akbaş (26, k) who was found shot in the head with a firearm in the police housing of police officer D. Y. in the Demirci district of Manisa on April 14, 2023, and died in hospital, was held at Manisa Salihli Heavy Penal Court. The court acquitted D. Y.
(07/160) Ban of Access to Web Content…
It is learned from the news coverage of July 12, 2024 that, Mardin Penal Court of Peace No 2 imposed an access ban on 1 content on https://www.guneydoguekspres.com and 1 social media post about the sexual abuse of 13 children by a person named M. S. D. at Anadolu Youth Association branch in the Artuklu district of Mardin, on the grounds of ‘protecting the best interests of the child’.
(07/161) Curfew in Mardin…
The Governorate of Mardin announced on July 12, 2024, that a curfew is declared in the Sümer quarter of the Dargeçit district as of 20.00 on July 12, 2024, until further notice.
The Governorate announced on July 13, 2024, that the curfew was lifted as of 08.00 on July 13, 2024.
(07/162) Special Security Zone in Mardin…
The Governorate of Mardin announced on July 12, 2024, that the areas within the borders of Dibekli, Alayurt and Sümer neighborhoods in the Dargeçit district of Mardin province have been declared as temporary special security zones for 15 days between July 12, 2024 and July 26, 2024.
(07/163) Special Security Zone in Şırnak…
The Governorate of Şırnak announced on July 15, 2024, that Bestler Dereler Region in the central district of Şırnak, Gaba Mountain Region in the central and Güçlükonak districts of Şırnak, Cudi Mountain Region in the central district of Şırnak and Silopi and Cizre districts, Kurt Mountain Region in the central district of Şırnak and Silopi and Uludere districts, Kelmehmetler-Dönmezler-Kovankay Region in Beytüşşebap District of Şırnak, Tahtareş, Hüsrevpaşa-Suhurpaşayayla, İncebeldağları, Faraşin Regions, Altındağları Region in Beytüşşebap District of Şırnak Province, Oymakaya Region in Beytüşşebap and Uludere Districts of Şırnak Province have been declared as temporary special security zones for 15 days between July 16, 2024 and July 30, 2024.
[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.