Human Rights Foundation of Turkey Documentation Center[1][2][3][4][5]
26 – 28 September 2020 Daily Human Rights Report
(09/273) Operations and Attacks in Southeast…
It is learned from the news coverage of September 27, 2020 that, 2 militants died in a clash between security forces and HPG militants in rural areas of Yüksekova district of Hakkari on September 13, 2020.
(09/274) Torture and Ill-Treatment Under Custody in Ankara…
It is learned from the news coverage of September 25, 2020 that, Kars city co-mayor Ayhan Bilgen, former parliamentary members and other people who were detained, had food poisoning at Ankara Security Directorate. It is also stated in the news reports that they were not taken to hospital for treatment. 20 people were detained on September 25, 2020, through an Ankara based investigation about Kobanê protests in 2014.
Ankara Security Directorate made a declaration at 01.00 on September 28, 2020 and stated the following: “As of the moment, only 3 suspects including Ayhan Bilgen had complaints about their health and all of them are admitted to health institutions and taken under treatment”.
(09/275) Person Subjected to Threats at Gendarmerie Command in Bitlis…
It is learned from the news coverage of September 25, 2020 that, singer Hozan Cesim was called to Provincial Gendarmerie Command in Bitlis, for Kurdish songs he sang at wedding ceremonies and other events. It is reported that Hozan Cesim who went to Gendarmerie Command on September 9, 2020 was threatened by persons who claim themselves as intelligence officers, and was told not to sing Kurdish songs and not to participate in events of Peoples’ Democratic Party (HDP).
(09/276) Torture and Ill-Treatment in Prison…
It is learned from the news coverage of September 25, 2020 that, Şeyhdavut Başkan, a prisoner in Kayseri Bünyan Prison No 1 was subjected to verbal violence of the wardens and he was not given any newspapers.
(09/277) Prevention of Right to Health in Prison…
It is learned from the news coverage of September 25, 2020 that, Şeyhdavut Başkan, who has mental disability and an illness which causes bullous lesions, in Kayseri Bünyan Prison No 1, was not taken to prison infirmary for treatment.
(09/278) 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 1419 days in front of Human Rights Monument in Yüksel Street on September 25, 26, and 27, 2020 at 18.00 and forced people away from the monument by using physical violence.
(09/279) Police Intervention to a Protest in Ankara…
The police intervened Community Houses members who gather in front of Ministry of National Education in Ankara on September 25, 2020 to present the report on education; and detained 6 people including Community Houses chair Nebiye Merttürk by using physical violence. Detained people are released on the same day.
09/280) Detained Newspaper Distributor in Urfa…
Kemal Subaşı, distributor of Kurdish Xwebûn newspaper in Urfa, is detained on September 27, 2020, on the grounds that the newspaper was banned. It is learned that the police seized the newspapers that Kemal Subaşı carries for distribution and he was released after statement procedures at the police on the same day.
(09/281) Detained Musician in Istanbul…
Musician Veysi Ermiş is detained for his social media posts, in Istanbul on September 27, 2020. Veysi Ermiş is released after statement procedures at the police on the same day.
(09/282) Detained People in Istanbul…
On September 23, 2020, 3 people (Gözde Soydan, Arzu Özdemir and Ertan Çıta) who were walking at Istiklal Street in Beyoğlu district of Istanbul, are detained by the police on the grounds of carrying printed material which was to be used at a press conference at Human Rights Association (IHD) Istanbul office. The press conference was to be held by Partizan Families of Martyrs and Prisoners, about funerals which were not given to families and were kept at Forensic Medicine Institution. 3 people were released after statement procedures at the police on September 25, 2020.
(09/283) Former Co-Mayor on Trial…
The final trial of the case against Zeki Yıldız, former Democratic Regions Party (DBP) co-mayor of Gürpınar district of Van, is held at Van Heavy Penal Court No 4 on September 25, 2020.
The court acquitted Zeki Yıldız on the charges of ‘being an illegal organisation member’, ‘aiding an illegal organisation’, and ‘misconduct’. The court sentenced Zeki Yıldız on the charge of ‘making propaganda for an illegal organisation’ and postponed the sentence.
Zeki Yıldız was suspended on February 3, 2017 and a trustee was appointed to Gürpınar Municipality. Zeki Yıldız was detained on March 29, 2017, arrested on April 6, 2017 and was released at the first trial held on September 9, 2017.
(09/284) Co-Mayor on Trial…
The first trial of the case against Ferhat Kut, HDP co-mayor of Nusaybin district of Mardin, is held at Mardin Heavy Penal Court No 3 on September 25, 2020.
Ferhat Kut joined the trial from prison via sound and vision system. After defence hearings the court released Ferhat Kut and adjourned the trial to December 23, 2020.
Ferhat Kut was detained on October 15, 2019 and was arrested by the court on October 17, 2019. Ministry of Interior has appointed a trustee to Nusaybin Municipality on October 18, 2019.
(09/285) Priest on Trial in Mardin…
The trial of the case against Assyrian Priest Sefer Bileçen is held at Mardin Heavy Penal Court No 4 on September 25, 2020.
It is learned that journalists were not allowed in the court room. After defence hearings the court adjourned the trial to November 3, 2020.
Priest Sefer Bileçen was detained on January 9, 2020 and was arrested on January 10, 2020. After his lawyers’ appeal, Sefer Bileçen was released on judicial control conditions on January 14, 2020.
(09/286) Lawyer on Trial in Urfa…
The trial of the case against lawyer Sevda Çelik Özbingöl is held at Urfa Heavy Penal Court No 6 on September 25, 2020. The court decided to continue detention of Sevda Çelik Özbingöl and adjourned the trial to October 2, 2020. Sevda Çelik Özbingöl was detained on March 12, 2020 through an Urfa based investigation and was arrested by the court on March 17, 2020.
(09/287) Journalists on Trial in Istanbul…
On September 25, 2020, Penal Department No 6 of the Court of Cassation reversed the jail sentences given to journalists Şahin Alpay, Ali Bulaç and Mümtazer Türköne, on the grounds of “lack of investigation”, and decided to release Mümtazer Türköne from prison. Istanbul Heavy Penal Court No 13 has sentenced Şahin Alpay and Ali Bulaç to 8 years and 9 months each and Mümtazer Türköne to 10 years and 6 months on the charge of ‘being an illegal organisation member’, on July 6, 2018.
(09/288) Detentions and Arrests in Alleged Link to Coup Attempt…
On September 25, 2020, 50 people are detained in operations covering 40 cities through an Ankara based investigation about Public Personnel Selection Exam in 2011.
It is learned that a detention warrant is issued against 76 people including academicians and university personnel, through an Istanbul based investigation and operations were initiated in 26 cities.
On September 25, 2020, 24 of 60 people including 27 lawyers who were detained through an Izmir based investigation, are referred to the court. The court arrested 15 people and released 9 people on judicial control conditions.
(09/289) Trials in Alleged Link to Coup Attempt…
The final trial of the case against Reşat Nazmi Oral is held at Ankara Heavy Penal Court No 20 on September 25, 2020. The court sentenced the defendant to 15 years on the charge of ‘being an illegal organisation member’.
(09/290) Ban of Access to Web Contents…
It is learned that the news report about investigation against private hospitals which increased fees of surgery rooms during Covid-19 pandemic, which was published on Sözcü newspaper’s website https://www.sozcu.com.tr/ is banned to access on the grounds of violation of personal rights by Samsun Penal Court of Peace No 2 on September 23, 2020.
It is learned that Yeni Yaşam newspaper’s website https://yeniyasamgazetesi.com/ is banned to access by Hatay Penal Court of Peace No 1 on September 25, 2020.
It is learned that http://siyasihaber.org/ website is banned to access by Hatay Penal Court of Peace No 1 on September 25, 2020.
It is learned that the news reports about suspension of prison doctor at Bakırköy Prison and the doctor appointed as replacement, which was published on Cumhuriyet newspaper’s website https://www.cumhuriyet.com.tr/ and http://www.diken.com.tr/ website are banned to access on the grounds of violation of personal rights by Bakırköy Penal Court of Peace No 6 on September 25, 2020.
(09/292) Covid-19 Pandemic…
Ministry of Health declared that 73 people died due to Covid-19 pandemic and 1,665 new Covid-19 cases were diagnosed on September 25, 2020.
Ministry of Health declared that 71 people died due to Covid-19 pandemic and 1,511 new Covid-19 cases were diagnosed on September 26, 2020.
Ministry of Health declared that 68 people died due to Covid-19 pandemic and 1,467 new Covid-19 cases were diagnosed on September 27, 2020.
The death toll from Covid-19 in Turkey increased to 7,997 and total number of confirmed cases is 314,433 as of September 27, 2020.
Turkish Medical Association declared on September 27, 2020 that 2 health workers, one in Urfa and one in Ankara, died from Covid-19.
Ministry of Justice declared on September 25, 2020 that time allowance for prisoners in open prisons which were given due to Covid-19 pandemic, is extended for 2 months as of September 30, 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.