Human Rights Foundation of Turkey Documentation Center[1][2][3][4][5]
23 – 27 May 2020 Daily Human Rights Report
(05/190) Operations and Attacks in Southeast…
It is learned from the news coverage of May 22, 2020 that 4 HPG militants died in air operation of Turkish Armed Forces to rural areas of Besta region in Uludere district of Şırnak on May 13, 2020.
It is learned from the news coverage of May 24, 2020 that a specialized sergeant (Hakan Doğan) died in Hakkari Gendarmerie Command. Turkish Armed Forces has no declaration about reason of his death.
(05/191) Suspicious Death of a Soldier in Van…
It is learned from the news coverage of May 24, 2020 that, Ahmet Türeli (21) who was on his compulsory military service in Van, was found seriously wounded while he was on watch duty on May 17, 2020; and was first taken to Van Research and Training Hospital and then Gülhane Military Hospital in Ankara where he died on May 19, 2020. Peoples’ Democratic Party (HDP) Van MP Muazzez Orhan submitted a parliamentary question addressing Minister of National Defence Hulusi Akar, and stated the following: “Ahmet Türeli was alleged to kill himself during watch duty however it is claimed by witnesses and news reports that Türeli killed due to an attack. It is claimed that Türeli had 3 wounds on his upper left chest from a G-3 riffle which is used by infantry soldier”.
(05/192) Child Was Wounded by Gunfire in Batman…
On May 25, 2020, a 16 years old child (Ş. A.) got wounded by a gunshot fired by anonymous person or persons in Şafak neighbourhood of Batman.
(05/193) Assault to City Council Member in Çorum…
It is learned from the news coverage of May 26, 2020 that, Sonay Ergül, city council member from Republican People’s Party (CHP) in Kargı district of Çorum was subjected to an armed assault in his car. It is reported that 2 people (city council member from Justice and Development Party [AKP] İbrahim Eken and İbrahim Akgül) who were detained in relation to the assault, were released after statement procedures.
(05/194) Torture and Ill-Treatment in Prison…
It is learned from the news coverage of May 25, 2020 that, 4 prisoners in quarantine in Kırşehir E Type Closed Prison were forced to stand in military order during roll-calls, and for they reject it they were dragged to the prison yard and were subjected to insults and threats there.
(05/195) Prevention of Right to Health in Prison…
It is learned from the news coverage of May 22, 2020 that, Gemgin Durak, an ill prisoner in Balıkesir Burhaniye Prison had a heart attack on May 18, 2020 and was kept in intensive care unit for 4 days in Balıkesir Public Hospital; and then was taken back to prison although his doctor considers an operation; and was kept in quarantine in prison.
(05/196) People Were Subjected to Torture and Ill-Treatment in Gendarmerie Station in Ağrı…
It is learned from the news coverage of May 22, 2020 that, 2 people (Coşkun Çetres and Enes Çetres) were subjected to physical violence of the gendarmerie at Patnos Gendarmerie Command in Ağrı on May 20, 2020. It is claimed in the news reports that 20 people, whose ID cards were taken by gendarmerie without any reason while they were collecting rocks near Patnos Dam reservoir, went to Patnos Gendarmerie Command to take back their ID cards; and they were forced to stand in line and sing the National Anthem; and 2 people among them were first subjected to verbal violence and insults for talking to each other; and then were taken to a room without surveillance cameras and were beaten by gendarmerie personnel. It is learned that these 2 people who have bruises on their bodies and cuts on their fingers had a medical report evidencing the violence, and they will make an official complaint to the prosecutor’s office. It is also reported that 2 people were fined to 3,150 Turkish Liras each for “violating social distancing rule”.
(05/197) People Were Subjected to Torture and Ill-Treatment in Ankara…
It is learned from the news coverage of May 23, 2020 that a person named Serkan K. who went out to throw away the garbage in Etimesgut district of Ankara on May 17, 2020, was subjected to physical violence of watchmen and his family members who intervene were subjected to pepper gas sprayed by watchmen. IYI Party Ankara chair Yetkin Öztürk stated the following on his social media post about the incident: “Watchmen beat seriously this young person who tells them that he is out to throw away the garbage. His family wants to intervene, and watchmen spray pepper gas on them. His father has asthma, and watchmen step on his chest to detain. A squad of 20 police officers and watchmen came by and detain all family members who were handcuffed behind their backs”. It is claimed in the news reports that 4 detained people (S. K., Ü. K., H. K. and Z. K.) were medically examined in handcuffs behind their backs at hospital after detention; and 12-year-old brother of S. K. gave his official statement unattended. Ankara Security Directorate made a declaration about the incident and stated the following: “The person who is district executive of the same political party [with the claimant] and his father Ü. K. and other family members intervened and resist to officers and insulted them; his brother H. K. attacked physically to watchmen by choking one officer. After violence intensified, additional support was called and those people were taken under control by usage of gradual and proportional force including pepper spray. (…) Ü. K., Z. K., and S. K. were released from police station after statement procedures; H. K. who physically attacked an officer was released by judicial authority on judicial control conditions on May 18, 2020”.
(05/198) People Were Subjected to Physical Violence of the Police in Edirne…
It is learned from the news coverage of May 25, 2020 that, the police used pepper spray to intervene people who allegedly drink outside of their houses despite of curfew in Keşan district of Edirne, and that the police used pepper spray against people with their children reacting to them, and after firing a gun up in the air, 1 person was detained by the police using physical violence. After video footage of the incident was covered by media and shared on social media, Edirne Governorate made a declaration and stated the following: “The crowd did not leave the place despite of warnings and made a scene, thus the officer intervened them gradually. S. H. is detained as a suspect of an investigation on ‘resisting an officer’, and a general investigation is also initiated”.
(05/199) Person Was Subjected to Physical Violence of the Police in Istanbul…
It is learned from the news coverage of May 25, 2020 that, a person who was reported to be a motorcycle courier was subjected to verbal and physical violence of the police officers who stopped him in Kadıköy district of Istanbul on May 19, 2020. It could be seen in video footage covered by media that a police officer along with watchmen says “I am locking your motorcycle, do not show off” and then commits physical violence to this person who then asks “Is it right that you hit me?”, the police officer responds as “It is right since I decided to do so”. Istanbul Security Directorate made a declaration on May 25, 2020, after the video footage was covered by media and stated the following: “It is understood that the courier went in rapidly to the control point and then had a quarrel with police officers on duty. The police officer related to the incident is suspended and an inspector is attained for investigation and required administrative process”.
(05/200) People Were Subjected to Torture and Ill-Treatment in Istanbul…
It is learned from the news coverage of May 25, 2020 that, 3 people who allegedly ran away from the police because of curfew, were subjected to physical violence of the police and were detained by being handcuffed behind their backs, in Zeytinburnu district of Istanbul on May 24, 2020. Istanbul Security Directorate made a declaration on May 25, 2020, after the video footage was covered by media and social media, and stated the following: “On 24.05.2020, a suspicious car was asked to stop in Sümer neighbourhood of Zeytinburnu district and after the persons in car attempted to run away, police officers made a stop warning to which the car did not obey; after louder warning and sirens, the car was stopped as a result of police chase. Kadir T. (19) driver of the car was handcuffed and detained for he resisted the officers, passengers Metehan Ç. (18) and O. Ç. (18) were also detained by use of gradual force for they resisted to the officers, threatened and insulted them. 4 people (Kadir T., Özen D., Metehan Ç., O. Ç.) were then subjected to administrative process according to Article 282 of Public Health Law No 1593”.
(05/201) People Were Subjected to Physical Violence of Watchmen in Istanbul…
It is learned from the news coverage of May 25, 2020 that, a person who was on street to buy bread in Eyüp district of Istanbul, was subjected to physical violence of watchmen on the grounds of violating the curfew. It could be seen in video footage of the incident that watchmen commit physical violence against other people intervening them.
(05/202) People Were Subjected to Physical Violence of Watchmen and Police in Istanbul…
It is learned from the news coverage of May 25, 2020 that, 2 people were subjected to physical violence of the police and watchmen, on the grounds of violating the curfew, in Sultangazi district of Istanbul. It could be seen in video footage of the incident that the watchmen shouts “Do not record, go away” at people reacting around.
(05/203) Person Was Subjected to Physical Violence of Watchmen and Police in Ordu…
It is learned from the news coverage of May 22, 2020 that, a person in Altınordu district of Ordu who was going back to his home with his children after free-time for children under the age of 14, had a quarrel with watchmen and police officers for excessing the free-time; and he was subjected to verbal and physical violence of the police officers trying to handcuff him behind his back. It is also reported that journalists around were prevented from recording the incident by the police.
(05/204) People Were Subjected to Torture and Ill-Treatment in Şırnak…
It is learned from the news coverage of May 25, 2020 that, a person in Yafes neighbourhood of Cizre district of Şırnak was stopped by the police on street, was forced to lay down on the ground and was subjected to physical violence of the police before being put in an armed police vehicle.
It is learned from the news coverage of May 25, 2020 that 2 people were subjected to physical violence of the police while being detained in Cizre district of Şırnak, and were put in an armed police vehicle. Where these individuals who are reported to be detained are taken to is unknown.
(05/205) People Were Subjected to Physical Violence of the Police in Tekirdağ…
It is learned from the news coverage of May 25, 2020 that, a person named Dursun Gültaş (76) was subjected to physical violence of the police officers who are reported to warn him for violating the curfew by sitting outside of his house in Çorlu district of Tekirdağ; and that the police used clubs and pepper spray on family members who intervene the incident. It is stated in the news reports that the ambulance coming for Satı Gültaş (60) who fainted during incident, was prevented by the police. 3 people (Mehmet Gültaş, Osman Gültaş and Kazım Gültaş) were detained; and Hasan Ersavcı who was recording the incident was threatened by the police saying “We will beat that boy recording. If this recording appears on anywhere we will come and get you from your home”.
Tekirdağ Security Directorate made a declaration after the video footage was covered by media and social media, and stated the following: “A squad from Çorlu District Security Directorate went to this place after receiving a report of violation of curfew in Silahtarağa neighbourhood of Çorlu district on 24.05.2020, around 15:30; 2 people at this place resisted to the officers and threatened them by lynching. After insulting the officers, they were taken under control and a flick knife of one person was taken from him consentingly, and an administrative process was initiated against 2 people for violating the curfew. The officers claimed to use excessive force are suspended, and administrative and judicial investigations are initiated against them”.
(05/206) Person Was Subjected to Physical Violence of the Police in Urfa…
It is learned from the news coverage of May 23, 2020 that, Ramazan Erdoğan, a teacher who was warned by the police for not wearing a face masks while he was repairing a school yard in Siverek district of Urfa, was subjected to physical violence of the police. Ramazan Erdoğan stated the following: “I was taking care of flowers at the school yard and I saw a police car. They came and asked me why I do not wear a face mask. I did not wear a face mask since I was alone there. And then I went and took my mask. They wanted my ID for penalty fine. I warned the police officers for they did not wear face masks either. Then they got mad at me. I tried to take a photo of licence plate of the police car. One of them hit me at the hand and my phone fell down and crashed. And then he twisted my arm and tried to twist my neck.”
(05/207) 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 1295 days to regain their jobs, in front of Human Rights Monument in Yüksel Street on May 22, 2020 at 13.30 and at 18.00, and forced people away from the monument by using physical violence.
The police intervened the press declaration at 13.30 on May 23, 2020 and detained 1 person (Nazan Bozkurt) for violating the curfew as a precaution for Covid-19.
The police intervened the press declaration at 18.00 on May 24, 2020 and detained 1 person (Mehmet Dersulu) for violating the curfew as a precaution for Covid-19.
The police intervened the press declaration at 18.00 on May 25, 2020 and detained 1 person (Mehmet Dersulu) for violating the curfew as a precaution for Covid-19.
The police intervened the press declaration at 18.00 on May 26, 2020 and detained 1 person (Mehmet Dersulu) for violating the curfew as a precaution for Covid-19.
Thus, 4 people in total are detained in police interventions against press declarations in Yüksel Street on May 23, 24, 25, and 26, 2020.
(05/208) Police Intervention to a Protest in Ankara…
The police intervened the press declaration for architect Alev Şahin, who was dismissed from her job by a state of emergency decree, in front of Ministry of Environment and Urban Planning building in Ankara on May 22 2020; and forced 1 person (Mehmet Dersulu) away from the building.
(05/209) Police Intervention Against a Protest in Istanbul…
The police intervened the sit-in protest at Bakırköy Square on May 25, 2020 of Nursel Tanrıverdi who rally for 166 weeks to regain her job from which she had been dismissed by state of emergency decree, and detained her by using physical violence. Nursel Tanrıverdi is released after being fined on the same day.
(05/210) Police Intervention to a Protest in Hatay…
The police intervened the press declaration at Abdullah Cömert Park in Samandağ district of Hatay on May 22, 2020, about Edibe Özçelik who had a heart attack when her house was raided by the police in Samandağ district of Hatay and who died on January 20, 2020; and detained 2 people (Edibe Özçelik’s sons Servet Özçelik and Ümit Özçelik) by using physical violence. Detained people are released on the same day.
(05/211) Detained former Co-Chair of DBP, TJA Activists and Rosa Women’s Association Executives and Members in Diyarbakır…
On May 22, 2020, 18 people including Democratic Regions Party (DBP) former co-chair, HDP members and executives, Free Women’s Movement (TJA) activists and members and executives of Rosa Women’s Association are detained in house raids in Diyarbakır and Urfa. 6 of detained people (TJA activist Zelal Bilgin, Rosa Women’s Association founder member Ayla Akat Ata, Yenişehir District Council member Nevriye Çur, Nazire Tursun, Peace Mother Havva Kıran and Bağlar District Council member Hüseyin Herman) are released on judicial control conditions on May 24, 2020. 12 people (Rosa Women’s Association chair Adalet Kaya, founder member Narin Gezgör and executive Fatma Gültekin, TJA activist Gülcihan Şimşek, DBP former co-chair Mehmet Arslan, HDP central executive board member Özlem Gündüz, HDP Yenişehir district co-chair Remziye Sızıcı, Diyarbakır City Council member Sevim Coşkun, HDP member Mehmet Ali Altınkaynak, Bağlar District Council members Gönül Aslan and Veysi Kuzu and Celal Yoldaş) are arrested by the court on the charge of ‘being an illegal organisation member’ on May 24, 2020. It is reported that Gönül Aslan’s 3-year-old son was also put in prison with her.
(05/212) Arrested Journalist in Diyarbakır…
Journalist Rojhat Doğru who was detained in Yenişehir district of Diyarbakır on May 22, 2020, through an investigation against him for sending money to his friends in prison, is arrested by the court on the charge of ‘being an illegal organisation member’ on May 23, 2020.
(05/213) Detained Person in Kayseri for Social Media Posts…
It is learned from the news coverage of May 25, 2020 that, a person named N. D. was detained in Kayseri, on the grounds of social media posts.
(05/214) Investigation Against Community House Cahir and Union Branch Chair in Bartın…
It is learned from the news coverage of May 22, 2020 that an investigation is initiated against Yonca Alemdar, Bartın Community House chair, and Sedat Bora, Education and Science Workers’ Union (Eğitim-Sen) branch chair, for their social media posts on İbrahim Kaypakkaya. It is reported that 2 people gave their official statement through the investigation at Bartın Security Directorate.
(05/215) Police Raid to Association’s Office in Diyarbakır…
The police raided the office of Rosa Women’s Association in Kayapınar district of Diyarbakır on May 22, 2020, through a Diyarbakır based investigation. It is learned that the police searched the office and seized some of the documents.
(05/216) Broadcast Ban for a TV Channel…
On May 22, 2020, the Radio and Television Supreme Council (RTÜK) issued Ülke TV with a broadcast ban for three times on the grounds of ‘provoking hatred and hostility among people’, for expressions of Sevda Noyan during a programme.
(05/217) Official Announcement and Advertisement Ban on Newspapers…
It is learned from the news coverage of May 22, 2020 that the Press Advertisement Agency has issued Cumhuriyet newspaper with a ban on official announcements and advertisements for 35 days, for the news reports about Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality’s demolishing of construction built in public property rented by Fahrettin Altun, Communications Director Republic of Turkey. Istanbul Public Prosecutor’s Office initiated an investigation against reporter Hazal Ocak, photographer Vedat Arık, executive editor Olcay Büyüktaş Akça and managing editor İpek Özbey on the charge of ‘making a person target for terrorist organisations’.
It is learned from the news coverage of May 22, 2020 that the Press Advertisement Agency has issued Birgün newspaper with a ban on official announcements and advertisements for 7 days, for the news reports on Red Crescent.
(05/218) Covid-19 Pandemic…
Ministry of Health declared that 27 people died due to Covid-19 pandemic and 952 new Covid-19 cases were diagnosed on May 22, 2020.
Ministry of Health declared that 32 people died due to Covid-19 pandemic and 1,186 new Covid-19 cases were diagnosed on May 23, 2020.
Ministry of Health declared that 32 people died due to Covid-19 pandemic and 1,141 new Covid-19 cases were diagnosed on May 24, 2020.
Ministry of Health declared that 29 people died due to Covid-19 pandemic and 987 new Covid-19 cases were diagnosed on May 25, 2020.
Ministry of Health declared that 28 people died due to Covid-19 pandemic and 948 new Covid-19 cases were diagnosed on May 26, 2020.
The death toll from Covid-19 in Turkey increased to 4,397 and total number of confirmed cases is 158,762 as of May 26, 2020.
It is learned from the data shared by Ankara Medical Chamber on May 23, 2020 that 362 health workers in Ankara are diagnosed with Covid-19.
It is learned from the data shared by Diyarbakır Medical Chamber on May 24, 2020 that 95 health workers (19 doctors, 43 nurses and delivery nurses, 1 paramedic, 18 officers, 3 anaesthesia technicians, 3 radiology technicians, 1 environmental health technician, 3 automation personnel, 1 laboratory assistant, 1 social services expert and 2 medical secretaries) were diagnosed with Covid-19 and 1 health worker died from Covid-19.
Bakırköy Public Prosecutor’s Office made a declaration on May 22, 2020 and announced that 1 prisoner in Silivri Prison died from Covid-19. The prosecutor’s office also stated that the prisoner was referred to a health institution on May 7, 2020, and died in intensive care unit on May 21, 2020. It is also reported that 82 prisoners in Silivri Prison are under treatment for Covid-19.
[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.