RIGHTS - Bianet

RIGHTS

Page 243

Military Investigation on The Death of Private Leads to Confusion

Local Military prosecutor concludes that private Yuksel, whose death was formerly announced a fatality during a clash with the guerrrilla PKK, had committed suicide in September 2008.

Kurdish Politician Sentenced to Plant Trees for Criticizing PM

Mahmut Alınak is condemned by court for his statement against PM Erdogan's visit to his hometown Kars. The court rules that his remarks are "insulting".

4 March 2009 Erol Önderoğlu

Four Convictions for “Lightbulb Tayyip” Slogans

A court in Bursa has handed out deferred prison sentences to four people for shouting slogans about Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan.

4 March 2009 Erol Önderoğlu

ECHR Condemns Action Against Petitions for Kurdish Courses

The Strasbourg court rules for damages regarding the application of 18 university students, who were suspended from university for demanding selective courses in Kurdish.

Journalist's Murder Case Barred by Statue of Limitations

Two suspects of daily Milliyet's editor-in-chief İpekçi's murder are acquitted as 30 years pass over the incident. Colleagues had protested that İpekçi's death still partly remains in dark.

3 March 2009 Erol Önderoğlu

Apology Campaign to Be Investigated

A Heavy Penal Court has overruled the decision of the Ankara prosecution to dismiss proceedings in the case of the campaign of apologising to Armenians.

3 March 2009 Erol Önderoğlu

Agos Newspaper Interview with Kürkçü on Armenian Question

Robert Koptaş from the Turkish-Armenian newspaper Agos interviews bianet’s Ertuğrul Kürkçü, following the latter’s article entitled “An apology owed”, published in Turkish on bianet’s website on 19 January 2009.

2 March 2009 Robert Koptaş

“Turkey Not Abiding by ECHR Decrees”

A conference organised by the Centre for Global Studies at Yıldız Technical University has shown that Turkey has not changed its policies in the aftermath of certain ECHR decrees.

2 March 2009 Erol Önderoğlu

Letter from Prison Proves Torture Killed Rights Activist

Letter from Prison Proves Torture Killed Rights Activist

The court considering the death of activist Çeber has been given a letter written by the deceased and smuggled out of prison by a cell mate. A lawyer for his family believes that this will prove the defendants in the case are lying.

2 March 2009 Tolga Korkut

Retired Diplomats and Generals Urge Solution to Kurdish Issue

Retired Diplomats and Generals Urge Solution to Kurdish Issue

A report on “Turkey today and tomorrow” also considers the Kurdish issue. Retired diplomats and generals are quoted as calling for a domestic solution.

26 February 2009 Tolga Korkut

"Zirve Massacre Related to Deep State"

Attending lawyer Ozkan says that the arrest of two more suspects isn't enough to reveal the full picture behind the murders of three people in Malatya, on allegations of "missionary activities".

26 February 2009 Erol Önderoğlu

What Kurdish MP Said in Mother Tongue – Whole Text

Below follows the English translation of the Turkish version of what DTP politician Ahmet Türk said at his party group meeting in parliament in Kurdish.

26 February 2009

AKP Politician Unconcerned with Constitutional Equality for Gays

In the following article, a member of the publishing team of KAOS LG takes issue with an AKP MP's discriminatory attitude towards homosexuals and transsexuals as expressed on television.

26 February 2009 Umut Güner

Diyarbakır Police Prevents Release of Children

Diyarbakır Police Prevents Release of Children

Two children arrested for “membership in an illegal organisation” after taking part in protests during PM Erdoğan’s visit are being tried in detention. Rights activists came to watch the trials.

26 February 2009 Erhan Üstündağ

Ministry of Justice Allows for Two Protestants Trial

Although missionary activities are not criminalized, two people are on trial for "insulting Turkishness" among other accusations for dispensing bibles and making speeches against Islam and the military.

25 February 2009 Erol Önderoğlu

Journalists Banned From Covering PM's Rally

PM Erdogan visits Corum to attend his party's election rally. Four local journalists and a correspondent for leftist daily Evrensel are not permitted to cover the event, upon an arbitrary request by PM's Security Department.

25 February 2009 Erol Önderoğlu

One Acquittal for Kurdish Song, One More Court Case to Go

Broadcasting editor Arslan of Radio Dünya says that a case brought against the station for playing the folk song Mihemendo two years ago has ended in acquittal. But another case is still in court.

25 February 2009 Erol Önderoğlu

Kurdish Politician Speaks Mother Tongue in Parliament, Live Broadcast Cut

Kurdish Politician Speaks Mother Tongue in Parliament, Live Broadcast Cut

Parliament Speaker Toptan ordered a cut in the live broadcasting from parliament when Türk, co-chair of the Kurdish DTP spoke Kurdish in a party meeting at parliament.

25 February 2009 Tolga Korkut

Second Court Case for Turkish Publisher of “God Delusion”

Following a first acquittal eleven months ago, publisher Karaslan now faces a second court case for the publication of Dawkin’s “The God Delusion”.

24 February 2009 Erol Önderoğlu

Court Says "Feel Free to Insult Those Apologising to Armenians"

An Istanbul court has decreed that journalist Can Ataklı’s claim that some people have received money from the EU to sign an apology campaign falls within the boundaries of freedom of thought. Lawyers have accused the judges of subjectivity.

24 February 2009 Erol Önderoğlu

Independent Media Will Bring Turkey and Germany Closer

At a conference organised by the Goethe Institute in Istanbul, journalists from Turkey and Germany expressed the need for more empathy between the two countries. bianet’s Kürkçü believes that an independent media is needed for that to happen.

23 February 2009 Bawer Çakır

Racist Film in Schools: Lawyer Calls on Parents to Sue

Lawyer Fethiye Çetin has called on parents to go to court to prevent schools from screening a racist “documentary” dealing with the controversial events of 1915.

23 February 2009 Tolga Korkut

UNESCO: 15 Languages Endangered in Turkey

UNESCO: 15 Languages Endangered in Turkey

According to the Atlas of the World’s Languages in Danger published by UNESCO prior to 21 February, International Mother Language Day, 15 languages are endangered in Turkey, and Turkey is doing nothing to save them.

22 February 2009 Tolga Korkut

Court Will Hear New Witnesses in Zirve Massacre Case

At the 15th hearing of the case, the court ordered 10 others to testify on the murder of three Protestants for alleged "missionary activities." Lawyers insist deep state involvement has been revealed.

22 February 2009 Erol Önderoğlu

IPI Accuses Prime Minister of Intimidating Media

A representative of the IPI National Committee says that it “cannot be coincidence” that journalists and newspapers are being put under pressure at the same time.

19 February 2009 Erol Önderoğlu

Attacked Journalist Yarayan’s Condition Life-Threatening

The owner of Siirt Birlik newspaper, Diya Yarayan, was attacked by four people and has been in hospital since. His wife says that he is not out of danger yet.

19 February 2009 Erol Önderoğlu

Şırnak Prosecution Finally Looking for “Death Wells”

Şırnak Prosecution Finally Looking for “Death Wells”

A prosecutor in Şırnak province has examined a military complex and the road leading from Cizre to Silopi. The Bar Association is also calling for an examination of the graveyard for the poor.

19 February 2009 Tolga Korkut

Gendarmerie Commander in Dink Case Gets away with “Negligence”

A Trabzon court has decreed that Gendarmerie Commander Colonel Öz and five other soldiers will be tried for negligence for not preventing the murder of journalist Hrant Dink.

19 February 2009 Erol Önderoğlu

AKP and CHP Promise Change in Terrorism Law for Children

AKP and CHP Promise Change in Terrorism Law for Children

A delegation of human rights activists from Diyarbakır visited parliament yesterday, protesting against the fact that hundreds of children are being tried for alleged membership in a terrorist organisation.

19 February 2009 Erhan Üstündağ

Children Exposed to Racist Propaganda Movie

A "documentary" on the events of 1915 prepared by the Turkish army incites protest by NGOs and individuals. The nation-wide showing of the propaganda material in schools will instill hatred in a whole generation they warn.

18 February 2009

Cities Must Deal with Forced Migration

Cities Must Deal with Forced Migration

As political parties are vying for votes in the upcoming local elections, token gestures are being made towards the urban poor. However, the underlying reason, forced migration, is being ignored.

17 February 2009 Bawer Çakır

“Solve Kurdish Question with Redefinition of Citizenship”

Kurdish politician Ekinci argues that Turkey has not taken any concrete steps to solve the Kurdish issue since PKK leader Öcalan’s capture ten years ago. He calls for constitutional change.

17 February 2009 Bawer Çakır