Human Rights Foundation of Turkey Documentation Center[1][2][3][4][5]
11 – 13 December 2021 Daily Human Rights Report
(12/102) Operations and Attacks…
It is learned from the news coverage of December 11, 2021 that, 1 HPG militant died in an air operation of Turkish Armed Forces to Qandil area of the Iraqi Kurdistan Regional Government on June 9, 2021.
It is learned from the news coverage of December 12, 2021 that, 1 militant died in a clash between HPG militants and security officers in rural areas of Urfa on December 7, 2021.
(12/103) Suspicious Death of Soldier…
It is learned from the news coverage of December 12, 2021 that, Kemal Güler, who was on compulsory military service at a military base of Yekmal battalion in Uludere district of Şırnak, died on December 4, 2021. It is stated in the news reports that, military officials first informed Güler’s family that he got wounded in a clash but then told them he killed himself.
A relative of Kemal Güler, stated the following to the press: “Those who came to our door said ‘Your boy got wounded in a clash, he is in a hospital now’. Then we said ‘you would not come so crowded just to say that’, they said ‘he passed away’. They did not tell us that he had killed himself, or the reason of his death. Other soldiers from his battalion, told us that he went into an empty container and shot himself. (…) They did not allow us see his body after the autopsy. They let us see only his face when we bury him. We could not see how he was shot.”
(12/104) Armoured Attack on Villagers in Aydın…
It is learned that Ali Coşkun and Cennet Coşkun, 2 villagers who fight against the mining activities of Eysim Mine Company in Topçam village of Çine district of Aydın, were subjected to an armoured attack in front of their house on December 11, 2021. Ali Coşkun stated the following to the press: “Suddenly I heard the bullets flying over my head. I heard at least three shots. I was in a pit so it did not hit me. They targeted us before shooting. (…) They were from the subcontractor of the mining company. Then gendarmerie came, ‘The miners blame you, how can we know that you were the ones shooting’ and blamed us.” It is learned that Coşkun family’s lawyer will make criminal complaints against the mining company workers on the charges of ‘threat’, ‘insult’ and ‘attempt to kill’.
(12/105) Suspicious Death in Prison…
On December 9, 2021, Garibe Gezer, has lost her life in a suspicious way the solitary cell in Kocaeli Kandıra F Type Prison. It is learned from the news coverage of December 11, 2021 that, the crime scene investigation was conducted without lawyers being there and crime scene report was not given to them.
Lawyer Jiyan Tosun, after meeting other prisoners there, stated the following to the press: “After the lunch, Garibe’s friends look into her cell that could be seen from the open-door area of prison, and see that her lunch is on the table, untouched. And they cannot see Garibe in the cell. They worry and immediately inform the correction officers and when they open the door, they see her hung in the cell. Everybody get into the cell but they do not touch her, and they wait for the cameras before touching her.”
It is learned from the news coverage of December 10, 2021 that, the police prevented Garibe Gezer’s body to be carried in a funeral vehicle of Mardin Metropolitan Municipality to Dargeçit district of Mardin for funeral; and that her family took her body with private vehicles.
(12/106) Prevention of Right to Health in Prison…
It is learned from the news coverage of December 10, 2021 that, Emin Güler, an ill prisoner in Urfa T Type Prison No 2, was not receiving physiotherapy.
(12/107) Hunger Strike in Prison…
It is learned from the news coverage of December 12, 2021 that, 5 prisoners (İsa İpekli, Vahit Ufuk Yüksel, Nevzat İçem, Ömer Çelik and Abdulstar Üzer) are on hunger strike to demand an end to right violations in Istanbul Silivri Prison No 9 since December 2, 2021.
(12/108) Meeting Request with Abdullah Öcalan Not Responded…
It is learned that the appeal made on December 10, 2021 to chief public prosecutor’s office in Bursa by families and tutelary of PKK leader Abdullah Öcalan, and Ömer Hayri Konar, Hamili Yıldırım and Veysi Aktaş in Imralı Prison, in order to visit them was not responded.
(12/109) Torture and Ill-Treatment in Şırnak…
It is learned from the news coverage of December 10, 2021 that, a shopkeeper who reacted against police officers parking anti-riot water cannon vehicle in front of his shop, was subjected to torture and ill-treatment of the police officers saying “How could you object to security officers?” to him.
(12/110) Police Intervention to Student Protests in Ankara…
The police prevented the students coming from Izmir and Istanbul by busses from entering Ankara, for the protest which was to be held by “We Cannot Shelter Movement” on December 12, 2021. The police intervened the groups waiting at the city entrance, it is learned that at least 10 people got wounded in the police intervention.
The police also intervened the protest in Yüksel Street of Çankaya district of Ankara and detained protestors by using physical violence.
It is learned that 90 people who were detained in police interventions in Ankara on December 12, 2021, are released on the same day.
(12/111) Police Intervention to SYKP Members in Istanbul…
The police intervened members of the Socialist Refoundation Party (SYKP) who were distributing leaflets about economic crisis in Maltepe district of Istanbul on December 11, 2021. It is learned that nobody was detained.
(12/112) Detained Journalists in Ankara…
3 journalists (Nebiye Arı, Yağmur Kaya and Hilal Işık) are detained by the police intervening the students coming to Ankara for the protest of “We Cannot Shelter Movement” on December 12, 2021. It is learned that three journalists who were detained for ‘not having a press credential’ are released on the same day.
(12/113) Detained Social Media Reporters in Antalya…
On December 12, 2021, Hasan Köksoy, reporter of ‘Kendine Muhabir’ YouTube channel which broadcasts street interviews; and ‘Ilave TV’ YouTube channel reporter Arif Kocabıyık and editor Turan Kural are detained in Antalya. It is learned that ‘Sade Vatandaş’ YouTube channel reporter Mehmet Koyuncu’s house was raided but he was not home so not detained. 3 people are released by the court on house confinement and with a ban on leaving the country on December 13, 2021.
(12/114) Detained City Council Member and Other People in Şırnak…
On December 8, 2021, Abdullah Kaçmaz, Silopi district council member from HDP; HDP Youth Assembly member Mehmet Miraç Dinç and Sümeyye Gök have been detained in house raids in Silopi district of Şırnak. Abdullah Kaçmaz is arrested by the court on December 11, 2021, and it is learned that detention period for other 2 people is extended for 4 more days.
(12/115) Detained Executives of HDP and Association and Other People in Şırnak…
On December 11, 2021, 26 people are detained in house raids in Cizre and Silopi districts and in police raid to HDP’s district office in Şırnak. It is learned that 26 people are restricted from seeing their lawyers for 24 hours. The names of detained people learned so far are: MEBYA-DER (Association of People Lost Their Relatives in the Cradle of Civilizations) co-chair Serhat Küçük, HDP Cizre district executive Naim İned, Asya Arslan, Mela Kasım Yiğit, Delil Ürek, Tuncay İnal and Nadir Onuk.
(12/116) Arrested Person for ‘Insulting the President’ in Zonguldak…
On December 11, 2021, a person named A. Ç. is detained on the grounds of throwing a photograph of the President at the sub-governorate’s office and insulting, in Ereğli district of Zonguldak. A. Ç. is arrested by the court on the same day.
(12/117) Detained People in Mersin…
On December 10, 2021, 11 people are detained in house raids in Mersin, on the grounds of making propaganda for an illegal organisation in the Newroz celebration. It is learned that Syrians were among the detainees.
(12/118) Journalist on Trial in Istanbul…
It is learned that Istanbul Penal Court of First Instance No 41 accepted the indictment of Istanbul Public Prosecutor’s Office against journalist Hasan Cemal, on the grounds of insulting the President, on December 10, 2021. The first trial will be held on April 12, 2022.
(12/119) Journalist on Trial in Aydın…
The first trial of the case against Mezopotamya News Agency reporter Ahmet Kanbal, for his social media posts, is held at Aydın Heavy Peal Court No 3 on December 10, 2021.
The indictment demands sentence for Ahmet Kanbal on the charges of ‘targeting anti-terror officers’ and ‘insult’.
After defence hearings the court adjourned the trial to February 2, 2022.
(12/120) CHP Executive on Trial for ‘Insulting the President’…
Canan Kaftancıoğlu, Istanbul chair of the Republican People’s Party (CHP), was sentenced to pay 56,000 Turkish Liras as compensation, in the case of ‘insulting the President on social media posts’ on April 29, 2021. It is learned on December 10, 2021 that, Penal Department No 4 of Istanbul Regional Court has concluded on the appeal and raised the compensation to 290,000 Turkish Liras.
(12/121) Kobanê Case…
The trial of the case against 108 members and executives of the Peoples’ Democratic Party (HDP) including former co-chairs, including 21 arrestees, is held at Ankara Heavy Penal Court No 22 between November 29 and December 10, 2021.
On November 29, 2021, it is learned that one member of the court board was replaced with another judge. Defendant politicians and their lawyers declared that they will not join the trials due to lack of fair trial and defence conditions.
Defendant politicians and their lawyers did not join the trials on following days. It is learned that the court board refused their petitions regarding not joining the trials, except for those who have medical conditions.
It is learned that journalists were not allowed in the courtroom on December 7, 2021, on the grounds of not having a turquoise press credential.
It is learned that journalists were allowed in the courtroom on December 10, 2021, if they leave their phones and computers out. The court announced that, in case defendant politicians and their lawyers do not join next trials, they would be considered as renouncing their standing rights and the case will proceed to evidence investigation. The court decided to continue detention of 21 politicians and adjourned the trials to be held between December 20 and December 31, 2021.
The court has released 4 people (former Kars co-mayor Ayhan Bilgen who was replaced by a trustee, HDP’s former central executive board members Berfin Özgü Köse, Can Memiş and Cihan Erdal) at the trial held on June 15, 2021; and released 4 people (Zeki Çelik and former parliamentary members İbrahim Binici, Emine Beyza Üstün, Emine Ayna) on June 25, 2021.
(12/122) Boğaziçi University Students on Trial…
The indictment of Istanbul Public Prosecutor’s Office against 14 people including 2 arrestees (Enis Berke Gök and Caner Perit Özen), for the protests against the rector appointed to Boğaziçi University by the President, is accepted by Istanbul Penal Court of First Instance on December 10, 2021. The first trial will be held on January 7, 2022.
The indictment demands sentence for 14 people on the charges of ‘participating in unlawful meetings unarmed and not dispersing despite of warning’, ‘deprivation of liberty due to public duty’, ‘resisting to prevent an official from their duty’ and ‘hijacking or seizure of transport vehicles’.
(12/123) Police Officers on Trial in Istanbul…
The trial of the case against 3 police officers (K. A., N. D. and Y. Ş.) on the grounds of committing violence to journalist Beyza Kural while she was reporting on an incident, is held at Istanbul Penal Court of Peace No 3 on December 10, 2021.
The indictment demands sentence for the defendant police officers on the charge of ‘violation of freedom of work and labour’. The Constitutional Court decided on Beyza Kural’s individual appeal on February 18, 2021 and ruled that ban of treatment against human dignity, and freedom of expression and freedom of press were violated. The court has also ruled that an investigation should be carried on in order to end the results and 15,000 Turkish Liras should be paid to Beyza Kural as immaterial compensation.
The court refused the demand of intervention of the Media and Law Studies Association (MLSA) and adjourned the trial to March 11, 2022.
(12/124) Ban of Access to Web Contents…
It is learned that the news reports about an online wallet application published on https://www.cumhuriyet.com.tr, https://www.tv100.com, https://www.yeniakit.com.tr websites are banned to access on the grounds of violation of personal rights, by Aydın Nazilli Penal Court of Peace on December 7, 2021.
It is learned that the news reports about bribery allegations for Istanbul Security Director and some other police officers, published on https://haber.sol.org.tr, https://t24.com.tr, https://tele1.com.tr websites are banned to access on the grounds of violation of personal rights by the Access Providers Association on December 9, 2021.
It is learned that the news reports about a student killed by a dormitory worker in Antalya, published on https://www.a3haber.com, https://halktv.com.tr, https://www.gazeteduvar.com.tr websites are banned to access on the grounds of violation of personal rights, by Antalya Penal Court of Peace No 6 on December 11, 2021.
(12/125) Ban of Protest in Ankara…
Ankara Governorate’s Office banned the protest of “We Cannot Shelter Movement” which was to be held on December 12, 2021. The governorate’s office declared on December 10, 2021 that the protest was “not considered appropriate with regard to providing public welfare and preventive duties of law enforcement”.
(12/126) Police Raid to Party Office in Şırnak…
On December 11, 2021, HDP’s office in Cizre district of Şırnak is raided by the police. It is learned that the police scattered around during the search and some digital material, newspapers, photographs and flags were seized.
12/127) Covid-19 Pandemic…
The Ministry of Health declared that 176 people died due to Covid-19 pandemic and the daily number of Covid-19 cases is 18,561 as of December 10, 2021.
The Ministry of Health declared that 191 people died due to Covid-19 pandemic and the daily number of Covid-19 cases is 19,255 as of December 11, 2021.
The Ministry of Health declared that 182 people died due to Covid-19 pandemic and the daily number of Covid-19 cases is 17,956 as of December 12, 2021.
The death toll from Covid-19 in Turkey increased to 79,151 and total number of confirmed ill patients is 9,040,179 as of December 12, 2021.
It is learned that doctor Yasin Erol Yalçın in Ankara lost his life due to Covid-19 on December 10, 2021.
[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.