16 March 2016 Daily Human Rights Report
(03/116) Curfew in Bağlar…
The curfew in Kaynartepe quarter of Bağlar district in Diyarbakır continues. The curfew was imposed after the clashes on 14 March 2016. Özgür Çelenk (18) and Eyüp Çelik (24) were shot to death during the operations of Security Forces on 15 March 2016.
A male child was also shot at back and wounded during the operations when he was on the street.
(03/117) Curfew in Nusaybin…
The operations and curfew in Nusaybin district of Mardin reached its 3rd day as of 16 March 2016.
Zübeyde Alkış (45) was wounded with shrapnel in 8 March quarter when the quarter was attacked with cannons on 15 March 2016.
(03/118) Curfew in Sur…
The curfew in Sur district of Diyarbakır reached its 97th day as of 16 March 2016.
The body of Uğur Burakmak who was among 23 persons allegedly killed during clashes on 14 March 2016 was taken by his family after being identified.
(03/119) Operations and Attacks in the Southeast…
3 police officers and 3 civilians were wounded when an armed clash broke out after an attack against an armoured police vehicle on 15 March 2016 in Bağlar district of Diyarbakır where curfew was imposed.
The blockade in Nusaybin distict of Mardin continued on 15 March 2016 and a police officer was killed during an armed clash on 15 March 2016.
2 PKK militants were reportedly killed during an armed clash that broke out on 13 March 2016 in Dağlıca region of Yüksekova district in Hakkari.
The police conducted operations on 15 March 2016 in Batman and 2 unidentified females were killed for allegedly being PKK militants.
(03/120) Operations after Academics for Peace Petition…
The academicians Muzaffer Kaya (fired from Nişantası University), Boğaziçi University member Esra Mungan, Mimar Sinan Fine Arts University member Kıvanç Ersoy who were detained for signing the “Academics for Peace” were arrested on 15 March 2016 on the allegations of “Making propaganda of an illegal organisation” and “insulting the state and its organs”.
Academic member of Bilgi University Chris Stephenson who came to the Court House for solidarity with the academics was detained for having the Newroz leaflets of Peoples’ democratic Party (HDP) in his bag.
(03/121) Former MP on Trial in Kocaeli…
Kocaeli Penal Court of First Instance No 4 continued on 15 March 2016 to hear the case Sabahat Tuncel, Co-Spokesperson of Peoples’ Democratic Congress (HDK) and former MP, launched for the expressions she used during Newroz celebrations in Kocaeli on 20 March 2012. The indictment wants the defendant to be sentenced for “praising crime and criminals”.
The court adjourned the hearing to a later date on the grounds that the defendant did not appear before the court. The court also made a judicial control decision against the defendant and imposed a ban on leaving the country.
(03/122) Newroz Celebrations Banned…
On 15 March 2016, Newroz celebrations were banned in several provinces by the Governors.
Governorate of Hakkari announced on 15 March 2016 that Newroz celebrations were banned till further notice.
Bursa, Diyarbakır and Şanlıurfa Governorates allowed Newroz celebrations to be held on 21 March 2016. But on the other hand, Bingöl, Mersin and Adana Governorates rejected the meeting requests and banned the celebrations.
Governorate of Mardin also announced on 15 March 2016 that all meetings and demonstrations in the province centre or in any district were banned for one month.
(03/123) Co-Mayor on Trial…
Diyarbakır Heavy Penal Court No 4 continued on 15 March 2016 to hear the case against Mardin Co-Mayor Ahmet Türk launched in connection with his political activities and meetings. The indictment wants the defendant to be sentenced to a term of imprisonment up to 18 years for “violating the Law on Meetings and Demonstrations”, “being member of an illegal organisation” and “making propaganda of an illegal organisation”.
The court decided to send the files to Diyarbakır Heavy Penal Court No 2 to be combined with the KCK Main Trial.
(03/124) KCK/TM Main Trial in Diyarbakır…
Diyarbakır Heavy Penal Court No 2 continued on 15 March 2016 to hear the case against 175 persons launched after an operation conducted in 2009. The indictment wants the defendants to be sentenced for founding the “Koma Ciwaken Kurdistan-Kurdistan Union of Communities/Turkish Assembly (KCK/TM)” and acting in the name of the organisation.
After the presentation of additional evidences, the court rejected the defence lawyers’ demand for recusation and adjourned the hearing to 24 March 2016.
(03/125) Detentions and Arrests…
MEYA-DER (solidarity association for people who lost their relatives in Mesopotamia) representative Berivan Karakoyun who was detained in Siirt was arrested on 15 March 2016 on the allegations of “being member of an illegal organisation”. 7 persons who were detained in Adana were also arrested on 15 March 2016 on the allegations of “being member of an illegal organisation”.
The police conducted against Peoples’ Democratic Party (HDP) and Democratic Regions Party (DBP). 8 persons including 7 Uludağ University students in Bursa, 7 persons in Kırklarleli, and 4 persons in Edirne were detained during the operations.
Kamuran Onay, HDP executive for Dilovası district in Kocaeli, was arrested on 15 March 2016.
- Ali İkto and Tayyip Kılıç who were among 5 HDP members detained in Osmaniye were arrested on 15 March 2016 on the allegations of “being member of an illegal organisation”.
The police conducted operations on 16 March 2016 in Kahramanmaraş and detained 22 persons.
10 person including HDP Co-Chairs for Manisa province Hatice Aslan and Sait Aycı were detained during the operations on 16 March 2016 n Manisa.
11 persons including DBP Co-Chair for central district in Mardin province Mehmet Şirin Gültekin and DBP Co-Chair for Kızıltepe district Hakkı Akansel who were detained during the operations in Mardin were arrested on 16 March 2016 on the allegations of “disrupting the unity and territorial integrity of the state”.
The police conducted operations on 16 March 2016 in 16 districts of İstanbul and detained at least 30 persons including 9 lawyers from Libertarian Lawyers Association (ÖHD).
The names of ÖHD member lawyers are as follows: Hüseyin Boğatekin, İrfan Arasan, Adem Çalışçı, Ayşe Acinikli, Ayşe Başar, Şefik Çelik, Tamer Doğan, Ramazan Demir, Mustafa Rüzgar.
17 March 2016 Daily Human Rights Report
(03/126) Bomb Attack in Ankara…
On 17 March 2016, Kurdistan Freedom Falcons (TAK) claimed the suicide bomb attack on 13 March 2016 on Kızılay square in Ankara. The attack led to death of 35 persons. TAK also announced that the attack was organised by a unit led by Seher Çağla Demir (24). The second person who involved the attack was allegedly Özgür Ünsal (26).
(03/127) Curfew in Bağlar…
The curfew Kaynartepe quarter imposed after the armed clashes on 14 March 2016 in Bağlar district of Diyarbakır reached its 3rd day.
According to the news appeared in the press, 7 persons were wounded during the clashes and hospitalised.
The names of the persons were announced as Veli Nergiz (16), Rifayi İpek (27), Berxwedan Gidici (24), Mahmut Erdal (56), Ferhat Kaygaç (22), Süleyman Boyraz (19) and Yusuf Yakşi (16).
(03/128) Pressures in Prisons…
Prisoners’ relatives association TUHAD-DER announced on 16 March 2016 that 2 persons who were arrested after the clashes in Sur district of Diyarbakır were beaten by the guards when they were entering Diyarbakır D-type Prison.
(03/129) Persons on Trial on the allegations of Insulting the State President…
Mersin Penal Court of First Instance No 16 started on 16 March 2016 to hear the case against Aynur Şahin and Tayfun Şahin launched on charges of “insulting the State President” during a connection with a demonstration staged on 10 October 2015 in Mersin to protest in the Ankara Massacre.
After the identification and testimonies of the defendants, the court adjourned the hearing to 17 May 2016 for the completion of deficient documents.
(03/130) Former MPs on Trial…
According to the news appeared in the press on 16 March 2016, a court case was launched against former MP Hüseyin Aygün according to the Article 301 TPC. The case was launched for a photo he shared on twitter on 16 June 2013 concerning violence by police officers and the comment he wrote about the photo.
Bakırköy (İstanbul) Penal Court of First Instance No 24 will start to hear the case.
(03/131) Former MP on Trial…
Erzurum Heavy Penal Court No 2 concluded on 16 March 2016 to hear the case against former Peoples’ Democratic Party (HDP) MP Seher Akçınar Bayar for the expressions she used during a meeting organised in Erzurum after the 7 June general elections. The indictment wants the defendant to be sentenced for “making propaganda of an illegal organisation”.
The case was launched for the expression “This is the victory of Abdullah Öcalan and martyrs of Kurdistan (Kazandığımız zafer sayın Abdullah Öcalan’ın ve Kürdistan şehitlerimizin zaferidir)”. After the Public Prosecutor’s opinion as to the accusations, the court sentenced the defendant to 1 year and 8 months’ imprisonment.
(03/132) Person Convicted in Batman…
According to the news appeared in the press on 17 March 2016, Batman Heavy Penal Court No 2 concluded to hear the case against Batman University student C.S. launched for making victory sign during a demonstration on 1 October 2015 to protest in the attacks of IS/SIS against Kobanê.
Although the Public Prosecutor demanded acquittal in her/his opinion as to the accusations, the court sentenced the defendant to 1 year’s imprisonment for “making propaganda of an illegal organisation”.
(03/133) Web Site Banned…
On 16 and 17 March 2016, Telecommunication Communication Directorate (TİB) banned access to the new domains “www.dicle-news.pw” and “diclehaber.xyz” of Dicle News Agency (DİHA). The number of the banned domains of DİHA reached 32.
(03/134) Demonstrations Intervened in İstanbul and Antalya…
On 16 March 2016, the police intervened İstanbul University students who wanted to commemorate on Beyazıt Square the massacres of Beyazıt and Halepçe. 5 students were detained under beatings.
The police also intervened Akdeniz University students who wanted to commemorate in Antalya the massacre of Halepçe. 12 students were detained during the police intervention.
(03/135) Bans on Newroz Celebrations…
Bans on Newroz celebrations continued on 16 March 2016.
Newroz celebrations in İstanbul, Ankara, Van, Kocaeli Kars, Ergani (Diyarbakır) ve Doğubayazıt’taki (Ağrı) were banned on 16 March 2016.
Governorates of Batman and Tunceli allowed celebrations only on 21 March 2016.
Governorate of Şırnak announced on 16 March 2016 that Newroz celebrations were banned in city centre and districts.
(03/136) Detentions and Arrests…
Security Foces continued operations on 16 March against Peoples’ Democratic Party (HDP) and Democratic Regions Party (DBP).
The police conducted house raid in Kayapınar district of Diyarbakır. HDP Co-Chair for the district Selim Yıldırım and his son Medeni Yıldırım were detained.
9 persons in Kargapazar village of Karlıova district in Bingöl, 1 person in Kurtıka village of Diyadin district in Ağrı, 2 persons in Konya, 98 persons including Human Rights Association (HRA) branch Chair Seval Karaçelik in Bitlis, union in education sector Eğitim-Sen branch Chair Osman Tetik in Cizre district of Şırnak, 1 person in Siirt, 2 persons in Elazığ, 11 persons in Birecik district of Şanlıurfa, 2 children in Gaziantep, HDP Co-Chair for province Hakkı Sonsuz in Sakarya; at least 20 persons in Aydın and its districts were detained during the operations and raids.
Tahsin Aktaş who was detained in Varto district of Muş was arrested on 16 March 2016 on the allegations of “being member of an illegal organisation”.
11 persons who were among 15 persons detained during operations in Mersin were arrested on 16 March 2016 on the allegations of “being member of an illegal organisation”.
8 students in Bursa and Doğan Yöyler in Sakarya were arrested on 16 March 2016 on the allegations of “making propaganda of an illegal organisation”.
Ersin Kaya and Vedat Yılmaz were arrested on 16 March 2016 in Eskişehir on the allegations of “making propaganda of an illegal organisation” and “being member of an illegal organisation”.