Tolga Korkut - Bianet

Tolga Korkut

Page 15

Conflict and Deaths Damage Everyone’s Mental Health

World Mental Health Day

Conflict and Deaths Damage Everyone’s Mental Health

The Mental Health Platform called for a culture of conflict resolution to replace the existing culture of conflict. Turkey needs a comprehensive mental health policy "focused on people, human rights and democracy."

10 October 2007

Suspended Sentence for Threatening Agos Newspaper

A 19-year old man has been given a two-year suspended sentence for sending an email threat to the Agos newspaper.

10 October 2007

Peace Requires "Social Transformation"

Prof. Dr. Sancar warned of the danger of seeing violence as the only problem in the Kurdish question.

End Violence - But How?

End Violence - But How?

DTP, ÖDP and human rights organisations have countered the mainstream discourse on an intensification in the fight against terrorism with a call for an end to violence and democratic reforms.

Kurdish Party: "We are Being Made Targets"

The pro-Kurdish DTP has protested against being shown as Turkey's enemies.

Parliament Will Investigate Attack in Sirnak

Parliament Will Investigate Attack in Sirnak

The Parliamentary Human Rights Commission will investigate the murder of 12 persons in Beytüssebap, Sirnak, which took place on Saturday.

Parliamentary Commission into Deaths of Dink and Okey

The Parliamentary Human Rights Commission has formed commissions to investigate deaths of journalist Hrant Dink and refugee Festus Okey.

Conference on Kurds in Diyarbakir

"Kurds in Turkey: Main Requirements for a Peace Process" was the title of the conference, which was held on 29 and 30 September in Diyarbakir.

Diyarbakir Lawyer: Officer's Confessions Carefully Timed

Diyarbakir Bar Association Tanrikulu says that soldiers only make confessions about their time in service when they are sure that the statute of limitations applies.

26 September 2007

Retired Officer Admits Abuse of Position

Retired Officer Admits Abuse of Position

A retired army officer has published a book entitled "I have Seen Betrayal" in which he recounts incidents of the army abusing its position, creating fake battles and disguising soldiers as PKK militants.

26 September 2007

Hüsnü Öndül IHD President Again

The Human Rights Association has reelected Hüsnü Öndül as its president in an extraordinaory general meeting.

26 September 2007

Domestic Media Obsessed with Malaysia

Domestic Media Obsessed with Malaysia

The domestic debate about whether there is a threat of Islamicisation in Turkey has been stoked by American comparisons of Turkey and Malaysia.

26 September 2007

Two Detention Deaths in One Month

Two Detention Deaths in One Month

Polish national Witek is said to have killed himself in detention; vital evidence in Okey case is "lost".

21 September 2007

Erdogan: "No Hurry for Constitution"

Erdogan: "No Hurry for Constitution"

Prime Minister Erdogan has said, "We are preparing a constitution for Turkey, not for the AKP. There is no text yet."

19 September 2007

9 Years for Killing of Refugee

The prosecution has demanded a sentence of 4.5-9 years for the police officer who shot Nigerian refugee Okey in the Beyoglu Police Department.

19 September 2007

Lawyers Protest Semdinli Court Transfer

Lawyers Protest Semdinli Court Transfer

Jurists doubt military court will guarantee a fair trial. Human Rights Law specialist Terzi: The soldiers need to be tried in a civil court.

19 September 2007

AKP "Putting Veneer on the 12 September Citizenship"

AKP "Putting Veneer on the 12 September Citizenship"

As the AKP is presenting its draft for a new constitution, it becomes clear that not much has changed. Prof. Dr. Oran criticises "compulsory citizenship".

17 September 2007

Kurdish Question: Action, Not Words Needed

Kurdish Question: Action, Not Words Needed

After President Gül's visit to Diyarbakir, Kurdish representatives call for fewer words and more action.

17 September 2007

Semdinli Trial in Military Court

Semdinli Trial in Military Court

The Van 3rd Penal Court decreed that it was not responsible for the Semdinli trial; the case has been sent to military court.

17 September 2007

"Police Cover Up in Okey's Death"

The Contemporary Lawyers' Association (CHD) calls for police officers, responsible for Nigerian immigrant Okey off duty and an immediate investigation by the prosecution.

13 September 2007

Bomb Explosion Prevented in Ankara

The police yesterday deactivated a 300 kg bombing device in Ankara. Al Qaida and PKK are suspected.

12 September 2007

Anniversary of Military Coup

Young Civilians Movement Remembers 12 September

A workshop to "repair the 12 September constitution" will take place today in central Istanbul. Yesterday, the coup was symbolically put on trial.

12 September 2007

Referendum Starts at Borders

The referendum on changes in general and presidential elections will begin at the borders tomorrow.

10 September 2007

From the Classroom to the News Room

"Journalism is a Peace Profession"

Journalists Utku and Duran joined the IPS training programme: journalists should oppose war.

9 September 2007

IPS Training for Young Journalists

"From the Classroom to the News Room"

The IPS Communications Foundation has offered young journalist candidates the opportunity of a "media preparatory programme". Journalist Talu, lawyer Yilmaz and Assistant Professor Alankus lead a discussion on alternative media.

4 September 2007

Turkey Peace Parliament: Results Report

The first plenum of the Turkey Peace Parliament on 1 September has resulted in a report, a summary of which is given below.

4 September 2007

Turkey Peace Parliament: Do Not Ignore Kurdish Question

Turkey Peace Parliament: Do Not Ignore Kurdish Question

Following a conference in January which convened to look for peaceful solutions to the Kurdish question, the Turkey Peace Parliament assembled in Ankara on 1 September, Peace Day. The AKP government has been called on to stop pretending to act and to look for solutions.

4 September 2007

hCa Condemns Refugee Death in Police Custody

After Nigerian refugee Festus Okey was killed in police custody on 20 August, the Helsinki Citizens' Assembly has condemned police violence.

Police Not to Be Questioned in Dink Murder Trial

Police Not to Be Questioned in Dink Murder Trial

Although the Istanbul Public Prosecution had posited that Trabzon police officers had "neglected their duties of crime prevention", the Trabzon Governor's Office will not allow the questioning of eight of its officers.

Gül: Domestic Media Reactions

Gül: Domestic Media Reactions

Most domestic headlines struck a neutral tone, covering Gül's oath-taking ceremony and his inaugural address to parliament.

President Gül: What to Expect

Academics and analysts had made predictions about Gül's presidency before he was elected. Here is a review of what they said.

Gül Makes Inaugural Speech

In his first speech to parliament after his oath-taking ceremony, Gül has promised to stay faithful to the constitution and embrace all sections of society.