Kurdish Centre for Human Rights
Centre Kurde des Droits de l’Homme
The Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office in Istanbul has brought charges against six journalists who were arrested in early March for their reporting on Libya. Accused of disclosing state secrets, the journalists face a prison sentence of between eight and seventeen years for “violation of the intelligence law”.
Read More “Up to 17 years’ imprisonment sought for six journalists” »
The Asrın Law Office representing Abdullah Öcalan and his three fellow prisoners on Imralı has called on the CPT committee to ensure that all necessary measures are taken on the prison island for protection from Coronavirus.
Read More “Asrın Law Office calls on the CPT to act for Imralı” »
Prisoners in Marmara Region jails conveyed their problems through their families. The prisoners are given detergent in a tea glass, the guards hold the count without wearing masks, and cleaning products are sold at exorbitant prices.
Read More “Prisoners say they are given a tea glass of detergent” »
The coronavirus outbreak has not stopped torture in Turkish prisons. Prisoners in Adana Kürkçüler F-Type Prison who protested the government for its inaction which led to the death of Grup Yorum member Helin Bölek, after almost 300 days on death fast, were beaten.
The Dicle Fırat Journalists’ Association (DFG, Dicle Fırat Gazeteciler Derneği) draws attention in its March report on press freedom in Turkey to the difficult working conditions of media workers in the corona crisis. Their task of informing the public about current developments requires them to continue their work under all circumstances, but journalists are exposed to a high risk due to inadequate protective measures.
Read More “DFG: Over a hundred journalists still jailed despite pandemic in Turkey” »
“As seriously ill prisoners face a much more serious risk in case of an epidemic disease, we request their release by deferring the execution of their prison sentences,” said the IHD in a statement.
Read More “IHD reiterates that ill prisoners must be released immediately” »
The Freedom for Sick Prisoners Initiative could not make their weekly action outside because of the coronavirus emergency and held press conferences in Ankara and Istanbul instead.
Read More “IHD demands release of prisoners before is too late” »
United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet has called on governments to take urgent action to protect the health and safety of people in detention and other closed facilities, as part of overall efforts to contain the COVID-19 pandemic.
Read More “UN calls on governments to reduce the number of prisoners” »