Human Rights Foundation of Turkey Documentation Center[1][2][3][4][5]
25 September 2024 Daily Human Rights Report
(09/245) Refugee/Asylum Seeker Child Died as a Result of a Racist and Hateful Attack in Istanbul…
It is learned from the news coverage of 24 September 2024 that, Abdullatif Davvara (15, m), a Syrian refugee/asylum-seeker child, who was sitting with his friends in a park in the Gaziosmanpaşa district of Istanbul on 21 September 2024, was attacked by 2 people named K.C.Ö. and F.C.U. and lost his life in hospital. It is also claimed in the news reports that there were racist attacks in the park before and Syrian refugee/asylum-seeker children were expelled from the park.
Abdullatif Davvara’s uncle Mustafa Davvara stated the following to the press: “He asked my permission to play with his friends. He had come from the barber. We watched the CCTV footage. Those who attacked Abdullatif were dressed in black and wore masks. I am a tradesman in this area. I have no quarrel or argument with anyone. After my nephew was shot, he was taken to the gynecological hospital and the necessary interventions could not be made there. Then he was referred to a hospital in Başakşehir, but it was too late”.
Istanbul Security Directorate announced on 24 September 2024 that 5 people, including K.C.Ö. and F.C.U., who carried out the attack, were detained and it is believed that the attack was based on a past grudge.
(09/246) People Died and Wounded Due to Police Fire in Ankara…
It is learned from the news coverage of September 24, 2024, that 2 people (S.K. and M.E.) who allegedly disobeyed the ‘stop’ warning of the police in Ankara and opened fire at the police, were wounded due to police fire and S.K. lost his life in hospital. It is also reported in the news that a judicial and administrative investigation is initiated.
(09/247) Torture and Other Ill-Treatment in Diyarbakır…
It is learned from the news coverage of 24 September 2024 that, Beritan Gurbet Orak, one of the 25 people who were detained through an investigation by the Diyarbakır Public Prosecutor’s Office, was subjected to verbal violence by the police officers during the house raid in Diyarbakır. It is learned that the syrup bottle of Beritan Gurbet Orak’s sick child (3) was broken by the police officers on the grounds that ‘there might be something in it’ and Beritan Gurbet Orak was detained and handcuffed behind her back.
(09/248) Torture and Other Ill-Treatment in Prison…
It is learned from the news coverage of 24 September 2024 that prisoners in Çorum Sungurlu Prison were not given water for the last 4 days.
It is learned from the news coverage of 24 September 2024 that, in Tokat T Type Prison, the time given to prisoners for bathing was halved and prisoners had problems in bathing lines.
(09/249) Prevention of Right to Access Health in Prison…
It is learned from the news coverage of 25 September 2024 that, Birgül Mızrak, who is kept in Kocaeli Gebze Women’s Prison, was referred to Fatih Public Hospital on 5 September 2024 and was prevented from being examined by doctor A.Z. as she rejected being examined while handcuffed.
Birgül Mızrak stated the following to the press: “When I was taken to Dr A.Z.’s room, I requested that my handcuffs be opened before the examination started. The doctor said that he could open the handcuffs if he deemed it necessary and wanted to start the examination. When I told him that the examination in handcuffs was degrading and that the doctor who performed my first examination on 25 March 2024 had uncuffed me, he said ‘Then go to that doctor’. When I said that I would complain about this approach, he recklessly said ‘please do’ (…) The same doctor had previously forced Eylem Baş, with whom I was in the same ward, to be examined in handcuffs. In two separate referrals, Eylem Baş had gone to the hospital and returned without being treated because A.Z. happened to be there”.
(09/250) MP Threatened on Social Media…
It is learned from the news coverage of 24 September 2024 that, Peoples’ Equality and Democracy Party (DEM Party) Kocaeli MP Ömer Faruk Gergerlioğlu was threatened by Kocaeli provincial chair of Grand Union Party (BBP) on social media by saying ’We will put you in a garbage bag and take you for a walk, swear! We have to openly declare war on the terrorist extensions who preach about torture’.
(09/251) Attack on a Coffee Chain in Nevşehir…
It is reported in the news coverage of 25 September 2024 that, a person named Osman B. attacked a branch of a coffee chain in a shopping mall in Nevşehir, with the aim of protesting against Israel, and caused material damage to the branch of the coffee chain. It is also reported in the news that Osman B. was detained. It could not be learned whether anyone was injured in the incident.
(09/252) People Detained in Diyarbakır, Izmir, and Istanbul…
It is learned from the news coverage of 25 September 2024 that, the detention period of 27 people including Mehmet Remzi Azizoğlu and Şükran Yakut, co-chairs of Mezopotamya Language and Culture Research Association (MED-DER), who were detained in house raids in Diyarbakır, Izmir, and Istanbul on 24 September 2024 through an investigation by Diyarbakır Public Prosecutor’s Office, was extended for 24 hours.
The detainees whose names could be learned are MED-DER Eş Başkanları Mehmet Remzi Azizoğlu ve Şükran Yakut, Jin Art Huner yöneticisi Belkıs Süleymanoğlu Bitkin, Ramazan Holat, Rıfat Ronî, Dilan Güvenç, Nazan Çelik, Rezan Aktulum, Beritan Gurbet Orak, Berivan Duman, Ayhan Karatekin, Cihat Güneyli, Mehmet Salih Öngün, İlyas Gün, Hebun Yağmur, Mine Karakaş, Fatma İgin, Rabia Karayıl, İpek Oyur, Fatma İgin, Mustafa Açmaz, Hasan Görpınar, Şehriban Ayluçtarhan, Cihat Çağrıcı, Niştiman Gül.
(09/253) A Journalist and Others Detained in Izmir…
On 25 September 2024, 4 people including Lütfiye Burcu Kara, reporter of Mücadele Birliği newspaper, were detained in house raids in Izmir, on the grounds of ‘distributing leaflets’, ‘hanging posters’, ‘participating in demonstrations and events’, ‘giving ideological education’ and ‘recruiting members for an illegal organization’. It is also learned from the news reports that some digital materials such as computers and phones were seized during house raids and the detainees were restricted from seeing their lawyers for 24 hours.
(09/254) Former TTB Chair and HRFT Board Member on Trial…
The trial of the case against Prof. Dr. Şebnem Korur Fincancı, former chair of the Central Council of the Turkish Medical Association (TTB) and board member of the Human Rights Foundation of Turkey (HRFT), on the grounds of her statements to a news channel, was held at Ankara Civil Court of First Instance No 2 on September 24, 2024. The court adjourned the trial to 17 October 2024.
(09/255) Diyarbakır Prison Massacre Trial…
It is learned from the news coverage of September 24, 2024 that, the statute of limitations given in 2019 in the case against 89 people on Diyarbakır Heavy Penal Court No 3, for the incident in Diyarbakır E Type Closed Prison on September 24, 1996, in which 11 prisoners died and 24 prisoners were wounded, was approved by Penal Department No 1 of the Court of Cassation.
The first trial regarding the Diyarbakır Prison massacre was opened in 1996 and concluded on 27 February 2006. After the Court of Cassation overturned the verdict of the court, the trial was retried and in December 2012, 62 defendants were sentenced to 5 years in prison, 20 defendants were acquitted and the charges against 7 defendants were dropped due to the statute of limitations. The 1st Criminal Chamber of the Court of Cassation overturned the verdict of the court in 2016 in terms of substance and procedure.
(09/256) A Journalist on Trial in Istanbul…
The trial of the case against journalist İsmail Arı, on the grounds of 3 news reports he made in 2024 and expressions he used in a program on ArtıTV, started on 24 September 2024 at Istanbul Penal Court of First Instance No 2. The indictment demands a sentence for the journalist on the charges of ‘slander’ and ‘insult’. The court adjourned the hearing to 6 February 2025.
(09/257) Foundation Members on Trial in Istanbul…
The trial of the case against 8 members of the Science, Aesthetics, Culture, and Art Research Foundation (BEKSAV) Cinema Collective continued on 24 September 2024 at Istanbul Anadolu Penal Court of First Instance No 45. The indictment demands a sentence for 8 members of the foundation on the charge of ‘violating Law No 2911 on Meetings and Demonstrations’. The court adjourned the trial to 19 November 2024.
When BEKSAV Cinema Collective announced that it would screen a film about the solidarity of mine workers and LGBTI+’s on 7 June 2023 as part of Pride Month, Kadıköy District Governorate announced that the event was banned. On the day of the screening, the foundation building was blockaded by the police and 8 people were detained under torture and ill-treatment.
(09/258) People on Trial for the Commemoration of the 10 October Massacre in Ankara…
The trial of the case against 17 people who were detained in handcuffs behind their backs during the commemoration of the Ankara Train Station Massacre on 10 October 2022, continued at Ankara Penal Court of First Instance No 33 on 24 September 2024. The indictment demands a sentence for 17 people on the charge of ‘violating Law No 2911 on Meetings and Demonstrations’. The court adjourned the trial to 16 January 2025.
(09/259) Journalists on Trial in Istanbul…
The retrial of the case against Doğan Ergün, former editor-in-chief of İleri Haber, and İzel Sezer, former managing editor of the news portal, started on 24 September 2024 at Istanbul Penal Court of First Instance No 33. The court acquitted 2 journalists on the charge of ‘unlawful disclosure of data obtained by recording non-public conversations between individuals through press and broadcast’.
(09/260) Journalist Under Investigation…
It is learned from the news coverage of 25 September 2024 that, Mardin Public Prosecutor’s Office initiated an investigation against journalist Ahmet Kanbal on the grounds of ‘publicly disseminating misleading information’ through news reports and social media posts he made between 2022 and 2023; and that the journalist gave his official statement through the investigation.
(09/261) İHİK Application Regarding Torture and Other Ill-Treatment Under Custody…
It is learned from the news coverage of 24 September 2024 that, Peoples’ Equality and Democracy Party (DEM Party) Şırnak MP Mehmet Zeki İrmez has applied to the Grand National Assembly of Turkey (TBMM) Human Rights Investigation Commission regarding the torture and other ill-treatment that Y.E.G. (19, m) was subjected to.
On 23 September 2024, Y.E.G. was detained through a house raid and subjected to the physical violence of the police. After his statement process was completed at the Istanbul Security Directorate, he was dressed in a black garbage bag and taken to a vehicle belonging to the Animal Office.
(09/262) Administrative Court Application for Authorisation of Investigation Against the Former Minister of Interior Regarding Torture and Other Ill-Treatment…
It is learned from the news coverage of September 24, 2024 that, Aydın Aydoğan appealed to Ankara Regional Administrative Court No 17 against the decision of Human Rights and Equality Institution of Turkey (TİHEK), which evaluated the application for permission to investigate Süleyman Soylu, Minister of Interior of the time, about the broken arm of human rights defender Aydın Aydoğan during the police intervention to in the 700th week protest of Saturday Mothers/People at Galatasaray Square in Beyoğlu district of Istanbul on August 25, 2018.
(09/263) Criminal Complaints Filed by Urfa Bar Association Regarding Hate Speech and Torture and Other Ill-Treatment…
It is learned from the news coverage of 25 September 2024 that, between November 2022 and August 2024, only 1 of the 16 criminal complaints filed by Urfa Bar Association Lawyer Kazım Ekinci Human Rights Centre (HRC) to various public prosecutors’ offices on hate speech and torture and ill-treatment turned into prosecution.
(09/264) Constitutional Court Decision on Torture and Other Ill-Treatment Under Custody…
It is learned from the news coverage of 24 September 2024 that the Constitutional Court (AYM), which evaluated the individual application of D.Ş., who was detained in Van in 2018, regarding the torture and ill-treatment she was subjected to during detention, ruled that the allegation of violation of the prohibition of ill-treatment due to being subjected to physical violence during arrest and detention on 21 May 2024 is admissible, that the procedural and material dimension of the ‘prohibition of treatment incompatible with human dignity’ guaranteed under Article 17 of the Constitution is violated, that D.Ş. be paid 100,000 TL non-pecuniary damages and that the investigation be re-conducted.
(09/265) Police Raid on a Journalist’s Apartment…
It is learned from the news coverage of 24 September 2024 that, through the investigation initiated by Hakkari Public Prosecutor’s Office against journalist Rabia Önver, on the grounds of ‘publicly spreading misleading information’, the journalist went to Hakkari Courthouse with her lawyer to give her statement, but the prosecutor stated that there is no need to take Rabia Önver’s statement. It is also reported in the news that the decision of the criminal peace judgeship required for law enforcement officers to search the house is not available in the investigation file, only the decision of the prosecutor’s office is available.
On 20 September 2024, as part of an investigation against Rabia Önver in Hakkari, the police raided the house where the journalist was residing and searched the house even though Rabia Önver was not at home.
(09/266) Newspaper Office Raided by the Police in Izmir…
It is learned that on September 25, 2024, the Izmir office of Mücadele Birliği newspaper was raided by the police, and some books, magazines, and archives were seized.
(09/267) Special Security Zone in Van…
The Governorate of Van announced on 24 September 2024 that Kat Mountain, Kervanyayla, Tayanyayla, Karataş Pits, Köpekçayırı, Bear Creek, Belbuka, Deri Tepe, Siyahtaş Tepe, Elma Tepe, Kesilmez Tepe, Tarın Tepe, Musa Mountain, Çelik Tepe, Aşiret Tepe, Kızılkaya Tepe in Çatak District were declared as temporary special security zones for 15 days between 24 September 2024 and 9 October 2024 and it is forbidden to enter these areas without permission of the Governorate.
(09/268) People Detained in Izmir…
On 25 September 2024, 3 people were detained in Izmir on the allegation of ‘financing an illegal organization’. The names of detained people could not be learned.
[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.