Human Rights Foundation of Turkey Documentation Center[1][2][3][4][5]
16 May 2024 Daily Human Rights Report
(05/153) Operations and Attacks…
It is learned from the news coverage of May 16, 2024, that 1 militant died in a clash between Turkish Armed Forces units and HPG militants in the Qandil area of the Iraqi Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) on March 22, 2024.
(05/154) Torture and Other Ill-Treatment Under Custody…
1 of the 16 people who were detained in house raids in Izmir on May 15, 2024, on the grounds of participating in the protests against the deprivation of the mandate of Abdullah Zeydan, elected as co-mayor of Van Metropolitan Municipality from Peoples’ Equality and Democracy Party (DEM Party) in March 31, 2024 elections, was reportedly subjected to a strip search at the police station.
(05/155) Torture and Other Ill-Treatment in Prison…
It is learned from the news coverage of May 15, 2024, that journalist Esra Solin Dal, who is kept in a single room in Istanbul Bakırköy Women’s Prison, did not receive any response to her petitions to the prison administration in order to be transferred to a ward where she can stay with other prisoners.
(05/156) Meeting Request with Abdullah Öcalan not Responded to…
It is learned that the appeal made on May 16, 2024, to the chief public prosecutor’s office in Bursa by lawyers to visit their clients PKK leader Abdullah Öcalan, Ömer Hayri Konar, Hamili Yıldırım and Veysi Aktaş in İmralı Prison was not responded.
(05/157) Party Member Subjected to Violence in Adana…
It is learned from the news coverage of May 16, 2024, that Ali Develi, Zafer Party’s candidate for mayor of Sarıçam district in Adana, was subjected to physical and verbal violence by Cem Tutsoy, chair of Adana Ülkü Ocakları and 4 alleged MHP members, on May 15, 2024, for his social media posts about Bilal Uludağ, current mayor of Sarıçam district from Nationalist Movement Party (MHP). It is also reported that Ali Develi was threatened with the words “Your pen is broken, your death will be at our hands”.
It is learned that Ali Develi, who obtained a medical report from Adana Yüreğir State Hospital documenting the physical violence, filed a complaint against the people who inflicted physical and verbal violence on him and threatened him, and that the same people called Ali Develi and pressured him to withdraw his complaint.
(05/158) Police Blocked the Demand to Meet with the Minister of Justice…
Peace Mothers who came to the Ministry of Justice on May 15, 2024, to meet with the Minister of Justice about the ongoing boycotts of court, phone, and family visits in prisons were prevented by the police.
(05/159) Police Intervention Against a Press Statement in Istanbul…
On May 15, 2024, the police intervened against the members of Student Collectives who made a press statement on İstiklal Street in the Beyoğlu district of Istanbul, about the killing of university student Ata Emre Akman (20, m) while he was working, and detained 11 people. The police also reportedly prevented journalists from taking video footage.
(05/160) March 31st Elections…
12 of 55 people who were detained on May 13, 2024, in Van, on the grounds of participating in the protests against the refusal to give the mandate to the co-mayor of Van Metropolitan Municipality Abdullah Zeydan, who was elected from Peoples’ Equality and Democracy Party (DEM Party) on March 31, 2024, were arrested by the Criminal Peace Judgeship on May 14 and 15, 2024 on the charges of ‘resisting to prevent the execution of duty’, ‘being a member of an illegal organization’ and ‘damaging public property’. 12 people were released on judicial control conditions. It is reported that 31 people are still being processed.
(05/161) People Detained and Arrested in Bitlis…
6 of 20 people who were detained in house raids in Bitlis on May 15, 2024, were arrested by the Criminal Peace Judgeship on May 16, 2024. 14 people were released on judicial control conditions. The names of the arrested people are as follows: Şerenaz Gezici, Mehmet Sakin Altın, Ali Arvas, Medeni Arvas, Mehmet Şakir Arvas.
(05/162) People Detained in Şırnak…
At least 40 people were detained during house raids in Şırnak on May 16, 2024. The reason for the detentions could not be learned. The reported names of the detainees are: Kadir Tınç, Harun Üzen, Evin Kurt, Abdurrahman Özmen, Nurullah Kurami, Özgür Kurami, Diyar Çatuk, Hacı Gerden, Şiyar Küçük, Hayran Aydın, Sekvan Duru, Çelik Danker, Ahmet Dansık. It is reported that Harun Üzen, one of the detainees, was released after hospitalization due to an epileptic seizure.
(05/163) Interventions Against the May 1 Celebrations…
2 people, Habilhan Yapar and Bilal Faruk Başaran, who were detained and arrested for trying to march from Saraçhane to Taksim Square during the May 1 celebrations, were released on May 15, 2024 after their lawyers appealed.
(05/164) HDP Former Co-Chair on Trial…
The trial of the case against Selahattin Demirtaş, former co-chair of Peoples’ Democratic Party (HDP) who has been detained in Edirne F Type Prison since 2016, continued on May 15, 2024, at Mersin Penal Court of First Instance No 14. The indictment demands a sentence for Selahattin Demirtaş on the charge of ‘publicly degrading the government of the Republic of Turkey, judicial organs, military or security organization’. The court adjourned the trial to July 17, 2024.
(05/165) Bar Association Executives on Trial…
According to the news coverage of 16 May 2024, Batman Heavy Penal Court No 1 issued the final investigation warrant for ‘publicly insulting the Turkish Nation, the State of the Republic of Turkey, the Grand National Assembly of Turkey, the Government of the Republic of Turkey and the Judicial Organs of the State’ against Diyarbakır Bar Association President Nahit Eren and lawyers Atilla Berk, Diyar Rüknedin Çetedir, Hatice Demir, Mehdi Özdemir, Mehmet Erdem, Ali İsmet Girgin, Öykü Çakmak Usal, Serdar Özer, Seyit Rıza Karakaş and Zuhal Sayılgan Işık, who were members of the Board of Directors at the time, in connection with the statement titled ‘Confrontation and Reconciliation Must Start from April 24, 1915’ published on the website of the Diyarbakır Bar Association on 24 April 2022. Batman Heavy Penal Court No 1 sent the file to the authorized heavy penal court in Diyarbakır.
(05/166) Banned Events and Demonstrations…
The Governorate of Van announced on May 15, 2024, that demonstrations, outdoor and indoor meetings, press declarations, sit-in protests, and surveys, setting up/opening tents and stands, organizing petitions, distributing leaflets, brochures, and flyers and all kinds of protest activities and the entry and exit of people who are considered to participate in these activities are banned for 4 days between May 16, 2024 and May 19, 2024.
The Governorate of Şırnak announced on May 16, 2024, that all kinds of open-door meetings and demonstrations, mass welcoming and farewell ceremonies, press statements, sit-ins, rallies, meetings, tents, petition campaigns, opening stands, mass funeral ceremonies and cemetery visits, commemorations, festivals, concerts, entertainment, play representations, demonstrations, etc. to be held throughout the province, all kinds of audio and visual activities that can be carried out with sound broadcasting devices, all kinds of aerial activities such as wishing lanterns, balloons, drone-paramotor, etc., and all kinds of actions and activities such as flyers, stickers, stickers, paramotor, etc., and the entry and exit of people who are considered to participate in the protests and activities into and out of Şırnak are banned from 18.00 on 16 May 2024 until 23.59 on 19 May 2024.
The Governorate of Izmir announced on May 16, 2024 that all open-door meetings, demonstrations, press declarations, sit-in protests, rallies, meetings, tents, petition campaigns, opening stands, commemorations, festivals, concerts, entertainment, games, demonstrations, etc. related to the Kobanê Case are banned for 4 days from 17.30 on May 16, 2024 until 23.59 on May 19, 2024.
The Governorate of Diyarbakır announced on May 16, 2024, that all kinds of demonstrations, marches, press declarations, hunger strikes, sit-in protests, rallies, opening stands, setting up tents, distributing leaflets, hanging banners and posters, etc., to be held throughout the province in connection with the Kobanê Trial will be banned. It has been announced that all kinds of protests, the entry of people and vehicles that are considered to participate in these protests and events into Diyarbakır and the exit of people who are considered to participate in these protests and events from the outer districts and their entry into the city center have been banned for 4 days from 18.45 on May 16, 2024 until 23.59 on May 19, 2024.
The Governorate of Batman announced on May 16, 2024 that demonstrations, open-air and indoor meetings, press declarations, sit-in protests and surveys, setting up tents and stands, organizing petitions, distributing leaflets, brochures and flyers and all kinds of protest activities, entry and exit of people who are considered to be able to participate in these actions and activities to the province and districts are banned for 4 days from 00.01 on May 16, 2024 until 23.59 on May 19, 2024.
The Governorate of Hakkari announced on May 16, 2024, that demonstrations, open-air meetings, indoor and outdoor meetings, press statements, sit-in protests and surveys, setting up/opening tents and stands, organizing petitions, distributing leaflets and flyers and all kinds of protests will be banned from 18.30 on May 16, 2024 until 23.59 on May 19, 2024.
The Governorate of Ağrı announced on May 16, 2024, that demonstrations, open-air meetings, closed-door meetings, press statements, sit-ins and surveys, setting up/opening tents and stands, organizing petitions, distributing leaflets, brochures and flyers and all kinds of protest activities are banned for 4 days from 00.01 on May 16, 2024 until 23.59 on May 19, 2024.
The Governorate of Bingöl announced on May 16, 2024, that all kinds of demonstrations/events, gatherings, marches, press statements, vehicle convoys, all kinds of welcoming and seeing off, indoor meetings, hunger strikes, sit-in protests, rallies, opening stands, setting up tents, distributing leaflets, hanging banners/posters and similar events and the entry and exit of people who are considered to be able to participate in these actions and events are banned for 4 days from 00.01 on May 16, 2024 until 23.59 on May 19, 2024. 01 on May 16, 2024 until 23.59 on May 19, 2024 for 4 days.
The Governorate of Siirt announced on May 16, 2024, that all events such as demonstrations, marches, press statements, indoor meetings, hunger strikes, sit-in protests, rallies, opening stands, setting up tents, distributing leaflets, hanging banners and so on are banned for 4 days from 00.01 on May 16, 2024 until 23.59 on May 19, 2024.
The Governorate of Kars announced on May 16, 2024, that all kinds of demonstrations, marches, press statements, hunger strikes, sit-in protests, rallies, opening stands, setting up tents, distributing leaflets, hanging banners and posters and similar actions and activities to be organized throughout the province, as well as the entry of persons and vehicles that are considered to be able to participate in these actions and activities into Kars from other provinces, their exit from the districts and their entry into the provincial center are banned for 4 days from 00.01 on May 16, 2024 until 23.59 on May 19, 2024 for 4 days.
The Governorate of Mardin announced on May 16, 2024, that demonstrations, outdoor and indoor meetings, press statements, sit-ins, drone shootings and surveys, setting up/opening tents and stands, organizing petitions, distributing leaflets, brochures and flyers and all other forms of protests, as well as the entry to and exit from the province and districts of people who are considered to participate in these demonstrations and events are banned.
The Governorate of Bitlis announced on May 16, 2024 that all kinds of demonstrations, open-air meetings, closed-door meetings, press statements, sit-ins and surveys, setting up/opening tents and stands, organizing petitions, distributing leaflets, brochures and flyers, etc., and all kinds of actions and activities that may be held throughout the province, as well as the entry into and exit from Bitlis borders of persons and vehicles that are considered to be able to participate in these actions and activities have been banned for 4 days from 18.00 on May 16, 2024 until 23.49 on May 19, 2024.
The Governorate of Tunceli announced on May 16, 2024, that all events such as demonstrations, marches, press statements, indoor meetings, hunger strikes, sit-in protests, rallies, opening stands, setting up tents, distributing leaflets, hanging banners, etc. are banned for 4 days from 18.00 on May 16, 2024 until 23.59 on May 19, 2024.
The Governorate of Erzurum announced on 16 May 2024 that all kinds of open-door meetings and demonstration marches, mass welcoming and farewell ceremonies, press statements, sit-ins, rallies, rallies, tents, petition campaigns, opening stands, mass funeral ceremonies and cemetery visits, commemoration ceremonies, festivals, concerts, entertainment, play representations, demonstrations, etc. to be held throughout the province, all kinds of audio and visual activities that can be carried out with sound broadcasting devices, all kinds of aerial activities such as wishing lanterns, balloons, drone-paramotor etc. and all kinds of actions and activities such as flyers, stickers, stickers, paramotor etc. are banned from 00.01 on 17 May 2024 until 23.59 on 20 May 2024.
The Governorate of Urfa announced on May 16, 2024, that all outdoor activities (gatherings, marches, press declarations, hunger strikes, sit-in protests, rallies, opening stands, setting up tents, distributing leaflets, hanging banners and posters, etc.) and all persons and vehicles that are considered to participate in these activities are banned to enter Urfa borders for 4 days from 19.00 on May 16, 2024 until 23.59 on May 19, 2024.
The Governorate of Muş announced on May 16, 2024, that all events such as demonstrations, press statements, open or closed meetings, rallies, sit-ins, opening stands, hunger strikes, commemorations, hanging banners and posters, distributing leaflets and announcements, opening signature tables, lighting and carrying torches, conferences etc. are banned for 4 days from 18.00 on May 16, 2024 until 23.59 on May 19, 2024.
The Governorate of Adıyaman announced on May 16, 2024 that all kinds of actions and activities (gatherings, marches, press statements, hunger strikes, sit-in protests, rallies, opening stands, setting up tents, distributing leaflets, hanging banners and posters, etc.) to be organized in the province in relation to the Kobanî Case and Kobanî events, and the entry of people and vehicles that are considered to be able to participate in these actions and activities to the Adıyaman border and the exit from the outer districts and entry to the provincial center to participate in these actions and activities have been banned for 4 days between 16 May 2024 and 19 May 2024.
The Governorate of Adana announced on May 16, 2024, that all public or closed meetings, marches, press statements, hunger strikes, sit-ins, setting up stands/tents, distributing leaflets, hanging banners, writing and all similar activities in parks/gardens, public roads, in front of NGO and political party organization buildings, public and closed areas, and the entry of people and vehicles that are considered to be able to participate in these actions and activities into Adana city center will be banned from 01:00 on May 16, 2024 until 23:59 on May 19, 2024. 00 on May 16, 2024 until 23.59 on May 19, 2024.
The Governorate of Mersin announced on May 16, 2024, that all actions/activities such as public or closed meetings, marches, press statements, hunger strikes, sit-ins, setting up stands/tents, distributing leaflets, hanging banners, writing, and all similar activities in parks/gardens, public roads, in front of NGO and political party organization buildings, public and closed areas, and the entry of people and vehicles that are considered to be able to participate in these actions and activities into Mersin city center will be banned for 4 days from 17.00 on May 16, 2024 until 23.59 on May 20, 2024. 00 on May 16, 2024 until 23.59 on May 2024 for 4 days.
The Governorate of Ardahan announced on May 17, 2024, that all kinds of demonstrations and events (gatherings, marches, press declarations, hunger strikes, sit-in protests, rallies, opening stands, setting up tents, distributing leaflets, hanging banners etc.) to be held in open areas across the province are banned for 4 days from 00.01 on May 16, 2024 until 23.59 on May 19, 2024.
(05/167) Banned Event at a University…
It is learned from the news coverage of May 15, 2024, that the student festival ‘Taşkışla Festival 24’, which was planned to be held at Istanbul Technical University (ITU) between May 15, 2024, and May 17, 2024, was canceled due to the unresponsiveness of the university rectorate.
(05/168) Annulment of the Security General Directorate’s Decision on Audio and Video Recording…
It is learned from the news coverage of May 16, 2024, that the 10th Chamber of the Council of State, which announced its decision in the lawsuit filed by the Human Rights Foundation of Turkey (HRFT) for the cancellation of the circular of the Security Directorate General on “Taking audio and video recordings” dated April 27, 2021, decided to annul the circular on the grounds that it violates Articles 7 and 13 of the Constitution.
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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.