The Human Rights Foundation of Turkey Documentation Center publich daily human Rights Report beetween 1 – 6 January 2020
Military Operation to North and East Syria…
It is learned that 1 soldier (Rahmi Kaya) who got wounded due to an explosion on December 29, 2019 in Tel Abyad city within the military operation of Turkish Armed Forces to north and east Syria, died in hospital on December 31, 2019.
Operations and Attacks in Southeast…
*It is learned from January 4, 2020 that 2 HPG militants died in an air operation of Turkish Armed Forces to Avaşin area in Iraqi Kurdistan Regional Government on January 2, 2020.
*Ministry of National Defence announced that 2 soldiers (Ayhan Çam and Berkay Işık) died in a clash in Heftanin area of Iraqi Kurdistan Regional Government within “Claw-3” operation on January 2, 2020.
* It is learned from the news coverage of January 2, 2020 that 3 HPG militants died in a clash between security forces and HPG militants in Tutak district of Ağrı on December 6, 2019.
Rejection to Meeting Request with Abdullah Öcalan…
It is learned that the appeal made on January 3, 2020 to chief public prosecutor’s office in Bursa by PKK leader Abdullah Öcalan’s sister and brother and tutelary along with the families of Hamili Yıldırım, Ömer Hayri Konar and Veysel Aktaş in order to visit, was rejected the same day on the grounds of limitations for prisoners in accordance with the Law on the Execution of Criminal and Security Measures Number 5275.
Torture and Ill-Treatment in Prison…
*It is learned from the news coverage of January 2, 2020 that Süleyman Saçal, an ill-prisoner who was transferred from Osmaniye T Type Prison No 2 to Maraş Türkoğlu L Type Prison under coercion on December 26, 2019, was subjected to physical violence of soldiers and wardens at the entrance of prison where he was forced to take off his clothes. It is reported that Süleyman Saçal was put in solitary cell afterwards and was penalised to 4 months of prevention from visits.
* It is learned from the news coverage of December 31, 2019 that Mehdi Boz, an ill prisoner kept in Elazığ High Security Prison No 1, was subjected to physical violence of the wardens because he reacted that his personal belongings have been scattered around during ward search; and that he was penalised with 11 days of solitary confinement as a result of disciplinary proceedings against him.
Detentions and Arrests in Alleged Link to Coup Attempt…
It is learned that a person named Harun Çelik was detained by Turkish National Intelligence Service at Albania and was taken to Turkey on January 2, 2020.
Person Hit by Armoured Police Vehicle in Diyarbakır…
It is learned that police officer H. A. who was detained related to death of Cihan Can by being hit by an armoured police vehicle on Turgut Özal street in Diyarbakır on December 28, 2019, is released on December 31, 2019, to the contrary of prosecutor’s demand.
Lawyer on Trial in Van…
The case against lawyer Ekin Yeter from Association of Lawyers for Freedom (ÖHD), for participating in a press declaration of Van Democracy Platform about hunger strikes in prison on May 12, 2019; is held at Van Penal Court of First Instance No 7 on December 31, 2019. The court acquitted Ekin Yeter.
Ban of Leaflet in Mardin…
It is learned from the news coverage of December 31, 2019 that Mardin Governorate banned the leaflet of People’s Democratic Party for its provincial congress to be held on January 4, 2020.
Special Security Zone in Bingöl…
Bingöl Governorate made a declaration on January 1, 2020, and announced 35 areas with given coordinates in central, Karlıova, Genç, Yayladere, Yedisu, Kiğı ve Adaklı districts as special security zones as of January 1, 2020 until December 31, 2020.
Special Security Zone in Şırnak…
Şırnak Governorate made a declaration on December 31, 2019, and announced 15 areas with given coordinates in central, Cizre, Silopi, Uludere, Güçlükonak, Beytüşşebap districts as special security zones as of January 1, 2020 until January 15, 2020.
Police Intervention Against “I Want My Job Back” Protest in Ankara…
*The police intervened the press declaration of public labourers who had been dismissed by a state of emergency decree and have been struggling 1153 days to regain their jobs, intended to be held in front of Human Rights Monument in Yüksel Street on January 3, 4, and 5, 2020 at 13.30, and at 18.00.
*It was reported that during police intervention against the press declaration which was planned to be held at 13.30 on January 3, 2020, 2 people (Acun Karadağ and Merve Demirel) and at 18.00 2 people (Mehmet Dersulu and Nazan Bozkurt) were detained.
*It was reported that during police intervention against the press declaration which was planned to be held at 13.30 on January 4, 2020, 2 people (Acun Karadağ and Mehmet Dersulu) and at 18.00 1 person (Mehmet Dersulu) were detained.
*It was reported that during police intervention against the press declaration which was planned to be held at 13.30 on January 5, 2020, 2 people (Alev Şahin and Acun Karadağ) and at 18.00 2 people (Mehmet Dersulu and Nazan Bozkurt) were detained.
* Thus in total 11 people were detained due to press declaration intended to be held in Yüksel Street on January 3, 4, and 5, 2020. It is learned detained people were released on the same days they were detained.
*The police intervened the press declaration of public labourers who had been dismissed by a state of emergency decree and have been struggling 1149 days to regain their jobs, intended to be held in front of Human Rights Monument in Yüksel Street on December 31, 2019 and January 1, 2020 at 13.30, and at 18.00.
* It was reported that during police intervention against the press declaration which was planned to be held at 13.30 on December 31, 2019, 2 people (Acun Karadağ and Nazan Bozkurt) and at 18.00 2 people (Mahmut Konuk and Merve Demirel) were detained.
*It was reported that during police intervention against the press declaration which was planned to be held at 13.30 on January 1, 2020, 2 people (Merve Demirel and Nazan Bozkurt) and at 18.00 2 people (Merve Demirel and Nazan Bozkurt) were detained.
* Thus in total 8 people were detained due to press declaration intended to be held in Yüksel Street on December 31, 2019 and January 1, 2020. It is learned detained people were released on the same days they were detained.
Police Intervention Against “I Want My Job Back” Protest in Ankara…
The police intervened the press declaration of public labourers who had been dismissed by a state of emergency decree and have been struggling 1150 days to regain their jobs, intended to be held in front of Human Rights Monument in Yüksel Street on January 2, 2020 at 13.30, and at 18.00.
It was reported that during police intervention against the press declaration which was planned to be held at 13.30 on January 2, 2020, 2 people (Acun Karadağ and Nazan Bozkurt) and at 18.00 2 people (Mehmet Dersulu and Nazan Bozkurt) were detained.
Thus in total 4 people were detained due to press declaration intended to be held in Yüksel Street on January 2, 2020. It is learned detained people were released on the same days they were detained.
Police Intervention to a Protest in Düzce…
On January 2, 2020 the police intervened the press declaration of Alev Şahin in order to regain her job from which she was dismissed by a state of emergency decree, in front of Justice and Development Party (AKP) provincial office and detained her. It is learned that Alev Şahin was released on the same day.
Police Intervention to University Students in Istanbul…
The police used clubs to intervene university students who want to submit petitions to rectorate against a new regulation at Istanbul University which proposes to cut breakfast service and give only one meal at reduced price at dining halls. The police prevented students coming from other campuses to get in central campus and those in central campus to get out.
Prevention of Saturday Mothers’ Protest in Istanbul…
Police obstructed all the streets around Galatasaray Square in Istanbul to prevent Saturday Mothers who rally every Saturday for 23 years in the same place to gather for the 771st time on January 4, 2020. Upon police prevention, the group including representatives of political parties, human rights defenders and artists along with families of disappeared people held a press declaration on the street of Human Rights Association (IHD) Istanbul office.
Prevention of Human Rights Defenders’ Event in Istanbul…
“F sit-in”, which is organized for the 406th time by Human Rights Association (IHD) Istanbul Branch Prison Watch Committee, to demand release of ill prisoners, on January 4, 2020, is prevented by the police. The police obstructed all the streets around Galatasaray Square. Human rights defenders made the press declaration in front of IHD Istanbul office.
Police Intervention to a Protest in Ankara…
The police intervened the press declaration at Güvenpark in Ankara on January 3, 2020, which was held to support Mustafa Koçak, and detained 2 people (Cemile Temizkalp and Sercan Çakır). Mustafa Koçak is on indefinite hunger strike for 97 days in Izmir Şakran T Type Prison No 2, demanding a fair trial.
Police Intervention to Protests of Carriers in Konya and Urfa…
On January 3, 2020 the police intervened carriers who block Konya-Istanbul highway to protest new regulation which proposes Electronic Transportation Tracking and Control System, tachograph and data transfer from vehicles as obligatory by January 1, 2020. It is learned that at least 1 person is detained.
The police prevented the press declaration to be held in Urfa for the same cause, on the grounds of governorate’s ban on activities all over the city. Upon prevention carriers attempted to block Urfa-Akçakale roadway and at least 3 people are detained by the police intervening them. The names of detained people are unknown.
Journalist in Istanbul on Trial…
On January 3, 2020, Penal Department No 3 of Istanbul Regional Court concluded on the appeal of 5 years and 11 months of sentence given by Istanbul Heavy Penal Court No 26 to journalist and writer Ahmet Altan, on the charge of ‘making propaganda for an illegal organisation’ and ‘insulting the President’. The appeal is rejected and sentence given to Ahmet Altan is approved. It is learned that Ahmet Altan’s lawyers will appeal to Supreme Court.
Journalist on Trial in Diyarbakır…
It is learned from the news coverage of January 1, 2010 that Diyarbakır Public Prosecutor’s Office has prepared an indictment against journalist Mehmet Erol for his social media posts between 2013 and 2015; and Diyarbakır Heavy Penal Court No 10 accepted the indictment demanding jail sentence up to 7 years and 6 months.
Constitutional Court Decision on Union Member…
Constitutional Court’s decision on the appeal of Pınar Çankaya, a member of Education and Science Employees’ Union (Eğitim-Sen), is published on the official gazette on January 3, 2020. The court found the appeal of Pınar Çankaya who was subjected to an administrative investigation for attending a strike action organized by the union and was penalised with salary deduction at a rate of 1/30 percent, inadmissible. The reason of the court’s decision is stated as following: “Strike actions attended by union members which are in line with activities of trade unions as pressure groups against political authority apart from their activities for protecting and developing financial and social rights and interests of their members, is considered out of core activities of unions”.
Discrimination Against People Dismissed by State of Emergency Decrees…
It is learned from the news coverage of January 5, 2020, a doctor, dismissed by a state of emergency decree, who applied to a bank to open an account was rejected by the bank on the grounds of being dismissed, and was rejected by arbitration board of Banking Regulation and Supervision Agency too, on the grounds that “banks are free to determine whom to work with”.
On December 31, 2019, a bank in Gaziantep did not pay the money transferred to Suzan Uzpak, dismissed by a state of emergency decree, on the grounds of “banned ID number”; and Uzpak was paid after reactions.
Detentions and Arrests in Alleged Link to Coup Attempt…
Harun Çelik, who was detained by Turkish National Intelligence in Albania on January 2, 2020 is arrested by the court on January 3, 2020.
Trials in Alleged Link to Coup Attempt…
The final trial of the case against 72 people, including 70 former students of Air Force Academy and 2 soldiers is held at Istanbul Heavy Penal Court No 24 on January 3, 2020 The court sentenced 70 former students to life imprisonment on the charge of ‘violation of the Constitution’ and ruled no sentence for 2 soldiers.
[1]The reports on the human rights violations of the Documentation Center are claims unless they are certified. The claim of violation either is certified through thoroughly investigations of HRFT Documentation Center, including by judicial verdicts, and becomes a definite data or it is not included to the annual report.
[2]To subscribe to the e-mail group: please write ‘daily human rights reports subscription application’ to the title of your e-mail and sent it to dokumantasyon@tihv.org.tr.
[3]https://www.facebook.com/TIHV.HRFT
[4] https://twitter.com/insanhaklari
[5] Daily Human Rights Reports are prepared on the information gathered by the Documentation Center from its own network and the following dailies and internet portals: Vatan, Milliyet, Hürriyet, Habertürk, Evrensel, Birgün, Cumhuriyet, Fırat Haber Ajansı, Jinnews, ETHA, Mezopotamya Ajansı, Yurt, Yeni Yaşam, NTV, Yeni Asya, Bianet, Halkinsesi.tv, Cnnturk, Tr724, İleri Haber, Siyasi Haber, Alınteri, Kızılbayrak, Sendika.org, Yüksekova Haber, T24, Diken, Gazete Karınca, Gazete Duvar. Haber Sol, El Cezire, BBC, Deutsche Welle, Reuters, AFP.