Human Rights Foundation of Turkey Documentation Center[1][2][3][4][5]
31 January 2020 Daily Human Rights Report
(01/273) Operations and Attacks in Southeast…
It is learned from the news coverage of January 30, 2020 that, 1 militant died in a clash between security forces and HPG militants in rural areas of Şırnak on April 7, 2019.
(01/274) Trans Woman Subjected to Police Violence in Istanbul…
It is learned from the news coverage of January 30, 2020 that, a trans woman named Ada was subjected to physical and verbal violence of the police because she reacted to detention of her friend during an identity check in Beyoğlu district of Istanbul. It is reported that she made an official complaint about the police officers on duty.
It is also learned that a Jinnews reporter who was recording police violence was taken to police station and was released after checking recorded video.
(01/275) Torture and Ill-Treatment in Prison…
It is learned from the news coverage of January 30, 2020 that, Macit Şahinkaya, a prisoner in Van High Security Prison was penalised to prevention from visit for 3 months on November 15, 2019, and Akil Nergüz, another prisoner was penalised to prevention from visit for 4 months on December 28, 2019.
It is also stated in the news reports that prisoners were given hot water only for one and half an hour a day, magazines and newspapers were not given to prisoners although there is no ban on them, and conversation rights pf prisoners which has to be 10 hours a week is limited to 3 hours.
(01/276) Books Not Given to Prisoner…
It is learned from the news coverage of January 30, 2020 that, 2 books (Şehvetiye Tarikatı by İsmail Saymaz and Türklük Sözleşmesi: Oluşumu, İşleyişi ve Krizi by Barış Ünlü) send to a prisoner in Ümraniye T Type Prison, is not given to prisoner by prison administration on the grounds of “being obscene” and “intemperately criticising and accusing the state”. It is reported that Istanbul Anadolu Court of Execution No 2 rejected the appeal too.
(01/277) Police Intervention Against “I Want My Job Back” Protest in Ankara…
The police intervened the press declaration of public labourers who had been dismissed by a state of emergency decree and have been struggling 1178 days to regain their jobs, intended to be held in front of Human Rights Monument in Yüksel Street on January 30, 2020 at 13.30, and at 18.00.
It was reported that during police intervention against the press declaration which was planned to be held at 13.30 on January 30, 2020, 2 people (Mehmet Dersulu and Nazan Bozkurt) and at 18.00 2 people (Merve Demirel and Mehmet Dersulu) were detained.
Thus in total 4 people were detained due to press declaration intended to be held in Yüksel Street on January 30, 2020. It is learned detained people were released on the same days they were detained.
(01/278) Former Co-Mayor and Others on Trial in Şırnak…
The final trial of the case against 5 people [Mehmet Demir (former co-mayor of Kumçatı town of Şırnak), Veli Encü, and HDP employees Salih Kerçin, Mazlum Güzel and Şeyhmus Kerçin], on the charge of ‘being an illegal organisation member’ is held at Şırnak Heavy Penal Court No 1 on January 30, 2020.
The court sentenced Mehmet Demir and Mazlum Güzel to 7 years and 6 months on the charge of ‘being an illegal organisation’; Veli Encü and Şeyhmus Kerçin to 5 years on the charge of ‘knowingly and willingly aiding an illegal organisation’ and decided to continue detention of 4 people. The court acquitted Salih Kerçin.
5 people were detained on May 22, 2019 and were arrested on May 24, 2019.
(01/279) Lawyer on Trial in Istanbul…
It is learned from the news coverage of January 30, 2020 that the indictment of Istanbul Public Prosecutor’s Office against lawyer Kemal Aytaç, for “Justice Watch” in front of Istanbul Courthouse on May 4, 2017 is accepted by Istanbul Penal Court of First Instance No 9 and the first trial will be held on April 16, 2020.
The indictment demands sentence for Kemal Aytaç on the charge of ‘organising, leading and participating in illegal demonstrations and meeting’ according to Article 28 of Turkish Penal Code.
(01/280) Journalist on Trial in Izmir…
Jinnews reported Melike Aydın, who was detained on November 12, 2019 and was arrested on November 15, 2019 on the charge of ‘activities on behalf of an illegal organisation’, is released by the appeal made by her lawyers on January 30, 2020.
(01/281) HDP Members on Trial in Adana…
The first trial of the case against 26 members of People’s Democratic Party (HDP) Adana Youth Assembly, including 7 arrestees, is held at Adana Heavy Penal Court No 2 on January 30, 2020. After defence hearings the court decided to release 2 people and adjourned the trial to March 12, 2020.
(01/282) Investigation on Social Media Posts…
It is learned that the number of people investigated by Ankara Public Prosecutor’s Office on the grounds of ‘publicly degrading Turkish nation, Turkish state, institutions and organs of the state’ and ‘provoking worry, fear and panic among public’ by their social media posts about the earthquake that shook Elazığ on January 24, 2020, raised to 67.
(01/283) Constitutional Court Decision on the Appeal of a Prisoner…
The Constitutional Court concluded on the appeal of Resul Kocatürk, a prisoner in Kırıkkale F Type who was not allowed to be in his father’s funeral. The court’s decision is published on the official gazette on January 30, 2020 and the court ruled a compensation of 5.500 Turkish Liras for immaterial damages on the grounds of ‘violation of right to respect for private and family life’.
(01/284) Trials in Alleged Link to Coup Attempt…
The final trial of the case against 4 former executives of Kaynak Holding which was appointed a trustee by a state of emergency decree, is held at Istanbul Heavy Penal Court No 33 on January 30, 2020. The court sentenced 4 people to jail penalties from 9 years to 13 years and 6 months and decided to continue detention of them.
(01/285) Special Security Zone in Şırnak…
Şırnak Governorate made a declaration on January 30, 2020, and announced 15 areas with given coordinates in central, Cizre, Silopi, Uludere, Güçlükonak and Beytüşşebap districts as special security zones as of January 31, 2020 until February 14, 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.