Human Rights Foundation of Turkey Documentation Center[1][2][3][4][5]
24 – 26 October 2020 Daily Human Rights Report
(10/316) Operations and Attacks in Southeast…
It is learned from the news coverage of October 24, 2020 that, 2 militants died in a clash between security forces and HPG militants in rural areas of Hakkari on June 14, 2020.
It is learned that an armoured military vehicle on patrol near Ayvalık village of Beytüşşebap district of Şırnak had an accident injuring 11 soldiers, on October 24, 2020.
(10/317) Torture and Ill-Treatment Under Custody in Mardin…
It is learned from the news coverage of October 24, 2020 that, A. T. E., the police chief of Derik district of Mardin committed physical violence to 3 detainees, in a room without surveillance cameras. It is stated in the news reports that the police chief has taken a statement against these 3 detainees on the grounds of ‘resisting a police officer’. It is reported that the statement has an expression reading “he started to kick his head to the floor with no reason”, about M. T., one of the detainees who were subjected to physical violence. It is learned that M. T. made a criminal complaint against the police chief.
(10/318) Person Subjected to Physical Violence of Soldiers in Diyarbakır…
It is learned from the news coverage of October 25, 2020 that, a fire started following the target practice of soldiers in a rural neighbourhood of Kulp district of Diyarbakır and a quarrel took place between residents of the neighbourhood and the soldiers; and 1 person was subjected to physical violence of the soldiers and his cell phone was broken.
(10/319) Torture and Ill-Treatment in Prison…
It is learned from the news coverage of October 24, 2020 that in Antep H Type Prison, 8 people were given food for 2 persons and the food given was not hygienic.
(10/320) Prevention of Right to Health in Prison…
It is claimed in the news coverage of October 23, 3030 that, Yaraş Gümüşlü, a peptic ulcer patient kept in Erzurum H Type Prison was not given his medication.
(10/321) Hunger Strike in Prison…
It is learned from the news coverage of October 24, 2020 that, Osman Çeken, a prisoner in Izmir Menemen T Type Prison with Wernicke Korsakoff syndrome which started after a previous death fast, is on hunger strike since July 4, 2020, demanding a fair trial. It is also stated in the news reports that a medical report stating that “he cannot survive in prison conditions, he is in need of care and supervision” was given for Osman Çeken by Atatürk Research and Training Hospital.
(10/322) Police Interventions and Preventions to Protests of Community Houses in Ankara, Izmir and Adana…
The police intervened the march of Community Houses members in Ankara before the press declaration “We Want Secured Work and to Live in Dignity” on October 24, 2020 and detained 24 people including Community Houses chair Nebiye Merttürk and central executive board members Sercan Aran and Mustafa Eberliköse. It is learned that journalists were prevented by the police and they were threatened by police saying “We will do what we would do if you come closer”. It is learned that detained people were released on the same day.
It is learned that the police prevented the press declaration to be held for the same cause in Adana on October 24, 2020 and the declaration was held at Community House office.
The police intervened the press declaration for the same cause, held in Izmir on October 25, 2020 and detained 17 people including 1 child, by using physical violence. It is learned that detained people were released on the same day. Detained people were: Eren Aktaş, Ebru Akeloğlu, Egemen Ulucan, Eyüp Ulucan, Elif Yerlikaya, D. T., Seval Ekşici, Fatma Pınar Usta, Gizem Coşkun, Erdem Engin, Doğan Barış Halidi, Uğurcan Akyol, Özgün Avcı, Serdar Türkmen, Emine Akbaba, Evrim Çakır, Uğur Demir.
The police intervened the press declaration of Community Houses members for the same cause, held in Eskişehir on October 25, 2020 and detained 9 people. It is learned that detained people were released on the same day.
It is learned that the police prevented the press declaration of Community Houses members for the same cause, to be held in Antalya on October 25, 2020; on the grounds of governorate’s ban.
It is learned that the police prevented the press declaration of Community Houses members for the same cause, to be held in Kocaeli on October 25, 2020; on the grounds of governorate’s ban.
(10/323) Police Intervention to Youth Organisations’ Protest in Istanbul…
The police intervened the press declaration of several youth organisations, about United Youth Assemblies which was to be announced on November 15, 2020, held in Kadıköy district of Istanbul on October 25, 2020, and detained at least 55 people by using physical violence. It is learned that detained people were released on the same day.
It is learned that journalist Fatoş Erdoğan was also detained, and she was released afterwards.
(10/324) Police Intervention Against “I Want My Job Back” Protest in Ankara…
The police intervened the press declarations which were made within the scope of “I Want My Job Back Protest” going on for 1447 days in front of Human Rights Monument in Yüksel Street on October 23, 24, and 25, 2020 at 13.30 and 18.00 and forced people away from the monument by using physical violence.
(10/325) Detained HDP Executives in Ağrı…
Abdullah Ekelik and Gönül Öztürk, Peoples’ Democratic Party (HDP) district co-chairs in Doğubayazıt district of Ağrı, are detained in house raids on October 24, 2020, on the grounds of ‘being an illegal organisation member’ and ‘making propaganda for an illegal organisation’. 2 people are released by the court on judicial control conditions on October 25, 2020.
(10/326) Detained HDP Member and Others in Muş…
On October 23, 2020, 5 people including Erdal Çakar, who was HDP’s co-mayor nominee for local elections on March 31, 2019, are detained in house raids in Malazgirt district of Muş. It is learned that Erdal Çakar was released after statement procedures at the prosecutor’s office on the same day and 4 people (Rahmi Coşkun, Kerem İbek, Mesut Gökdemir and Zoral Yıldırım) are still under custody.
(10/327) Detained HDP Executive and Other People for Social Media Posts in Maraş…
16 people including HDP district executive and a member of Human Rights Association (IHD) who were detained in house raids in Maraş on October 21, 2020, on the grounds of social media posts are released on October 23, 2020. 2 people are released on judicial control conditions. Detained and released people are: HDP Nurhak district executive Bahir Horoz, IHD member Volkan Doğan, Hacı Uzun, Dursun Bahça, Mehmet Biçer, Bese Usta, Mustafa Özgür, Ali Demir, Erdal Demir, Fidan Polat, Hatice Taş, Hasan Doğan, Ali Taş and Emre Genç,
(10/328) Detained People in Diyarbakır…
3 of 8 people who were detained in Diyarbakır on October 20, 2020 are arrested by the court on the charge of ‘being an illegal organisation member’ on October 24, 2020. 5 people are released on judicial control conditions.
(10/329) Detained Person in Antalya…
It is learned from the news coverage of October 24, 2020 that, a person named Ismail Demirbaş is detained on October 22, 2020 for his expressions in a street interview in Antalya; and was released by the court on judicial control conditions.
(10/330) Journalists, Writers and Others on Trial in Istanbul…
The trial of the case against Bloomberg reporters Kerim Karakaya and Fercan Yalınkılıç who reported news on financial crisis and increasing exchange rates, and 36 people who shared and commented on these news reports on social media including Mustafa Sönmez, Merdan Yanardağ, Gazi Kozanoğlu, Sedef Kabaş Yirmibeşoğlu, upon the official complaint of Banking Regulation and Supervision Agency, is held at Istanbul Penal Court of First Instance No 3 on October 23, 2020.
The indictment demands jail penalty from 2 years to 5 years for 38 people, on the charge of ‘attempt to weaken financial order and stability of the state’.
After defence hearings the court adjourned the trial to February 26, 2021.
(10/331) Journalist on Trial in Istanbul…
The final trial of the case against journalist Hayri Tunç, for sharing on social media the photographs he took while reporting, is held at Istanbul Heavy Penal Court No 22 on October 23, 2020. The court sentenced Hayri Tunç to 2 years on the charge of ‘making propaganda for an illegal organisation’ and did not postpone the verdict.
(10/332) Journalist on Trial in Istanbul…
It is learned from the news coverage of October 23, 2020 that Korkusuz newspaper writer Memduh Bayraktaroğlu was sentenced to 380 days of jail penalty on the charge of ‘insult’. The case was opened for Bayraktaroğlu’s comments about The Supreme Board of Radio and Television (RTUK) which did not impose any penalty against TGRT television channel where expressions like “inglorious, despicable, cesspool, barrel-headed” were used. Bayraktaroğlu has asked “Can I address you with the same words?” and he was charged with insult.
(10/333) HDP Executive on Trial…
The final trial of the case against Nihat Akkaya, former member of HDP Party Assembly, for a speech he made at Newroz celebration in Antalya in 2019, is held at Antalya Heavy Penal Court No 9 on October 23, 2020. The court sentenced Nihat Akkaya to 10 months on the charge of ‘making propaganda for an illegal organisation’ and deferred the announcement of the verdict.
(10/334) Police Raid to Party Office in Ağrı…
HDP office in Doğubayazıt district of Ağrı is raided by the police on October 24, 2020. It is learned that the police searched the office and seized banners and some of the official documents.
(10/335) Publication Ban for a Book…
It is learned from the news coverage of October 24, 2020 that, “Political wing of FETO in 21 questions” prepared by Republican People’s Party (CHP) is banned to be published by a court and ruled to be pulled off the shelf.
(10/337) Ban of Access to Web Contents…
It is learned that the news reports about a fraud organisation published on https://www.hurriyet.com.tr/, https://tr.sputniknews.com/, https://www.ahaber.com.tr/, https://www.cnnturk.com/, https://www.takvim.com.tr/ websites are banned to access on the grounds of violation of personal rights by Cizre Penal Court of Peace on October 22, 2020.
It is learned that a news report about Fethiye district mayor, published on https://www.milligazete.com.tr/ is banned to access on the grounds of violation of personal rights by Fethiye Penal Court of Peace on October 21, 2020.
(10/338) Ban of Events in Konya, Siirt and Antalya…
Konya Governorate made a declaration on October 23, 2020 and announced that, all events such as demonstrations and meetings; sit-in protests, opening tents and so on are banned for 15 days as of October 22, 2020.
Siirt Governorate made a declaration on October 23, 2020 and announced that, all events such as demonstrations and meetings; sit-in protests, opening tents and so on are banned for 15 days as of October 22, 2020.
Antalya Governorate made a declaration on October 24, 2020 and announced that, all events such as demonstrations and meetings; sit-in protests, opening tents and stands, and so on are banned for 3 days as of October 25, 2020.
(10/339) Detentions and Arrests in Alleged Link to Coup Attempt…
On October 23, 3030, 12 people are detained in operations covering 12 cities through a Diyarbakır based investigation.
(10/340) Covid-19 Pandemic…
Ministry of Health declared that 74 people died due to Covid-19 pandemic and 2,165 new Covid-19 ill patients were diagnosed on October 23, 2020.
Ministry of Health declared that 69 people died due to Covid-19 pandemic and 2,091 new Covid-19 ill patients were diagnosed on October 24, 2020.
Ministry of Health declared that 72 people died due to Covid-19 pandemic and 2,017 new Covid-19 ill patients were diagnosed on October 25, 2020.
The death toll from Covid-19 in Turkey increased to 9,799 and total number of confirmed ill patients is 361,801 as of October 25, 2020.
[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.