Country Reports on Human Rights Practices for 2013 Turkey Turkey is a constitutional republic with a multiparty parliamentary system and a president with limited powers. A unicameral parliament (the Grand National Assembly) exercises legislative authority. Following the 2011 parliamentary elections, which observers considered generally free and fair, the Justice and Development Party (AKP) formed a … Read more
World Report 2014: Turkey hrw.org ? In office for three terms since 2002, and enjoying a strong parliamentary majority, the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) has demonstrated a growing intolerance of political opposition, public protest, and critical media. In May, police… ****************** Turkish doctors condemn government curbs on emergency treatment Medics accuse government … Read more
Hakan Yaman was walking home from work in Istanbul during the Gezi Park protests when he was caught up in a brutal attack by the police…. Here is the official campaign page: http://www.hakanyamananeoldu.org/ Amnesty International asks ?what happened to police who beat Hakan Yaman? on Human Rights Day Yaman, a minibus driver, was severely beaten by police … Read more
Turkish website chief wins human rights award The South East Europe Media Organisation (SEEMO) has named Bülent Mumay, editor-in-chief of Hürriyet.com.tr, as the winner of its 2013 human rights award. Web co-ordinator Mumay is being honoured for his human rights-oriented editorial approach and his dedication to the rights of Turkish citizens. Roboski Massacre?s 100th Week … Read more
MAIN FOCUS: NSA defends spying attacks | 30/10/2013 The US intelligence NSA has vehemently defended its controversial spying programme at a congressional hearing. Europe also spies on the US, NSA head Keith Alexander said on Tuesday, as well as on its own citizens. Commentators accuse Europe’s politicians of double standards and find the public … Read more
Tear Gas in the Courthouse Police intervened demonstrators who gathered outside Ankara courthouse to follow the hearing of Ethem Sarısülük, a Gezi Resistance protestor allegedly killed by police violence. The suspect police officer didn?t attend the hearing. Court decision triggers tensions at trial of slain Gezi protester?s murder in Ankara Police intervened at the … Read more
(22/10/2013) Multi-stakeholder consultations on a Guide on Human Rights for Internet Users The Council of Europe is working on a Guide on Human Rights for Internet Users, which aims at raising Internet users? awareness about human rights and fundamental freedoms online, providing a tool for people to use and rely upon when facing difficulties in the exercise of … Read more
?Turkish government uses ownership laws to pressure media,? press freedom advocate says Journalists in Turkey are still suffering from imprisonment, Anne Cooper, a former Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) official and free press advocate has said Drug gang members arrested over leftist protester’s killing Fourteen alleged drug gang members have been arrested following last week?s … Read more
Police finally permit commemoration for slain protestor after three days The Istanbul governorship has finally permitted a commemoration to be held for 21-year-old protestor ?Police Disregarded Missing Evidence? Police authorities reportedly ignored the missing registration of Hasan Ferit Gedik?s shirt, a piece of clothing that marked a significant evidence within the death case investigation. … Read more
On 30 May police in Istanbul broke up a small demonstration by several hundred environmentalists, using tear gas, beating protestors and burning their tents. The cause of the protestors and the abusive response of the authorities touched a nerve. Within days, tens of thousands of protestors had taken to the streets across the main cities … Read more
Nine suspects released on probation in Turkey?s ?post-modern? Feb 28 coup case The figures released on probation pending trial included the former head of the Higher Education Board (YÖK), Kemal Gürüz and former Air Force Commander Ahmet Çörekçi Turkey wants scholar on Interpol list International Red Notice could be issued for dissident academic Pinar Selek … Read more
Turkish police used excessive force in Gezi protests, Interior Ministry?s report says Police exercised ?excessive force? in trying to quell the Gezi Park protests in Istanbul and İzmir With a Burst of Color, Turkey’s Public Walkways Become a Focus of Quiet Protest When city authorities in Istanbul attempted to quash the initiative of a public-spirited … Read more
Court releases ‘man with machete’ who attacked Gezi protesters An Istanbul court today released S.Ç., dubbed the ?machete man? after video surfaced showing him allegedly attacking protester ***************** Newspaper men detained for ?noise pollution? while selling papers in Istanbul Two men selling newspapers Aydınlık and Birgün have been detained by security officials for creating noise … Read more
108 soldiers commit suicide since 2012, Turkish defense minister says The Turkish defense minister said that 166 soldiers have committed suicide or been killed in accidents across the country in the last year and a half 50 Percent of Rape Victims Are Children, TÜİK Says According to Statistics Institute of Turkey, sexual assault crimes have … Read more
Turkey media crackdown: Who to blame? Turkish journalists accuse state of stifling dissent Another Deadly ?Joke? in Turkey?s Barracks One soldier on compulsory drafting has reportedly been killed while ?jokingly? pointing rifles with another fellow private in the southeastern district of Lice, Diyarbakır. Turkish opposition deputy calls for probe on illegal record claims Main opposition … Read more