12 November 2015 Daily Human Rights Report
(11/067) Silvan Blockaded…
The 6th curfew in Silvan district of Diyarbakır reached its 10th day as of 12 November 2015 and operations of security forces and clashes continued in the district. Since the first curfew started on 16 August 2015, 14 persons were killed in Silvan.
On 12 November 2015, A.G. (7) and İ.Y. (12) were wounded during the operations conducted by the police and military in Konak and Tekel quarters.
Peoples’ Democratic Party (HDP) made an announcement and declared that people including MPs were attacked with bombs dropped from helicopters. HDP also alleged that the group took shelter in a mosque and they lost contact with the group.
(11/068) Operations and Attacks in the Southeast…
A lieutenant was killed during an armed clash on 11 November 2015 in Silvan district of Diyarbakır. A soldier was also wounded during the clash.
One police officer died and one police officer was wounded when an armoured vehicle was attacked with a rocket launcher on 11 November 2015 in Silvan.
(11/069) Mehmet Ayvalıtaş Case…
Anadolu (İstanbul) Heavy Penal Court No 8 continued on 11 November 2015 to hear the case against Mehmet Görkem Demirbaş (19) and Cengiz Aktaş launched in connection with the killing of Mehmet Ayvalıtaş (21). On 2 June 2013, the defendants drove their car into the crowd during a Gezi Park demonstration in Ümraniye district of İstanbul and caused the death of Mehmet Ayvalıtaş.
The court adjourned the hearing to 18 January 2015 to wait for the expert’s report on crime scene investigation.
(11/070) Person Beaten by the Police in İstanbul…
A student was reportedly beaten on 10 November 2015 by 2 police officers in Beyoğlu district of İstanbul on the allegations that the student cursed the officers. 2 police officers were reportedly suspended from duty when the security camera recording of the incident was revealed.
(11/071) Newspaper Raided…
On 11 November 2015, the police along with 2 lawyers raided the printing facilities of Feza Journalism Inc. in Yenibosna quarter of İstanbul. The Turkish authorities appointed trustee to take over management of the dailies Bugün and Millet. The raid was reportedly organised on the grounds that newly introduced papers Özgür Bugün (Free Bugün) and Özgür Millet (Free Millet) were printed in the facilities. The police also seized the issues of the papers.
Chief Public Prosecutor in İstanbul reportedly issued an arrest warrant against Ekrem Dumanlı, former editor-in-chief of the daily Zaman.
(11/072) Person on Trial on the allegations of Insulting the State President…
İzmir Penal Court of First Instance No 2 started on 11 November 2015 to hear the case against Union of Chambers of Turkish Engineers and Architects (TMMOB) Spokesperson Melih Yalçın and worker with the TMMOB Devrim Cem Erturan. The case was launched on charges of “insulting the State President” with the slogans they shouted during a public statement on 12 February 2015 in İzmir.
After the identification of the defendants, the court adjourned the hearing to 3 December 2015 for the preparation of the defence.
(11/073) Protest Intervened in Hakkari…
The police intervened the demonstration staged on 11 November 2015 in Hakkari to protest in the curfew and operations in Silvan district of Diyarbakır. The police used tear gas and water cannons to disperse the crowd. Peoples’ Democratic Party (HDP) MP Abdullah Zeydan was wounded when a tear gas canister hit his hand during police attack. MP Selma Irmak was also wounded for the excessive use of tear gas and hospitalised.
(11/074) Operations throughout Turkey…
Gökhan Kaya, Democratic Regions Party (DBP) executive for Şemdinli district of Hakkari, was detained on 11 November 2015 when s/he went to Şemdinli Court House to testify in connection with an incident.
The police conducted house raids on 11 November 2015 in Erzncan and detained 4 persons including Peoples’ Democratic Party (HDP) executive for the province Erkan Akgün. HDP executive for Erzincan province Özgür Nacar and Erzincan University student Remzi Durmaz were also detained when they went to Malatya to visit their friends.
A.K. (16) who was detained on 11 November 2015 during the operations conducted by Special Forces in Patnos district of Ağrı was arrested on the same day on the allegations of “being member of an illegal organisation”.