Ile de France joins as a pilot region to the Council of Europe project to combat poverty, social and ethnic exclusion. The project brings a new approach: now instead of assistance different institutions work together with locals to reach specified goals.

Kemalist Thought Associations Diyarbakır branch chair Gül filed a complaint against the publication of a public survey in Milliyet daily, which aimed at establishing the allocation of ethnic, religious and ideological identities among Turkish people.

Two responsibles of the daily Vakit have been fined heavily in a court decision on grounds that they deliberately rendered target the State Council members who ruled against the wearing of headscarfs by schoolm teachers. Council was raided 3 months later

Turkey is reluctant to ratify and adopt international legislation against racial discrimination says Human Rights Association chair Yusuf Alatas. Together with legislative changes, government needs to work to eliminate various forms of discrimination

At least 40 people have been taken under custody in Istanbul during Kurds traditional Newroz festivities, which marks the beginning of spring. While people on the streets demand an end to violence, clashes between the police and demonstrators continued.

The investigation and the trial on the murder of Turkish-Armenian journalist Hrant Dink will have decisive consequences regarding the integrity and the trustfulness of the judiciary system in the eyes of people in Turkey, says joint attorney Fikret İlkiz.

More than 170 journalists, academics, artists and rights activists declared a petition, expressing their fear of the rising wave of violence in the country and urging all parties to act responsibly before the traditional Kurdish Newroz spring festivities

Press freedom organizations RSF and IFJ-Europe renewed their call for the release of BBC correspondent Alan Johnston who has been abducted in Gaza on March 12. No group has claimed responsibility for the abduction. RSF initiated a campaign for his release

Five thousand people gathered in Istanbul on the Global Day of Action, to protest the US invasion of Iraq on its 4th anniversary. Protests were organized all around Europe in the US and in Australia. Drop Bush, Not Bombs said protesters in New York.

Four years after the US-led invasion of Iraq, the toll of media deaths continues to mount. Iraq has become the worlds most dangerous country for the press said press freedom organization Reporters Sans Frontiers, protesting the US invasion of Iraq.

Hasip Kaplan of the pro-Kurdish Democratic Society Party condemned the recent chain od prosecutions aimed at party administrators. With a letter to government and jurisprudence officials, Such practices jeopardize our freedom of expression Kaplan said.

Transmission cables of four radio stations have been attacked in Adıyaman, which interrupted stations broadcast for two days as well as causing damage to materials. Security forces are investigating the incident.

Association for Supporting and Educating Women Candidates begins its campaign to increase women representation in politics before upcoming elections later this year. Only 5 percent of the MPs in the National Assembly are women.

Both press freedom organizations called on the Turkish army to stop using such a classification system and allow equal access to all media outlets. An internal Turkish army report was disclosed recently which classified media as pro-military or else.

Throughout March, health workers stage protests and strikes against government policies. This year on March 14, Day of Medicine, we focus on gender discrimination in the field. Women doctors come together to address their problems.

Prof. Yayla will face court for his criticism of the pervasive presence of images of Atatürk, founder of the Turkish Republic images in the country as well as the ideology named after him, Kemalizm. Theres a specific law to protect Atatürks legacy.

Journalist Uçar will be tried with the infamous article 301 of the Penal Code following criticizing the prosecution of a colleague for a book about a disappeared journalist. Hell stand trial on March 14 for insulting state institutions.

Activists, artists, writers and academics organized a Peace Fair this weekend to remember and protest once again the war in Iraq. For three days, theatre and music performances, gatherings voiced hopes for peace, deeming war.

Public Prosecutors Office rejected Istanbul Governorships complaint regarding the closure of Lambda GLBT association saying homosexuality isnt immoral in an era when gender discrimination is debated in society.

IPPNW-Europe named conscientious objector Osman Murat Ülke as this years Clara Immerwahr Award laureate. The award is presented since 1991 to people who have stood up against war, armament and for human rights despite personal disadvantage.