Human Rights Foundation of Turkey Documentation Center[1][2][3][4][5]
2 – 4 June 2018 Daily Human Rights Report
(06/014) Villagers Subjected to Torture by Military Members in Hakkari…
It is reported that, a group of lawyers from Diyarbakır, Van and Hakkari bars visited Yufkalı village to inspect the case of Nasır Taş and Ramazan Aktaş, two shepherds who have been subjected to torture by a group of military members from Şemdinli Durak Military Station while they were taking the sheep to Binhane hamlet ıf Yufkalı village in Hakkari’s Şemdinli district. Ahmet Özmen, Diyarbakır bar chair made a declaration after the inspection and stated following: “One of the people who have been, beaten and tortured is quite serious, he cannot leave the bed. He has a fracture on left temporal bone, with 3 stitches. He has a fracture on left cheekbone as well. He has bruises and ecchymosis on his back and all over the body. Nasır Taş is the one in most serious condition. Other 3 people were also beaten and ill-treated. They underwent ambulatory care. (…) Torture has been proven to us. We could also say that there is heavy physical and psychological torture and ill-treatment. We demand that the personnel should be suspended through administrative and judiciary investigations, and should be jailed pending trial based on the fact that torture is a serious violation of rights and cannot be accepted. Torture is forbidden including state of war, it is a serious violation of human rights.”
It is learned from news coverage of June 2, 2018 that, the shepherds who have been subjected to torture by a group of military members from Şemdinli Durak Station, were actually 4 people. It is stated in the news report that İsmail Arap, an Iranian citizen and Muhsin Çavşi were also subjected to torture along with Nasır Taş and Ramazan Aktaş.
(06/015) Attacks and Operations in Southeast…
On June 1, 2018, Haydar Çelik, a village guard who gone missing a while ago is found dead near Atatürk High School in Yüksekova district of Hakkari. It is learned from news coverage of June 3, 2018 that HPG takes the responsibility for Haydar Çelik’s death.
It is learned that 2 soldiers died and 1 soldier got injured in a bazooka attack to the road construction of Turkish Armed Forces in Iraqi Kurdistan Regional Government on June 2, 2018.
It is learned from news coverage of June 3, 2018 that 6 HPG militants died in a clash in Siirt on April 17, 2018.
Hakkari Governorate announced that 3 soldiers died and 1 soldier got injured in an attack by HPG militants against the soldiers securing the road construction in rural areas of Şemdinli district of Hakkari on June 3, 2018.
It is learned from news coverage of June 3, 2018 that 1 HPG militant died in a clash in rural areas of Hozat district of Tunceli on May 29, 2018.
(06/016) Claim of Suicide in Prison…
It is learned from news coverage of June 3, 2018 that radiology expert physician İbrahim Halil Özyavuz, who has been arrested through “Fethullahist Terrorist Organisation / Parallel State Structure Investigation” for using ByLock, was taken to Haseki Public Hospital on June 1, 2018, on the grounds of a suicide attempt, and died at the hospital on June 3, 2018.
(06/017) Torture and Ill-Treatment in Prison…
It is learned from news coverage of June 2, 2018 that İbrahim Nilüfer, a prisoner kept in Kayseri Bünyan T Type Prison No 2 was subjected to physical violence by the wardens. It is stated in the news report that prisoners in Bünyan T Type Prison No 2 were prevented from conversation rights and cannot use the right to health due to being forced to be examined in handcuffs.
It is learned from news coverage of June 3, 2018 that Boğaziçi University students kept in Silivri Prison were not taken to their exams.
(06/018) Total Number of Prisoners and Convicts in Prisons…
The Ministry of Justice responded CHP PM Gamze Akkuş’s question through the right to information, and announced that 246.416 people in total (66.902 arrestees, 28.488 people pending convict [the sentence given to them by the courts have not been finalised but still arrested] and 151.026 convicted prisoners are in prisons as of May 15, 2018. It is also stated that 3.085 children and 10.019 women are in prisons.
(06/019) Coercion to Uniforms and Reactions Against This…
The press declaration of TAYAD (Prisoner’s Families’ Solidarity Association) members attempted to be held in Sakarya Street in Ankara on June 2, 2018 against uniform coercion in prisons is prevented by the police. It is reported that nobody was detained in police intervention.
(06/020) Rejection to Meeting Request with Abdullah Öcalan…
It is learned that the appeal made on June 1, 2018 to chief public prosecutor’s office in Bursa by PKK leader Abdullah Öcalan’s sister and brother along with the families of Hamili Yıldırım, Ömer Hayri Konar and Veysel Aktaş in order to visit, was rejected the same day on the grounds of limitations for prisoners in accordance with the Law on the Execution of Criminal and Security Measures Number 5275. With the last rejection, it was the 78th time that appeals for visiting Öcalan have been rejected since September 11, 2016.
(06/021) Asylum Seeker Subjected to Police Violence in Denizli…
It is learned from the news coverage of June 2, 2018 that Esmaeil Fattahi, an Iranian asylum seeker was detained by the police who raided his house. It is stated in the news report that the police used physical violence on Fattahi. Fattahi stated in the news report as following: “Police officers in uniform take off the hinges at the door and secretly came into my house, without knocking the door. I was lying down in my room and the next thing I know was police officers holding a gun to my head. I asked what happened or what I did, and they sprayed pepper gas to my eyes. They tore apart my clothes and took me to the car, punching me in handcuffs”. Fattahi also stated that police violence lasted in Police Headquarters where he was taken to.
It is stated in the news report that the physician examining Fattahi, who was wounds and bruises in several parts of his body and his head due to police violence, made a medical report indicating no torture and ill-treatment remarks.
It is also stated in the news report that, few months ago Esmaeil Fattahi got an anonymous call by someone who claims to be a police officer and wants to meet Fattahi, and this person threatened Fattahi upon his rejection to meet.
(06/022) Police Violence in Cizre…
It is learned from news coverage of June 1, 2018 that 2 people were detained in a house raid in Cizre district of Şırnak. It is also learned that Ali Özdal (20) and Hamza Özdal (21) were subjected to physical violence of the police. Their mother Gül Özdal stated in the news report as following: “My son Ali wanted to kiss his 10 months-old baby but the police stopped him by kicking. They dragged my children on the floor and beat them at the stairs. My little children got very afraid. They hit my son Hamza’s foot with a rifle butt”. Gül Özdal also stated that the police threatened them for not declaring the violence they were subjected to.
(06/023) Police Intervention Against “I Want My Job Back” Protest in Ankara…
The police intervened the press declaration of public labourers who had been dismissed by a state of emergency decree and have been struggling for a while to regain their jobs, intended to be held in front of Human Rights Monument in Yüksel Street on June 1, 2, and 3, 2018 at 13.30 and 18.00.
It was reported that during police intervention against the press declaration which was planned to be held at 13.30 on June 1, 2018, 2 people (Nazan Bozkurt and Gülnaz Bozkurt) and at 18.00 2 people (Alev Şahin and Nazan Bozkurt) were detained.
It was reported that during police intervention against the press declaration which was planned to be held at 13.30 on June 2, 2018, 3 people (Alev Şahin, Gülnaz Bozkurt and Ertuğrul Çağan) and at 18.00 2 people (Acun Karadağ ve Alev Şahin) were detained.
It was reported that during police intervention against the press declaration which was planned to be held at 13.30 on June 3, 2018, 2 people (Alev Şahin and Nazan Bozkurt) and at 18.00 3 people (Nazan Bozkurt, Gülnaz Bozkurt and Acun Karadağ) were detained.
Thus in total 14 people were detained due to press declaration intended to be held in Yüksel Street on June 1, 2, and 3, 2018. It is learned that detainees were released the same day.
(06/024) Police Intervention Against a Protest in Istanbul and Police Violence Under Custody…
On June 2, 2018 the police intervened the press declaration of public labourers at Bakırköy Square in Istanbul, who protest the dismissals with the state of emergency decrees, and detained 12 members of KESK (Confederation of Public Employees Trade Union). The names of detainees are: Nursel Tanrıverdi, Dursun Doğan, Filiz Doğan, Ayla Mamati, Nuğyen Nedim, Fatoş Çekmen, İlhan Koyu, Nuray Şimşek, Serkan Penah, Dilbirin Acar, Nimet Erben, Gökhan Turan. The sit-in to protest the detentions was also prevented by the police and 14 people were detained in the second intervention of the police. Thus 26 people in total were detained in police interventions. Detainees are released on June 3, 2018.
It is learned that the detainees were handcuffed behind their backs and was subjected to physical violence, racist and sexist insults of the police in the detention vehicles. It is also learned that a detainee was passed out due to police violence, but the police did not allow this person to be helped.
Ayla Özkan Manti (60), who was detained, stated in the news report as following: “They were all hitting. It was terrible. There was a police officer with headscarf, she insulted us, she said she was fasting for Ramadan but she yelled “whores” at us. I have never been attacked in such a vulgar way. They attacked both to our bodies and personalities”.
(06/025) Detained Members and Executives of HDP and DBP…
On June 1, 2018, 10 people including Zeyno Bayramoğlu, Ankara executive of HDP (People’s Democratic Party) are detained in house raids for ‘making propaganda of an illegal organisation’ on their social media posts. It is reported that Zeyno Bayramoğlu was released the same day but remaining 9 people were still under custody.
On June 2, 2018, 21 members of HDP and DBP (Democracy and Peace Party) members including DBP Erzurum co-chair Muhlis Kırmacı are detained in house raids in Karayazı district of Erzurum. The names of detainees known so far are: Şevket Tutkun, Süleyman Aydın, Selahaddin Eroğlu, Rasim Güneş, Takyedin Çelik, Erdal Bayram, Erdem Kaya, Yüksel Kişi, Nuri Kandemir, Medeni Aras, Mahmut Çimendağ, Yener Yüksel, İbrahim Şenlik, Fahrettin Taşçı, Ali Rıza Arslan, Ali Gözmen, Yavuz Karabudak.
(06/026) Artists Detained in Diyarbakır and Van…
Musician Şerko Kaniwar is detained in a house raid in Diyarbakır on June 2, 2018. It is learned that Şerko Kaniwar was taken to Diyarbakır Police Headquarters, however the reason for detention is unknown.
Artists Kemal Yıldırım, Emine Aksoy, Saliha Ayata, Elif Gemicioğlu, İlayda Kutlar, Asmin Açar and Ferhat Aslan are detained in house raids in Van on June 2, 2018. It is learned that 7 artists were taken to Van Police Headquarters, however the reason for detention is unknown.
(06/027) Journalists on Trial in Manisa…
The final trial of the case against journalist İbrahim Coşkun, for having Özgürlükçü Demokrasi newspaper in his car, on Manisa Heavy Penal Court No 4, on the grounds of ‘being an illegal organisation member’ and ‘making propaganda for an illegal organisation’ is held on June 1, 2018. The court acquitted İbrahim Coşkun.
(06/028) HDP Members and Executives on Trial in Manisa…
The final trial of the case against 25 people (6 of them were arrested) including HDP (People’s Democratic Party) members and executives on Manisa Heavy Penal Court No 3 is held on June 1, 2018. After defence hearings the court sentenced 21 people to jail penalties differing from 1 year and 8 months to 13 years and 11 months for ‘being an illegal organisation member’ and ‘making propaganda of an illegal organisation’. The court acquitted 3 people and separated the case of 1 person. The names of convicted defendants are: Abdurrahman Taş, Ayşe Karagöz, Ercan Aydemir, Erol Dikmen, Ferhat Esen, Ferhat Savaşçı, Gülsüm Tozan, Halil Aydemir, Haşim Kerem, Hebat Aydemir, Lokman Gür, Mazlum Alataş, Mehmet Aydemir, Mehmet Sıtkı Karagöz, Muharrem Demir, Ömer Bağcı, Şerafettin Keren, Serkan Önen, Süleyman Kaban, Şerafettin Korşun, Turgut Akyol.
On December 20, 2018 the court decided to separate the case, which was against 138 people including HDP members and executives, into 3 cases.
(06/029) Rappers Detained and Arrested in Izmir…
On May 30, 2018, rapper Onur Kılıç, known as “Khontjar”, rapper U. B., known as “Young Bego” and three more people staying with them (M. D., A. Ö., and B. Ç.) were detained in Izmir. Onur Kılıç is arrested by the court for “using words and images that promote using drugs in his songs”. U. B., B. Ç., M. D., and A. Ö. are released on juridical control conditions.
Sercan İpekoğlu, known as “Ezhel” was arrested for the same reason on May 23, 2018.
It is learned from news coverage of June 3, 2018 that Amnesty International launched a campaign for Sercan İpekoğlu to be released immediately, stating that there is no solid evidence to arrest and the right of expression of Sercan İpekoğlu is violated.
(06/030) Detentions and Arrests in Alleged Link to Coup Attempt…
On June 1, 2018, 30 people in Ankara, 20 people including military members on active duty in operations covering 17 cities through an Istanbul based investigation, 11 military members on active duty in operations covering 12 cities through a Maraş based investigation, 14 people in Bursa and 2 people in Izmir are detained.
12 of 22 people who were detained through an Izmir based investigation on May 25, 2018, are arrested by the court on June 1, 2018. 10 people are released provided 8 of them on juridical control conditions.
On June 2, 2018, 25 people are detained in Adana.
(06/031) Trials in Alleged Link to Coup Attempt…
The final trial of the case against 62 people including 8 arrestees, for the incidents in General Kani Akman Barrack and Prison in Hadımköy during July 15 coup attempt, on Istanbul Heavy Penal Court No 27 is held on June 1, 2018. The court sentenced 9 defendants to heavy life penalty for ‘violating the Constitution’. The court sentenced 1 defendant to 6 years and 3 months for ‘being an illegal organisation member’. The court acquitted 52 defendants and arrested 1 defendant due to conviction verdict.
The final trial of the case against former Staff Colonel Mahmut Çağlayan on Ankara Heavy Penal Court No 19 is held on June 1, 2018. The court sentenced Mahmut Çağlayan to 8 years and 9 months for ‘being an illegal organisation member’.
The final trial of the case against Gürbüz Dönmez on Izmir Heavy Penal Court No 2 is held on June 1, 2018. The court sentenced Gürbüz Dönmez to 10 years and 6 months for ‘being an illegal organisation member’.
The final trial of the case against 31 defendants on Çankırı Heavy Penal Court is held on June 1, 2018. The court sentenced 26 defendants to jail penalties differing from 3 years 1 month and 15 days to 7 years and 11 months. The court acquitted 4 defendants and separated the case of 1 defendant.
The final trial of the case against 30 defendants on Giresun Heavy Penal Court No 2 is held on June 2, 2018. The court sentenced 24 defendants to jail penalties differing from 1 year 10 months and 15 days to 9 years. The court acquitted 6 defendants.
(06/032) Elections on June 24, 2018…
It is learned that the police detained 3 people (Rıdvan Abravcı, Olgun Kahraman and Mahmut Onyıl) who were campaigning for HDP for elections by using physical violence, after a tension between 3 people and the police in Sancaktepe district of Istanbul on June 1, 2018. It is also learned that the police fire a gun up in the air upon the reaction of people to detentions. Mahmut Onyıl stated in the news reports that the police said “I am the state. I would shoot you. I would be brought to the court at most afterwards, maybe even not judged”. It is reported that Rıdvan Abravcı, Olgun Kahraman and Mahmut Onyıl, who had marks and bruises on their bodies and faces due to physical violence, were released the same day.
On June 1, 2018, HDP (People’s Democratic Party) electoral office in Beylikdüzü district of Istanbul was attacked by unknown assaulters. It is learned that the attack caused material damage at the office.
The number of people detained in house raids in Artuklu district of Mardin raised up to 13 on June 1, 2018. On May 31, 2018 HDP Artuklu district co-chair and 2 ballot clerk volunteers were detained through the same investigation.
A group of people alleged to be İlk Oy Hareketi (First Voting Movement) attacked IYI Party members opening a campaign stand in Emirsultan Square in Bursa, with rocks, sticks and chairs on June 2, 2018. It is reported that 6 people got injured due to the attack.
It is learned that the campaign stand of CHP (Republican People’s Party) was damaged by unknown people in Ümraniye district of Istanbul on June 2, 2018.
It is learned that electoral campaign vehicle of HDP was attacked by a group of almost 15 people in Keçiören district of Ankara on June 2, 2018. It is learned that the attack caused material damage. None of the attackers were detained, however it is learned that the police detained journalist Oktay İnce who was reporting on HDP’s electoral campaign.
It is learned that HDP’s electoral campaign office was attacked by unknown people in Tuzla district of Istanbul on June 2, 2018.
On June 2, 2018, a racist group attacked HDP’s campaign stand in Ümraniye district of Istanbul. Nobody got injured due to the attack. It is also learned that the windows of a campaign vehicle of HDP was broken by the rocks thrown by the racist group.
It is learned from news coverage of June 2, 2018 that the police made criminal record check in all buildings on Mahabad Avenue, before the meeting of the President and AKP chair Tayyip Erdoğan in Diyarbakır on June 3, 2018.
It is learned that a racist group attacked HDP’s campaign stand with rocks and clubs, in Antalya on June 3, 2018. It is reported that 1 HDP member got injured and the campaign vehicle was damaged due to the attack.
On June 3, 2018 a racist attack is organized against HDP convoy that meet HDP candidate Sırrı Sakık in Manisa. It is learned that 2 people in convoy got injured due to attack.
It is learned that the convoy of IYI Party which was on the way to the meeting in Gaziantep and which included IYI Party chair Meral Akşener’s car as well, was headed off by the garbage trucks of Gaziantep Municipality.
It is learned that CHP flags held around Istanbul Beylerbeyi Palace were lifted by the municipality police officers of Üsküdar Municipality on June 3, 2018. It is also learned that the President Tayyip Erdoğan has arrived at Beylerbeyi Palace, just before the flags being lifted.
(06/033) Events Banned in Hakkari…
Hakkari Governorate made a declaration on June 1, 2018 and announced that all events such as meetings, demonstrations, outdoor and indoor public meetings are dependent on permissions for 30 days as of June 1, 2018 and sit-in protests, hunger strikes, tents and stands are banned for 30 days as of June 1, 2018.
[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, ETHA, Dihaber, Yurt, Özgürlükçü Demokrasi, Ntv, Bianet.org, Halkinsesi.tv, Cnnturk, Alinteri, Kızılbayrak, Özgür Radyo, Sendika.org, El Cezire,BBC, Yüksekova Haber, T24, Diken, Gazete Karınca, Gazete Duvar.