Human Rights Foundation of Turkey Documentation Center[1][2][3][4][5]
12-14 October 2024 Daily Human Rights Report
(10/160) Operations and Attacks…
It is learned from the news coverage of 14 October 2024 that, 4 militants died in clashes between Turkish Armed Forces units and HPG militants in Zap area of Iraqi Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) on 8 August 2024.
(10/161) Armed Attack on a Journalist in Kars…
It is learned from the news coverage of October 12, 2024, that Muhammed Halitoğlu, executive editor coordinator of local news portal Kars’ın Sesi, was wounded due to an armed attack by Harun Çalkın, brother of Justice and Development Party (AKP) Kars MP Adem Çalkın, in Ortakapı neighborhood of Kars on October 11, 2024. It is also reported in the news that Harun Altunbey who was passing by the street during the attack was also wounded, the wounded people were taken under treatment in hospital and Harun Çalkın surrendered to the police.
(10/162) Racist Attack in Ankara…
It is learned from the news coverage of 12 October 2024 that, at the 68th Ordinary General Assembly of Ankara Bar Association, when lawyers from Progressive Lawyers for Freedom (ÖÇAV) chanted ‘Jin, jiyan, azadi’ (Women, life, freedom) in Kurdish and opened a banner to react to femicides, members of Nationalist Lawyers Group shouted racist slogans saying ‘We do not want terrorists at the bar’ and threw bottles at the rows of ÖÇAV group; and 1 lawyer was injured in a fight that broke out.
(10/163) Torture and Other Ill-Treatment in Batman…
It is learned from the news coverage of 12 October 2024 that, out of 3 persons, including 2 children [A.Ö. (16, m), A.T. (17, m) and Yusuf Mendeş], members of DEM Party Youth Assembly, who were detained in house raids in Batman on 10 October 2024, A.T.’s house was raided, his brother and mother Halise T. were subjected to physical violence by the police officers, and Halise T., who recorded the torture and ill-treatment of her son on her phone, was forced to erase the video footage under threat of torture.
Halise T. stated the following about the torture and ill-treatment she was subjected to: ‘When I heard the sound of the door, I went to the balcony. When I went out, the police officers below pointed their guns and said “”go in’’: At that time I woke up my son and the police officers were at the door. They asked me to open the door and I said ‘OK’ but they tried to break the door with a battering ram. Meanwhile, I opened the door and they put the gun to my chest. They asked me to lie on the ground. I said, ‘You have 30 men here, I will not lie down as a woman.’ They punched me. My son, who witnessed this situation, reacted. This time they turned towards my son. They threw him to the ground and started kicking him. They asked about my little son. They took him and brought him to the hall and got on him and kicked him. They swore profanely. In order to prevent the violence against my son, I covered him. This time they inflicted violence on both me and my son. My son’s face was covered in blood. Then they took me out of the room. Were they strangling my son? I screamed and told them to stop. Then they tied my son’s hands behind his back and made him kneel down. They asked for his mobile phone, then they asked for the password. My son did not want to give the password. They ransacked the house and seized some books (…) I took a video of my son being tortured. They asked me to delete it. I told them that I would not give them the phone because there was no detention warrant against me. Then they tortured my son again. They said they would continue torturing him if I did not delete the video footage. I had to delete them. I will file a complaint against those who did this to us. I have assault marks on my body, I will get a medical report. My two sons were subjected to torture. They will also file a complaint. We do not accept what was done”.
(10/164) Torture and Other Ill-Treatment in Istanbul…
It is learned from the news coverage of October 13, 2024, that, after animal rights defenders found dead animals in the Hekimbaşı Animal Shelter of Istanbul Ümraniye Municipality, the municipality officers and police officers called to the shelter and forced animal rights defenders out of the shelter and used physical violence against some of them.
Ümraniye Municipality announced on 13 October 2024 that legal proceedings will be initiated against those who use insulting expressions on social media and animal rights defenders on the grounds of unauthorized entry to the shelter.
(10/165) Female Journalist Threatened with Sexual Violence…
It is learned from the news coverage of 11 October 2024 that, a statement containing sexual harassment was written on the wall of journalist Şule Aydın’s house. It is also reported in the news that Şule Aydın went to the police station and made a complaint.
In her social media post on the issue, Şule Aydın stated the following: ‘ (…) In this period when I receive regular threats because of journalism, I want to find out who made this threat of sexual violence. We are not safe even at home’.
(10/166) Party Chair Threatened with Racist and Sexist Social Media Posts…
It is learned from the news coverage of 12 October 2024 that, Peoples’ Equality and Democracy Party (DEM Party) co-chair Tülay Hatimoğulları was targeted by racist and sexist posts on various social media platforms.
(10/167) Torture and Other Ill-Treatment in Prison…
It is learned from the news coverage of 11 October 2024 that, Murat Verim, a prisoner in Mardin Midyat Prison was transferred to Erzincan High-Security Prison against his will.
It is learned from the news coverage of 12 October 2024 that, the Prison Administration and Observation Board in Kocaeli Gebze Women’s Closed Prison decided not to deliver 3 t-shirts sent to Birgül Mızrak, on the grounds of ‘praising the offender’, with the expressions ‘independent’, ‘nevermind’ and ‘outsider’ on them. It is also reported in the news that Birgül Mızrak’s complaint to the Kocaeli Gebze Execution Judgeship was rejected.
(10/168) Prisoners Whose Release Was Postponed by the Prison Administration and Observation Board…
It is learned from the press statement of Human Rights Association (IHD) Central Prison Commission, titled ‘Cancel the Administrative and Observation Boards Preventing the Release of Prisoners!’ on October 11, 2024, that the release of at least 501 prisoners including 105 ill prisoners (42 of them seriously ill) since 2021 has been postponed by the decision of Prison Administrative and Observation Boards (CİGK).
(10/169) Hunger Strike in Prison…
It is learned from the news coverage of October 11, 2024, that Onur Yılmaz, a prisoner in Izmir Buca High-Security Prison, went on a hunger strike on September 1, 2024, demanding medical treatment and operation.
Emrah Yılmaz, Onur Yılmaz’s brother, stated the following to the press: “When he was arrested in Nusaybin in 2016, he already had allergic diseases. He also has a bone fracture in his nose. For this reason, he needs an operation. Since his demand for surgery was not met, he went on a hunger strike. He has been on a hunger strike for 40 days”.
(10/170) Prevention and Interventions Against ‘Freedom Rally’ in Diyarbakır…
It is learned from the news coverage of October 12, 2024, that people traveling from Balıkesir and Çanakkale to attend the rally in Diyarbakır on October 13, 2024, were stopped by gendarmerie at the entrance of Karacabey district of Bursa and were prevented from entering. It is also reported in the news that people who were prevented from entering started a sit-in protest.
It is learned from the news coverage of October 12, 2024 that, for the same reason, the Hakkari Yüksekova DEM Party district office was blockaded by the police, and the roads leading to the office were closed to traffic. It is also reported in the news that a press statement and a sit-in protest were organized against the prevention.
It is learned from the news coverage of 12 October 2024 that, the group gathered at Kurtuluş Park in the Çankaya district of Ankara for the same reason was prevented by the police. It is also reported in the news that a press statement and a sit-in protest were organized against the prevention.
It is learned from the news coverage of October 12, 2024, that, for the same reason, the Adana DEM Party provincial office was blockaded by the police and people were not allowed to enter and exit the office. It is also reported in the news that a press statement and a sit-in protest were organized against the prevention.
It is learned from the news coverage of 12 October 2024 that, people traveling from Mersin for the same reason were stopped by the police and were prevented from passing. It is also reported in the news that a press statement and a sit-in protest were organized against the prevention.
It is learned from the news coverage of 12 October 2024 that, people on their way from Batman for the same reason were stopped by the police and were prevented from leaving the city. It is also reported in the news that a sit-in protest was organized against the prevention.
It is learned from the news coverage of 12 October 2024 that, people on their way from Siirt for the same reason were stopped by the police and were prevented from leaving the city.
It is learned from the news coverage of 12 October 2024 that, people on their way from Bitlis for the same reason were stopped by the police and were prevented from leaving the city. It is also reported in the news that a sit-in protest was organized against the prevention.
It is learned from the news coverage of 12 October 2024 that, people on their way from Antep for the same reason were stopped by the police and were prevented from leaving the city. It is also reported in the news that a press statement was held against the prevention.
It is learned from the news coverage of 12 October 2024 that, people on their way from Erzurum for the same reason were stopped by the police at the entrance of Muş and were prevented from entering the city.
It is learned from the news coverage of 12 October 2024 that, people gathering in front of AZC Plaza in the Ofis district of Diyarbakır for the same reason, who wanted to march to İstasyon Square where the rally was to be held, were prevented by the police and all entrances of İstasyon Square were closed. It is reported in the news that a press statement was held against the prevention and 10 people were detained in the police intervention against the march after the statement. It is also stated in the news that tear gas was used in the police intervention against the march, Aklime Hanas, a mother of Justice Watch, was subjected to physical violence by the police, and at least 2 lawyers including Özüm Vurgun, Diyarbakır branch executive of Lawyers for Freedom Association, were wounded due to police intervention.
It is learned from the news coverage of 12 October 2024 that, at least 20 people who came to Diyarbakır from various cities for the same reason, were detained during the controls.
The Governorate of Diyarbakır announced on October 13, 2024, that 6 people who staged a protest in the Ofis district of Diyarbakır were detained on the allegations of ‘making propaganda for an illegal organization’ and a criminal complaint was filed against MPs who made speeches during the protest.
On October 13, 2024, the police intervened against the press statement called by DEM Party Istanbul Provincial Organisation in front of the Kadıköy district office to support the Freedom Rally in Diyarbakır and detained 30 people on the allegations of ‘violating the Law on Meetings and Demonstrations No 2911’ and ‘making propaganda for an illegal organization’. 29 of the detained people were released after statement procedures at the police on 14 October 2024, and 1 person was released after statement procedures at the prosecutor’s office. It is also reported in the news that Peace Mother Fîncê Akman, one of 30 detained people, was wounded during the intervention and has scars on her body due to physical violence.
(10/171) Journalists Prevented from News Reporting in Diyarbakır…
On October 13, 2024, journalists Hevidar Önver, Sonay Ödengit, Ceylan Şahinli, and Heval Önkol were prevented by the police during the police intervention against the press statement in front of ACZ Plaza in the Ofis neighborhood of Diyarbakır, and 4 journalists were subjected to physical violence by the police.
(10/172) Police Intervention Against a March in Ankara…
According to the news coverage of 11 October 2024, 11 people including Tuğba Gürsoy, lawyer of Ankara Bar Association Animal Rights Centre, were detained in the police intervention against animal rights defenders who marched to Justice and Development Party (AKP) Ankara Provincial Presidency after animal rights defenders found dead animals in garbage bags in the Kocaeli Gebze Balçık Nutrition and Shelter Centre. The names of the detained people are Tuğba Gürsoy, Solmaz Saçılık, Zehra Tepe, Burcu Erbil, İlay Kadiroğlu, Süleyman Sümer, Necla Vuranok, Eylem Özlem Keçeci, Ezgi Eylem Geziş, Deniz Akça.
(10/173) Protest Prevented by the Police in Izmir…
It is learned from the news coverage of October 11, 2024, that, animal rights defenders gathered in front of Türkan Saylan Cultural Centre in the Konak district of Izmir against the Law on Amendments to the Law on Protection of Animals, after animal rights defenders went to Kocaeli Gebze Balçık Nutrition and Shelter Centre and found dead animals in garbage bags. It is also reported that animal rights defenders marched in front of the Izmir Bar Association and made a press statement there.
(10/174) March Prevented by the Police in Ankara…
It is learned that on 11 October 2024, the march organized by Republican People’s Party (CHP) Women’s Branches in Ankara for International Day of the Girl Child was prevented by the police. It is also reported in the news that a sit-in protest was started after the prevention of the march.
(10/175) Party Executive and Others Detained and Arrested in Iğdır…
On October 12, 2024, 5 of the 8 people including DEM Party Iğdır Co-Chair Mehmet Selçuk, who were detained on the allegations of ‘being a member of an illegal organization’ and ‘aiding an illegal organization’ during house raids conducted on October 10, 2024, in Iğdır and İstanbul in connection with the killing of 13 police officers on September 8, 2015, were released on judicial control conditions. 3 people (DEM Party Iğdır Provincial Co-Chair Mehmet Selçuk, Saliha Ağrı, and an unknown person) were arrested by the criminal peace judgeship.
(10/176) Party Executives Detained and Arrested in Antep…
Among the 3 people who were detained in house raids in Antep on October 10, 2024, Democratic Regions Party (DBP) Antep provincial co-chair Mehmet Özkan was arrested by the criminal peace judgeship on October 11, 2024. DEM Party Şahinbey district co-chair Mustafa Tuç and DBP Şahinbey district co-chair Müslüm Denizhan were released on house confinement and judicial control conditions by the criminal peace judgeship on the same date. Grounds for detention and arrest could not be learned.
(10/177) Party Executive and Members Detained in Adıyaman…
On October 14, 2024, DEM Party district co-chair Sait Dilek and 3 party members were detained in house raids in the Kahta district of Adıyaman on the allegations of ‘making propaganda for an illegal organization’. Detained 4 people were released by the criminal peace judgeship on the same day on judicial control conditions. Names of detained people are Sait Dilek, party members Sinan Süt, Nuri Karlı, and Hasan Şahin.
(10/178) Person Detained in Şırnak…
On October 11, 2024, Vazire Abdülkerim (77, f) who entered Şırnak through Habur Border Gate was detained on the allegations of ‘being a member of an illegal organization’. Vazire Abdülkerim was released after statement procedures at the prosecutor’s office.
(10/179) Former Co-Mayor on Trial in Hakkari…
On October 11, 2024, Hakkari Heavy Penal Court No 1 started to hear the case against Mehmet Sıddık Akış, who was elected as Hakkari co-mayor in March 31 local elections and was replaced by a trustee on June 3, 2024. The prosecutor declared the final opinion on the case and demanded 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 court rejected the demand of Mehmet Sıddık Akış’s lawyers to add the camera recordings of the Security Branch to the file and adjourned the trial to November 20, 2024.
Mehmet Sıddık Akış, who was sentenced to 19 years and 6 months in prison for ‘leading an illegal organization’ in the final hearing of another case held on June 5, 2024, at Hakkari Heavy Penal Court No 1, was arrested.
(10/180) Former Co-Mayors and Former City Councillor on Trial in Diyarbakır…
It is learned from the news coverage of October 12, 2024, that, Diyarbakır Heavy Penal Court No 4 accepted the indictment against 5 people (Fesih Yalçın, Cavidan Yaman, Ramazan Kartalmış, Gülistan Polat, Ahmet Kaya), former co-mayors of Ergani district of Diyarbakır, and Esveri Malçok, former member of municipality council. The indictment demands a sentence for 6 people on the charge of ‘being a member of an illegal organization’. The first hearing of the case will be held on November 26, 2024.
6 people were detained in house raids on June 8, 2024, and arrested on June 11, 2024.
(10/181) Co-Mayor, Party Executive, and Others on Trial in Van…
On October 11, 2024, Van Penal Court of First Instance No 5 continued to hear the case against 47 people including Van Metropolitan Municipality Co-Mayor Neslihan Şedal and DEM Party Provincial Co-Chair Gülşen Kurt, who were detained during the police intervention against the march against the isolation of PKK leader Abdullah Öcalan on December 12, 2022. The indictment demands a sentence for 47 people on the charge of ‘violating Law No 2911 on Meetings and Demonstrations’. The court adjourned the trial to February 6, 2025.
(10/182) The Hrant Dink Case…
The trial of the case against 15 public officials, 7 of them arrested, for the killing of Hrant Dink, Editor-in-Chief of Agos Newspaper, continued on October 11, 2024, at Istanbul Heavy Penal Court No 14. The court ruled for the continuation of the detention of the arrested defendants and the continuation of the judicial control conditions on the defendants and adjourned the hearing to January 10, 2025.
(10/183) Former TTB Chair and HRFT Board Member on Trial…
The first hearing of the lawsuit filed against Prof. Dr. Şebnem Korur Fincancı, former Chair of the Central Council of the Turkish Medical Association (TTB) and board member of the Human Rights Foundation of Turkey (HRFT), for her remarks on torture and impunity in a TV show, started on October 14, 2024, at Istanbul Penal Court of First Instance No 69. The indictment demands a sentence for Şebnem Korur Fincancı on the charge of ‘denigrating the Turkish nation, the state of the Republic of Turkey, the Grand National Assembly of Turkey, the government of the Republic of Turkey and the judicial organs of the state’. The court decided to issue a compulsory appearance warrant for Şebnem Korur Fincancı and adjourned the trial to January 27, 2025.
(10/184) Person on Trial for Social Media Posts in Ankara…
It is learned from the news coverage of October 13, 2024, that, the final trial of the case against 1 person who made critical social media posts about the killing of Sinan Ateş, former chair of Ülkü Ocakları in Ankara on December 30, 2022, was held at Ankara Civil Court of First Instance No 1 on October 10, 2024. It is reported that the court ruled the defendant, whose name is unknown, to pay 7700 Turkish Liras for non-pecuniary damages.
(10/185) Journalist Under Investigation in Van…
It is learned from the news coverage of October 13, 2024, that, an investigation was initiated against journalist Oktay Candemir for a social media post on March 30, 2024, about Van Çaldıran Justice and Development Party (AKP) mayor candidate Ferman Yıldırım; and that the journalist went to the police station and gave his official statement through the investigation.
(10/186) Person Under Investigation in Hakkari…
It is learned from the news coverage of October 11, 2024, that, the investigation launched against Muhammed Orhan (18, m, 1), on the grounds of ‘committing a crime on behalf of an illegal organization without being a member of it’ and ‘violating Law on Meetings and Demonstrations No 2911’ for participating in the protests in Van against the decision of the Van Provincial Election Board to grant the mandate to Abdulahat Arvas, the Justice and Development Party (AKP) candidate who came 2nd in the elections, was decided to be non-prosecution due to lack of sufficient evidence.
Muhammed Orhan was arrested on April 4, 2024, in Van and released on April 23, 2024.
(10/187) Revocation of the Broadcasting License of a Radio Channel…
According to news coverage of October 11, 2024, the Ankara Administrative Court No. 21, which evaluated the application made by the radio channel Açık Radyo, decided to ‘reject the request for a stay of execution’ and the Radio and Television Supreme Council (RTÜK) revoked Açık Radyo’s terrestrial broadcasting license.
On April 24, 2024, RTÜK imposed an administrative fine and a 5-day broadcast suspension on Açık Radyo within the scope of Article 8 of Law No. 6112 on the Establishment and Broadcasting Services of Radio and Televisions, citing the statements made by a guest in the radio program ‘Açık Gazete’ about the Armenian Genocide, and canceled Açık Radyo’s broadcasting license on the grounds that it continued broadcasting despite this. Upon this, Açık Radyo applied to Ankara Administrative Court No. 21 for a stay of execution.
(10/188) Racist and Discriminatory Statements by a
Party Chair…
It is learned from the news coverage of October 13, 2024, that, Mustafa Destici, chair of the Grand Unity Party (BBP), in his speech against the criticisms of the new tax package bill prepared by the Justice and Development Party (AKP) and submitted to the Grand National Assembly of Turkey (GNAT), in which citizens with a credit card limit of 100 thousand Turkish Liras or more are asked to pay an annual defense industry contribution of 750 Turkish Liras, said “These are not defending nationalists, they are defending DEM Party. When Turkey and Greece face each other, they defend Greece, they defend the West, they defend Armenia”.
(10/189) Banned Events and Demonstrations…
The Governorate of Bingöl announced on October 11, 2024, that all kinds of activities (gatherings, marches, press declarations, hunger strikes, sit-in protests, rallies, opening stands, setting up tents, distributing leaflets, hanging banners and posters etc.) planned to be held in open and closed areas in connection with the ‘Freedom Rally’ in Diyarbakır on October 13, 2024, and the entry and exit of people and vehicles who are considered to participate in these activities are banned for 5 days between October 9, 2024 and October 13, 2024.
(10/190) Special Security Zone in Şırnak…
The Governorate of Şırnak announced on October 13, 2024, that Bestler Dereler Region in the central district of Şırnak, Gabar Mountain Region in the central district and Güçlükonak district of Şırnak, Cudi Mountain Region in the central district, Silopi and Cizre districts of Şırnak, Kurt Mountain Region in the central district, Silopi and Uludere districts of Şırnak, Kelmehmetler-Dönmezler-Kovankaya Region in the 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 October 14, 2024, and October 28, 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.