Tolga Korkut - Bianet

Tolga Korkut

Page 9

Minister Arınç Has Asked Akman to Leave Office

"Lighthouse" Scandal

Minister Arınç Has Asked Akman to Leave Office

Following allegations of his involvement in the "Lighthouse" association embezzlement scandal, Akman, president of RTÜK, has been asked to step down.

Minister of Interior: No Repeat of Zana Case

Investigation of DTP MPs:

Minister of Interior: No Repeat of Zana Case

Referring to the arrest of MPs in 1994, Minister of the Interior Atalay has said that such an event would not happen again.

UN Convention Would Help Find the Disappeared

Turkey has yet to sign the Un treaty. İHD chair Öztürkdoğan explains how it would benefit efforts to determine the fate of around 1500 disappeared persons during the 1990s.

Ankara Court Rules that President Gül May Be Tried

Ankara Court Rules that President Gül May Be Tried

An Ankara Court has decreed that current President Abdullah Gül may face trial for his involvement in a corruption scandal in the 1990s. The presidency has rejected such a possibility.

Province Human Rights Board Report

Children's Situation in Diyarbakır Prison is "Desperate"

A province human rights delegation has called for drastic improvements in conditions for children in prison in Diyarbakır.

DTP MPs Face Prosecution Despite Immunity

DTP MPs Face Prosecution Despite Immunity

Six members of the pro-Kurdish DTP face trials because of speeches they made, despite having parliamentarian immunity.

Swine Flu Arrives in Turkey: 6 Tourists in Quarantine

Swine Flu Arrives in Turkey: 6 Tourists in Quarantine

A US tourist and his mother identified as carrying the H1N1 virus. Other family members have also been quarantined.

Local Elections in Turkey Cost 26 Lives

Human Rıghts Foundatıon Report

Local Elections in Turkey Cost 26 Lives

According to a report by the Human Rights Foundation, 26 people died and 370 were injured during local elections in March.

“Light House” Money Said to Have Financed Political Party in Turkey

“Light House” Donation Scandal

“Light House” Money Said to Have Financed Political Party in Turkey

Kılıç of the CHP has said that around 900 million Euros were collected in Germany in the last decade. He is asking where the money went.

Names of 12,211 Villages Were Changed in Turkey

Names of 12,211 Villages Were Changed in Turkey

According to Ass. Prof. Tunçel, 35 percent of villages in Turkey have had their names changed since 1940.

“Indirect Negotiations with PKK Seem to Have Begun”

Analysıs by Mesut Yeğen

“Indirect Negotiations with PKK Seem to Have Begun”

According to Ass. Prof. Yeğen, utterances by Minister of the Interior Atalay and PKK leader Karayılan are sending similar messages.

KURDISH ISSUE

"We Need Democracy, Not More Security"

Peace activist, writer Tahmaz criticizes the recently announced "Under-secretariat of Public Order and Security," which would coordinate counter-terrorism activities. "Tightening the security won't solve the Kurdish issue, only political reforms could," he says.

“Monumental Opportunity” for Solution to Kurdish Question

Kurdısh Polıtıcıan Ahmet Türk

“Monumental Opportunity” for Solution to Kurdish Question

The co-chair of the DTP said, “The public wants an end to violence. We are ready to meet the government on the path towards a solution.”

MP Calls for Government’s Responsibility to Be Investigated

After the Mardin massacre

MP Calls for Government’s Responsibility to Be Investigated

Diyarbakır MP Birdal has called for an investigation into the massacre in Mardin.

Trade Unionists Call on New Cabinet to Do Its Duties

Trade Unionists Call on New Cabinet to Do Its Duties

Trade union leaders have urged the new cabinet to protect the poor and unemployed from the crisis, to pass new trade union laws and a democratic constitution.

Labour Day March Sung in Taksim after Years of Silence

1 May 2009

Labour Day March Sung in Taksim after Years of Silence

More than 5,000 people gathered in Taksim Square for 1 May. The celebration ended at 1.30 pm.

Labour Day March Sung in Taksim after Years of Silence

1 May 2009

Labour Day March Sung in Taksim after Years of Silence

More than 5,000 people gathered in Taksim Square for 1 May. The celebration ended at 1.30 pm.

Governor and Police Chief Defend “Successful Operation”

Police Operation in Istanbul

Governor and Police Chief Defend “Successful Operation”

Following a police operation in Bostancı that resulted in three deaths, the Istanbul governor and chief of police have insisted it was a success.

Dashnak Party Withdraws from Armenian Government

Dashnak Party Withdraws from Armenian Government

The Dashnak Party has withdrawn from government in protest at Turkish-Armenian rapprochement.

Intellectuals to Support DTP in Parliament

Intellectuals to Support DTP in Parliament

Around 20 people will join the group meeting of the pro-Kurdish DTP in parliament. The Peace Parliament has called for support of the party, which, they say, “is necessary for peace.”

“We Don’t Need to Ask Permission to Gather in Taksim”

Trade unionist Okcan says that workers have not and will not apply to Istanbul’s governor for permission to gather in Taksim Square on Labour Day.

"We Were So Sure We Were Unbiased Journalists...”

At a basic journalism seminar in Thrace, local journalists discussed the independence of journalists, correct reporting, photo reporting and creative journalism.

“DTP Operation Violates Right to Defence”

Lawyer Muharrem Erbey of Diyarbakır’s Human Rights Association says that the DTP members arrested do not know what they are being accused of. More than 250 people are said to have been detained, and around 80 arrested.

"Kurdish Issue Is Bigger Than Disarming the PKK"

Peace activist, journalist Tahmaz regards initiatives to end armed struggle important "but the problem is about giving Kurds their rights".

Court Rejects Investigation into Kurdish Parliament Speech

The Ankara Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office has decided not to investigate the speech that DTP co-chair Ahmet Türk made at a party group meeting in parliament.

Chief of Staff’s Speech Did Not Impress Kurdish Politician

Chief of Staff’s Speech Did Not Impress Kurdish Politician

Chief of Staff İlker Başbuğ made his annual evaluation speech at the War Academies Command in Istanbul on 14 April. Kurdish politician Ekinci sees no great change to the past.

Call to Protest against Government’s Crisis Package

Call to Protest against Government’s Crisis Package

The “7th Package Initiative” is starting a protest in Taksim on Tuesday, planning to increase the number of protestors every day.

Every Three Days Mines Kill or Maim a Person

Öğreten of the Initiative for a Turkey without Mines says that Turkey has violated international agreements by not destroying its stock of 2.5 million mines. Turkey also needs to clear 1 million buried mines by 2014.

G20 Deal Doomed to Fail

G20 Deal Doomed to Fail

Professor Tonak argues that the G20 deal is prepared assuming "there's enough production and consumption" to support the sanctions. He further criticizes G20 leaders to avoid tackling the causes of the crisis.

“2011 Elections Must be Electronic”

CHP Istanbul party chair Tekin has demanded that the next elections, which will be the general elections in 2011, be electronic to avoid tampering and the high number of invalid votes.

Nothing to Celebrate About GDP "Rise"

Government announces that per capita income exceeds 10 thousand dollars but economist Önder is skeptical. "What's important is income distribution and there's appalling inequalities."

Obama to Meet Opposition Leaders Separately

Obama to Meet Opposition Leaders Separately

Parliamentary Speaker Toptan has announced that US President Obama will meet opposition leaders separately. DTP leader Türk and CHP leader Baykal had agreed to a group meeting of opposition leaders, but MHP leader Bahçeli has criticised such an arrangement as “unethical”.