Human Rights Foundation of Turkey Documentation Center[1][2][3][4][5]
17 – 19 April 2021 Daily Human Rights Report
(04/183) Operations and Attacks…
The Ministry of National Defence declared that 1 soldier (Ramazan Günaydın) who fell into a brook in Hakkari, died in hospital on April 16, 2021.
(04/184) Person Died in Prison…
It is learned from the news coverage of April 16, 2021 that, Ersoy Karamustafa, an ill prisoner kept in Manisa T Type Prison, lost his life in the hospital where he was admitted to treatment.
(04/185) Torture and Ill-Treatment in Prison…
It is learned from the news coverage of April 16, 2021 that, in Balıkesir Bandırma F Type Prison No 2, prisoners were forced to strip search during their transfer to hospitals and those who reject strip search were not taken to hospitals.
Association of Lawyers for Freedom (ÖHD) Diyarbakır branch and Diyarbakır Association of Families of Prisoners (TUAY-DER) shared their report on right violations in Erzurum Oltu T Type, Erzurum H Type, Erzurum E Type and Erzincan T Type prisons, on April 17, 2021. It is stated in the report that, in Erzurum Oltu T Type Prison, the wards were not being disinfected against Covid-19 pandemic, prisoners are not referred to hospitals when needed, the number of books per prisoner is limited to 7, and prisoners are not given Yeni Yaşam and Evrensel newspapers. In Erzurum H Type Prison, the wards were not being disinfected against Covid-19 pandemic, prisoners are referred to hospitals only once in two weeks, the number of books per prisoner is limited to 10, prisoners are not given Yeni Yaşam and Evrensel newspapers, and prisoners are forced to stand up during roll-calls. It is reported that in Erzurum E Type, prisoners are forced to stand up during roll-calls and those who reject it are subjected to disciplinary proceedings, the heating does not work in the evenings, the letters of prisoners are not sent outside, the prisoners are neither referred to hospitals and nor they are sent to prison infirmary, the number of books per prisoner is limited to 5, and prisoners are given hot water only 3 days a week. It is reported that in Erzincan T Type Prison, prisoners are not referred to hospitals when needed, their social and cultural rights are restricted, Kurdish letters sent to prisoners are not delivered, the number of books per prisoner is limited to 5 and their personal belongings are scattered around during ward searches.
It is learned from the news coverage of April 17, 2021 that, a photograph sent in a letter to a prisoner in Van T Type Prison is not given to the prisoner on the grounds that surname of the sender does not match that of prisoner.
(04/186) Meeting Request with Abdullah Öcalan Not Responded…
It is learned that the appeal made on April 16, 2021 to chief public prosecutor’s office in Bursa by PKK leader Abdullah Öcalan’s lawyers in order to visit their client was not responded.
(04/187) Police Intervention to Workers’ Protest in Istanbul…
The police intervened Dilbent Türker, a worker who was dismissed from Sinbo factory after being a union member; and the people supporting her to form a picket line in front of the factory on April 16, 2021; and detained 2 people by using physical violence. The police intervened the group once again as they gather to protest the police intervention at the same place, and detained 8 people. Detained 10 people (Dilbent Türker, All Automotive and Metal Workers’ Union (TOMİS) representative Onur Eyidoğan, TOMİS executives Onur Kömek, Sabit Yıldırım and Seçil Arı, Buse Bayram, Ulaş Uslu, Yaren Sarısaltık, Meltem Güç and Fatih Taşer.
(04/188) Police Intervention to Workers’ Protest in Istanbul…
The police intervened Kayı Construction company workers who wanted to hold a press declaration in front of Istanbul Kartal Courthouse before the pre-arranged bankruptcy trial of the company on April 16, 2021. It is learned that nobody was detained by the police.
(04/189) Police Prevention to Workers’ Protest in Istanbul…
The police prevented the press declaration to be held in front of Bayrampaşa district municipality building to demand reinstatement for dismissed employees, on April 16, 2021.
(04/190) Arrested Person in Konya for Social Media Posts…
Recep Kayacı, a person who was detained in Konya, for his social media posts about the military operation launched by Turkish Armed Forces to Gare area of Iraqi Kurdistan Regional Government; is arrested by the court on the charge of ‘being an illegal organisation member’ on April 16, 2021.
(04/191) Investigation Against Retired Military Officers for Declaration…
It is learned that 7 of the signatory officers of the declaration about Montreux Convention signed by 104 former navy officers, are called by Ankara Security Directorate to make official statements through the investigation about the declaration, on April 16, 2021. It is reported that their houses were searched and some digital material found in their homes were seized.
It is learned that the court ruled 10 officers who had been detained and released on the condition of not leaving the city should wear electronic bracelets; and 3 of them (Atilla Kezek, Ergun Mengi and Turgay Erdağ) are put in electronic bracelets.
(04/192) Journalist and Political Party Executives on Trial in Ağrı…
The trial of the case against 5 people, including journalist Aziz Oruç and HDP Doğubayazıt district co-chair Abdullah Ekelek, is held at Ağrı Heavy Penal Court No 2 on April 16, 2021.
The court adjourned the trial September 10, 2021.
Aziz Oruç and Abdullah Ekelek were detained on December 11, 2019, on Ağrı-Doğubayazıt roadway, while İkram Müftüoğlu was detained on the same day in a house raid. Abdullah Ekelek and İkram Müftüoğlu were arrested on December 13, 2019; Aziz Oruç was arrested on December 18, 2019. Abdullah Ekelek and İkram Müftüoğlu were released at the first trial held on July 21, 2020, and Aziz Oruç was released on November 9, 2020.
(04/193) DBP Members and Executives on Trial in Aydın…
The final trial of the case against 16 members and executives of Democratic Regions Party (DBP) is held at Aydın Heavy Penal Court No 2 on April 16, 2021.
The court sentenced 11 people (Şefik Şengel, Osman Yılmaz, İrfan Soncul, Çetin Turgut, Sinan Bayrak, Fesih Güngör, Sedat İvdil, Şükrü Turgut, Cengiz İvdil, Cevher Üçar and Kibar Boza) to jail sentences from 3 years 1 month and 15 days to 6 years 5 months and 15 days, on the charges of ‘being engaged in activity on behalf of an illegal organisation without being a member’, ‘making propaganda for an illegal organisation’, ‘violating the Law on Meetings and Demonstrations’, ‘resisting a public officer to prevent their duty’. The court acquitted 5 people.
(04/194) Political Party Members and Executives on Trial in Antep…
The trial of the case against 90 members and executives of HDP and DBP including 10 arrestees, is held at Antep Heavy Penal Court No 2 on April 16, 2021.
After the defence hearings the court decided to continue detention of 10 people (Duri Kaygusuz, Mehmet Özkan, İsmail Berkpınar, Müslüm Kılıç, Güler Erat, Abdullah İnce, Azime Balli, Cumali Taşçı, Selman Tutumlu and Musa Aydın) and adjourned the trial to June 18, 2021.
On November 14, 2021 and following days, members and executives of political parties were detained, 16 people were arrested and 6 of them were released on February 19, 2021.
(04/195) Lawyer on Trial in Antalya for ‘Insulting the President’…
The final trial of the case against lawyer İsmet Hancı, on the grounds that he chanted as “Down with fascist dictatorship of Recep Tayyip Erdoğan” in a demonstration, is held at Antalya Penal Court of First Instance No 14 on April 16, 2021. The court acquitted İsmet Hancı.
(04/196) Ayten Öztürk Case…
The trial of the case against Ayten Öztürk, who was subjected to torture and ill-treatment for 6 months, when she was being interrogated by National Intelligence Service (MIT) after being detained on March 8, 2018 in Lebanon; is held at Istanbul Heavy Penal Court No 13 on April 16, 2021.
The indictment demands sentence for Ayten Öztürk on the charges of ‘incite to killing’ and ‘attempt to disrupt the constitutional order’.
The court board took journalists and apprentice lawyers out of the courtroom. Ayten Öztürk attended the trial and made her defence. The court decided to continue detention of Ayten Öztürk and adjourned the trial to June 10, 2021.
(04/197) Şerzan Kurt Case…
The Court of Cassation approved the 7 years and 6 months of sentence given to retired police officer Gültekin Şahin on the charge of ‘injury’, by the local court examining the case of killing of Şerzan Kurt. Şerzan Kurt (21) lost his life after being shot by Gültekin Şahin, on May 11, 2010 in Muğla. It is learned that Şerzan Kurt’s family lawyers will appeal to the Constitutional Court.
(04/198) Suspended City Council Member in Ağrı…
Rahim Gören, a city council member of Doğubayazıt district of Ağrı is suspended by the Ministry of Interior on April 16, 2021.
(04/199) Removal of HDP’s Banner in Istanbul…
On April 16, 2021, the banner about Istanbul Convention hung on Sultangazi district office of HDP is removed by the police on the grounds of sub-governorate’s instruction.
(04/200) Removal of Left Party’s Banner in Edirne…
On April 17, 2021, the banner about Istanbul Convention hung on the Left Party’s provincial office in Edirne is removed by the police on the grounds of governorate’s ban on banners.
(04/201) Ban of CHP Posters and Banners…
It is learned that banner of Republican People’s Party (CHP) reading “Where is 128 billion dollars”, hung on Bucak district office in Burdur was removed upon prosecutor’s instruction on April 16, 2021. It is also learned that CHP Bucak district chair is imposed an administrative fine of 13,237 Turkish Liras.
It is learned that banner hung on CHP’s Karşıyaka district office in Izmir was removed by party executives upon prosecutor’s instruction on April 17, 2021.
It is learned that banner reading “128 dollars”, hung on CHP’s provincial office in Edirne was removed by the police on the grounds of governorate’s ban on banners, on April 17, 2021.
(04/202) Prevention of Distribution of Leaflet in Zonguldak…
It is learned that the police prevented distribution of leaflets of CHP, reading “Electric Bill from One Man Corp.” and “Gas Bill from One Man Corp.” in Zonguldak on April 16, 2021. It is learned that the police prevention was based on the prosecutor’s instruction regarding the expression “one man”, and that party members at the campaign stand were questioned by the police.
(04/203) Ban of Access to Web Contents…
It is learned that the news reports about divorce case of Reza Zarrab, who was arrested through the corruption case in 2013 and then was released, published on https://onedio.com, https://www.posta.com.tr, https://www.hurriyet.com.tr websites are banned to access by Bodrum Penal Court of Peace No 2 on April 2, 2021.
(04/204) Ban of Events in Kocaeli, Edirne, Aydın, Kartal and Van…
Kocaeli Governorate made a declaration on April 15, 2021 and announced that all events and protests with broad participation are banned for 1 month as of April 16, 2021.
Edirne Governorate made a declaration on April 16, 2021 and announced that press declarations, meetings and demonstrations, open-door assemblies, marches, protests, sit-in protests, hunger strikes, opening stands and tents, collecting petitions, concerts, festivals, distributing leaflets, hanging banners and so on are banned for 14 days as of April 16, 2021.
Aydın Governorate made a declaration on April 16, 2021 and announced that all events and protests with broad participation are banned for 1 month as of April 16, 2021.
Kartal Sub-Governorate made a declaration on April 16, 2021 and announced that press declarations, meetings and demonstrations, open-door assemblies, marches, protests, sit-in protests, hunger strikes, opening stands and tents, collecting petitions, concerts, festivals, distributing leaflets, hanging banners and so on are banned for 1 month as of April 16, 2021.
Van Governorate made a declaration on April 17, 2021 and announced that, all open-door meetings and demonstrations are banned for 15 days as of April 19, 2021. All events are banned in Van for 1624 days since November 21, 2016.
(04/205) Ban on 1 May International Workers’ Day Events…
It is learned that the application of Gebze Alliance of Unions for 1 May is rejected by Gebze Sub-Governorate, on the grounds of governorate’s ban on events on April 16, 2021.
(04/206) Detentions and Arrests in Alleged Link to Coup Attempt…
On April 16, 2021, 29 people are detained in Izmir.
27 of 75 people who were detained through an Izmir based investigation are arrested by the court on April 16, 2021. 48 people are released provided that 15 of them will be on judicial control conditions.
On April 17, 2021, 2 people are detained in Kuşadası district of Aydın in an alleged attempt to illegally flee abroad.
(04/207) Trials in Alleged Link to Coup Attempt…
The final trial of the case against İsmail Hakkı Kısacık is held at Istanbul Heavy Penal Court No 23 on April 16, 2021. The court sentenced the defendant to 3 years and 9 months on the charge of ‘aiding an illegal organisation without being a member’.
(04/208) Covid-19 Pandemic…
The Ministry of Health declared that 289 people died due to Covid-19 pandemic and 2,915 new Covid-19 ill patients were diagnosed on April 16, 2021. It is also declared that the daily number of Covid-19 case is 63,082.
The Ministry of Health declared that 288 people died due to Covid-19 pandemic and 2,973 new Covid-19 ill patients were diagnosed on April 17, 2021. It is also declared that the daily number of Covid-19 case is 62,606.
The Ministry of Health declared that 318 people died due to Covid-19 pandemic and 3,101 new Covid-19 ill patients were diagnosed on April 18, 2021. It is also declared that the daily number of Covid-19 case is 55,802.
The death toll from Covid-19 in Turkey increased to 35,926 and total number of confirmed ill patients is 4,268,447 as of April 18, 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.