Human Rights Foundation of Turkey Documentation Center[1][2][3][4][5]
29 June-1 July 2024 Daily Human Rights Report
(06/221) Prisoner Who Lost His Life in Prison…
It is learned from the news coverage of June 28, 2024, that the lawyer of Şefik Esen, a prisoner in Afyon Bolvadin T Type Prison who lost his life in hospital on June 27, 2024, appealed to the prosecutor’s office for his client’s release on the grounds that his client cannot survive in prison conditions due to his illness, and that his 3 appeals to the prosecutor’s office were rejected on the grounds of a hospital report stating that his client ‘can stay in prison’.
(06/222) Torture and Other Ill-Treatment in Prison…
It is learned from the news coverage of June 29, 2024, that there have been long water cuts in Çorum T Type Prison for 1 week and prisoners have problems in meeting their needs due to being given only cold water several times a day.
(06/223) Prevention of Right to Access Health in Prison…
It is learned from the news coverage of June 30, 2024, that Lokman Acar, a prisoner in Batman Beşiri T Type Prison, whose braces were broken due to torture and ill-treatment he was subjected to under custody before being arrested on October 24, 2023, had difficulty in eating due to broken braces and lost weight as a result of this, was not referred to hospital and was not taken to prison infirmary despite of his petitions to prison administration.
Lokman Acar’s sister Nebiye Acar stated the following to the press: “…My brother had problems with his teeth. He wore braces before he entered prison. While he was detained, the wire on his teeth broke as a result of torture. For 4 months he has been writing petitions to the prison but they do not take him to the hospital. Although there is an infirmary, they don’t take him to the doctor”.
(06/224) Racist Attacks against Syrian Refugees/Asylum Seekers in Kayseri…
It is learned from the news coverage of July 1, 2024, that after the allegations of abuse of a 5 years old child by a person named İ. A. in the Danişmentgazi neighborhood of Melikgazi district of Kayseri, a group of people gathered in the neighborhood and attacked houses, workplaces and vehicles of Syrian refugees/asylum seekers and burned some of them.
It is also reported in the news that the alleged perpetrator of the abuse, İ. A., was arrested.
Following the attacks, the Governorate of Kayseri made the following statement: “As a result of the sexual abuse behavior of a Syrian national against a minor Syrian national child in the Danişmentgazi neighborhood, the person was detained by our security units and our child was taken under protection by our units”.
Ministry of Interior announced that 67 people were detained in connection with the racist attacks. It is learned that Kayseri Criminal Peace Judgeship No 2 imposed a broadcast ban on news reports on the incidents until the investigation is concluded.
(06/225) Racist Attack in Muğla…
It is learned from the news coverage of June 29, 2024, that a Kurdish greenhouse worker family in the Seydikemer district of Muğla was subjected to a racist attack by a group of 20 people after a quarrel in traffic on June 28, 2024. It is also reported in the news that although a complaint was filed, no action was taken against the perpetrators.
Abdulhalim Yavuz, one of the family members who was attacked, stated the following: “When we arrived, my nephew was sitting in a pool of blood. They were waiting with cleavers, knives, and sticks. When we asked why they were doing this, they started attacking us too. They want to send us away from here because we are Kurds. During the argument, they kept saying they didn’t want us, swearing and insulting us… After 15-20 minutes, the gendarmerie and medical teams arrived. They behaved very comfortably. They took us to the hospital. We asked for a report from the hospital and they said they would give it to the gendarmerie, not to us. We filed a complaint about the incident”.
(06/226) Bans and Interventions against Pride Month Demonstrations and Events…
In its statement regarding the 22nd Istanbul Pride March, which is to take place on the same day on June 30, 2024, the Governorate of Istanbul referred to LGBTI+’s as ‘illegal groups’ and announced that measures have been taken to prevent the Pride March.
Within the scope of the said measures, it was announced that Taksim Square, Republic Monument, Gezi Park, Istiklal Street and its side streets up to Tünel Square and Karaköy Square and its surroundings will be closed to vehicle traffic as of 08.00 on June 30, 2024, and pedestrians will be allowed to pass to the said areas under police control. The statement also announced that 9 streets and roads will be closed to traffic as of 10:00.
It is learned that 11 people were detained in the police intervention against the 22nd Istanbul Pride March on Bagdat Street in Istanbul on June 30, 2024. Detained people were released the same day after statement procedures.
(06/227) People Arrested in Relation with the May 1 Celebrations…
It is learned from the news coverage of June 28, 2024, that 11 people who were arrested after being detained for marching to Taksim during the May 1 celebrations, were released on June 28, 2024, upon the appeal of their lawyers. With this decision, 41 people are still under arrest for the May 1 celebrations.
(06/228) Mayor Arrested in Manisa…
It is learned from the news coverage of June 30, 2024, that Manisa Kula mayor Hikmet Dönmez was detained through the investigation initiated upon the complaint of 2 people (M. U. and H. D.) who stated that they were subjected to physical violence in the office room of Manisa Kula mayor Hikmet Dönmez, and that mayor Hikmet Dönmez was arrested.
(06/229) Human Rights Defender Arrested in Antalya…
Human Rights Association (IHD) Antalya branch executive and Lawyers’ Association for Freedom (ÖHD) member lawyer Şüheda Ronahi Çiftçi, who was arrested on 23 February 2024 and was released on 28 June 2024, was arrested again on 30 June 2024 on a warrant issued for her.
(06/230) Journalist Arrested in Ankara…
It is learned from the news coverage of June 29, 2024, that journalist Elif Akkuş, who was arrested on May 2, 2024, through an investigation initiated upon a complaint of the TRT Inspection Board, was released.
Journalist Elif Akkuş was arrested on October 20, 2023, released on November 15, 2023, and re-arrested on May 2, 2024.
(06/231) The Spice Bazaar Case…
On June 28, 2024, Istanbul Heavy Penal Court No 15 continued the retrial of the case after the acquittal verdict of sociologist Pınar Selek in the case related to the explosion at the Spice Bazaar in Eminönü district of Istanbul on July 9, 1998, which resulted in the deaths of seven people and injuries of 127 people. The court decided to await the execution of the arrest warrants for Pınar Selek and Abdülmecit Öztürk and adjourned the trial to 7 February 2025.
Following the reversal of the acquittal verdict given on 8 June 2006 by the 9th Criminal Chamber of the Court of Cassation in the case filed against Pınar Selek on the allegation of ‘being a member of an illegal organization’ based on the statements of Abdülmecit Öztürk, the case was retried by the Istanbul Heavy Penal Court No 12. On 23 May 2008, Pınar Selek was acquitted again, but the 9th Criminal Chamber of the Court of Cassation overturned this verdict as well. Thereupon, the case was retried by the Istanbul Heavy Penal Court No 12 and Selek was acquitted once again on 9 February 2011. Upon the reversal of this verdict, Pınar Selek was sentenced to aggravated life imprisonment on 24 January 2013. Upon the reversal of the aggravated life sentence by the 9th Criminal Chamber of the Court of Cassation, Pınar Selek was acquitted for the 4th time in the retrial held at Istanbul Heavy Penal Court No 15. However, this acquittal was also overturned on 21 June 2022.
(06/232) Person on Trial in Urfa…
It is learned from the news coverage of June 30, 2024, that the investigation initiated with the allegations of ‘resisting to prevent duty’ and ‘intentional injury’ against Mehmet Naci Yılmaz, who participated in a press statement called by Peoples’ Equality and Democracy Party (DEM Party) in Urfa on December 27, 2023, and was detained, on the allegations that Mehmet Naci Yılmaz prevented police officer G. L. from doing his duty and caused G. L.’s finger to be broken, was sent to mediation by the prosecutor’s office, and that G. L. demanded that Mehmet Naci Yılmaz donate 20.000 TL to Martyrs and Veterans Association in order to give up his complaint. Mehmet Naci Yılmaz did not accept this demand, and the court sentenced Mehmet Naci Yılmaz to 1 year 10 months and 15 days at the final trial of the case on 11 June 2024 at Ceylanpınar Penal Court of First Instance.
(06/233) 4 Children on Trial in Kayseri…
The final trial of the case against 4 children (A. K., A. N., H. E., E. K.) on the allegation of ‘publicly insulting the memory of Atatürk’ for burning a photograph of Atatürk in the İncesu district of Kayseri, was held at Kayseri İncesu Penal Court of First Instance on June 28, 2024. The court acquitted 4 children.
4 children were arrested after being detained on October 26, 2023, and were released on judicial control conditions at the first hearing of the case against them.
(06/234) Radio Station Issued a Fine by RTÜK…
It is learned from the news coverage of June 28, 2024, that, the Radio and Television Supreme Council (RTÜK) issued Açık Radyo with an administrative fine and a 5-day broadcasting suspension within the scope of Article 8 of Law No. 6112 on the Establishment and Broadcasting Services of Radio and Television Enterprises (Radyo ve Televizyonların Kuruluş̧ ve Yayın Hizmetleri Hakkında Kanun), on the grounds of statements of a guest in the radio program ‘Açık Gazete’ about the Armenian Genocide, broadcast on April 24, 2024.
(06/235) City Council Members Prevented from Entering the Municipality Building…
It is learned from the news coverage of July 1, 2024, that municipality council members elected from the DEM Party who went to the Hakkari Municipality building to attend the council meeting to set the agenda for the month of July, were prevented by the police from entering the building, and that the demands of municipality council members who wanted to meet with the special staff about the cancellation of the municipality council meeting were rejected. It is also reported in the news that council members kept a report on the matter.
(06/236) Special Security Zone in Şırnak…
The Governorate of Şırnak announced on June 30, 2024, that Bestler Dereler Region in the central district of Şırnak province, Gabar Mountain Region in the central district and Güçlükonak district of Şırnak province, Cudi Mountain Region in the central district, Silopi and Cizre districts of Şırnak province, Kurt Mountain Region in the central district, Silopi and Uludere districts of Şırnak province, Kelmehmetler-Dönmezler-Kovankay Region in the Beytüşşebap district of Şırnak province, Tahtareş, Hüsrevpaşa-Suhurpaşayayla, İncebeldağları, Faraşin Regions, Altındağları Region within the borders of Beytüşşebap district of Şırnak province, Oymakaya Region within the borders of Beytüşşebap and Uludere districts of Şırnak province have been declared as temporary special security zones for 15 days between 1 July 2024 and 15 July 2024 and access to these regions has been banned.
(06/238) People Detained in Edirne…
Ministry of National Defence (MSB) announced on June 29, 2024, that 5 people who were allegedly trying to illegally cross to Greece from Edirne were detained due to ‘being a member of an illegal organization’.
[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.