European delegations on the ground for pre-electoral observation A six-member cross-party delegation from the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) paid a pre-electoral visit to Turkey on May 5-6 for observation ahead of the June 7 elections Two detained for attack on HDP election bureau in Bartın Two people allegedly involved in an attack on … Read more
As of Today, 56 offices of pro-Kurdish HDP attacked. News in Turkish here. Attacks mapped here. ************** President Erdoğan urges Turkish citizens living abroad to vote Speaking at a rally in the German city of Karslruhe, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has urged Turkish citizens living abroad to cast their votes in the June 7 … Read more
History of #KampArmen in 20 images The story of an Armenian orphanage in Istanbul tells what happened to Armenians in Turkey after 1915. The modern Turkish state confiscated properties of non-Muslims starting from 1915. After the genocide, “abandoned properties commission” sold Armenian goods by public auctions. In 1942, Wealth Tax forced wealthy non-Muslims to sell … Read more
A new documentary: Persona non Grata Produced by P24, directed by Tuluhan Tekelioglu, Persona non Grata tells the story of Turkey’s journalists today—watch it here… The first public screening of Punto24’s new documentary was held at the Swedish Consulate in Istanbul to mark the World Press Freedom Day on 3 May, 2015. This is not … Read more
Workers’ protest, mayors’ boycott marrs Erdoğan’s speech Turkish President Erdoğan’s speech in a southeastern Turkish province was marred by a protest of workers and local mayors decision to boycott the presidential visit on May 2. Erkan Saka @sakaerka: This brave woman shows V sign to Erdoğan’s bus, bodyguards did beat and detain her. via @arahmangok Turkish PM, … Read more
The Commemorative Events for Genocide in Istanbul Bianet :: English On the anniversary of 1915 Genocide, several events were held in Istanbul. The official ceremony, the genocide march, and erecting memorial stone in front of the victims were some of the ceremonial events among others. Armenian Genocide: Coverage on 19th and 20th Century Bianet :: English Demoyan, … Read more
Turkish Airlines Urges Pilots to Marry to Prevent Accidents Bianet :: English Turkish Airlines (THY) General Manager Kotil, recalling allegations that the Germanwings co-pilot crashed the plane on purpose killing 150 people, said they would encourage their pilots to marry. Pilots ‘should marry to avoid Germanwings-like crashes’ Turkish Airlines CEO Temel Kotil has come up with an … Read more
‘Replica Mecca’ in Istanbul raises eyebrows Hurriyet Daily News A district mayor in Istanbul from Turkey’s ruling AKP has raised eyebrows by constructing replicas of Islam’s holiest places and objects, yet the building idea seems to have spread elsewhere Concert in memory of Armenian intellectuals Anatolian Culture and Kalan Music have collaborated to organize a concert … Read more
Turkey’s Kurdish peace bid ‘lost on way to printers’ Turkish PM Davutoğlu said two pages about the Kurdish peace bid were accidentally lost while his party’s electoral manifesto was being sent to the printing press, stirring fresh controversy with the HDP, which is focused on the Kurdish problem President Erdoğan chairs cabinet, with Ağrı incident and electorate … Read more
AKP suggests presidential system for Turkey in line with Erdoğan’s insistence Ruling AKP has vowed to change the country’s administrative system from a parliamentary to a presidential system Deputy PM cites ‘presidential system’ as safety valve against autocracy Describing the presidential system as an “antidote” to introduce an effective system of governance, Deputy Prime Minister Numan Kurtulmuş … Read more
We do not have Reddit but Ekşi Sözlük and head of main opposition party Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu had an AMA session on April 12, 2015. A good coverage in Turkish here. A selection of 23 questions and answers in Turkish here. In other news: Main opposition CHP to send delegation to Ağrı after deadly clash … Read more
Film-makers withdraw from Istanbul festival in censorship protest World news: Turkey | guardian.co.uk by Constanze Letsch in Istanbul Dozens of Turkish directors withdraw films after documentary Bakur is removed from programme Censorship claims overshadow Istanbul FilmFestival Hurriyet Daily News The cancelation of the screening of a film on the outlawed Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) caused most … Read more
Council of State approves the cancelation of Istanbul’s Sulukule transformation project The Council of State has approved the cancellation of the controversial urban transformation project in Istanbul’s Sulukule neighborhood, which was historically populated by Roma people, years after the project was completed. State Council Approves Sulukule Repeal Bianet :: English The State Council approved the court decision … Read more
Turkey’s state-run TV refuses to air CHP ad ‘targeting gov’t’ The state-run Turkish Radio Television (TRT) has refused to air an election campaign advertisement by the main opposition party ‘because it directly targets the government,’ Turkish President Erdoğan promises police force full support President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has pledged full support to Turkey’s police force against any … Read more
Turkish minister vows to keep lights on during polls Hurriyet Daily News Energy Minister Yıldız, who once accused a cat of sabotaging Turkey’s local elections, has vowed to keep lights on during upcoming general elections Turkish parties in crucial stage of polls before deadline Parties from all sides of Turkey’s political spectrum race to get their final … Read more