The Court of Appeals overruled the decision regarding a compensation claim to be paid by NTV for publishing a phone talk between Dink murder case defendant Tuncel and police officer Zenit. The reversal of the previous decree stresses the right to inform and the freedom of the press.

According to the Turkish Confederation of Labour Unions, 2009 was once more characterized by labour rights violations, extortion of rights and police interventions against workers seeking their rights. The confederation announced continuous and extended protest actions for 2010.

The Human Rights Foundation of Turkey was established on 30 December 1990. In the last 19 years, the organization provided help and support services to more than 12,000 torture victims. Several times, the foundation was awarded for its work, including dozens of acknowledged books and reports.

Defendants Türüt and Şirin, lyrics writer and vocalist respectively of a folk song which praises the murder of Turkish-Armenian journalist Hrant Dink, have been acquitted. Defendant Öztekin received a 1 year prison sentence for producing and publishing the video clip.

Judge Kayan carried out the fifth search of the Special Forces. The court released all 8 soldiers that had been arrested after the first search last week despite the prosecutors' request of keeping three military officers in detention.

Conscientious objector Enver Aydemir claims that he was exposed to torture and maltreatment in prison for refusing to wear military clothes. Aydemir started a hunger strike to express his protest. His wife, his father and lawyer Yılmaz filed a criminal complaint.

Another 24 people have been taken into custody in the Turkish cities of Van and Batman. The total number of arrests throughout the last week in the scope of the operation against Peace and Democracy Party mounts to 47 people. The Peace Council of Turkey criticized the course of action.

The General Staff has sent a writ to the court dealing with the JITEM case saying, "There is no such established unit connected to us". Lawyer Elçi awaits a reply on the matter by the Gendarmerie Command. Meanwhile, witnesses have claimed evidence for the existence of JİTEM.

A crowd of about 750 people attacked a group of 15 people who were making a press release concerning the demand for the release of 3 friends of theirs in Edirne. 6 people were injured. The lynch attempt could be stopped upon the request of the Chief of Police.

Former military judge Kardaş evaluates the search at the Special Forces Command as "an opportunity to eliminate the counter guerrillas and Gladio". Kardaş said the unit established by NATO in 1952 has no legal base anymore and should be abrogated.

After 2 military officers were arrested last week because of an alleged assassination plan regarding Deputy Prime Minister Bülent Arınç, prosecutors searched premises of the Special Forces Command in 3 consecutive raids. The duration of custody for 8 arrested soldiers has been prolonged.

In order to support the resistance of TEKEL workers, unions affiliated with Türk-İş, DİSK and KESK interrupted work for 1 hour on Friday, 25 December. The 3 union confederations pronounced to repeat their action every Friday as a warning to the government.

Activists in Istanbul demonstrated for a boycott against Israel because of the country's attacks on Gaza one year ago. The demonstrators criticized that Turkey is acting on double standards regarding the issue of Palestine.

23 people of a total of 35 taken into custody on 24 December are kept in detention, among them 7 mayors, İHD Deputy Chairman Muharem Erbey and Democratic Society Congress spokesman Hatip Dicle.

The State Council Administrative Board of Litigation accepted the objection of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs against holding the enforcement of the GDO regulations. The regulations are again in effect.

The State Council Administrative Board of Litigation accepted the objection of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs against holding the enforcement of the GDO regulations. The regulations are again in effect.

The court declined the request of third party plaintiffship made by families of Arıkan and Demir who were killed in an operation against Dev-Sol. Lawyer Kozağaçlı from the Contemproray Lawyers Association warned that criminal offences are being covered up.

Fishermen from the Gulf of İğneada won their case against filling in a part of the gulf and building an industrial pier. With their struggle, the fishermen prevented the region to be turned into an industrial area.

2 eye-witnesses testified in the murder case of Ahmet Yılıdız. The victim's father, on trial as a defendant, is still fugitive. The judge did not accept representatives of 2 NGOs to the public hearing. Lawyer Söyle said, "The court's attitude regarding the arrest of the defendant does not give any hope".

A DTP delegation visited the Mahmur refugee camp in Iraq. Many Turks forced to migrate in the early 1990s because of clashes and evacuations of villages are still living in the camp. The Turkish refugees want to come back to their home country and voiced the conditions for their return to the delegation.