EFD Rights Watch: European Commission Turkey Progress Report- “Key findings of the 2015 report on Turkey

Full document here European Commission – Fact Sheet Key findings of the 2015 report on Turkey Brussels, 10 November 2015 2015 enlargement package The report on Turkey is part of the 2015 enlargement package adopted today by the European Commission. The Report highlights that the EU and Turkey continued to enhance cooperation in the areas … Read more

Before the #G-20 Summit, “EU progress report slams Turkey over rule of law, free speech

EU progress report slams Turkey over rule of law, free speech The European Union accused Turkey on Nov. 10 of backsliding on the rule of law, rights and the media, calling on the new government to take urgent action in a sensitive report that Brussels held back until after elections EU criticises Turkey on human rights  BBC … Read more

Erdoğan just got another palace: “Istanbul’s Yıldız Palace ‘allocated’ for Turkish president…

Istanbul’s Yıldız Palace ‘allocated’ for Turkish president ISTANBUL AA photo Yıldız Palace, a historic Ottoman palace in Istanbul’s central Beşiktaş district, has been allocated for use by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, a Turkish columnist wrote on Nov. 8, sparking a debate over the use by statesmen of the area which included large green parks. … Read more

While Fears of government seizure spill over to Turkey’s universities, “Turkish PM hires top PR firm in EU capital…

Fears of government seizure spill over to Turkey’s universities – Al-Monitor the Pulse of the Middle East – Nov 6, 1:14 AM Author: Tulay Cetingulec November 6, 2015 A week before Turkey’s Nov. 1 elections, Koza Ipek Holding, whose 22 companies include a media group, were handed over to trustees under a judicial ruling requested … Read more

Turkey’s first Kurdish-language search engine (http://www.serketin.com/) – “Needs Map’ charts schoolchildren’s needs across Turkey…

Turkey’s first Kurdish-language search engine goes online Turkey’s first search engine in the Kurdish language has gone online after five years of technical work, research and development Needs Map’ charts schoolchildren’s needs across Turkey A map charting the needs of school-aged children across Turkey has been created to bring together those in need and those who wish … Read more

“A day out in Istanbul for disabled Syrian children… Istanbul news roundup…

A day out in Istanbul for disabled Syrian children A Turkish aid foundation organizes trips to Hagia Sophia and the Topkapı Palace for around 30 Syrian children aged between five and 12 Haydarpaşa Train Station, the romantic setting of Turkish movies This week marks the anniversary of the Haydarpaşa Train Station, which began its long and later … Read more

Meanwhile in Turkey… Istanbul shopping stampede…”‘Sexist’ Trabzonspor chairman…

Istanbul shopping stampede in VIP invite prompts social media storm Video footage showing the opening of the much-anticipated Balmain x H&M collaboration in Istanbul has created a social media storm, with VIP guests captured in a frenzy while trying to grab items from the collection Historical tomb in Hasankeyf to be moved for protection The 650-year-old Zeynel … Read more

Well, after all, Erdoğan wants the Presidential system…

Presidential system, new charter back on agenda Presidential system, new charter back on agenda Erdoğan starts pushing for system change in Turkey In line with the proverb “Strike while the iron is hot,” Turkish President Tayyip Erdoğan lost no time bringing forward the issue of a radical shift in Turkey from the current parliamentary system to a … Read more

No uncertainty about Turkey’s direction: “Turkish magazine critical of Erdoğan confiscated, editors arrested…

Turkish magazine critical of Erdoğan confiscated, editors arrested An Istanbul court has ordered the confiscation of the latest issue of Nokta magazine on the grounds that it “incites crime” due its cover. The magazine’s editor-in-chief and chief news editor have been arrested Nokta Journal Chief Editor, Managing Editor Arrested Bianet :: English Nokta Journal Chief Editor, Cevheri … Read more

With more confidence after the election, attacks on Kurdish targets, journalist and opposition members arrests and denial of election promises…

Aerial Operation by TSK on Qandil  Bianet :: English General Staff has announced it hit Qandil and its surrounding area Turkish magazine critical of Erdoğan confiscated, editors detained 2 An Istanbul court has ordered the confiscation of the latest issue of Nokta magazine on the grounds that it “incites crime” due its cover and headline showing President … Read more

#TurkeyElections – Blackmailing worked. Erdoğan and his party is back- In fact they were never gone…

There is probably some rigging, but in the end this is what citizens want. I felt really bad after witnessing 5 months of violence. Many young and old citizens lost their lives, because June 7 election was not satisfactory for the One. Many gross violations of freedom of expression occurred in the mean time. AKP continued to … Read more

#TurkeyElection – In a state of panic: Turkey’s rulers emulate FBI style; post most wanted list that includes Gülen BUT also accuses American consulate for allegedly helping HDP’s campaign…

Turkish government hires UK law firm to probe Gülen’s global network The Turkish government has hired an international law firm to investigate the worldwide activities of the government’s friend-turned-foe U.S.-based Islamic scholar Fethullah Gülen’s Hizmet (Service) Movement. Turkey releases new most wanted list that includes Fethullah Gülen Turkey published a list of its most wanted terrorists on … Read more

İstanbul had an honorable visitor today, Jose Mujica. İstanbul news roundup…

İstanbul hosts world’s ‘poorest’ president Today’s Zaman Former President of Uruguay Jose Mujica smiles during a book signing event inİstanbul on Friday, Oct. 30. (Photo: Today’s Zaman, Mehmet Yaman). İstanbul hosts world’s ‘poorest’ president – Cihan News Agency An encyclopaedia of Istanbul gulfnews.com By Orhan Pamuk, translated by Ekin Oklap, Knopf, 624 pages, $29 … … Read more

Let there be no doubt despite Erdoğan’s distractions before the #TurkeyElections: “ISIL behind Oct 10 Ankara Massacre, says prosecutor’s office

Chief Prosecution says ISIS Responsible for Ankara Massacre  Bianet :: English Ankara Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office has declared Ankara bombing was executed by Antep-based cell that received order from ISIS in Syria, and plans other acts. ISIL behind Oct 10 Ankara Massacre, says prosecutor’s office An Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) sleeper cell based … Read more

#TurkeyElections Thanks god Erdoğan said he will respect Nov 1 result While PM Davutoğlu continues to joke: “Seizure of Koza-İpek entirely legal, no government involvement

Wishing for a ‘single-party gov’t,’ Turkish president says he will respect Nov 1 result With just days to go to Turkey’s snap general election on Nov. 1, President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has again voiced his clear preference for having a “single-party government” elected to rule the country. Seizure of Koza-İpek entirely legal, no government involvement: PM Davutoğlu … Read more