Human Rights Foundation of Turkey Documentation Center[1][2][3][4][5]
28 – 30 November 2020 Daily Human Rights Report
(11/318) Attempt of Forced Disappearance in Istanbul…
Bahtiyar Fırat, who was detained at Istanbul Airport where he has been to depart for Iran on October 14, 2020, was released after a while but no news was received from him since then. It is learned that Bahtiyar Fırat was under custody in Organized Crime Department of Istanbul Security Directorate. Family members of Bahtiyar Fırat resorted to Istanbul Security Directorate after they received a call from the police on November 26, 2020, and they stated the following: “We applied to the prosecutor’s office every single day in the past 45 days. Nobody gave us any information. (…) On 26 November, we received a call, and learned that Bahtiyar was kept in Security Directorate. (…) He has excessively lost weight. He was tortured at the beginning, and some days, some kind of medication or ointment was applied on him in order to diminish the marks of torture. He has lesions or violence on his arms and face. He cannot express himself well, he cannot even talk now”.
(11/319) People Subjected to Physical Violence of the Police in Diyarbakır…
It is learned that the police raiding the resident of Aziz Yağmur (Chamber of Architects of Turkey Diyarbakır branch executive) in Diyarbakır on November 27, 2020; and committed physical and verbal violence against 4 people by forcing them to lie on the ground and pulling gun towards their heads; and hit 1 person with a gunstock.
One of the persons who was subjected to police violence during the raid, Ü. A., stated the following: “We were forced to lie face down on the ground, and guns were pulled against our heads. We were subjected to insults and swears. The police hit us with gunstocks. We went to a hospital, they prepared a report on physical violence, but told us that it would be valid only after we went to a police station and made our official statements. The doctor examined us but we do not know what does the report cover or if it would be altered at the police station.”
(11/320) Person Forced to be a Police Informant in Istanbul…
It is learned from the news coverage of November 28, 2020 that, Abdulgaffar Evren, a member of Peoples’ Democratic Party (HDP) in Küçükçekmece district of Istanbul, was forcefully taken into a car by persons who claim themselves as police officers; and was forced to be a police informant at Yenibosna Riot Police Department where he was taken.
It is reported that Abdulgaffar Evren was followed by several vehicles without licence after he was released. It is learned that Abdulgaffar Evren applied to Human Rights Association (IHD) and made a criminal complaint to Küçükçekmece Public Prosecutor’s Office. It is claimed in the news reports that the prosecutor on duty said ‘There is nothing bad about what the police officers told you. They did not ask you to do anything bad, why do not you accept it’, to Abdulgaffar Evren.
(11/321) Torture and Ill-Treatment in Prison…
It is learned from the news coverage of November 27, 2020 that visitors of prisoners in Kırıkkale Keskin T Type were not allowed on the grounds of restrictions for those younger than 20 years old, as a part of Covid-19 precautions. It is claimed in the news reports that visitors who reject to this was responded as “traitor, you cannot call me to account” by soldiers.
It is learned from the news coverage of November 29, 2020 that, following the hunger strike of prisoners in Kocaeli Kandıra F Type Prison No 1, demanding an end to isolation of PKK leader Abdullah Öcalan, wards of prisoners including Çağlar Demirel, former Diyarbakır MP of HDP, were searched and defence notes, writings, books and notebooks of prisoners were seized.
(11/322) Hunger Strike in Prison…
It is learned that numerous prisoners went on an indefinite hunger strike in turns on November 26, 2020, demanding an end to isolation of PKK leader Abdullah Öcalan and to right violations in prisons.
Prisoners on hunger strike are:
- Kocaeli Kandıra F Type Prison No 1 (HDP former Diyarbakır MP Çağlar Demirel and Seher Orçu)
- Mersin Tarsus Prison (Hatice Kaymak, Fatma Befre and Nurcan Aslan)
- Izmir Kırıklar F Type Prison (Sertaç Kılıçarslan, Ozan Alpkaya and Abdullah Günay)
- Ankara Sincan Women’s Prison (Saadet Akın, Necla Yıldız and Arjin Yüksekbağ)
- Kırıkkale F Type Prison (Mehmet Emin Ürper, Şükrü Çiçek, Sabah Dayan and Serhat Çağlı)
(11/323) Hunger Strike in Prison…
It is learned from the news coverage of November 27, 2020 that, 16 prisoners who were transferred to Malatya Akçadağ T Type Prison under coercion, were on hunger strike for the last 10 days, to protest being subjected to torture and ill-treatment during transfer.
(11/324) Police Prevention to a Protest in Izmir…
The police prevented the press declaration of HDP Konak district organisation on November 28, 2020, about Mehmet Şerif Coşkun who lost his life in hospital after having a heart attack due to police violence. The ground for police prevention was ‘provoking the public to hatred and hostility’ by the declaration.
(11/325) Detained Deputy Mayor, Journalists, Members and Executives of Political Parties and Associations in Istanbul…
On November 26, 2020, 26 people including Şişli district deputy mayor Cihan Yavuz, journalists Davut Uçar and Kesire Önel, and members and executives of political parties and associations were detained through an investigation against Peoples’ Democratic Congress (HDK) in Istanbul.
Çiğdem Kılıçgün Uçar, one of the detainees who tested positive for Covid-19 is released by the court on judicial control conditions on November 29, 2020.
(11/326) Detained Co-Mayor in Batman…
Nazime Avcı, HDP co-mayor of Kozluk district of Batman is detained in a house raid on November 28, 2020. The reason of detention is unknown.
(11/327) Detained Journalist in Ankara…
Mezopotamya News Agency reporter Hakan Yalçın is detained in Ankara on November 27, 2020. Hakan Yalçın is released by the court on judicial control conditions on November 30, 2020.
(11/328) Detained Provincial Council Member in Siirt…
On November 27, 2020, Cemile Altan, a member of Provincial Council of Siirt is detained in a house raid. The reason of detention is unknown.
(11/329) Detained Lawyer in Mardin…
Lawyer Abdülkadir Güner is detained on November 27, 2020 at Mardin Security Directorate where he went to make his official statement through an investigation on the charge of ‘making propaganda for an illegal organisation’. Abdülkadir Güner is released after statement procedures at the police on November 28, 2020.
(11/330) Detained Lawyers and Other People in Bursa…
10 people including lawyers Cahit Kırkazak and Mehmet Deniz Büyük who were detained in Bursa on November 26, 2020 are referred to the court on November 28, 2020. It is learned that 1 person (Hüseyin Döken) is arrested on the charge of ‘being an illegal organisation member’ and 9 people are released on judicial control conditions. It is learned that lawyer İbrahim Korhan for whom a detention warrant was issued, made his official statement at the courthouse and was released on judicial control condition.
(11/331) Detained Executive of Chamber of Architects and Other People in Diyarbakır…
On November 27, 2020, 5 people including Aziz Yağmur executive board member of Chamber of Architects of Turkey Diyarbakır branch are detained in house raids in Diyarbakır. The reason of detention is unknown. Detained people are: Aziz Yağmur, Mehmet Yalçın, Sabri Özdemir, Ercan Kaysı and Agit Kaçar.
(11/332) Detained Political Party Members, Executives and Other People in Mardin…
On November 27, 2020, 5 people including Peoples’ Democratic Party (HDP) and Democratic Regions Party (DBP) members abed executives are detained in house raids in Mardin. 5 people are released by the court on judicial control conditions on November 29, 2020. The reason of detention is unknown. Detained people are: DBP Kızıltepe district co-chair Mahmut Damar, HDP Savur district former co-chair Necdet Kavak, Abdülmecit Abi, Fesih Gökalp and Tajdin Gürkan.
(11/333) Detained People in Van…
On November 27, 2020, 9 people including 1 child are detained in house raids in Van. The reason of detention is unknown. Detained people are: Deniz Adar Eldemir, Dilaver Eldemir, Ferhat Azan, Seyithan Kardeş, Serhat Sönmez, Deniz Adar, Arjîn Tuncer, Ferhat Eldemir and B. B. (16, m).
(11/334) Detained Person in Şırnak…
On November 27, 2020, Hüsnü Babat, a former executive of HDP is detained in a house raid in Idil district of Şırnak. The reason of detention is unknown.
(11/335) Detained People in Batman…
On November 27, 2020, 15 people are detained in house raids in Batman. The reason of detention is a funeral ceremony they attended.
Detained people are: Şemsettin Eser, Abdulkadir Soyvural, Mehmet Uluç, Leyla Açar, Mizgin Avanaş, Behçet Güngör, Fatma Tan, Kenan Güngör, Muhittin Şahin, Muzaffer Oran, Menaf Kızar, Faruk Ergün, Mehmet Selim Akyol, Mehmet Utanç and 1 more person.
(11/336) Detained Person in Malatya…
On November 27, 2020, 1 person (İnsaf Aktaş) is detained in a house raid in Akçadağ district of Malatya. The reason of detention is unknown.
(11/337) Detained People in Izmir…
On November 27, 2020, 17 people are detained in house raids in Izmir, on the grounds of ‘making propaganda for an illegal organisation’ and ‘being an illegal organisation member’. 16 people are released after statement procedures at the police on November 29, 2020. 1 person (Abdi Ertaş) is arrested by the court on the charge of ‘being an illegal organisation member’ on November 30, 2020.
Names of detained people learned so far are: Zerga Öztürk, Fadime Kocakaya, Zuhal Çelebi, Hediye Tekin, Muteber Akgül, Abdi Ertaş, Saime Sertoğlu, Bedia Güzelyüz, Derya Kandemir, Saime Akın, Felek Poyraz and Ahmet Yusuf.
(11/338) Detained People in Ankara for Social Media Posts…
On November 27, 2020, 8 people including HDP executives and members are detained in house raids in Ankara, on the grounds of “making propaganda for an illegal organisation on social media”.
1 person (Nevroz Gülen) is arrested by the court on the charge of ‘being an illegal organisation member’ on November 30, 2020. 3 people (Doğan Keleş, Tunahan Gözlügöl and Mesut Çiftçi) are released on judicial control conditions, 3 people are released on house confinement. 1 person (Mahmut Altan) was released after statement procedures at the police.
(11/340) Detained People in Urfa…
On November 27, 2020 2 people (Veyis Yıldırım and İsa Yıldırım) are detained in house raids in Urfa. The reason of detention is unknown.
(11/341) Detained People in Şırnak…
On November 28, 2020, 1 person (Kıyaseddin Kalkan) is detained in Cizre district of Şırnak. 1 person (Ercan Oğuz) is detained at Cizre Courthouse where he went to make his official statement. 2 people are released after statement procedures on the same day.
(11/342) Detained Person in Muş…
HDP Youth Assembly member Sinan Öztürk is detained in Varto district of Muş on November 28, 2020. The reason of detention is unknown.
(11/343) Detained Person in Antep…
1 person (Hasibe Yaman) who was detained in a house raid in Antep on November 26, 2020, on the grounds of a finalised court verdict, is arrested by the court on November 27, 2020.
(11/344) Detained Person in Aydın for Social Media Posts…
It is learned that a person (Hakim Ekelik) is detained in Kuşadası district of Aydın on November 29, 2020. It is learned that the reason of detention was social media posts about Alaattin Çakıcı, who has threatened Republican People’s Party (CHP) chair Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu. It is reported that Hakim Ekelik was arrested by the court on the charge of ‘provoking the public to hatred and hostility’ on the same day.
(11/345) Declaration on PKK/KCK Investigations by Ministry of Interior…
The Ministry of Interior declared that 641 people are detained in operations covering 42 cities through PKK/KCK investigations on November 28, 2020.
(11/346) Former MP on Trial…
The trial of the case against Halil Aksoy, former Ağrı MP of HDP, is held at Istanbul Penal Court of Peace No 20 on November 27, 2020.
The indictment demands sentence for Halil Aksoy on the charges of ‘being an illegal organisation member’ and ‘making propaganda for an illegal organisation’.
Halil Aksoy joined the trial form prison via sound and vision system. Halil Aksoy stated that he would not make his defence since his notes on defence declaration was seized by the wardens during a ward search in prison. The court adjourned the trial to December 4, 2020.
(11/347) Journalist on Trial in Adıyaman…
The final trial of the case on the grounds of ‘making propaganda for an illegal organisation on social media’ against Hacı Boğatekin, grant holder of Gerger Fırat newspaper, is held at Adıyaman Heavy Penal Court No 2 on November 27, 2020. The court acquitted Hacı Boğatekin.
(11/348) Political Party Members and Executives on Trial in Antep…
The first trial of the case against 61 people (25 of them were arrested) including members and executives of HDP and DBP, is held at Antep Heavy Penal Court No 2 between November 23 and 27, 2020.
After defence hearings the court decided to continue detention of 12 people (Abdullah İnce, Cuma Ali Taşçı, İsmail Berkpınar, Mehmet Özkan, Müslüm Kılıç, Selman Tutumlu, Tahir Altuğ, Güler Erat, Bircan Demir, Azime Bali, Cengiz Tuç and Duri Kaygusuz) and released 13 people (Ahmet İlbaş, Diyar Bayram, Kasım Şan, Mustafa Tunç, Müslüm Şahinsoy, Nafi Demir, Ömer Faruk Koç, Ramazan Kuas, Serhat Yıldırım, Şefik Sondu, Şükrü Özalan, Fatma Lebe and Hasret Ergin) on judicial control conditions. The court adjourned the trial to December 28, 2020.
61 people were detained in raids to HDP offices and houses in Antep on November 14, 2019, 25 of them were arrested on November 20, 2019 and following days.
(11/350) Investigation Against Parliamentary Member…
It is learned from the news coverage of November 29, 2020 that, Ankara Public Prosecutor’s Office initiated an investigation against CHP Mersin MP Ali Mahir Başarır, for his expressions “For the first time in the history of republic, the state army is sold to Qatar” in a television programme.
(11/351) Investigation Against Mayor and District Council Members…
It is learned that the Ministry of Interior initiated an investigation against Ercüment Çervatoğlu, mayor of Fındıklı district of Rize, and against district council members. It is stated in the news reports that the investigation was about changing the name of Nation’s Garden to 100th Year Atatürk Park, and the name of Nation’s Coffee House to Kazım Koyuncu Cultural Center.
(11/352) Investigation Against Federation of Family Physicians Associations Vice Chair…
It is learned from the news coverage of November 27, 2020 that, Urfa Provincial Directorate of Health initiated an investigation against doctor Yusuf Eryazğan, vice chair of the Federation of Family Physicians Associations (AHEF). It is learned that the investigation is grounded on ‘damaging citizens’ trust to state institutions’ for Yusuf Eryazğan made a declaration stating lack of family care health professional in 2 out of every 10 primary care institution.
(11/353) Suspended Mayor in Izmir…
Serdar Aksoy, mayor of Menemen district of Izmir who was arrested through an investigation on corruption, is suspended from duty by the Ministry of Interior. It is learned that district council will hold a mayoral election in 15 days.
(11/354) Investigation on Civilians Who Lost Their Lives During the Curfew in Nusaybin…
It is learned from the news coverage of November 27, 2020 that, Mardin Public Prosecutor’s Office issued a permanent search warrant in relation to the investigation on 24 civilian people who has lost their lives during the curfews in Nusaybin district. Nusaybin district were under curfew 8 times, starting from October 1, 2015. Permanent search warrant means continuation of the investigation on offences where the perpetrators are unclear or clear but not completely identified despite of inquiries; and requires security forces to inform the prosecutor’s office on at certain intervals.
(11/355) Diyarbakır Governorate’s Decision on Police Violence…
On May 5, 2019, a group of prisoners’ family members were subjected to physical violence of the police intervening the press declaration about hunger strikes in prisons, in Koşuyolu Park of Diyarbakır. It is learned from the news coverage of November 28, 2020 that, after the criminal complaint was filed, Diyarbakır Public Prosecutor’s Office demanding permission of the governorate’s office to investigate the police officers on duty that day, was rejected.
(11/356) Police Raid to HDP Office in Van…
HDP office in Van is raided by the police on November 27, 2020. It is reported that the police raided the office in the evening when there were no party executives inside. It is learned that the floor used for Youth Assembly was searched and a personal computer along with some books were seized.
(11/357) Ban of Access to web Contents…
It is learned that news reports about the physical violence that a Nepalese person was subjected at the workplace, which were published on https://www.gazeteduvar.com.tr/, https://odatv4.com/ and https://www.bbc.com/turkce/ websites are banned to access by the Access Providers Association (ESB) on November 26, 2020.
It is learned that a news report about news assignments in Security General Directorate which was published on https://t24.com.tr/ website is banned to access by Ankara Penal Court of Peace No 3 on the grounds of violation of personal rights, on November 26, 2020.
It is learned that a news report about news assignments in Security General Directorate which was published on https://odatv4.com/ website is banned to access by Ankara Penal Court of Peace No 4 on the grounds of violation of personal rights, on November 27, 2020.
It is learned that the digital music platform Tidal is banned to access on the grounds of lack of licence application to the Supreme Board of Radio and Television, on November 27, 2020.
It is learned that the digital publishing platform Issuu is banned to access by Bureau on Intellectual and Industrial Property Rights of Istanbul Anadolu Public Prosecutor’s Office on November 27, 2020.
(11/358) Detentions and Arrests in Alleged Link to Coup Attempt…
On November 27, 2020, 3 people are detained in Edirne in an alleged attempt to illegally cross to Greece.
1 person who was detained in Denizli is arrested by the court on November 27, 2020.
15 of 39 people who were detained through an Istanbul based investigation are arrested by the court on November 27, 2020. It is learned that 24 poeple are released on judicial control conditions.
(11/359) Trials in Alleged Link to Coup Attempt…
The final trial of the case against 5 people including General Ali Salnur, former commander of Border Brigade No 34 in Şemdinli, is held at Hakkari Heavy Penal Court No 1 on November 27, 2020. The court sentenced Ali Salnur to 8 years and 6 months, Colonel Mehmet Sezgin, former chief of staff at Yüksekova Infantry Division Command No 3 to 7 years and 6 months, major Erkan Doğanca, former director of Operation and Training branch of Yüksekova Infantry Division Command No 3 to 6 years and 10 months on the charge of ‘being an illegal organisation member’. The court acquitted 1 person and separated the case against 1 person.
(11/360) Covid-19 Pandemic…
The Ministry of Health declared that 177 people died due to Covid-19 pandemic and 6,592 new Covid-19 ill patients were diagnosed on November 27, 2020. It is also declared that the daily number of Covid-19 case is 29,845.
The Ministry of Health declared that 182 people died due to Covid-19 pandemic and 6,714 new Covid-19 ill patients were diagnosed on November 28, 2020. It is also declared that the daily number of Covid-19 case is 30,103.
The Ministry of Health declared that 185 people died due to Covid-19 pandemic and 6,439 new Covid-19 ill patients were diagnosed on November 29, 2020. It is also declared that the daily number of Covid-19 case is 29,281.
The death toll from Covid-19 in Turkey increased to 13,558 and total number of confirmed ill patients is 494,351 as of November 29, 2020.
It is learned that 2 health workers (doctor Ömer Akalın in Bursa and Hasan Baştuğ in Kütahya) died from Covid-19 on November 27, 2020.
It is learned that 5 health workers (pharmacist Atila Ada in Ordu, pharmacist Hasan Yücel and Ferhat Ekici in Istanbul, pharmacist Yalçınkaya Varol in Isparta and doctor Enver Özçoban in Antep) died from Covid-19 on November 29, 2020.
The Ministry of Interior issued a circular on November 27, 2020 and announced that the events to be held by associations, foundations, professional organisations and associations, cooperatives including general assembly meetings, are postponed until March 1, 2021.
The Ministry of Justice made a declaration on November 27, 2020 and announced that permission for prisoner in open prisons which was effective since April 14, 2020 is extended 2 months as of November 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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[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.