Kurdish question

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Cyprus Controversy in Parliament

Cyprus Controversy in Parliament

BDP Deputy Ertuğrul Kürkçü and CHP MP Şafak Pavey launched a discussion in Parliament upon their statements on the European Union and Cyprus. Kürkçü said that the Kurdish question and Cyprus were the fundamental problems of the country that needed to be discussed to find a solution.

14 December 2011

Criminal Complaint due to Chemical Weapons

Criminal Complaint due to Chemical Weapons

The Human Rights Association, MEYA-DER, the Diyarbakır Medical Chamber and the relatives of the deceased PKK members filed a criminal complaint about the people in charge related to the alleged use of chemical weapons in the Kazan Valley.

7 December 2011 Ekin Karaca

International Delegation Investigates Alleged Use of Chemical Weapons

International Delegation Investigates Alleged Use of Chemical Weapons

A European delegation investigates the alleged use of chemical weapons at the Kazan Valley in the course of an armed conflict that left 37 PKK members dead. The delegation took samples and will discuss their observations with experts.

28 November 2011

70 Arrests in Istanbul and Diyarbakır

KCK OPERATIONS

70 Arrests in Istanbul and Diyarbakır

34 people were arrested in Istanbul on 26 November. They were part of a group of 46 people, mostly lawyers, who were taken into custody on 22 November in the course of KCK operations. In Diyarbakır, 36 out of 43 people in custody were detained.

28 November 2011

The Deaths of a Son and a Daugther - A Soldier and a Guerrilla

TWO SIDES OF THE KURDISH QUESTION

The Deaths of a Son and a Daugther - A Soldier and a Guerrilla

bianet talked to the brothers of killed soldier Onur Karakuş and to the mother of killed guerrilla Ebru Muhikancı. They tell us who is hurt the most by the pain of this war.

11 November 2011 Işıl Cinmen

"Investigating alleged Use of Chemical Weapons"

HAKKARI IHD

"Investigating alleged Use of Chemical Weapons"

The Hakkari Branch of the Human Rights Association investigates allegations regarding the use of chemical weapons in the Kazan Valley. Branch chair Akbulut said they took samples from the region for an analysis. They also found body parts which they sent to the prosecution.

2 November 2011 Yüce Yöney

Parliament and Prime Ministry Closed their Doors

Parliament and Prime Ministry Closed their Doors

The security summit held in parliament on 20 October was closed to the press "in order to talk about everything openly and precisely". Prime Minister Erdoğan was going to meet representatives of the press later.

21 October 2011

PKK Released Eight Hostages; One Soldier Abducted

PKK Released Eight Hostages; One Soldier Abducted

The militant Kurdistan Workers' Party released four workers and four village guards. One special sergeant was kidnapped. 19 people are still being kept hostage, including twelve teachers.

Woman and Child Killed in Attack on Police Car

Woman and Child Killed in Attack on Police Car

A Woman and a child died in an armed attack on a police car in Batman in the South-East. One police officer and three civilians were wounded.

27 September 2011

"Don't Let Armed Conflicts Spiral out of Control"

INTERNATIONAL CRISIS GROUP

"Don't Let Armed Conflicts Spiral out of Control"

The International Crisis Group published a report on findings related to the Kurdish questions and proposals for a solution. The report emphasized that the problem has not and will not be solved by war and with military tactics.

22 September 2011

"Ground Operations Might Start any Time"

"Ground Operations Might Start any Time"

Minister of the Interior Şahin declared that a date for cross-border ground operations was not going to be fixed. "Operations can be carried out any time and an evaluation of the topic is still being continued", Şahin announced.

15 September 2011

Voice Records of Talks between Government and PKK?

KURDISH QUESTION

Voice Records of Talks between Government and PKK?

Voice records emerged in the internet that allegedly feature talks between members of the National Intelligence Agency and of the militant Kurdistan Workers' Party held during the negotiation period.

14 September 2011

4 Civilians Killed, 14 People still Kept Hostage

4 Civilians Killed, 14 People still Kept Hostage

Four civilians, one soldier and one police officer were killed in an armed conflict in Şemdinli on 11 September. A total of 14 people who were abducted since July are still being kept hostage by the Kurdistan Workers' Party.

13 September 2011

Alleged Execution after Surrender

Alleged Execution after Surrender

Former Van Gendarmerie Regiment Commander İyigün stands accused of having executed two PKK members and one civilian who had surrendered already.

8 September 2011

General Staff: Aerial Strike on 20 PKK Hideouts

General Staff: Aerial Strike on 20 PKK Hideouts

According to a statement by the General Staff, 20 hideouts of the PKK have been attacked. Meanwhile, soldiers were brought to the Turkish-Iraqi border. Protestors against the operations encountered police interventions and tear gas in Istanbul and Diyarbakır.

Protests at Iranian Border

Protests at Iranian Border

A three-day protest action at the Turkish-Iranian border against military operations in northern Iran was brought to a preliminary end on 2 August. Protests in the region are expected to increase.

3 August 2011 Ekin Karaca

Convicted for "Passing on Greetings"

Convicted for "Passing on Greetings"

Mehmet Bayraktar, lawyer of imprisoned PKK leader Öcalan, was sentenced to one year behind bars on the grounds of delivering Öcalan's greetings at a meeting. The decision was brought to the Court of Appeals.

Separate Trials for Kurdish and Non-Kurdish Defendants

ZEYTİNBURNU RIOTS

Separate Trials for Kurdish and Non-Kurdish Defendants

The people taken into custody in the course of riots in Zeytinburnu/Istanbul with a Kurdish background were taken to the Anti-Terror Branch, the others were sent to the Public Order Branch. The prosecution of both groups will be held at different courts.

29 July 2011 Işıl Cinmen

72 People in Police Custody in Istanbul

72 People in Police Custody in Istanbul

The Istanbul Police announced on its website that 43 people were taken into custody on 23 July because they "organized incidents" in Zeytinburnu/Istanbul. Another 29 people were taken into custody in the course of related operations.

Military Operations in South-Eastern Turkey Intensified

Military Operations in South-Eastern Turkey Intensified

Two non-commissioned officers and one specialist sergeant were killed in an armed conflict in the night from 23 to 24 July in Mardin in south-eastern Turkey. A large-scale military operation was launched in the region.

Prison Instead of School - Work Instead of Play

CHIDREN AND THE ANTI-TERROR LAW

Prison Instead of School - Work Instead of Play

A group of non-governmental organizations prepared a report on "The Socio-Economic Situation of Children Released from Prison" about children who were taken into police custody or imprisoned under the Anti-Terror Law between 2006 and 2010.

Tension Continues after Clashes in Silvan

Tension Continues after Clashes in Silvan

Attacks against Kurdish citizens and members of the Peace and Democracy Party are still continuing after 13 soldiers died in an armed conflict in Silvan one week ago. In Erzurum, 500 people assaulted 200 Kurdish workers. In Zeytinburnu, BDP members were attacked.

20-Year Prison Threat for a Warm Welcome

20-Year Prison Threat for a Warm Welcome

Artist Farqin is facing imprisonment of up to 20 years on charges of "membership of an illegal organization" and "propaganda". He is tried because he hosted the welcome ceremony for a group of people affiliated with the PKK who came from Iraq to Turkey in 2009.

2 Convictions at 2 Courts for 1 "Offence"

2 Convictions at 2 Courts for 1 "Offence"

One press release was reason for two convictions of pro-Kurdish politician Uzun. One court charged him with "propaganda for an illegal organization", the other court found Uzun guilty of both propaganda and "committing a crime on behalf of an illegal organization".

Dozens in Police Custody - 7 Arrests

KCK OPERATIONS

Dozens in Police Custody - 7 Arrests

A total of 24 people including journalist Pamuk, NGO members, politicians and children, were taken into custody in the scope of KCK operations in the pre-dominantly Kurdish cities of Van, Şırnak, Mardin, Muş, Bingöl, Ağrı and Diyarbakır, five people were arrested.

German Sociologist Found in Mass Grave in Van

German Sociologist Found in Mass Grave in Van

After the investigation of a mass grave in Çatak/Van, it was reported that the remains of German Sociologist Wolf were found among the approximately 40 bodies in the cave.

17 June 2011 Nilay Vardar

Prison Sentence for Dubious Facebook Account

Prison Sentence for Dubious Facebook Account

Newspaper distributor Karahan was sentenced to imprisonment of two years on charges of "propaganda for an illegal organization". The sentence was based on certain terms posted on a Facebook account registered in Karahan's name.

15 June 2011 Ayça Söylemez

20 Months to Jail for News on Kurdish Question

20 Months to Jail for News on Kurdish Question

Journalist Irmak Saadet was handed down prison sentences of a total of 20 months and monetary fines adding up to TL 18,140. The convictions were based on several articles and news items published in the Yeni Yorum magazine and the Ülkede Yorum newspaper.

30 May 2011 Erol Önderoğlu

Riots in South-Eastern Turkey after Military Operations

Riots in South-Eastern Turkey after Military Operations

Thousands of people in south-eastern Turkey demonstrated against military operations that left 12 PKK members and 5 soldiers dead. Shops in the region remained closed, schools were boycotted. Demonstrators clashed with the police.

"Mehmet's Book" still Up to Date on an Ever-Pressing Conflict

"Mehmet's Book" still Up to Date on an Ever-Pressing Conflict

Nadire Mater's book on eye-witness accounts of soldiers in Turkey's South-East was part of the Political Plays Festival in Istanbul. Mater was tried and acquitted when the book was first published in 1999. Twelve years later the topic of the book is still up to date.

5 May 2011 Erol Önderoğlu

12 People Arrested after KCK Operations

12 People Arrested after KCK Operations

17 people were taken into custody in the course of operations against the KCK in several provinces last week. Twelve of them were arrested. Lawyer Aktar said that he has only limited access to the file because the investigation was classified.

5 May 2011 Ekin Karaca

Homes of Kurdish Families in Izmir Burnt Down

Homes of Kurdish Families in Izmir Burnt Down

The homes of 14 Kurdish families in Çeşme (Izmir) were demolished and burnt down because the houses were allegedly located on agricultural land. The families reacted by breaking the windows of the municipality building.

28 April 2011 Nail Karayel