“Headscarf Ban at Universities Softened but more to do for human rights…

It is just like that. In another round of never ending headscarf issue, Higher Education Council (YÖK) sent university presidents a memo to actually lift the ban. But of course it will take more time to legally change the situation… It is only after the miserable defeat of Kemalist forces in referendum, this shameful ban … Read more

Avcı case makes us miss the bigger picture: PKK extends ceasefire

a politics roundup: PKK extends truce, calls for Ankara to make next move from Hurriyet Dailynews Announcing a new month-long extension to its period of non-action, the outlawed PKK has urged Ankara to meet its conditions for a permanent cease-fire. (UPDATED) Turkey’s Kurdish rebels extend ceasefire for month from Yahoo news The Kurdistan Workers Party … Read more

Two art galleries attacked in Tophane, Istanbul

No certain information so far, but some reliable Twitter users I follow point out a gang behind the attacks: Youth organization of ultra-nationalist BBP.  This was formed by former MHP members who had a more Islamic tendency. They are known to have performed similar attacks before… Some quick to accuse “rising Islamism” but better to … Read more

PKK extends ceasefire for a week…

It is more or less proven that the latest Hakkari bombing was performed by a pro-violence group within PKK…. there is a substantive chance that PKK may stop violence despite the hawkish groups inside…

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“European court finds Turkey guilty in Dink case

European court finds Turkey guilty in Dink case from Hurriyet Dailynews The European Court of Human Rights has found the Turkish state guilty of failing to protect the life and freedom of expression of slain Turkish-Armenian journalist Hrant Dink. Park on Istanbul’s islands named in slain journalist Dink’s honor from Hurriyet Dailynews Local authorities on … Read more

?Turkey Joins Europe (Electricity-wise)

Article | Turkey Joins Europe, Electrically Speaking by M.A.M Brussels, 2010-06-07 Trial parallel operation of Turkish TSO TEIAS planned to start in September 2010. The island operation tests of the Turkish TSO TEIAS (Türkiye Elektrik İletim A.Ş.) were carried out successfully from 11 to 24 January 2010 in high load conditions, and from 22 March … Read more

İnan Suver: Conscientious objector arrested

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TURKEY: Conscientious objector İnan Suver arrested

from KARAKOK OTONOMU TR/CH

War Resisters? International has been informed today that Turkish conscientious objector İnan Suver has been arrested today while trying to get an ID paper from the office of his municipality. During the check of his identity and came out that his address was listed as the address of a ?deserter?, and police was called to arrest him. He was first brought to the police station, and later this morning to Bakirkoy court, where his detention was ordered. He has been sent to Kasimpasa military prison, and it is expected that he will be transferred to Izmir soon.
more in Turkish

TURKEY: Conscientious objector İnan Suver arrested | War Resisters

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Towards Referendum (2): PSYOPs in Dörtyol and İnegöl

Two towns whose populations are more intermixed due to domestic migration, Dörtyol and İnegöl have been targets of psychological operations in order to start communal strifes. This is a pattern that has been observed several times in pre-1980 coup d’etat. In the old days, Alevis vs. Sunnis tension was manipulated. Now comes Turks vs. Kurds tension. Kurdish populations increase in especially Western parts of Anatolia and this brings some social tension. There have been some other attempts to instigate strifes in recent years but İnegöl and Dörtyol cases that happened in the same week seem to be more deliberate. Mobs agitated by Turkish nationalist themes are mobilized after seemingly personal conflicts between persons that happend to be Kurds and Turks.

Unlike the previous cases, government acted swiftly this time and there have been arrrests in İnegöl and security forces patrol the city. Mobs are cowards. When they see security forces at work, they back down. In fact, in most of the cases, security forces are “called to wait” and then come the massacres. This time the government will not let this happen. It seems. Well, apparently these operations aim to destabilize the country and calls for “law and order” regime. Not more democratizations…

In the mean time, Mr. Kılıçdaroğlu who emerged as a symbol of hope for some in opposition continue to embarrass himself with ridicilous allegations.. That’s the best CHP  could reach…

In the mean time, judiciary battles continue.  There is a warrant to arrest 102 active and retired military officials although it is not executed yet… We will see the drama unravel in the next days…

Unrest against Kurdish Population in Hatay

from Bianet :: English
Four police officers were killed in an attack on a police car in the south-eastern city of Dörtyolu; the party building of the pro-Kurdish Peace and Democracy Party was burned; shops owned by Kurds were demolished. Tension is still rising high in the region.

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Canan Sadık, the 351st child to be killed accidentally by security forces

Human Rights Association states that 351 children have been killed accidentally by security forces between 1989-2010 in Eastern and Southeastern Anatolia regions (mainly Kurdish lands) ********* Ministry of Justice: Defending Genocide is Freedom of Speech from Bianet :: English The Ministry of Justice did not issue permission for a trial against Armenian Agos newspaper owner … Read more

Good news: Turkey passes law to keep Kurdish children out of jail

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Turkey passes law to keep Kurdish children out of jail

from Yahoo news
Turkey s parliament has passed a law to curb the imprisonment of Kurdish children who take part in violent protests, a practice that has further poisoned ties with the restive minority.

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A campaign for İsmail Beşikçi

İsmail Beşikçi is tried again. A radical intellectual who spent a long amount of his life in prison (17 years)… There is a blog in Turkish (Gerçek İnatçıdır) for a campaign to support İsmail Beşikçi…

Human Rights roundup. Where were we? At least as a good sign, the State remembers the Sivas massacre

What was Sivas Massacre? here Massacre photos here and here. Turkey commemorates Sivas massacre from Hurriyet Dailynews Turkish government authorities joined Friday for the first time ceremonies commemorating a massacre 17 years ago in the central Anatolian province of Sivas. Feminists from 22 Countries Meet in Istanbul from Bianet :: English Feminists from Greece and … Read more

Petition campaign for İrfan Aktan

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Petition campaign for İrfan Aktan here.

AYŞE KARABAT – The journalist: İrfan Aktan

İrfan Aktan is ?the journalist,? for me and many other people who are trying to understand the recent developments in Turkey?s perception of the Kurdish question.

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Enver Aydemir is free. But how?

15 Months of Military Service or 3 Years of Torture!

from Bianet :: English
Conscientious objector Aydemir was relaeased upon an “incapability report”. His lawyer criticized that the legislation lacks provisions on conscientious objection. Turkey is one of three countries of the European Council that does not recognize the right to conscientious objection.
and in the mean time, other human rights related issues, that I could not focus on:

Good news from the Engin Çeber case!

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Engin Ceber – Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Çeber Case: Life Sentences for 3 Prison Guards and Head of Prison

from Bianet :: English
Three prison guards and the vice director of Metris Prison were convicted of “causing death by torture” in the case of Engin Çeber who died from torture in custody. They received life sentences. Three police officers and the prison doctor were punished as well.

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