Human Rights Foundation of Turkey Documentation Center – 20 September Report
Operations and Attacks in Southeast…
It is learned from the news coverage of September 19, 2019 that, 2 militants died in a clash between security forces and HPG militants in rural areas of Beytüşşebap district of Şırnak on September 17, 2019; 1 HPG militant died in a clash in rural areas of Bitlis on September 17, 2019; 2 HPG militants died in two clashes in rural areas of Çukurca district of Hakkari on September 3 and September 6, 2019; 2 HPG militants died in an air operation to Xakurkê area in Iraqi Kurdistan Regional Government on September 4, 2019.
Torture and Ill-Treatment in Prison…
It is learned from the news coverage of September 19, 2019 that, prisoners in Osmaniye T Type Prison were forced to stand up in military order during roll-calls, and those who reject to it were subjected to physical violence of the wardens, 10 prisoners are kept in wards for 3 persons, and prisoners’ right to health and social, cultural and sportive activities were limited.
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 1045 days to regain their jobs, intended to be held in front of Human Rights Monument in Yüksel Street on September 19, 2019 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 September 19, 2019, 2 people (Mehmet Dersulu and Merve Demirel) and at 18.00 2 people (Acun Karadağ, Nazan Bozkurt and Gülnaz Bozkurt) were detained.
Thus in total 4 people were detained due to press declaration intended to be held in Yüksel Street on September 19, 2019. It is learned detained people were released on the same days they were detained.
Police Intervention Against a Protest in Ankara…
The police intervened the sit-in protest in front of Justice and Development Party’s (AKP) Ankara office on September 19, 2019 by Cemal Yıldırım who rally to regain his job at Ministry of Finance from which he had been dismissed by state of emergency decree, and detained Cemal Yıldırım and 2 people who support him (Labourist Movement Party (EHP) Ankara chair Sanem Deniz Kural and Mahmut Konuk). It is learned that 3 people were released on the same day.
The police also detained Emine Uyanık and Melek Çetinkaya, mothers of military school students sentenced to life imprisonment after July 15 coup attempt, since they wanted to have a sit-in protest there too.
Police Intervention Against a Protest in Ankara…
The police intervened the sit-in protest in front of Justice and Development Party’s (AKP) Ankara office on September 19, 2019 by Meral Kuruç, whose son was sentenced to life imprisonment in July 15 coup attempt related cases, and detained Meral Kuruç.
It is learned that Şahide Yumuş, who was in front of AKP office for the same reason and Sümeyye Yılmaz, spouse of Mustafa Yılmaz who was abducted in Ankara on February 19, 2019, were prevented by the police.
It is also reported that, Hamide Göçer, whose son was also sentenced to life imprisonment in July 15 coup attempt related cases, was threatened as “if you keep coming here you will be arrested” by AKP executives that she met in AKP office.
Police Intervention Against a Protest in Batman…
The police intervened the protest of dismissed municipality workers in front of AKP Batman office on September 19, 2019. Workers have been dismissed after AKP wins the local elections in Sason district of Batman on March 31, 2019. The number and names of detained people are unknown.
HDP Executives on Trial in Antalya…
The indictment against People’s Democratic Party (HDP) Alanya district co-chair Safiye Dalgıç, district executive Abdulhekim Aktaş and Democratic Regions Party (DBP) Alanya district executive Tefra Akçın, on the charge of ‘being an illegal organisation member’ is accepted by Antalya Heavy Penal Court No 8. The first trial will be held on October 2, 2019.
Safiye Dalgıç, Abdulhekim Aktaş and Tefra Akçın were detained on July 8, 2018 and were arrested by the court on July 12, 2019.
ECHR Decision on Prison Transfers Under Coercion…
It is learned from the news coverage of September 19, 2019 that European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) concluded on the appeal of 2 prisoners who have been transferred to Kırıkkale Prison under coercion. ECHR decided that “Right to respect for private and family life” (Article 8 of European Convention of Human Rights) was violated and that 2 applicants should be paid a 6.000 Euro of compensation.
Abdülkerim Avşar, whose family lived in Diyarbakır then, and Abdülkerim Tekin, whose family lived in Siirt then, were transferred to Kırıkkale F Type Prison under coercion in 2008 and the appeals of their lawyers were rejected by Ministry of Justice.
Trials in Alleged Link to Coup Attempt…
The final trial of the case against former Supreme Court judge Ahmet Toker, is held at Penal Department No 9 of Supreme Court on September 19, 2019. The court sentenced defendant to 14 years and 3 months for ‘being an illegal organisation member’.
The final trial of the case against Ömer Tunç, former deputy director of Logistics Department of Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality, is held at Istanbul Heavy Penal Court No 34 on September 19, 2019. The court sentenced defendant to 16 years 5 months and 15 days for ‘attempt to abolish constitutional order’, ‘violating privacy of workplace’ and ‘possession of unregistered firearm’.
Banned Books…
It is learned from the news coverage of September 19, 2019 that 2 books, “From the Ashes of Angels: The Forbidden Legacy of a Fallen Race” by Avesta Publishing and “Song of the Soil” by Aram Publishing are banned by Kars Penal Court of Peace.
It is reported that these 2 books were sent to a prisoner in Kars T Type Prison, and the books were not given to prisoner but were sent to Kars Police Directorate although there was no ban on them, and this was followed by ban verdict of Kars Penal Court of Peace.
Ban of Events in Muş…
Muş Governorate made a declaration on September 19, 2019 and announced that over trustee appointment to Diyarbakır, Mardin and Van; all events such as demonstrations, press declarations, meetings, sit-ins, opening stands and tents, festivals, concerts, delivering leaflets and so on are banned for 15 days as of September 20, 2019. This is the third time of governorate ban on events for 15 days in Muş.
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