Human Rights Foundation of Turkey Documentation Center[1][2][3][4][5]
17 – 19 December 2022 Daily Human Rights Report
(12/155) Operations and Attacks…
It is learned from the news coverage of December 17, 2022 that, 2 militants died in a clash between the Turkish Armed Forces units and HPG militants in Zap area on June 4, 2022 and 3 militants died in a clash in Qandil area on September 29, 2022 in the Iraqi Kurdistan Regional Government.
(12/156) Person Died by Police Fire in Osmaniye…
It is learned that the police fired on a vehicle on the grounds of “disobeying stop warning” in Osmaniye on December 17, 2022 and a person named Sefa G. in the vehicle died while 2 people were wounded.
(12/157) Asylum Seekers Died in Urfa…
It is learned that 9 asylum seekers died and 5 asylum seekers were wounded in the vehicle which fell into an irrigation canal in Harran district of Urfa on December 16, 2022.
(12/158) Attack on Political Party Members in Istanbul…
It is learned that 2 people (Talha Şahbaz and Hasan Ünver) were wounded in an attack by an unknown person against the members of the Democracy and Progress Party (DEVA) visiting the shopkeepers in Kağıthane district of Istanbul on December 17, 2022.
(12/159) Torture and Ill-Treatment in Diyarbakır…
It is learned that a person named Suphi Orhan was subjected to torture and ill-treatment during a police raid to a house in Diyarbakır on December 17, 2022.
It is also learned that another person, Muhsin Acar, was subjected to torture and ill-treatment of the police raiding a house in Diyarbakır through the same investigation and was injured at several body parts. Muhsin Acar’s family members stated the following to the press: “The door was knocked and we opened, the police came in as soon as the door was opened. They forced us to lie on the ground. And then they put Muhsin in a room while keeping us in another room. We could hear Muhsin at that time. They broke his nose, there were blood marks on the carpet. They took Muhsin away, saying that there was a detention warrant for him”.
(12/160) Torture and Ill-Treatment in Prison…
It is learned from the news coverage of December 16, 2022 that, in Mersin Tarsus Women’s Prison, the heating system was not regularly operated and that the prisoners were given hot water 2 hours a day.
It is learned from the news coverage of December 18, 2022 that, in Giresun Espiye L Type Prison, the chairs of prisoners were broken, books and writings of prisoners were seized during a ward search on November 22, 2022. It is also stated in the news reports that the prisoners were forced to mouth search before using phone call rights.
(12/161) Meeting Request with Abdullah Öcalan Not Responded…
It is learned that the appeal made on December 16, 2022 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.
(12/162) Police Intervention to a Protest in Istanbul…
The police intervened in the press declaration held in front of Yahya Kemal Beyatlı Show Center in Küçükçekmece district of Istanbul on December 17, 2022, to protest the district governorate’s ban on the concert of the Mezopotamya Cultural Center and detained 26 people including the cultural center’s artists and musicians. Detained people are released on the same day.
Detained people were: Abdullah Kılıç, Taylan Kesanbilici, Nezir Altıntaş, Ramazan Özdemir, Baran Bozyel, Hedi Kalkan, İsmail Doğan, Rojhilat Aksoy, Hebun Polat, Rohan Gövercin, Türkan Acar, Dilan Suyu, Berithan Çetin, Devrim Demir, Mizgin Turan, Hüseyin Fidanboy, Engin Cengiz, Nevzat Koçak, Yasin Güngör, Serhat Nazlıer, Mahsum Sağlam, Kemal Yıldırım, Ahmet Kaplancı, Baran Nazmi Sakallı, Elmas Subaşı, Mazlum Akpolat.
(12/163) Police Intervention to a Protest in Istanbul…
The police intervened in the people gathering to participate in the march for ill prisoners, to be held in Kadıköy district of Istanbul on December 18, 2022 and detained 70 people by using physical violence. It is learned that the Peoples’ Democratic Party (HDP) Istanbul co-chair and former Şırnak MP Ferhat Encü was subjected to physical violence of the police. It is learned that Artı TV reporter Mehmet Zeki Kaya who was recording the physical violence against Ferhat Encü was detained and another reporter Umut Taştan was subjected to physical violence. Detained people are released on December 19, 2022.
Istanbul Governorate’s Office announced that an investigation was initiated about the footage of physical violence against Ferhat Encü which covered in media.
The names of detained people learned so far are: Ferhat Encü, Serhat Sekunder, Hüsamettin Sekunder, Burhan Gökgöz, Gülcihan Şengül, Aynur Taş, Cezmi Dinçer, Hüseyin Avras, Mehmet Nefeyaz, Erkan Gökçe, Ümit Gökçe, Nejmettin Yüknel, Mehmet Sena Arkadaş, İsmail Sever, Sedat Uğraş, Ali Edebali, Sebat Karul, Dilek Demir, Hüsamettin Sekendur, Çiçek Arıç, Mavican Kara, Emine Arslan, Mehmet Önal, İbrahim Uzun, Erkal Balçık, Yusuf Bozkurt, Mehmet Çelik, Kemal Yılmaz, Rohat Güvercin, Ramazan Özdemir, Sultan Gürbey, Beyhan Artar Bey.
(12/164) Police Intervention to a Protest in Izmir…
The police intervened in the march held in Izmir on December 18, 2022 to protest the isolation of the PKK leader Abdullah Öcalan, and detained 42 people by using physical violence. Detained people were released on the same day. It is learned that HDP Bodrum district co-chair Mehmet Zahir Yaşa had a heart attack and was admitted to a hospital.
Detained people were: Barış Kırmızıtaş, Koçer Günden, Oya Kızılkaya Zeyrek, Hani Yıldırım, Derya Kandemir, Nebile Konyar, Menekşe Ecer, Tijda Kılıç, Neslihan Arviş, Zuhal Macit, Gülseren Turgal, Hıdır Ali Kılıç, Fatih Polatlı, Nihat Türk, Ayfer Yıldırım, Kemal Koç, Nazif Çakır, Mehmet Zahir Yaşar, Mikail Fidan, Zeynel Yücetepe, Mukaddes Işık, Yusuf Uludağ, Şahabettin Göktayı, Ahmet Alagöz, Menfi Yılmaz, Cahit Günay, Elfettin Kol, İbrahim Sevim, Vasfi Özer, Yaşar Felemez, Fulya Erdoğan, Ozan Şahin, Abdulvahap Bal, Vedat Çınar Altan, Cemal Kara, Fatma Funda Akbulut, Dağlar Kaplan, Hacay Yılmaz, Dilan Karakoç, Berfin Çiçek, Mazlum Çelik and Doğukan Akbaba.
(12/165) Detained CHP Executive in Kocaeli…
The Republican People’s Party (CHP) Derince District Youth Branch chair Ali Demir, who hung a banner reading “It is just the beginning. You will never walk alone” on an overpass in Derince district of Kocaeli on December 17, 2022 is detained by the police. Ali Demir is released after being imposed a penalty fine of 581 Turkish Liras in accordance with the Law of Misdemeanour.
(12/166) Detained Documentary Director in Ankara…
Documentary director Sibel Tekin who was detained in a house raid Ankara on December 16, 2022, is arrested by the court on the charge of ‘being an illegal organisation member’ on December 17, 2022.
(12/167) Detained People in Diyarbakır…
The Kurdistan National Youth (CNK) spokesperson Jiyan Timurtaş and member Şerzan Kılıçaslan were detained by the police in connection with the event held in Diyarbakır on December 17, on the occasion of the Kurdistan Flag Day.
(12/168) Detained People in Diyarbakır…
It is learned that at least 5 people are detained in house raids in Diyarbakır on the grounds of a report, on December 17, 2022. Detained people are: Suphi Orhan, Mazlum Kardaş, Fermandar Kardaş, Sohbet Yıldız and Muhsin Acar.
(12/169) Detained TKP Members in Antalya…
On December 17, 2022, 9 members of the Communist Party of Turkey (TKP) who were selling “Bizim Gazete” newspaper in Antalya are detained on the grounds of ‘insulting the President and a public official’. Detained people are released by the court on judicial control conditions on December 18, 2022.
(12/170) Detained City Council Member and HDP Executives in Mersin…
8 of 9 people who were detained through a Mersin based investigation on December 14, 2022 are released by the court on judicial control conditions on December 17, 2022. 1 person was released on December 16, 2022. Detained people were: CHP’s Toroslar city council member H. B., HDP Akdeniz district co-chair N. E., HDP Toroslar district co-chair İ. D., HDP’s district executives G. B., S. M., Z. A. and M. H., S. O., F. A.
(12/171) Detained People in Bingöl…
7 of 16 people who were detained in the villages of central and Genç districts of Bingöl on December 13, 2022 are arrested by the court on the charge of ‘aiding an illegal organisation’ on December 16, 2022. 9 people are released on judicial control conditions.
Arrested people are: Nedim Kaya, Ali Seçer, Veysel Uzan, Fırat Dener, Musa Nazlıca, Recep Nazlıca and Hişar Nazlıca.
(12/172) Detained People in Diyarbakır…
It was learned that 9 people, including a person with epilepsy, were detained on December 19, 2022 on the grounds that they did not stand up while the National Anthem was being played before the Amedspor-Menemenspor football match played in Diyarbakır on December 18, 2022.
(12/173) The Case Against Former Co-mayor and Former DBP Co-chair…
Malatya Heavy Penal Court No 5 has sentenced Gültan Kışanak, former co-mayor of Diyarbakır, to 14 years and 3 months; and Sebahat Tuncel, former co-chair of Democratic Regions Party (DBP), to 15 years; and Penal Department No. 18 of Antep Regional Court has reversed the verdict.
The retrial of the case is held at Malatya Heavy Penal Court No. 5 on December 16, 2022. The indictment demands sentence for Gültan Kışanak and Sebahat Tuncel on the charge of ‘making propaganda for an illegal organisation’. The court adjourned the trial to March 31, 2023.
(12/174) HDP MP on Trial…
The first trial against HDP Diyarbakır MP Semra Güzel, who was detained on September 2, 2022 after her immunity was lifted and was arrested on September 3, 2022; is held at Ankara Heavy Penal Court No. 22 on December 19, 2022. Semra Güzel joined the trial from prison via sound and vision system. It is learned that the court limited the number of lawyers to three. After defence hearings the court decided to continue detention of Semra Güzel and adjourned the trial to February 20, 2023.
(12/175) Police Officer on Trial in Ankara…
The trial of the case against a police officer named N. K. K., regarding death of Muhammed Alican Razı by police fire in Ankara on May 29, 2022; is held at Ankara Batı Heavy Penal Court No. 2 on December 16, 2022. The defendant police officer attended the trial and made defence. The court rejected to arrest the defendant police officer and adjourned the trial to April 7, 2023.
(12/176) Ban of Access to Web Contents…
It is learned that the news reports about software developers going abroad, published on https://www.diken.com.tr, https://www.gazeteduvar.com.tr, https://www.birgun.net websites are banned to access on the grounds of violation of personal rights, by Ankara Penal Court of Peace No. 7 on December 16, 2022.
It is learned that the news reports about the prosecutor and the judge of the case against Istanbul Metropolitan Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu, published on www.cumhuriyet.com.tr, https://www.gazeteduvar.com.tr, https://gazetekarinca.com websites are banned to access on the grounds of violation of the personal rights, by Istanbul Anadolu Penal Court of Peace No. 10 on December 16, 2022.
It is learned from the news coverage of December 14, 2022 that, the content of Daily Violation List of Dicle Fırat Journalists’ Association website published on July 6, 2022, is banned to access by Antep Penal Court of Peace No. 3.
(12/177) Police Raid to Party Offices in Diyarbakır…
It is learned that the offices of the Kurdistan Freedom Party (PAK), the Socialist Party of Kurdistan (PSK) and Azadî Movement in Diyarbakır, are raided and searched by the police on December 19, 2022, in relation to the events organized for Kurdistan Flag Day on December 17, 2022.
(12/178) Ban of Concert in Istanbul…
It is learned from the news coverage of December 17, 2022 that, the concert of Mezopotamya Cultural Center to be held at Yahya Kemal Beyatlı Show Center in Küçükçekmece district of Istanbul was banned by Küçükçekmece District Governorate’s Office on the grounds of ‘it would disrupt public order and general security’.
(12/179) Ban of Events in Cities…
Maraş Governorate’s Office made a declaration on December 17, 2022 and banned open-door meetings in the city before the anniversary of Maraş Massacre, for 10 days as of December 16, 2022.
Muş Governorate’s Office made a declaration on December 19, 2022 and banned all meetings, demonstrations, press declarations, open-door and indoor assemblies, protests, opening tents and stands, sit-in protests, hunger strikes, commemorations, hanging banners and posters, distributing leaflets, collecting petitions, carrying torches, conferences and so on for 13 days as of December 19, 2022.
(12/180) Trials in Alleged Link to Coup Attempt…
After the Court of Cassation has overturned the Malatya Heavy Penal Court’s decision in the case against 5 people, including former 2nd Army Commander Adem Huduti, the retrial of the case is held on December 16, 2022. The court sentenced Adem Huduti to 12 years and 6 months on the charge of ‘aiding an attempt to demolish the constitution’. The court separated the case against 4 other defendants.
[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.
[2]To subscribe to the e-mail group: please write ‘daily human rights reports subscription application’ to the title of your e-mail and sent it to dokumantasyon@tihv.org.tr.
[3]https://www.facebook.com/TIHV.HRFT
[4] https://twitter.com/insanhaklari
[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.