Human Rights Foundation of Turkey Documentation Center[1][2][3][4][5]
30 September – 2 October Daily Human Rights Report
(10/001) Civilian Dead in Van Erciş…
On September 28, 2017, 2 people died in a car due to open fire by police officers in Van’s Erciş district. News coverage on September 29, 2017 reported that one of the killed is Zafer Ceylan (45), a taxi driver and father of 4 children, the other one is Önder Polat.
Family members of Zafer Ceylan took his body from Van Yuzuncu Yil University morgue. It is stated that no vehicle to transport the dead body or a coffin was provided to the family. The body was brought to Seyid Muhammed Cemetery with the family’s efforts. It is learned that police forced a 15-people limit on the funeral and following the funeral Ceylan’s brother İbrahim Ceylan and his cousin Müjdat Ceylan were detained. Both were physically abused but it is learned from news coverage that the hospital they went refused to issue abuse reports. İbrahim Ceylan and Müjdat Ceyhan were released on October 1, 2017. İbrahim Ceylan said in a statement to press that an argument broke after his brother’s funeral with the police and the officers handcuffed his hands from his back and assaulted him, hitting his head and throat with their feet. Müjdat Ceyhan said he was threatened by a gun in his mouth and he eventually passed out because of the physical abuse.
Regarding the same incident, Governorate of Van declared on September 29, 2017 that 2 PKK militants were killed during a clash in Van’s Erciş district. Governorate than released a second statement and rejected news that Zafer Ceylan was a civilian taxi driver and claimed he was an member of an illegal organization and a gun and a grenade was found in his hand. .
(10/002) Child Dead due to an Explosion in Yüksekova …
On September 30, 2017, a child named Umut Kozay (5, m) died when the object he found near a police check point exploded. His brother E.K. (6) was heavily injured from his hands and leg. Governorate of Hakkadı declared on September 30, 2017 that the object children found was ammunition left from previous operations.
(10/003) Torture Allegations in İstanbul Police Headquarters…
People’s Law Office declared on October 1, 2017 that a client named Mostafa Koçak was physically and psychologically tortured by police officers during detention. It is also reported that Koçak was forced to be an informant by the officers.
(10/004) Operations and Attacks in Southeast…
It is learned that 2 MKP/HKO militants died during clashes in Ovacık district of Tunceli on September 26, 2017.
It is learned that 1 village guard died and 1 was injured during clashes between HPG militants and security forces on September 29, 2017 in Şemdinli district of Hakkari.
It is learned that 2 soldiers and 2 village guards died, 8 soldiers were injured during clashed between HPG militants and armed forces on September 30, 2017 in Ağrı’s Doğubayazıt district.
Also on September 30, 2 soldiers were injured during clashes in Şırnak.
It is learned that 1 lieutenant and 1 village guard died, 3 village guards were injured during a clash in Şırnak’s Cizre district on October 1, 2017.
(10/005) Torture and Other Ill-Treatment in Prison…
It is learned that 5 female prisoners from Isparta E Type Prison were transferred to different locations. It is reported that these prisoners are the one who had shaved their heads to protest the ill-treatments they had subjected and were for that reason transferred from Van T Typer Prison. Names of the prisoners: Van Meyader co-Mayor Neriman Urar, Melek Yalçın, Gölü Kara, Yıldız Şedam and Saime Avşin.
It is learned through news coverage of on September 29, 2017 that HDP co-chair Selahattin Demirtaş’s cell in Edirne Type F Prison was searched, because of the tweets his attorneys posted on his Twitter account.
It is learned from news coverage of September 30, 2017 thatDaily Özgürlükçü Demokrasi is banned in Diyarbakır Penal Institution due to a decision by Prison Education Council.
It is learned from the statements of attorney Keziban Yılmaz to press on October 2, 2017 that TJA member Sara Aktaş was sent to Diyarbakır Type E Prison before her medical recovery was completed. Aktaş received an angiography because of her heart disease 2 weeks ago, and was kept under intensive care with her hands cuffed.
(10/006) Single Type Uniforms in Prison…
An attorney visiting his client declared on September 29, 2017 that his client came to the visit room with an orange t-shirt written CIK (Penal Institution) on it and navy colored pants. The client said that they were forced to wear these single-type outfits whenever they go out of their cells for family or attorney visits or to post or receive cargo.
(10/007) Arrested Attorney…
Attorney of Nuriye Gülmen and Semih Özakça, Ahmet Mancı was detained on September 29, 2017 and later released. Mandacı was detained once again and arrested on September 30 due to an objection to his release by the Public Prosecutors Office.
(10/008) Police Operation Towards DP (Devrimci Parti) Members…
It is learned that 10 of 15 DP members detained on September 15, 2017 were arrested in court on September 29, 2017. 5 were released with judiciary control condition.
(10/009) Blocked Attorney Visit During Detention in Tunceli…
It is learned from news coverage of September 29, 2017 that HPG militant Gürbüz Topçu detained by Tunceli Gendarmerie is prevented from seeing his family and meeting with his attorney. Topçu was injured during an air strike in Maraş on August 31. He was taken to Elazığ State Hospital and then to Gendarmerie Command Office after his recovery. It is reported that attorneys who went to see Topçu were shown a petition allegedly signed by Topçu. The petition stated that Topçu had no intention of meeting with attorneys sent by his family or someone else, he would rather meet with an attorney chosen by himself.
(10/010) House Raid in Erciş…
It is learned that Ferhat Serhatlı and son Fırat Serhanlı who were physically abused and detained during a house raid in Van’s Erciş district on September 30, 2017 were released on the same day. Due to abuse it is reported that Ferhat Serhatlı has bruises and swelling on his face. It is learned that the house and the barn under were under open fire, gas bombs were thrown inside, ‘JÖH’ and ‘PÖH’ (Police Special Forces and Gendarme Special Forces) were written on the walls of the house.
(10/011) Detention and Arrests…
It is learned that Ceylan Bağrıyanık who is also a member of the Imrali Committee was detained on September 30, 2017 due to a denouncement about her. She was released after her testimony at Van Police Headquarters.
(10/012) Detentions and Arrests in Connection with the Coup d’État Attempt…
Former Governor of Burdur Hasan Kürklü was detained on September 29, 2017 through an Antalya based investigation.
It is learned that 10 people in Kocaeli, 13 people in Samsun, 44 people through a Tekirdağ based investigation were detained. 60 of 97 people issued with detention requests in İstanbul, 38 people through an Adana based investigation, 12 people including 8 regular soldiers through a Kırklareli based investigation were detained.
It is reported that 3 people including an apprentice lawyer detained in Kırklareli were arrested on September 29, 2017.
It is reported that 24 of 30 people detained on September 22 in İzmir, including attorneys, were transferred to court on September 29, 2017.9 people were arrested and 15 were released, 14 with a judicial control condition. 4 people detained previously through the same investigation were arrested, 2 were released.
It is learned that 7 of 9 people detained on September 30, 2017 through a Balıkesir based investigation were arrested. 2 were released with judiciary control condition.
It is learned that 11 of 26 detained in Batman due to alleged ByLock usage were arrested on September 1, 2017. 15 were released, 9 with judiciary control condition.
(10/013) Trials of HDP MP’s…
The trial of HDP co-Chair Selahattin for ‘violating rule no 2911 on assemblies and demonstrations’ at Şırnak Penal Court of First Instance continued on September 29, 2017. The case was opened because of a HDP meeting in front of party building in Şırnak. Demirtaş attended the trial through SEGBİS but refused to testify and requested to be present in person in the court asked for the dismissal of current judge. The request caused a small controversy between the judge and attorneys as Demirtaş’s exact words for his request was not properly on record. The court overruled the request as it would ‘extend the trial process’ and adjourned the trial to November 3, 2017.
(10/014) Trials of Attorneys in İzmir…
The trials of 17 people including 13 attorneys in İzmir Penal Court of First Instance No 31 continued September 29, 2017. Defendants were charged with ‘violating rule no 2911 on assemblies and demonstrations’. Following the defenses the court ruled for the release of 17 attorneys.
On November 15, 2017, 17 people were detained because of protesting closures of ÖHD and ÇHD with Statuary Decree’s, in front of İzmir Courthouse. Protestors were physically abused during the detention and cases were opened against them.
(10/015) Trials in Kırşehir…
The trials of 17 university students in Kırşehir Heavy Penal Court started on September 29, 2017. The students are accused with ‘membership of an illegal organization’. 11 of the defendants were present at the court, 3 attended through SEGBİS. Viewers of the trial were forced out due to taking pictures. Following the defenses the court ruled for the continuity of arrests and adjourned the trial to November 23, 2017. During operations in 7 cities in May 11, 2017 17 students and graduates from Ahi Evran University were sent to court and arrested on May 17, 2017.
(10/016) Trials in Connection with the Coup d’État Attempt…
The final hearing for the trials of 27 soldiers including 5. Border Brigade Commander and former Ardahan Post Commander General Erdem Kargın took place on September 29, 2017. 18 of the soldiers were already arrested. The court sentenced heavy life sentences to 15 defendants including General Kargın. Cases of 12 defendants were separated and the court ruled for the continuity of their trials.
The trial of 24 soldiers continued September 29, 2017 in the court room built in front of Silivri Prison. The case was opened by Istanbul Heavy Penal Court No 14. Defendants include 6 generals, 15 arrested and 9 fugitive soldiers. Following the testimonies of witnesses and defendant defenses the court ruled for the release of 3rd Coprs Commander Erdal Öztürk and adjourned the trial to a further date.
The trials of 268 people regarding the actions in 4th Corps Command and 28th Mechanize Infantry Brigade Command during July 15th coup attempt continued in court room within Sincan Prison. The case was opened by Ankara Heavy Penal Court No 20. Following the defenses, the court ruled for the contunity of arrests and adjourned the trial dates to December 13-29, 2017.
The final hearing of 2 attorney’s trials took plave on September 29, 2017. The case was opened by Adana Heavy Penal Court No 11. One of the attorneys were already arrested. The court sentenced both defendants to 9 years due to ‘membership of an illegal organization’.
The final hearing of 1 defendant in Kırıkkale 1st Heavy Penal Court took place on September 29, 2017. Following the last defenses, the court sentenced defendant Hasan Gökdağ to 7 years 2 months 7 days due to ‘membership of an illegal organization’.
Another defendant’s final hearing also took place on September 29, 2017. Following the last defenses, the court sentenced defendant Hüseyin Kardaş to 7 years 2 months 27 days due to ‘membership of an illegal organization’.
(10/017) Protest Ban in Edirne Type F Prison…
Governorate of Edirne declared on September 29, 2017 that from September 30, 2017 it is prohibited to demonstrate, organize petitions, chant, protest, gather for press briefings or any other events around Edirne Type F Prison.
HDP previously declared that on October 1, 2017, the opening day of the Parliament, it will organize a press briefing in front of Edirne type F Prison, where HDP co-Chair Selahattin Demirtaş stays. Following the ban, party members organized the meeting in a closer location to the prison.
(10/018) Curfew in Şemdinli …
Governorate of Hakkari declared on September 29, 2017 that curfews will be implemented between September 29, 2017 – October 10, 2017 between 22:00-5:00 am, in 1 village, 2 neighborhoods and 1 hamlet. Villages and hamlets that have curfew are: Altınsu Village; Dereboyu and Elde Neighborhoods; İncesu hamlet.
(10/019) Events Banned in City…
Governorate of Van declared on September 30, 2017 that it is prohibited to march, demonstrate, sit-in, chant, protest, gather for press briefings or organize any other events in all the city for 30 days.
[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, ETHA, Dihaber, Yurt, Özgürlükçü Demokrasi, Ntv, Bianet.org, Halkinsesi.tv, Cnnturk, Alinteri, Kızılbayrak, Özgür Radyo, Sendika.org, El Cezire,BBC, Yüksekova Haber, T24, Diken, Gazete Karınca, Gazete Duvar.