Human Rights Foundation of Turkey Documentation Center[1][2][3][4][5]
21-23 September 2024 Daily Human Rights Report
(09/203) Operations and Attacks…
The Ministry of National Defence announced on 22 September 2024 that 1 soldier (Maşallah Abakay) died in a clash during the ‘’Pençe-Kilit‘’ operation in the Iraqi Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG).
(09/204) Person Who Lost His Life due to a Flood in Trabzon…
It is learned from the news coverage of 22 September 2024 that, Ali Kemal Demir (65, m), a hearing-impaired person who went missing during floods and landslides in the Sürmene district of Trabzon on 20 September 2024, was found dead.
(09/205) Police Officer Died and Other People Wounded in Istanbul…
It is claimed in the news coverage of 23 September 2024 that, Yunus Emre Geçit (19, m) opened fire at the police during a house raid in the Ümraniye district of Istanbul, and a clash broke out. It is reported in the news that 2 police officers were wounded in the clash and were taken to hospital, Yunus Emre Geçit and his mother who was at home at the time were also wounded. It is learned that Şeyda Yılmaz, one of the wounded police officers, lost her life in the hospital.
(09/206) Torture and Other Ill-Treatment Under Custody in Istanbul…
It is learned from the news coverage of 23 September 2024 that, Yunus Emre Geçit (19, m) who was detained in a house raid in the Ümraniye district of Istanbul, was subjected to physical violence by the police during detention, and that he was dressed in a black garbage bag and was taken to the courthouse in a vehicle belonging to Animal Bureau Directorate after procedures at Istanbul Security Directorate.
(09/207) Torture and Other Ill-Treatment in Prison…
It is learned from the news coverage of 20 September 2024 that Celalettin Yalçın, who is kept in Marmara (Silivri) Prison, was subjected to disciplinary proceedings by the prison administration for making a victory sign to relatives of prisoners during an open visit on 5 September 2024.
It is learned from the news coverage of 20 September 2024 that prisoners in Adana Suluca High-Security Prison No 1 were not given books, notebooks, and samovars by the prison administration, they were allowed to go out for ventilation only 1 hour a day, and they could benefit from sports activities only 1 hour a week.
It is learned from the news coverage of 21 September 2024 that, Kendal Barut, a prisoner in Elazığ High-Security Prison No 2 was transferred to Adana Suluca High-Security Prison No 1 against his will on 10 September 2024 and his family was not informed about the transfer.
It is learned from the news coverage of 22 September 2024 that, a letter and 3 photographs sent to Celal Acar, a prisoner in Istanbul Marmara L Type Prison No 5, were found ‘objectionable’ by Marmara Prison Letter Reading Committee and were not delivered to Celal Acar; and that the prison administration initiated a disciplinary proceeding against Celal Acar for the said letter.
(09/208) Prevention of Right to Access Health in Prison…
It is learned from the news coverage of 21 September 2024 that Kendal Barut, an ill prisoner in Adana Suluca High-Security Prison No 1, cannot access the necessary treatment. Kendal Barut’s father Abdulkadir Barut stated the following to the press: “He needs surgery on his nose and eyes. He needs plastic surgery for his left eye. Doctors say that they cannot intervene because the shrapnel in his head is close to his brain. He has not received proper treatment until now. He is the same now as he was the day he was detained. There was no intervention even that day”.
It is learned from the news coverage of 22 September 2024 that, Fevzi Arslan (55, m), a seriously ill prisoner in Adana Suluca Y Type Prison, has not been taken to the hospital for routine medical check-ups for 2 months, on the grounds of rejecting to be subjected to mouth search during hospital transfers. Fevzi Arslan’s son Vedat Arslan stated the following to the press: “At that time he went to ATK and explained the torture he was subjected to in detail. Afterward, although the report of Mehmet Akif İnan Training and Research Hospital stated that ‘he needs treatment’, my father was not and is not being treated. Since he was not treated (…) his health problems are increasing day by day. We can realize this when we go to open visits. My father says ‘I forget everything’ during the interviews. He does not have the necessary medication for his treatment. He stays alone. He forgets to eat when he is hungry. He needs to drink water, but even when he stands up to drink water, he forgets what he stood up for (…) His condition is getting worse day by day because he cannot go to the hospital. Sometimes he leaves his food somewhere and then forgets to eat it. When he falls asleep, he cannot wake up on his own unless someone wakes him up. He cannot get up because no one is with him. My father needs to be released to have access to treatment rights. There are no suitable treatment conditions in prison. If he does not receive treatment and one day he dies in prison, the authorities are responsible for this”.
It is learned from the news coverage of 22 September 2024 that, Nurettin Dayan (34, m), a prisoner in Batman Beşiri T Type Prison was transferred to Diyarbakır Dicle Medical Faculty on 22 August 2024 due to ongoing health problems, and has been kept in a ward next to the morgue since then; he was diagnosed with cancer on 2 September 2024 and was taken to oncology treatment in handcuffs, and was only allowed to see his family once for 15 minutes. Nurettin Dayan’s lawyer Nuri Ekinci stated the following to the press: “My client was kept in a solitary cell for 20 days in prison on suspicion of tuberculosis. Then he was moved to the ward. Vomiting and spontaneous falls occurred. On the 22nd of last month, he was taken to Diyarbakır to the Dicle Faculty of Medicine for a liquid substance found on his lung. After the necessary tests were carried out, we waited for the pathology result. There was a suspicion of tumor and cancer. On 2 September, the result showed that he had lung cancer and stage 4 (…) Dayan has been in Beşiri T Type Prison for 2 and a half years, but cancer that has been present in his body for so long was not detected. Although he went to so many hospitals during this period, it was not detected. This is a great negligence (…) My client has been kept in a ward on the first floor minus one of the Dicle Faculty of Medicine since 22 August. There is a morgue right next to it. My client, who is struggling with lung cancer, was able to meet with his family only once for 15 minutes. When my client is taken to the Oncology department or the main building for treatment, he is taken by 3 wardens and 3 gendarmes and handcuffed. This situation also happens when other procedures are carried out. He is not handcuffed only in the hospital ward. I mean, imagine that a person in stage 4 is subjected to this. How can he recover?”. It is also reported in the news that lawyer Nuri Ekinci applied for a stay of execution for Nurettin Dayan to Batman Execution Judgeship.
It is learned from the news coverage of 22 September 2024 that, Günay Kubilay, former spokesperson of Peoples’ Democratic Party (HDP), who is kept in Ankara Sincan F Type Prison No 2, refused to go to the hospital after soldiers rejected to loosen handcuffs on him.
(09/209) Prisoner Whose Release was Postponed by the Prison Administration and Observation Board…
It is learned from the news coverage of 21 September 2024 that the release of Çetin Arkaş, who was kept in Istanbul Marmara (Silivri) Prison and completed his sentence, was postponed for 6 months on the grounds of ‘not being in good behavior’, by the decision of Prison Administration and Observation Board (İGK) on 14 June 2024.
(09/210) Press Statement Prevented by the Police in Ankara…
It is learned from the news coverage of September 21, 2024, that the press statement of Freedom for Sick Prisoners Initiative, which was planned to be held on Sakarya Street in the Çankaya district of Ankara, about the conditions of sick prisoners, was prevented by the police on the grounds of ‘it is forbidden to hold a demonstration on the street’. It is learned from the news reports that the press statement was read after negotiations with the police officers, and then the police officers said “The place and limits of the press statement are determined. You cannot do it everywhere. We will take our precautions accordingly if you force us here next week. Leave now”.
(09/211) A Journalist’s Apartment Raided by the Police…
It is learned from the news coverage of 20 September 2024 that the Hakkari Public Prosecutor’s Office initiated an investigation against journalist Rabia Önver, on the grounds of ‘publicly disseminating misleading information’, and that the police raided the house of the journalist in the Yüksekova district of Hakkari. It is also reported in the news that the house was searched although Rabia Önver was not at home.
(09/212) Detained Person in Istanbul…
It is learned from the news coverage of 21 September 2024 that, Çiğdem Aslan, former co-chair of Australian Federation of Democratic Society, was detained at Istanbul Airport where she was on her way to Australia and was arrested by the criminal peace judgeship. The reason for the arrest could not be learned.
(09/213) Person Detained in Diyarbakır…
It is learned from the news coverage of 22 September 2024 that the police detained 1 person (Medeni Aytülin) during an identity check in the Sur district of Diyarbakır. The reason for the detention could not be learned. It is also reported in the news that the police opened random fire in the air for an unknown reason.
(09/214) People Detained in Aydın…
On September 22, 2024, 7 people were detained in house raids in Aydın on the allegations of ‘making propaganda for an illegal organization’. The names of the detained people could not be learned.
(09/215) Former Political Party Executive and MPs on Trial…
The trial of the case against Figen Yüksekdağ, former co-chair of Peoples’ Democratic Party (HDP), and former MPs Çağlar Demirel, İdris Baluken, Ertuğrul Kürkçü, Saadet Becerikli, Mehmet Ali Aslan, Ahmet Yıldırım and Altan Tan, for their visits during the curfews in 2015, continued on 20 September 2024 at Diyarbakır Silvan Criminal Court of First Instance. The indictment demands a sentence for 8 people on the charges of ‘resisting against duty’, ‘insulting a public officer on duty’, and ‘insulting the President’. The court decided to wait for the execution of the arrest warrant issued for Saadet Becerikli and to issue an arrest warrant for Ertuğrul Kürkçü, who is abroad, since his statement could not be taken and adjourned the trial to 5 December 2024.
(09/216) Former Co-Mayor on Trial in Hakkari…
On 3 June 2024, the Hakkari Public Prosecutor’s Office issued an indictment against Mehmet Sıddık Akış, who was elected as Hakkari co-mayor in the March 31 local elections and was replaced by Hakkari Governor Ali Çelik as trustee by the decision of Ministry of Interior, and it is learned that the indictment is accepted by Hakkari Heavy Penal Court No 1. The indictment demands a sentence for Mehmet Sıddık Akış on the charges of ‘committing a crime on behalf of an illegal organization without being a member of it’ and ‘violating the Law on Meetings and Demonstrations No 2911’. The first trial of the case will be held on 11 October 2024.
(09/217) Journalist on Trial in Istanbul…
It is learned from the news coverage of 22 September 2024 that, Istanbul Penal Court of First Instance No 2 accepted the indictment against BirGün reporter İsmail Arı, for reporting on the allegations that Rıza Uçan, former deputy mayor of Istanbul Güngören Municipality, used physical violence against a citizen named M. Ş. The indictment demands a sentence for the journalist on the charge of ‘insulting a public officer on duty’. The first hearing of the case will be held on 7 January 2025.
(09/218) Journalist on Trial in Osmaniye…
The trial of the case against Erkan Yiğitsözlü, who was dismissed from his job at Anadolu Agency (AA) with a decree from the Force of Law (KHK) and is currently a reporter at KHK TV, continued on 19 September 2024 at Osmaniye Heavy Penal Court No 2. The prosecutor declared the final opinion on the case and demanded a sentence for Erkan Yiğitsözlü on the charge of ‘being a member of an illegal organization’. The court adjourned the trial to 15 October 2024.
(09/219) Police Officer on Trial for the Killing of Necmettin Fendik in Hakkari…
The trial of the case against police officer A. F. K. on the charge of ‘negligently causing death’ in relation to the killing of Necmettin Fendik during a house raid in the Yüksekova district of Hakkari on 18 July 2017, continued on 20 September 2024. Upon the excuse of defendant police officer A. F. K.’s lawyer, the court adjourned the trial to 29 November 2024.
(09/220) People on Trial in Izmir…
The trial of the case against 22 Agrobay Seracılık workers who were detained while protesting in the Bergama district of Izmir against the dismissal of union members, was held at Izmir Bergama Penal Court of First Instance No 3 on September 20, 2024. The indictment demands a sentence for 22 people on the charge of ‘violating Law No 2911 on Meetings and Demonstrations’. The court adjourned the trial to 20 December 2024.
(09/221) MP and Others on Trial in Istanbul…
The trial of the case against 38 members of Peoples‘ Democratic Congress (HDK) and Peoples’ Democratic Party (HDP) including Democratic Regions Party (DBP) Co-Chair and Istanbul MP Çiğdem Kılıçgün Uçar, was held at Istanbul Heavy Penal Court No 28 on September 20, 2024. The indictment demands a sentence for 38 people on the charge of ‘being a member of an illegal organization’. It is learned that Çiğdem Kılıçgün Uçar’s lawyer demanded to separate the case on the grounds that his client is a member of parliament and demanded a stay of proceedings. The court adjourned the trial to 23 October 2024.
(09/222) Non-Prosecution Decision on Suspicious Death in Prison…
It is learned from the news coverage of 23 September 2024 that, the Van Public Prosecutor’s Office decided not to prosecute in the investigation on the death of prisoner Reber Soydan, who was found dead in a single room in Van F Type High-Security Prison on 11 May 2024, on the grounds that ‘no concrete evidence beyond any doubt could be obtained for any suspicious situation related to the incident, no crime or criminal was found, therefore there is no further matter to be investigated’.
(09/223) Racist Attack on Kurdish Traffic Warnings in Elazığ…
It is learned from the news coverage of 22 September 2024 that, warning signs in Kurdish ‘Hedî’ (Slowly) and ‘Peşî Peya’ (Pedestrian First) written by Elazığ Karakoçan Municipality on pedestrian crossings were erased by anonymous person or persons.
[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.