MESOPOTAMIA NEWS : COMPLETE HUMAN RIGHTS REPORT ON TURKEY

HRFT Documentation Center Daily Human Rights Report

September 2019
The reports of following days are missing: 01-03, 11, 27 September

04 September 2019 Daily Human Rights Report
(09/029) Murdered Women… According to the report issued by We Will Stop Femicide Platform on September 3, 2019, at least 49 women are murdered by men in August 2019 in Turkey. (09/030) Child Was Wounded Due to Mine Blast in Mardin… It is learned that a child named A. S. (14) who was shepherding in Akdoğan village of Mardin’s Kızıltepe district on September 3, 2019, got heavily wounded due to blast of a mine that he finds on the land. (09/031) Torture and Ill-Treatment Under Custody in Mardin… It is learned from the news coverage of September 3, 2019 that a person named F.A., who was detained in the police intervention against protests in Mardin on August 21, 2019, which started after trustee appointment of the Ministry of Interior to Diyarbakır, Van and Mardin; was subjected to torture and ill-treatment under custody. It is reported that F.A. had to have sutures on his back due to torture, and that he was forced to sign a detention report and since he rejected to do so, he was taken to containers in the yard of the police directorate. F.A. states the following: “They told me that I had to sign it and that they would rape me and harm my family if I do not sign (…) A police officer with long hair who was named Ahmet, told me that he would rape me, take me to another place where he would torture and rape me and then arrest me on a report and harm my family, in case I do not sign the report (…) I was afraid of being subjected to torture and rejected to sign it. The police officer named Ahmet started to kick and punch me. And he threatened me by saying ‘Now it is too late. I will rape you and beat you whether you sign it or not. I can kill you here and dump your dead body’ (…)

He said ‘You are a man aren’t you? Now you will not be a man anymore, I know what to do to you’. Another police officer came in and told that it was the time for hospital examination and said ‘He should first go to medical examination and then we will rape and torture him’ to the police officer Ahmet. The other one (Ahmet) said ‘I enjoy doing it. I did not do it for a while and I want to do it now’. And the other police officer said ‘Okay then go on’ (…) The police officer named Ahmet asked the other one to bring a soda bottle and said ‘I will start slowly and then I will go with the baton’, and the other one said ‘He is dirty and his faeces will stain here’ to which Ahmet responded as ‘Okay then I will just beat him now and rape him afternoon when I got the equipment’ (…) He started to touch my body with the baton, I cried because of fear and shame. He made me sit on a chair and started hitting my genitalia. He made me to lean on the wall on my finger toes and stretching my arms. His friend asked him ‘the old method?’ and he said ‘Yes, let the muscles got tired so I can beat him as I wish without leaving any mark’. He was chatting with his friend while at the same time hitting me with the baton, he was disturbing my genitalia. I was crying with fear and shame. I stood leaning on the wall for about 10 minutes and then he started beating me with the baton (…) He threatened me as saying ‘Do not feel relieved now. There is no way out for you. If anyone knows what I did to you here, I will tell that you cursed to Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, to statesmen, to Mustafa Kemal Atatürk and make 4 police officers to witness against you. And I will extend your detention period and do terrible things to you’. This police officer named Ahmet came to the hospital with us to prevent me saying anything to doctor. I
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could not tell the doctor what happened and could not get a medical report. But I told it to my lawyer and will make an official complaint.” (09/032) Person Was Subjected to Police Violence in Mardin… It is learned from the news coverage of September 3, 2019 that Hamza Yıldırım, a member of People’s Democratic Party (HDP) Youth Assembly in Artuklu district of Mardin was subjected to verbal and physical violence of the police stopping him on the way on August 21, 2019 and was forced to be a police informant and was threatened. Hamza Yıldırım stated that, the police said him ‘If you do not want to end up like others you will do what we want. You saw what we did to your friend in Diyarbakır, do you want us to do the same to you?’ and, holding a gun to his head first and then putting the gun in his hands, continued ‘Now there are your fingerprints on the gun. If you do not do what we want, we will shoot you here and put the gun in your hands and claim that we had a clash where we had to kill you’. (09/033) People Were Subjected to Police Violence in Bingöl… On September 2, 2019, Berat Çeçen, who was stopped by the police while he was riding a bike in Uydukent neighbourhood of Bingöl’s central district, and his father Lütfü Çeçen and his brother Kadir Çeçen, were subjected to physical and verbal violence of the police, and the police have detained them forcing to lay down on the ground and handcuffing behind their backs. It is learned that Lütfü Çeçen and Kadir Çeçen are arrested by the court on the charge of ‘resisting to the police’ and Berat Çeçen was released on September 3, 2019. (09/034) Torture and Ill-Treatment in Prison… It is learned from the news coverage of September 3, 2019 prisoners in Adana Kürkçüler F Type Prison were subjected to ward searches 3 times a week and their personal belongings were scattered around; books, magazines and newspapers which are sent to prisoners were not given to them on arbitrary conditions; prisoners were not referred to hospital; sports and communication rights were limited and prisoners were forced to stand in military order during roll-calls. (09/035) 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 1029 days to regain their jobs, intended to be held in front of Human Rights Monument in Yüksel Street on September 3, 2019 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 September 3, 2019, 2 people (Mahmut Konuk and Mehmet Dersulu) and at 18.00 2 people (Merve Demirel and Nazan Bozkurt) were detained. Thus in total 4 people were detained due to press declaration intended to be held in Yüksel Street on September 3, 2019. It is learned detained people were released on the same days they were detained. (09/036) Police Intervention Against a Protest in Istanbul… Türkan Albayrak, who was dismissed from her job at Sarıyer district Health Department, on the grounds of ‘personnel security investigation’ and ‘archive search’, on August 3, 2018; has been holding a sit-in protest in front of Health Department for 1 year since September 3, 2018. The police intervened into the sit-in protest held on September 3, 2019, and detained 4 people (Türkan Albayrak, Nazife Onay, Nursel Tanrıverdi and Acun Karadağ). (09/037) Detained People in Mardin… It is reported that 3 people are detained at a road check point in between Derik and Mazıdağı districts of Mardin on September 3, 2019. The names of detainees are unknown. (09/038) Detained DTK Member in Diyarbakır… It is learned that Democratic Society Congress (DTK) board member Mekiye Güzel was detained at Diyarbakır Police Directorate where she went to give an official statement on September 3, 2019. (09/039) People on Trial in Şırnak… The first trial of the case against 10 people from organization committee of Newroz celebration of this year in Cizre district of Şırnak, including HDP’s Cizre district co-chair Güler Tunç, on the grounds of “organizing and leading illegal demonstrations”, is held at Cizre Penal Court of First Instance No 1 on September 3, 2019. After defence hearings the court adjourned the trial to November 19,
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2019. (09/040) Journalists, Lawyers and ESP Members on Trial in Istanbul… The case against 23 people (2 of them are arrested) including lawyers from Law Office of the Oppressed, Etkin News Agency reporters and members and executives of Socialist Party of the Oppressed, on Istanbul Heavy Penal Court No 27 is held on September 3, 2019. The court decided to continue detention of Erkan Kakça and Coşkun Yiğit, and adjourned the trial to November 26, 2019. (09/041) Minister of Interior Threatened Istanbul Mayor… Süleyman Soylu, Minister of Interior, attending a meeting in Bursa on September 3, 2019, stated the following for Ekrem İmamoğlu’s recent visit to co-mayors of Diyarbakır, Van and Mardin who were suspended recently: “He is painting in glowing colours that they hugged each other and dance the halay and etc. May Allah enhance your cheer (…) I am saying here: Do your job, you are more than welcome. But if you engage in other things outside of the job, we will devastate you. It is so clear”. (09/042) Report on Right Violations Against Journalists… Free Journalists Initiative (ÖGİ) declared the report on right violations against journalists in August, on September 2, 2019. It is stated in the report that, 146 journalists are in prison, and 15 journalists were detained in August; 2 journalists were subjected to investigations while 5 journalists were subjected to lawsuits against them and 1 journalist faced jail penalty. It is also remarked in the report that 700 news reports were banned to access; 1 journalist’s house was raided; 2 journalists were subjected to physical violence while 1 journalist were subjected to armed assault, and 1 journalist quit their job due to pressures. (09/043) Ban of Events in Adana… Adana Governorate made a declaration on September 3, 2019 and announced that over trustee appointment to Diyarbakır, Mardin and Van; all events such as demonstrations, press declarations, meetings, sit-ins, opening stands and tents, festivals, concerts, delivering leaflets and so on are banned for 15 days as of September 3, 2019.

05 September 2019 Daily Human Rights Report
(09/044) Operations and Attacks in Southeast… It is learned from the news coverage of August 22, 2019 that 1 HPG militant died in an air operation to Qandil area in Iraqi Kurdistan Regional Government on August 20, 2019. It is learned from the news coverage of August 23, 2019 that, 1 militant died in a clash between security forces and HPG militants in rural areas of Hakkari’s Yüksekova district on August 15, 2019. It is learned from the news coverage of August 27, 2019 that, 2 HPG militants died in an air operation to rural areas of Şırnak on August 21, 2019; 1 HPG militant died in an air operation to Haftanin area of Iraqi Kurdistan Regional Government on August 24, 2019; 1 HPG militant died in an air operation to rural areas of Batman on August 24, 2019; 3 HPG militants died in an air operation rural areas of Hakkari’s Şemdinli district on August 25, 2019. It is learned from the news coverage of August 29, 2019 that 3 HPG militants died in an air operation Zap area of Iraqi Kurdistan Regional Government. It is learned from the news coverage of September 3, 2019 that, 4 militants died in a clash between security forces and HPG militants in rural areas of Tunceli on August 27, 2019. It is learned from the news coverage of September 3, 2019 that 4 militants died in a clash between security forces and HPG militants in rural areas of Şırnak’s Uludere district on August 2, 2019. It is learned from the news coverage of September 4, 2019 that 4 militants died in a clash between security forces and HPG militants in rural areas of Tunceli on August 27, 2019. It is learned that 1 soldier died and 2 soldiers got wounded due to a bombing attack in rural areas of Mardin’s Ömerli district on September 4, 2019. (09/045) Prisoners Died in Prison…
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It is claimed on the news coverage of September 4, 2019 that, 14 prisoners (4 in open prison and 10 in closed prison) died in Menemen R Type prisons in 2019, due to unhygienic conditions. Republican People’s Party (CHP) Izmir MP Atilla Sertel submitted a parliamentary question addressing Minister of Justice, enquiring whether prisoners are kept in restrooms and aisles due to over-capacity; whether some of the wards are kept in quarantine due to epidemic and asking the reason of death for those 14 prisoners. (09/046) Letters of Prisoners Were Not Sent… It is learned from the news coverage of September 4, 2019 that, Mazlum Dönder, a prisoner in Kırşehir E Type Prison, has written letters to Cumhuriyet newspaper columnists Mine Söğüt, Işıl Özgentürk and Zeynep Oral which were not mailed and returned back to him. It is reported that the letters were not mailed because of prison administration’s ban on sending letters to newspapers and journalists. (09/047) Police Interventions Against Protests After Appointment of Trustees to Diyarbakır, Mardin and Van… The police intervened the press declaration to be held by People’s Democratic Party (HDP); at Sakarya Street in Ankara on September 4, 2019, to protest appointment of trustees to Diyarbakır, Mardin and Van. 10 people are detained by the police using physical violence. The names of detainees known so far are: HDP provincial executive Betül Koca, Veli Saçılık, HDP Mamak district executive Abuzer Kısa, Ali Özkan, Dilan Karaer, Onur Emre, Muhammet Şuayip Polat. It is reported that the detainees are released on the same day. The police intervened the press declaration to be held in Beşiktaş district of Istanbul on September 4, 2019, for the same reason. It is learned that numerous people were detained by the police using physical violence. The police prevented the press declaration to be held in front of Türkan Saylan Cultural Center in Alsancak, Izmir on September 4, 2019. (09/048) Suspended Co-Mayor and Council Members in Van… The Ministry of Interior appointed trustees in the place of co-mayor and 3 members of city council from HDP in Edremit district of Van. Ercan Karahan (İpekyolu district director of agriculture) is appointed in the place of co-mayor Medeni Özer; Vedat İlli (deputy mayor and chief clerk), Abdulah Ekinici (director of municipality police) and Nevzat İlhan (director of housing and development department) are appointed in the places of Savaş Encü, Atiye Şener and Sevinç Şeker. (09/049) 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 1030 days to regain their jobs, intended to be held in front of Human Rights Monument in Yüksel Street on September 4, 2019 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 September 4, 2019, 2 people (Merve Demirel and Nazan Bozkurt) and at 18.00 2 people (Merve Demirel and Nazan Bozkurt) were detained. Thus in total 4 people were detained due to press declaration intended to be held in Yüksel Street on September 4, 2019. It is learned detained people were released on the same days they were detained. (09/050) Police Intervention Against a Protest in Istanbul… Türkan Albayrak, who was dismissed from her job at Sarıyer district Health Department, on the grounds of ‘personnel security investigation’ and ‘archive search’, on August 3, 2018; has been holding a sit-in protest in front of Health Department for 1 year since September 3, 2018. 4 people (Türkan Albayrak, Nazife Onay, Nursel Tanrıverdi and Acun Karadağ) who were detained in the police intervention into the sit-in protest held on September 3, 2019, are released by the court on judicial control conditions. (09/051) Detained DTK Member in Diyarbakır… Democratic Society Congress (DTK) board member Mekiye Güzel who was detained at Diyarbakır Police Directorate where she went to give an official statement on September 3, 2019, is released by the court on judicial control conditions on September 4, 2019. (09/052) Blockade of HDP’s Office in Adana…
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It is learned from the news coverage of September 4, 2019 that, HDP’s Adana office is blocked by armoured police vehicles and people are prevented from entering into and exiting from the office building. It is also reported that some locations in the city such as İsmet İnönü Park and Beşocak Square were also blocked by barriers and vehicles. It is learned that, HDP’s Adana co-chair Gülseren Tural is given a fine of 640 Turkish Liras, on the grounds of violating law of misdemeanour by exiting from HDP office on August 24, 2019 and for going to Beşocak Square on August 25, 2019. Adana Governorate has made a declaration on September 3, 2019 and announced that over trustee appointment to Diyarbakır, Mardin and Van; all events such as demonstrations, press declarations, meetings, sit-ins, opening stands and tents, festivals, concerts, delivering leaflets and so on are banned for 15 days as of September 3, 2019. (09/053) Journalists on Trial in Istanbul… The trial of the case against Sözcü newspaper’s grant holder Burak Akbay, writers Emin Çölaşan and Necati Doğru, Izmir reporter Gökmen Ulu, executive editor Metin Yılmaz, finance executive Yonca Yücekaleli and Mustafa Çetin and Yücel Arı, on the charges of ‘leading an illegal organisation’, ‘being a member of an illegal organisation’, ‘knowingly and willingly aiding an illegal organisation’ is held on Istanbul Heavy Penal Court No 37 on September 4, 2019. The court adjourned the trial to October 28, 2019. (09/054) Ban of Events in Adana… Muş Governorate made a declaration on September 4, 2019 and announced that over trustee appointment to Diyarbakır, Mardin and Van; all events such as demonstrations, press declarations, meetings, sit-ins, opening stands and tents, festivals, concerts, delivering leaflets and so on are banned for 15 days as of September 5, 2019.
06 September 2019 Daily Human Rights Report
(09/055) Torture and Ill-Treatment in Prison… It is learned from the news coverage of September 5, 2019 that 3 prisoners kept in a solitary cell in Bursa Yenişehir Women’s Prison were threatened to death by prison director. It is also stated in the news reports that female prisoners’ wards were being searched by male wardens. It is learned from the news coverage of September 5, 2019 that, in Ağrı Patnos L Type Prison, personal belongings of the prisoners were being scattered around during ward search; letters of prisoners to newspapers and news agencies, and prisoners’ social, cultural and sportive rights were being limited. It is learned from the news coverage of September 5, 2019 that, the number of books per prisoner is limited to 10 in Kırıkkale F Type Prison and that the radios of prisoners were seized. It is learned from the news coverage of September 5, 2019 that, in Adana Kürkçüler F Type Prison, ISIS prisoners were put in the wards of political prisoners. It is also stated that ISIS prisoners shouted slogans such as “Death to those godless ones” and “We will behead the heretics” to which prison administration takes no steps to intervene. It is learned from the news coverage of September 5, 2019 that, Ramazan Anık, a prison in Adana Kürkçüler F Type Prison, is penalised to solitary cell confinement. It is reported that the wardens entering Ramazan Anık’s room, committed physical violence against him and 2 other prisoners Fatih Özgür Aydın and Erdal Berk, in the same room. (09/056) Prevention of Right to Health in Prison… It is learned from the news coverage of September 5, 2019 that prisoners in Kırıkkale F Type Prison were being taken to prison infirmary with delay and those who reject being examined in handcuffs were not medically treated. (09/057) Police Interventions Against Protests After Appointment of Trustees to Diyarbakır, Mardin and Van… The police intervened the press declaration to be held by People’s Democratic Party (HDP); at Sakarya Street in Ankara on September 5, 2019, to protest appointment of trustees to Diyarbakır, Mardin and Van. 22 people including HDP’s Ankara co-chairs are detained by the police using physical
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violence. It is also learned that the police prevented journalists recording the intervention. It is reported that Veli Saçılık’s head was hit down on the concrete and was taken to hospital on suspicion of head trauma. It is learned that the detainees were released on the same day. The names of detainees known so far are: Zeyno Bayramoğlu, Aslı Viyan Saraç, Veli Saçılık, Fatma Kılıçarslan, Hasret İrem Korucu, Betül Koca, Fatma Önen, Dilan Karaer. The police intervened the press declaration to be held in front of Çankaya Municipality in Ankara on September 5, 2019, for the same reason, and detained 20 people. It is learned that detainees were released on the same day. The police intervened the human chain in Bağlar district of Diyarbakır on September 5, 2019, for the same reason, and detained 7 people including Lice co-mayors Tarık Mercan and Ruken Yılmaz, Diyarbakır city council members Sevim Coşkun and Şehriban Zohurli. The police intervened the press declaration in front of Türkan Saylan Cultural Center in Izmir on September 5, 2019, for the same reason. It is learned that Hacay Yılmaz and HDP executive Aziz Benli were injured due to police violence. It is reported that HDP Izmir MP Serpil Kemalbay was kicked by the police during intervention. The police prevented journalists recording the intervention and detained Seyri Sokak reporter Oktay İnce. 3 people who were detained are released on the same day after statement procedures. The names of detainees are: Oktay İnce, Ahmet Tuğaç and Aziz Benli. 10 people including Human Rights Association (IHD) executive Doğan Özkan, who were detained in the police intervention against the press declaration to be held in Beşiktaş district of Istanbul on September 4, 2019 are released after statement procedures on September 5, 2019. (09/058) Suspended Co-Mayor and Council Members in Van… The Ministry of Interior appointed trustees in the place of co-mayor and 4 members of city council from HDP in Çaldıran district of Van. The names who were suspended and were replaced by trustees are: Co-mayor Faruk Demir and city council members Necmettin Şahin, Pınar Demir, Hülya Darak, Mehmet Sıddık Moraner. (09/059) Prosecution Against Co-Mayor… It is learned from the news coverage of September 5, 2019 that, Mardin co-mayor Ahmet Türk who was suspended and replaced by a trustee appointed by Ministry of Interior, is subjected to a prosecution by the ministry on the grounds of “co-mayor practice”. (09/060) Union Office Was Raided by the Police in Diyarbakır… It is reported that the banner saying “Do Not Touch to My Political Will” on Health and Social Service Employees (SES) Diyarbakır branch is removed by the police raiding the branch office. (09/061) 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 1031 days to regain their jobs, intended to be held in front of Human Rights Monument in Yüksel Street on September 5, 2019 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 September 5, 2019, 2 people (Mehmet Dersulu 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 September 5, 2019. It is learned detained people were released on the same days they were detained. (09/062) Police Raid to HDP Office in Tekirdağ… HDP’s office in Tekirdağ’s Çorlu district is raided on September 5, 2019. HDP provincial co-chair Selahattin Atay and HDP member Özcan Dayan are detained in the police raid. It is learned that 2 people were released after statement procedures on the same day. (09/063) The Cases Against Academics Who Are the Signatories of the Petition “We will not be a party to this crime!”… The case against Zeliha Burcu Acar from Van Yüzüncü Yıl University for signing the petition “We will not be a party to this crime!” on Istanbul Heavy Penal Court No 36 for ‘making propaganda for an illegal organisation’ is held on September 5, 2019. The prosecutor demanded extra time for repreparing the legal opinion in accordance with Constitutional Court’s decision on Academics for Peace’s appeal. The court adjourned the trial to September 30, 2019.
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(09/064) Journalist on Trial in Istanbul… The final trial of the case against reporter Çağdaş Erdoğan on Istanbul Heavy Penal Court No 33 is held on September 5, 2019. The court sentenced Çağdaş Erdoğan to 1 year and 8 months on the charge of ‘making propaganda for an illegal organisation’ and deferred the announcement of the verdict. Çağdaş Erdoğan was detained on September 2, 2017, on the grounds of picturing National Intelligence Organisation’s social facilities in Kadıköy district of Istanbul, and was arrested on September 13, 2017. Çağdaş Erdoğan was released on the first trial of the case held on February 13, 2018. (09/065) Journalist on Trial in Istanbul… The case against journalist Ahmet Altan, for a column on Taraf newspaper in 2009, is held at Istanbul Penal Court of First Instance No 2 is held on September 5, 2019. The indictment demands sentence for Ahmet Altan on the charges of ‘attempt to influence a fair trial’ and ‘breaching the confidentiality of an investigation’. After defence hearings the court adjourned the trial to November 12, 2019. (09/066) Journalist on Trial in Istanbul… The case against journalist Deniz Yücel, on the charge of ‘publicly inciting a public officer on social media posts’ is held on Istanbul Penal Court of First Instance No 24 on September 5, 2019. The court adjourned the trial to June 11, 2020. (06/067) Journalist on Trial in Van… The case against Dicle News Agency reporter Selman Keleş and Arif Aslan on Van Heavy Penal Court No 5 is held on September 5, 2019. The court adjourned the trial to January 16, 2020. (09/068) Former HDP Co-Chair on Trial… The first trial of the case against HDP’s former co-chair Figen Yüksekdağ, on the grounds of ‘insulting Turkish nation, state of Turkey and state organs’, is held on Ankara Heavy Penal Court No 12 on September 5, 2019. The indictment demands sentence from 6 months to 2 years for Figen Yüksekdağ according to Article 301 of Turkish Penal Code. After defence hearings the court adjourned the trial. (09/069) Former HDP MP on Trial… The case against former HDP Kars MP and Democratic Society Congress board member Mülkiye Birtane at Diyarbakır Heavy Penal Court No 4 on September 5, 2019. The indictment demands sentence of 15 years to 22 years and 6 months for Mülkiye Birtane on the charge of ‘establishing and leading an illegal organisation’. Mülkiye Birtane joined the trial via sound and vision system. The court decided to continue detention of Mülkiye Birtane and adjourned the trial to November 2019. Mülkiye Birtane was detained on November 26, 2018 and was arrested on December 7, 2018. (09/070) DBP Executive on Trial in Mardin… The case against Democratic Regions Party (DBP) Party Assembly member Bayram Demirhan and Davut Bozan, Mehmet Ali Dayan, Mehmet Ceylan, Hasan İlhan, on Mardin Heavy Penal Court No 2 is held on September 5, 2019. After defence hearings the court decided to continue detention of 3 people (Bayram Demirhan, Mehmet Ceylan, Davut Bozan) and adjourned the trial to October 25, 2019. (09/071) Detentions and Arrests in Alleged Link to Coup Attempt… On September 5, 2019, 10 people including military members on active duty are detained in operations covering 8 cities through a Konya based investigating; and 2 people are detained in Edirne in alleged attempt to illegally cross to Greece. (09/072) Trials in Alleged Link to Coup Attempt… The final trial of the case against Yasin Tikdağ, former sub-governor of Hacılar district of Kayseri is held on Ankara Heavy Penal Court No 17 on September 5, 2019. The court sentenced the defendant to 7 years and 6 months for ‘being an illegal organisation member’. (09/073) Ban of Events in Tunceli… Tunceli Governorate made a declaration on September 5, 2019 and announced that all events such as demonstrations, press declarations, meetings, sit-ins, opening stands and tents, festivals, concerts, delivering leaflets and so on are banned for 30 days as of September 4, 2019. (09/074) Ban of Events in Tunceli… Bursa Governorate made a declaration on September 5, 2019 and announced that all events such as
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demonstrations, press declarations, meetings, sit-ins, opening stands and tents, delivering leaflets and so on which would be held to protest trustee appointments to Mardin, Van and Diyarbakır, are banned for 15 days as of September 5, 2019.
07 – 09 September 2019 Daily Human Rights Report
(09/075) Operations and Attacks in Southeast… It is learned that Special Operations Chief of Mardin Security Directorate died and 1 village guard was wounded in a clash between security forces and HPG militants in rural areas of Mardin’s Ömerli district on September 7, 2019. It is learned from the news coverage of September 4, 2019 that, a military operation was launched in Sulakdere and Duygulu rural neighbourhoods of Mardin’s Ömerli district and Büyükkardeş and Küçükkardeş rural neighbourhoods of Nusaybin district after a curfew was announced covering these areas; and that a forest fire broke out in rural areas of Ömerli district after the operation. (09/076) Suicide Attempt in Prison… It is learned from the news coverage of September 6, 2019 that, Mecrun Akkoyunlu, a prisoner in Bolu F Type Prison attempted to kill himself by drug overdose. Mecrun Akkoyunlu’s family is among the families who is holding a sit-in protest in front of People’s Democratic Party (HDP) Diyarbakır office, claiming that their children have gone missing. It is reported that Mecrun Akkoyunlu was put in a solitary cell after his medical treatment in Bolu Public Hospital was completed. (09/077) Torture and Ill-Treatment in Prison… On September 7, 2019, a letter from prisoners stating right violations they are subjected to in Patnos L Type Prison is covered by media. According to the letter, prisoners are not given newspapers for a year; their radios are seized; their social, cultural and sport rights are limited; they are subjected to verbal and physical violence of the wardens; their personal belongings are being scattered around during searches; tap water is dirty and smelly; prisoners are not given hot water and their petitions and applications are not called. Association of Lawyers for Freedom members in Mersin have visited political prisoners in Kayseri Bünyan Women’s Prison and stated the details on their visit on news reports on September 7, 2019. According to their statements political prisoners were assaulted by other prisoners 2 times within the last 3 months and prison administration made no move about these assaults. It is also reported that prisoners were not given Yeni Yaşam newspaper and Jineoloji magazine. (09/078) Rejection to Meeting Request with Abdullah Öcalan… It is learned that the appeal made on September 6, 2019 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. (09/079) Police Interventions and Preventions Against Protests After Appointment of Trustees to Diyarbakır, Mardin and Van… 8 people including People’s Democratic Party (HDP) Mamak district co-chair who were delivering leaflets about appointment of trustees to Diyarbakır, Mardin and Van in Mamak district of Ankara on September 8, 2019, are detained by the police. It is learned that the detainees were released on the same day after statement procedures. It is reported detainees were given a fine of 250 Turkish Liras each. The names of detainees are: HDP Mamak district co-chair Nasihat Varlı, Dilan Karaer, Adem Bucağı, Hüseyin Çelik, Celal Ataş, Muhammed Batur, Ercan Özbey, Kazım Coşkun. On September 8, 2019, leaflets and stickers printed by HDP Batman related to trustee appointments, is seized by the police getting inside the provincial office, by the verdict of prosecutor’s office. On September 8, 2019, leaflets and stickers printed by HDP related to trustee appointments, is seized by the police getting inside HDP Izmir office, by the verdict of Izmir Public Prosecutor’s Office. It is reported that prosecutor’s verdict is based on the decision of Mardin Penal Court of Peace No 2. It is learned from the news coverage of September 8, 2019 that, the car of HDP’s Kayapınar district
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co-chair in Diyarbakır was stopped by the police and the leaflets and stickers found in the car (which were about trustee appointments) were seized. The police intervened HDP members having a protest in Beylikdüzü district of Istanbul on September 8, 2019 and detained 9 people including HDP Avcılar district co-chair. It is learned that detainees were released on the same day after statement procedures. The names of detainees: HDP Avcılar district co-chair Mahmut Cakan, Murat Cakan, Metin Dağ, Alattin Duygun, Ali Çakıl, Mustafa Duman, Mevlut Çalışkan, Mevlüt Yalpazoğlu and Hüsnü Taş. On September 7, 2019, the banner hung at HDP’s Mersin office, saying “Trustee Appointments Are Seizure of Political Will, People’s Will Constitute the Basis” is removed by the police based on the ban of governorate. 7 people including Lice co-mayors Tarık Mercan and Ruken Yılmaz, Diyarbakır city council members Sevim Coşkun and Şehriban Zohurli who were detained in the police intervention against the human chain in Bağlar district of Diyarbakır on September 5, 2019, are released on September 6, 2019 after statement procedures. 3 people (Seyri Sokak reporter Oktay İnce, Ahmet Tuğaç and Aziz Benli) who were detained by the police intervening the press declaration in front of Türkan Saylan Cultural Center in Izmir on September 5, 2019, are released on September 6, 2019 after statement procedures. (09/080) 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 1034 days to regain their jobs, intended to be held in front of Human Rights Monument in Yüksel Street on September 6, 7, and 8, 2019 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 September 6, 2019, 2 people (Mehmet Dersulu and Acun Karadağ) and at 18.00 2 people (Mehmet Dersulu and Alev Şahin) were detained. It was reported that during police intervention against the press declaration which was planned to be held at 13.30 on September 7, 2019, 2 people (Mehmet Dersulu and Alev Şahin) and at 18.00 2 people (Acun Karadağ and Alev Şahin) were detained. It was reported that during police intervention against the press declaration which was planned to be held at 13.30 on September 8, 2019, 2 people (Mehmet Dersulu and Alev Şahin) and at 18.00 2 people (Nazan Bozkurt and Merve Demirel) were detained. Thus in total 12 people were detained due to press declaration intended to be held in Yüksel Street on September 6, 7, and 8, 2019. It is learned detained people were released on the same days they were detained. (09/081) 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 754th time on September 7, 2019. 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. (09/082) Prevention of Human Rights Defenders’ Event in Istanbul… “F sit-in”, which is organized for the 389th time by Human Rights Association (IHD) Istanbul Branch Prison Watch Committee, to demand release of ill prisoners, on September 7, 2019, 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. (09/083) Detained City Council Members and Political Party Executive in Urfa… 16 people including city council members Fatma Taş Ekmez and Suphi Koçyiğit and HDP executive Vahit Akgün, who were detained in house raids in Urfa on August 29, 2019; are released on September 6, 2019, provided that 11 of them are on judicial control conditions. (09/084) Detained HDP Youth Assembly Member in Mersin… On September 6, 2019, 10 people inducing HDP Youth Assembly members are detained in house raids in Mersin. (09/085) CHP Executive on Trial in Istanbul…
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The final trial of the case against Republican People’s Party (HDP) Istanbul chair Canan Kaftancıoğlu, for her social media posts, is held at Istanbul Heavy Penal Court No 37 on September 6, 2019. The court sentenced Canan Kaftancıoğlu to 2 years and 8 months for ‘publicly inciting hatred and hostility among people’; 1 year and 6 months for ‘making propaganda for an illegal organisation’; 2 years and 4 months for ‘insulting the President’; 1 year and 8 months for ‘publicly degrading Turkish Republic’; 1 year 6 months and 20 days for ‘insulting a public officer due to his duty’ which makes in total 9 years 8 months and 20 days. It is learned that the court did not reduce any of the sentences. (09/086) The Cases Against Academics Who Are the Signatories of the Petition “We will not be a party to this crime!”… The case against Research Assistant Özlem Şendeniz from Iğdır University for signing the petition “We will not be a party to this crime!” on Istanbul Heavy Penal Court No 30 for ‘making propaganda for an illegal organisation’ is held on September 6, 2019. The court acquitted Özlem Şendeniz. (09/087) Gendarmerie Personnel on Trial for “Excessive Use of Force”… Ali İhsan Opçin, Abdulsamet Opçin, Ayhan Opçin and Tuncay Opçin who were detained in operations in villages of Diyarbakır’s Hani district, after a police officer dies in a clash nearby on December 17, 2018; were subjected to torture and ill-treatment which was evidenced by medical reports. It is learned from the news coverage pf September 7, 2019 that, the indictment of District Prosecutor’s Office which demands jail sentence from 6 months to 1 year for gendarmerie personnel Hasan Hüseyin Y., Mevlüd T. and Murat S., on the charge of “excessive use of force”, is accepted by Hani Penal Court of First Instance. (09/088) Detentions and Arrests in Alleged Link to Coup Attempt… 2 people who were detained in a house raid in Istanbul on August 27, 2019, are arrested by the court on September 6, 2019. 1 person who was also detained through the same investigation is released on judicial control conditions. On September 7, 2019, a former prosecutor is detained on a warrant in Balıkesir. (09/089) Curfew in Ömerli… Mardin Governorate made a declaration on September 7, 2019 to announce curfew in 2 rural neighbourhoods of Ömerli district as of 14.00 on September 7, 2019, until a further notice. The neighbourhoods under curfew are: Sulakdere and Duygulu. (09/090) Curfew in Nusaybin… Mardin Governorate made a declaration on September 7, 2019 to announce curfew in 2 rural neighbourhoods of Nusaybin district as of 14.00 on September 7, 2019, until a further notice. The neighbourhoods under curfew are: Büyükkardeş and Küçükkardeş. (09/091) Labor Killings… On September 7, 2019, Worker Health and Worker Safety Council (ISIG) revealed that at least 148 workers including 14 children, 12 women, and 11 asylum seekers died while working in August, 2019. According to ISIG data at least 1174 workers died due to labor killings/labor accidents within the first 8 months of 2019. (09/092) Ban of Event in Mardin… It is learned from the news coverage of September 6, 2019 that, concert and other events organized for opening of a municipality facility in Derik district of Mardin, is banned on the grounds of Mardin Governorate’s interdict of events.
10 September 2019 Daily Human Rights Report
(09/093) Operations and Attacks in Southeast… It is learned from the news coverage of September 9, 2019 that 3 militants died in a clash between security forces and HPG militants in Kemah district of Erzincan on August 13, 2019; 1 militant died in an air operation of Turkish Air Forces to Haftanin area in Iraqi Kurdistan Regional Government on September 4, 2019. It is learned that 1 soldier who got heavily wounded due to an explosion during military operation in rural areas of Hakkari’s Çukurca district, died on September 9, 2019.
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(09/094) Prisoner Died… It is learned from the news coverage of September 9, 2019 that, Mehmet Selim Buğrahan (87), a prisoner in Maraş Türkoğlu L Type Prison, fell ill and died in Sütçü İmam University Hospital where he was taken to. (09/095) Torture and Ill-Treatment in Prison… It is learned from the news coverage of September 9, 2019 that in Urfa Hilvan E Type Prison No 2 visit days of prisoners are being arbitrarily changed by the administration; prisoners’ radios are being seized; and prisoners are having health problems due to water cuts. (09/096) Food Poisoning in Prison… It is learned from the news coverage of September 9, 2019 that, prisoners in Izmir Şakran T Type Prison No 4 had food poisoning after eating the food given by prison administration. It is reported that prisoners were given serum treatment in prison infirmary. It is claimed in the news reports that the food given to prisoners was expired. (09/097) Torture and Ill-Treatment Under Custody in Diyarbakır… It is learned from the news coverage of September 9, 2019 that, Zeliha Barin, was subjected to torture and ill-treatment, was threatened to death and was forced to be a police informant under custody in Diyarbakır. Zeliha Barin was first subjected to knife attack of the group who has been having a sit-in protest about their missing children, in front of People’s Democratic Party (HDP) Diyarbakır office and then was detained by the police arriving there. Zeliha Barin states the following: “They tried to detain me and I was subjected to verbal and physical violence of the police at that time. They said ‘How many children did you take to mountains [referring to PKK camps], which ways did you use, did you take them over Lice or Dicle?’ and asked questions that I have nothing to do with (…) I did not accept their accusations. Before taking me into the Ranger brand vehicle in front of my house, a police officer hit me with the stock of his gun and my father tried to block me to protect. I resisted and then I was detained. I was taken to hospital but they gave me a report saying that I was not beaten (…) They asked illegal questions as it were a chat, they implicitly forced me to be a police informant and said ‘Help us so that we will help you too’. I refused to have a conversation with them.” (09/098) 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 1035 days to regain their jobs, intended to be held in front of Human Rights Monument in Yüksel Street on September 9, 2019 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 September 9, 2019, 2 people (Mehmet Dersulu and Nazan Bozkurt) and at 18.00 2 people (Mehmet Dersulu and Nazan Bozkurt) were detained. Thus in total 12 people were detained due to press declaration intended to be held in Yüksel Street on September 9, 2019. It is learned detained people were released on the same days they were detained. (09/099) Police Intervention Against a Protest in Ankara… The police intervened the protestors in front of Çankaya Public Health Directorate on September 9, 2019, who rally to regain their jobs from which they had been dismissed by state of emergency decrees, and detained 2 people (Mahmut Konuk and Cemal Yıldırım). It is learned that 2 people were released the same day. (09/100) Police Intervention Against a Protest in Istanbul… The police intervened the sit-in protest at Bakırköy Square on September 9, 2019 of Nursel Tanrıverdi who rally to regain her job from which she had been dismissed by state of emergency decree, and detained her by using physical violence. It is learned that Nursel Tanrıverdi was released on the same day after statement procedures. (09/101) Police Intervention Against a Protest in Diyarbakır… The police used pepper spray to intervene the residents who held a protest power cuts by DEDAŞ energy company in Seyrantepe neighbourhood of Diyarbakır’s Bismil district on September 9, 2019. It is learned that numerous people including women and children were affected by the intervention. (09/102) Former HDP Executive and Other People Arrested in Ağrı…
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9 of 10 people including former district co-chair of HDP who were detained in Patnos district of Ağrı on September 6, 2019 are arrested by the court on September 9, 2019. 1 person is released on judicial control conditions. The names of arrested people are: former HDP Patnos co-chair Seyit Battalcan, Muğdat Koçak, Ozan Kaya, Emrah Kaya, Nihat Keleş, Özcan Koçak, İzzet Dursun. (09/103) Journalist on Trial in Izmir… The final trial of the case against Jinnews reporter Melike Aydın, for her social media posts, is held at Izmir Heavy Penal Court No 20 on September 9, 2019. The court sentenced Melike Aydın to 1 year and 3 months on the charge of ‘making propaganda for an illegal organisation’ and deferred the announcement of the verdict. (09/104) Former Co-Mayor on Trial… Erciş Heavy Penal Court No 1 has sentenced 38 people including former Erciş district co-mayor Diba Keskin and former Erciş city council member Mehmet Nuri Çiçek, to 13 years and 9 months each, for participating in declaration of “self-governance” on October 12, 2015. As the court’s verdict was reversed, retrial of 38 people began on September 9, 2019. Diba Keskin refused to join the trial via sound and vision system. The court sentenced Diba Keskin and Mehmet Nuri Çiçek to 10 years each for ‘being an illegal organisation member’. The court decided to release Diba Keskin who was arrested on October 14, 2015. A trustee was appointed to Erciş Municipality on September 11, 2016. (09/105) The Cases Against Academics Who Are the Signatories of the Petition “We will not be a party to this crime!”… The case against 3 academicians (Professor Süleyman Kızıl, Professor Murat Biricik and Professor Fikret Uyar from Dicle University) for signing the petition “We will not be a party to this crime!” on Diyarbakır Heavy Penal Court No 11 for ‘making propaganda for an illegal organisation’ is held on September 9, 2019. The court acquitted 3 academicians. The case against 3 academicians Assoc. Professor Sevilay Çelenk from Ankara University, Professor Cem Terzi from Dokuz Eylül University and Abdullah Deveci from Eskişehir Anadolu University) for the same reason on Istanbul Heavy Penal Court No 28 is resulted in acquittal by preceding judgment on September 9, 2019. (09/106) Kızıltepe JİTEM Case… The final trial of the case against 4 military members and 5 temporary village guards, for the crimes committed by Gendarmerie Intelligence and Anti-Terror Unit members between 1992 and 1996 in Kızıltepe district of Mardin, is held on Ankara Heavy Penal Court No 5 on September 9, 2019. The court acquitted retired colonel Hasan Atilla Uğur on the charge of ‘establishing or leading an armed organisation’; and acquitted Diyarbakır Gendarmerie Commander Eşref Hatipoğlu; Gendarmerie Company Commander Ahmet Boncuk; master sergeant Ünal Alkan and village guards Abdurrahman Kurğa, Mehmet Emin Kurğa, Ramazan Çetin, Mehmet Salih Kılınçaslan and İsmet Kandemir on the charge of ‘being member to an armed organisation’. The court dropped the case on the charges of ‘forced disappearing’, ‘murder’, ‘extrajudicial killing’ on the grounds of statute of limitation. (09/107) Trials in Alleged Link to Coup Attempt… The final trial of the case against former judge Hasan Hüseyin Özse who was dismissed by a state of emergency decree, is held at Istanbul Heavy Penal Court No 24 on September 9, 2019. The court sentenced the defendant to 10 years for ‘being an illegal organisation member’. (09/108) Suspended City Council Members in Muş… 7 members of Muş City Council, all from HDP, are suspended by the Ministry of Interior on September 9, 2019. The members suspended are: Kader Erol, Filiz Aydın, Ceyhan Aydemir, Suat Kalın, Mehmet Şakir Tuğrul, Musa Kaya and Mehmet Demir. (09/109) Curfew in Artuklu… Mardin Governorate made a declaration on September 9, 2019 to announce curfew in Elmabahçe rural neighbourhood of Artuklu district as of 14.30 on September 9, 2019, until a further notice.

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12 September 2019 Daily Human Rights Report
(09/126) Child Hit by an Armoured Police Vehicle in Diyarbakır… On September 11, 2019, a six-year old child, E. T. (m) is hit by an armoured police vehicle in Bağlar district of Diyarbakır. It is learned that E. T. is taken to hospital with brain haemorrhage and is still in critical condition. (09/127) Abduction Attempt in Ankara… It is learned from the news coverage of September 11, 2019 that Hayrullah Narin, a member of Education and Science Workers Union (Eğitim-Sen) in Eryaman district of Ankara was forced to get in a black van and was attempted to be abducted by people claim themselves to be police officers. It is learned that Hayrullah Narin made an official complaint about the abduction attempt. Hayrullah Narin stated the following: “They told me that they were friends with me. I objected to it and told them that I would call my lawyer in case of a legal detention. One of them in the vehicle said ‘Don’t be such a show-off, get in the car’, another one held my arm and tried to pull me in and I turned towards a grocery store shouting ‘They are kidnapping me’. These 3 people got in the car and went away after some people around came nearby.” (09/128) Police Raid to Union Offices in Diyarbakır… On September 11, 2019, the police raided Diyarbakır offices of Education and Science Workers Union (Eğitim-Sen) and Health and Social Service Employees Union (SES) and removed the banners saying “My Vote is My Political Will” on the grounds of prosecutor’s decision. The police have raided union offices previously, to remove the banners saying “Do Not Touch to My Political Will”. (09/129) 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 1037 days to regain their jobs, intended to be held in front of Human Rights Monument in Yüksel Street on September 11, 2019 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 September 11, 2019, 2 people (Nazan Bozkurt and Merve Demirel) and at 18.00 2 people (Nazan Bozkurt and Acun Karadağ) were detained. Thus in total 4 people were detained due to press declaration intended to be held in Yüksel Street on September 11, 2019. It is learned detained people were released on the same days they were detained. (09/130) The Cases Against Academics Who Are the Signatories of the Petition “We will not be a party to this crime!”… The separate cases against 2 academicians (Professor Serdar Değirmencioğlu from Doğuş University and Assist. Professor Özlem Savaş from Bilkent University) for signing the petition “We will not be a party to this crime!” on Istanbul Heavy Penal Court No 30 for ‘making propaganda for an illegal organisation’ are held on September 11, 2019. The court acquitted 2 academicians. The case against Research Assistant Esra Cesur Erdem from Middle East Technical University for the same reason on Istanbul Heavy Penal Court No 37 is held on September 11, 2019. The court decided to send the case to Ankara Heavy Penal Court on the grounds of lack of venue decision. The separate cases against 2 academicians (Professor Ayşe Berkman from Mimar Sinan Fine Arts University and Lecturer Chris Stephenson from Bilgi University) for the same reason on Istanbul Heavy Penal Court No 36 are held on September 11, 2019. The court adjourned both trials to September 12, 2019. The case against Assist. Professor İlker Gökhan Şen from Anadolu University for the same reason on Istanbul Heavy Penal Court No 13 is held on September 11, 2019. The court adjourned the trial to December 5, 2019. The cases against 11 academicians (Assoc. Professor Yıldırım Şentürk from Mimar Sinan Fine Arts University, Lecturer Özlem Köseoğlu, Yörük Kurtaran and Assoc. Professor Bülent Bilmez from Bilgi University, Professor Ali Çeliksöz from Cumhuriyet University, Assist. Professor Hilal Alkan Zeybek from 29 Mayıs University, Assist. Professor Kasım Akbaş from Anadolu University, Professor Onur
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Hamzaoğlu from Kocaeli University, Research Assistant Asena Pala from Artuklu University, T.E.K. from Pennsylvania University and Professor Erhan Ünlü from Dicle University) on Istanbul Heavy Penal Court No 25 is resulted in acquittal as a preceding judgment of the court on September 11, 2019. (09/131) Former Co-Mayor on Trial… The case against Sara Kaya, former co-mayor of Nusaybin district of Mardin, is held on Mardin Heavy Penal Court No 4 on September 11, 2019. Sara Kaya joined the trial from prison via sound and vision system. The court decided to continue detention of Sara Kaya and adjourned the trial to November 6, 2019. (09/132) Austrian Journalist on Trial… The final trial of the case against Austrian Max Zirngast and Social Freedom Party (TÖP) members Mithatcan Türetken and Hatice Göz, on Ankara Heavy Penal Court No 26, is held on September 11, 2019. The court acquitted 3 people. decided to release 3 people with a ban on leaving the country and to hold the first hearing on April 11, 2019. Max Zirngast, Mithatcan Türetken and Hatice Göz were detained in house raids in Ankara and Hatay on September 11, 2018 and all were arrested on September 21, 2018.The court accepted the indictment against them on December 24, 2018 and released 3 people on scheduling order. (09/133) Journalist on Trial in Diyarbakır… The trial of the case against Evrensel newspaper columnist Yusuf Karataş, for his activities within Democratic Society Congress (DTK) is held on Diyarbakır Heavy Penal Court No 9 on September 11, 2019. The court rejected to lift the ban on leaving the country and adjourned the trial to December 25, 2019. (09/134) Journalist on Trial in Diyarbakır… The trial of the case against journalist Ayşegül Doğan, for her interviews with Democratic Society Congress (DTK) executives and the events she attended, is held on Diyarbakır Heavy Penal Court No 9 on September 11, 2019. The court adjourned the trial to December 25, 2019. (09/135) Journalist on Trial in Istanbul… The final trial of the case against journalist Uğur Dündar, on the grounds of insulting Binali Yıldırım, AKP’s Izmir MP back then, in a column he published on April 5, 2014, is held on Istanbul Küçükçekmece Penal Court of First Instance No 2 on September 11, 2019. The court sentenced Uğur Dündar to 11 months and 20 days and then converted the jail sentence to the obligation to read books, articles and dissertations related to “crimes against honour” in university libraries for at least 2 hours a week during 5 months and 25 days. (09/136) Şerzan Kurt Case… The retrial of the case against retired police officer Gültekin Şahin, who was sentenced to 16 years for shooting university student Şerzan Kurt to death on May 19, 2010, is held on Eskişehir Heavy Penal Court No 1 on September 11, 2019. The Supreme Court has reversed the 16-years’ sentence earlier. The court sentenced Gültekin Şahin to 12 years on the charge of “aggravated injury on account of its consequences” and then reduced it to 7 years and 6 months on the grounds of unjust provocation and good conduct. (09/137) Çorlu Train Crash Case… The case against 4 officials of Turkish State Railways (TCDD) about the train crash on July 8, 2018, in Çorlu district of Tekirdağ where 25 people died and 328 people got wounded, is held on Çorlu Heavy Penal Court No 1 on September10 and 11, 2019. 4 officials of TCDD on trial are: Turgut Kurt, railway maintenance manager at TCDD Regional Directorate No 1 Halkalı Railway Maintenance Directorate No 14; Özkan Polat, railway maintenance and repair chief at Çerkezköy Maintenance and Repair, Celaleddin Çabuk, line maintenance and repair official at Railway Maintenance Directorate and Çetin Yıldırım, chief in charge of bridges who has signed the annual inspection report issued on May 2018. The indictment demands jail sentence from 2 years to 15 years for defendants on the charge of ‘reckless killing and injury’. After defence hearings the court adjourned the trial to December 10, 2019.
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14 – 16 September 2019 Daily Human Rights Report
(09/158) Operations and Attacks in Southeast… It is learned from the news coverage of September 14, 2019 that, 2 militants died in a clash between security forces and HPG militants in rural areas of Diyarbakır’s Dicle district on September 9, 2019. It is learned that 1 solider who was injured due to crash of a military vehicle in Iğdır on June 6, 2019, died in hospital on September 14, 2019. It is learned that 1 village guard who was wounded in an attack in rural areas of Mardin’s Ömerli district on September 7, 2019 died in hospital on September 14, 2019. It is learned from the news coverage of September 15, 2019 that, 2 HPG militants died in an air operation of Turkish Air Forces to Haftanin area in Iraqi Kurdistan Regional Government. (09/159) Prisoner Died in Prison… It is learned from the news coverage of September 14, 2019 that, Kemal Bilici, a prisoner in Manisa T Type Prison, died in hospital on September 11, 2019. It is reported that Kemal Bilici was diagnosed with “depression due to confinement” and had difficulties such as attention deficit, limitations of movement and speech impediment after taking prescribed medication, and he was referred to Manisa Psychiatric Hospital on August 22, 2019. (09/160) Hunger Strike in Prison… It is learned from the news coverage of September 15, 2019 that Şerif Mesutoğlu who was sentenced to life imprisonment on the case about bombing attack on November 10, 2016 which caused death of Mardin’s Derik district sub-governor Mehmet Fatih Safitürk, is on hunger strike for a fair trial for 84 days in Siverek T Type Prison. (09/161) Torture and Ill-Treatment in Prison… On September 13, 2019, a letter from prisoners in Kırıkkale F Type Prison stating right violations they were subjected to, is covered by news reports. According to their letter, social, cultural and sports rights of prisoners are limited, prices at prison mess hall is too high, 4 prisoners are kept in wards for 3 which obliges 1 prisoner to sleep on the floor, prisoners’ personal belongings are being scattered around during ward searches, and the number of books per prisoner is limited to 10. It is learned from the news coverage of September 13, 2019 that prisoners in Tokat T Type Prison are forced to stand in military order during roll-calls. (09/162) Prevention of Right to Health in Prison… It is learned from the news coverage of September 15, 2019 that Sıddık Güler (80) an ill-prisoner in İskenderun T Type Prison was not medically treated. (09/163) People Were Subjected to Torture and Ill-Treatment of Gendarmerie in Mardin… It is learned from the news coverage of September 14, 2019 that, after the clash in rural areas of Ömerli district of Mardin where 1 police officer died, almost 70 people including local headmen of 15 villages nearby, were called to Ömerli District Gendarmerie Command. It is reported that those who went to the gendarmerie command were made wait under sun for 2 hours and were subjected to verbal and physical violence. One of those waited at the gendarmerie command stated the following: “A young person who stood up to their insults was beaten in front of us and then they took him inside. We do not know what they did to him there. And they beat 5 more people who reacted against them. They choked him and beat. They insulted especially the local headmen who came from the villages under curfew.” (09/164) 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 1034 days to regain their jobs, intended to be held in front of Human Rights Monument in Yüksel Street on September 13, 14, and 15, 2019 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 September 13, 2019, 2 people (Mehmet Dersulu and Merve Demirel) and at 18.00 2 people (Mehmet Dersulu and Alev Şahin) were detained. It was reported that during police intervention against the press declaration which was planned to be
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held at 13.30 on September 14, 2019, 2 people (Mehmet Dersulu and Merve Demirel) and at 18.00 2 people (Mehmet Dersulu and Alev Şahin) were detained. It was reported that during police intervention against the press declaration which was planned to be held at 13.30 on September 15, 2019, 2 people (Mehmet Dersulu and Alev Şahin) and at 18.00 2 people (Mehmet Dersulu and Nazan Bozkurt) were detained. Thus in total 12 people were detained due to press declaration intended to be held in Yüksel Street on September 13, 14, and 15, 2019. It is learned detained people were released on the same days they were detained. (09/165) 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 755th time on September 14, 2019. 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. (09/166) Gendarmerie Intervention to a Protest in Muş… On September 14, 2019, gendarmerie intervened into residents of Arakonak village in Bulanık district of Muş, who protest stone pit construction, and detained 15 people. It is learned that 2 people were injured due to intervention. Detained people are released after statement procedures on September 15, 2019. The names of detained people are unknown. (09/167) Detained Co-Mayor in Diyarbakır… Mehmet Fatih Taş, People’s Democratic Party’s (HDP) co-mayor of Diyarbakır’s Kulp district is detained on September 13, 2019, through the investigation on the attack in Kulp district on September 12, 2019, which killed 7 people including 3 village guards. HDP’s district co-chair Abidin Karaman and Municipality Civil Works Director Şener Aktaş have been detained through the same investigation. It is reported that Kulp Municipality building was raided and searched by the police on September 13, 2019. (09/168) Detained HDP Executive in Van… 6 of 23 people, members of HDP and Democratic Society Congress (DTK) who were detained in house raids in Van on September 10, 2019 are arrested by the court on September 13, 2019. The names of arrested people are: Sait Kılıç, İbrahim Sungur, Fikret Doğan, Yadişen Karabulak, Dilan Yıldız and Nesibe Akdağ. (09/169) Detained Journalist in Diyarbakır… Journalist Hamza Özkan who was detained on September 10, 2019 in Diyarbakır, is released by the court on September 13, 2019. (09/170) Detained People for Social Media Posts in Izmir… 7 people who were detained for social media posts in house raids in Izmir on September 12, 2019, are released after statement procedures at the police on the same day. The names of detained people are unknown. (09/171) Police Raid to Chamber of City Planners in Diyarbakır… On September 13, 2019, Diyarbakır office of Chamber of City Planners of TMMOB (Union of Chambers of Turkish Engineers and Architects) is raided by the police and the banner “Don’t Touch to My Political Will and My City” is removed on the grounds of prosecutor’s office verdict. (09/172) Police Raid to HDP Office in Osmaniye… It is learned that HDP’s Osmaniye office is raided by the police on September 13, 2019. It is reported that posters and stickers about trustee appointments to Diyarbakır, Mardin and Van were seized by the police and HDP provincial co-chair Cebrail Mutlu is detained after search. (09/173) Former HDP Co-Chair on Trial… The case against Selahattin Demirtaş, former co-chair of HDP, on the charge of ‘insulting Ahmet Davutoğlu’, the Prime Minister back then, in a speech he made, is held on September 13, 2019 on Mersin Penal Court of First Instance No 14. Selahattin Demirtaş did not join the trial. The court rejected Selahattin Demirtaş’s demand to attend the trials in person and adjourned the trial. (09/174) Van Co-Mayor on Trial… The case at Van Heavy Penal Court No 2 against Van co-mayor Bedia Özgökçe Ertan, who was
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suspended and replaced by an appointed trustee, is held on September 13, 2019. The indictment demands sentence for Bedia Özgökçe Ertan on the charge of ‘making propaganda for an illegal organisation’. The court decided to send a writ to Grand National Assembly of Turkey to check legal impunity and adjourned the trial. (09/175) Former ESP Chair on Trial… The case against Çiçek Otlu, former chair of Socialist Party of the Oppressed (ESP) and 3 members of ESP (Sidar Balsever, Ali Haydar Keleş and Bedran Çoğaltay) on Istanbul Heavy Penal Court No 25 is held on September 13, 2019. After defence hearings the court released Çiçek Otlu, Ali Haydar Keleş and Sidar Balsever on judicial control conditions and adjourned the trial to February 13, 2020. Former ESP chair Çiçek Otlu was arrested on August 22, 2017. (09/176) Constitutional Court Decision on Abidin Cevher… Constitutional Court’s decision on the individual appeal of Abidin Cevher, who was injured at one eye due to gas canister fired at a police intervention to a protest in 2013 in Ankara, is published on the official gazette on September 13, 2019. The court decided that Abidin Cevher should be paid a compensation of 50.000 Turkish Liras for immaterial damages since his right to live and right to assembly and demonstration were violated. The court also decided to send the verdict to Ankara Public Prosecutor’s Office for re-investigation. (09/177) Van Governorate’s Decision on Allegations of Torture and Ill-Treatment… It is learned that Van Governorate did not accept to investigate 66 police officers, about allegations of torture and ill-treatment to 8 people including 2 children who were detained in a house raid in İpekyolu district of Van on July 14, 2018, where 3 people including 1 police officer died. (09/178) Detentions and Arrests in Alleged Link to Coup Attempt… On September 13, 2019, a warrant was issued for 165 people through an Ankara based investigation on leakage of questions of Sub-Governor Exam 2012, and 83 of them are detained. On September 13, 2019, a detention warrant is issued for 23 people including military members on active duty through and Adana based investigation. On September 14, 2019, 141 of 222 military officers on active duty for whom a detention warrant was issued, are detained in operations covering 54 cities through an Istanbul based investigation. (09/179) Trials in Alleged Link to Coup Attempt… The final trial of the case against 37 people including Small and Medium Enterprises Development Organization (KOSGEB) former chair Mustafa Kaplan and some other former executives, is held on Ankara Heavy Penal Court No 16 on September 13, 2019. The court sentenced 20 people including Mustafa Kaplan to jail penalties from 6 years and 3 months to 8 years and 9 months for ‘being an illegal organisation member’. The court acquitted 17 people. (09/180) Ban of an Event in Istanbul… It is learned that Grup Yorum band’s concert at Taksim Ortaoyuncuları Theatre Company in Beyoğlu district of Istanbul on September 14, 2019 is banned by Beyoğlu Sub-Governorate. (09/181) Special Security Zone in Hakkari… Hakkari Governorate made a declaration on September 14, 2019 and announced 5 areas in central, Çukurca, Şemdinli, Yüksekova and Derecik districts as special security zones as of September 14, 2019 until September 28, 2019.
17 September 2019 Daily Human Rights Report
(09/182) Prisoner Died in Prison… It is learned from news reports that Mustafa Akyol, an ill-prisoner in Ağrı Patnos L Type Prison, died on September 16, 2019, in Van Yüzüncü Yıl University Hospital. (09/183) 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 1042 days to regain their jobs, intended to be held in front of Human Rights Monument in Yüksel Street on September 6, 2019 at 13.30, and at 18.00. It was reported that during police intervention against the press declaration which was planned to be
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held at 13.30 on September 16, 2019, 2 people (Mehmet Dersulu and Nazan Bozkurt) and at 18.00 2 people (Acun Karadağ and Merve Demirel) were detained. Thus in total 4 people were detained due to press declaration intended to be held in Yüksel Street on September 16, 2019. It is learned detained people were released on the same days they were detained. (09/184) Police Intervention Against a Protest in Ankara… The police intervened the protestors in front of Çankaya Public Health Directorate on September 17, 2019, who rally to regain their jobs from which they had been dismissed by state of emergency decrees, and detained 2 people (Mahmut Konuk and 1 person). It is learned that 2 people were released the same day. (09/185) Police Intervention Against a Protest in Istanbul… The police intervened the sit-in protest at Bakırköy Square on September 16, 2019 of Nursel Tanrıverdi who rally to regain her job from which she had been dismissed by state of emergency decree, and detained her by using physical violence. It is learned that Nursel Tanrıverdi was released on the same day after statement procedures. (09/186) Police Intervention Against a Protest in Ankara… The police intervened the sit-in protest in front of Justice and Development Party’s (AKP) Ankara office on September 16, 2019 by Cemal Yıldırım who rally to regain his job at Ministry of Finance from which he had been dismissed by state of emergency decree, and detained him. It is learned that Cemal Yıldırım was released on the same day after statement procedures. (09/187) Police Interventions and Preventions Against Protests After Appointment of Trustees to Diyarbakır, Mardin and Van… The police intervened the march of People’s Democratic Party (HDP) Ankara Women’s Assembly saying “co-chair system is our purple line”, about appointment of trustees to Diyarbakır, Mardin and Van, which was to be held in Tunalı Hilmi Street of Ankara on September 16, 2019, and used physical violence to detain 9 people including HDP Ankara co-chair. Detained people are released on the same day. The names of detained people are: HDP Ankara co-chair Zeyno Bayramoğlu, Aslı Bayramoğlu, Bedriye Irmak, Emine Kaya, Betül Koca, Aslı Viyan Saraç, Birsen Kaya, Sibel Polat, Yağmur Yurtsever. The police prevented the press declaration of HDP Izmir Women’s Assembly in Alsancak of Izmir on September 16, 2019. HDP MP’s made a press declaration under police blockade. (09/188) Police Intervention Against a Protest in Istanbul… The police prevented the protest to be held in front of AKP Istanbul office on September 16, 2019, by families of military school students who were arrested through the investigation on July 15 coup attempt, (09/189) Police Intervention Against a Protest in Izmir… The police prevented the press declaration on September 16, 2019, by students who have been having sit-in protest in front of Fine Arts Faculty building of Dokuz Eylül University in Narlıdere, which is planned to be relocated in Tınaztepe Campus. (09/190) Police Intervention Against a Protest in Kocaeli… The police used pepper spray to intervene the protest in front of district municipality building, by stallholders in Derince district of Kocaeli on September 16, 2019. It is learned that nobody was detained. (09/191) Detained Co-Mayor in Diyarbakır… Fatma Ay, People’s Democratic Party’s (HDP) co-mayor of Diyarbakır’s Kulp district and Mehmet Emin Ay are detained on September 16, 2019, through the investigation on the attack in Kulp district on September 12, 2019, which killed 7 people including 3 village guards. The other co-mayor Mehmet Fatih Taş, HDP’s district co-chair Abidin Karaman and Municipality Civil Works Director Şener Aktaş have been detained through the same investigation. Those 5 people are arrested by the court on September 17, 2019. (09/192) The Cases Against Academics Who Are the Signatories of the Petition “We will not be a party to this crime!”… The cases against 15 academicians (Lecturer Nazım Hikmet Richard Dikbaş, Lecturer Gözde Durmuş and Professor Gencer Özcan from Bilgi University, PhD Zeynep Gönen Yüksel, Research Assistant
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Taylan Banguoğlu from Muğla Sıtkı Koçman University, Professor Melek Göregenli, Professor Zerrin Kurtoğlu Şahin and PhD student Cana Bostan from Ege University, Assoc. Professor Ayşen Candaş, Assist. Professor Elif Aysimi Duman, Professor Şemsa Özar and PhD Ceyda Arslan Kechriotis from Boğaziçi University, Tuna Altınel from Lyon I University, Professor Deniz Özdemir from Yaşar University, Professor Mehmet Ozan Erözden from MEF University) for signing the petition “We will not be a party to this crime!” on Istanbul Heavy Penal Court No 29 are resulted in acquittal as a preceding judgment of the court on September 16, 2019. (09/193) Detentions and Arrests in Alleged Link to Coup Attempt… On September 16, 2019, 24 people are detained on a warrant which was issued for 165 people through an Ankara based investigation on leakage of questions of Sub-Governor Exam 2012. The number of detentions raised up to 107. (09/194) Trials in Alleged Link to Coup Attempt… The final trial of the case against Duran Eryılmaz, former deputy governor of Yozgat, is held on Ankara Heavy Penal Court No 23 on September 16, 2019. The court sentenced the defendant to 8 years and 1 month for ‘being an illegal organisation member’. The final trial of the case against former Supreme Court judge Mehmet Murat Yönder is held on Penal Department No 9 of Supreme Court on September 16, 2019. The court sentenced the defendant to 12 years for ‘being an illegal organisation member’.
18 September 2019 Daily Human Rights Report
(09/195) Operations and Attacks in Southeast… It is learned from the news coverage of September 17, 2019 that 2 militants died in a clash between security forces and HPG militants in rural areas of Muş on September 11, 2019. (09/196) Torture and Ill-Treatment in Prison… It is learned from the news coverage of September 17, 2019 that, PKK leader Abdullah Öcalan, Ömer Hayri Konar, Veysi Aktaş and Hamili Yıldırım who are kept in Imrali Prison are penalised with 3 months of disciplinary punishment. It is learned from the news coverage of September 17, 2019 that Beyar Uğurlu and Celil Keskin, two ill-prisoners in Elazığ T Type Prison are put in solitary cells although a medical report states that they cannot be kept in solitary cells. (09/197) 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 1043 days to regain their jobs, intended to be held in front of Human Rights Monument in Yüksel Street on September 17, 2019 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 September 17, 2019, 2 people (Acun Karadağ and Nazan Bozkurt) and at 18.00 2 people (Mehmet Dersulu and Mahmut Konuk) were detained. Thus in total 4 people were detained due to press declaration intended to be held in Yüksel Street on September 17, 2019. It is learned detained people were released on the same days they were detained. (09/198) Police Intervention Against a Protest in Diyarbakır… The police intervened Peace Mothers who make a sit-in protest with a banner of “Mothers Demand Peace” in front of Justice and Development Party (AKP) Diyarbakır office on September 17, 2019 and detained 5 people. It is learned that detained people were released after statement procedures on the same day. The names of detained people are: Nazime Yürek, Aklime Hanas, Aysel Tufan, Sultan Aksoy and Vahide (unknown surname). (09/199) Police Intervention Against a Protest in Ankara… The police intervened the sit-in protest in front of Justice and Development Party’s (AKP) Ankara office on September 17, 2019 by Cemal Yıldırım who rally to regain his job at Ministry of Finance from which he had been dismissed by state of emergency decree, and detained him. It is learned that Cemal Yıldırım was released on the same day.
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(09/200) Arrested Co-Mayor… It is learned that Melike Göksu, People’s Democratic Party (HDP) co-mayor of Erzurum’s Karayazı district, is put in prison on September 17, 2019, upon Supreme Court’s approval of 7 years and 6 months’ sentence given to her on the charge of ‘being an illegal organisation member’. (09/201) Co-Mayor on Trial… The final trial of the case against Filiz Buluttekin, HDP co-mayor of Diyarbakır’s Sur district, for a speech she made at Women’s Conference in Diyarbakır on January 7, 2018, is held at Diyarbakır Heavy Penal Court No 11 on September 17, 2019. The court sentenced Filiz Buluttekin to 10 months for ‘making propaganda for an illegal organisation’ and deferred the announcement of the verdict. (09/202) The Cases Against Academics Who Are the Signatories of the Petition “We will not be a party to this crime!”… The separate cases against 2 academicians (Professor Halil Resmi from Dokuz Eylül University and Research Assistant Serdar Başçetin from Erzincan University) for signing the petition “We will not be a party to this crime!” on Istanbul Heavy Penal Court No 36 are held on September 17, 2019. The court acquitted both academicians. The separate cases against 2 academicians (Research Assistant Esra Demir Gürsel from Marmara University and Research Assistant Emre Özyetiş from Artuklu University) for the same reason on Istanbul Heavy Penal Court No 37 are held on September 17, 2019. The court acquitted both academicians. The case against PhD Cenk Yiğiter from Ankara University for the same reason on Istanbul Heavy Penal Court No 32 is resulted in acquittal as a preceding judgment of the court on September 17, 2019. The case against Professor Cengiz Erçin from Kocaeli University for the same reason on Kocaeli Heavy Penal Court No 5 is held on September 17, 2019. The court acquitted Cengiz Erçin. 195 of 808 cases against academicians for signing the petition “We will not be a party to this crime!” are resulted in acquittal as of September 18, 2019. (09/203) Union Members on Trial in Aydın… The final trial of the case against 6 members (Orhan Görü, Turgay Elçi, Gökhan Gök, Dursun Keleş, Mustafa Dağlı and Mehmet Sarıtaş) of Education and Science Workers’ Union (Eğitim-Sen), for activities and events they participated, is held at Aydın Heavy Penal Court No 2 on September 17, 2019. The court acquitted 6 people. (09/204) Journalist on Trial in Istanbul… The case against Fatih Polat, Evrensel newspaper executive editor, on the charge of ‘insulting the President’ in his article “What do respondents say about the allegations about Erdoğan family?”, is held at Bakırköy Penal Court of First Instance No 31 on September 17, 2019. After defence hearings the court adjourned the trial to November 14, 2019. (09/205) Journalist on Trial in Ankara… The final trial of the case against Hüseyin Özkaya, former reporter of Taraf newspaper which was closed down by a state of emergency decree, as a part of “Fethullahist Terrorist Organisation / Parallel State Structure Investigations”, is held at Ankara Heavy Penal Court No 16 on September 17, 2019. The court acquitted Hüseyin Özkaya to 7 years and 6 months for ‘being an illegal organisation member’. (09/206) Grup Yorum Band Members and Others on Trial in Istanbul… The case against 15 people (5 arrested) including Grup Yorum music band members Helin Bölek and Bahar Kurt, on the charges of ‘being an illegal organisation member’ and ‘leading an illegal organisation’, on Istanbul Heavy Penal Court No 35 is held on September 17, 2019. The court rejected demand of release of arrested defendants and adjourned the trial to November 20, 2019. (09/207) Singer on Trial in Edirne for ‘Insulting the President’… The final trial of the case against Saide İnaç (Hozan Cane), a German citizen singer, on Edirne Penal Court of First Instance No 6, on the charge of ‘insulting the President’ is held on September 17, 2019. The court sentenced Saide İnaç to 1 year and 1 month and 15 days and deferred the announcement of the verdict. Saide İnaç was detained on June 23, 2018 in Edirne where she came to support HDP’s campaign for
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elections on June 24, 2018; she was arrested on June 26, 2018 on the grounds of her social media posts. (09/208) Constitutional Court Decision on Halk TV Channel’s Appeal… Constitutional Court’s decision on the appeal of Halk Radio and Television Broadcasting Corp. is published on the official gazette on September 17, 2019. The appeal was about broadcast ban on news reports related to parliamentary investigation commission to inquire bribery and corruption allegations for former ministers Mehmet Zafer Çağlayan, Muammer Güler, Egemen Bağış and Erdoğan Bayraktar. The court decided that freedom of press and expression was violated by the broadcast ban. (09/209) Police Officer on Trial for Death of Ömer Barış Topkara in Istanbul… The re-trial of the case against police officer H. D. S. for death of Ömer Barış Topkara (16) is held at Penal Department No 1 of Istanbul Regional Court, upon Supreme Court’s reversal of the 15 years’ sentence given by the same court earlier. The court sentenced H. D. S. to 7 years and 6 months (with good time conduct) on the charge of ‘causing death with conscious negligence’ following Supreme Court’s decision. Ömer Barış Topkara and a friend of him were detained in a shopping mall in Esenyurt district of Istanbul on February 16, 2017 and were handcuffed to each other. Upon their attempt to run away after exiting the hospital where they were taken for health check the police have fired a warning shot into the air and the children have stopped afterwards. The police officer H.D.S. has hit Topkara at the head with his gun and the child has died due to gunfire after the impact. The local court has given 11 years and 8 months’ jail sentence for ‘killing with an eventual intention under unjust provocation’ and it was reversed by Penal Department No 1 of Istanbul Regional Court which sentenced H.D.S. to 15 years. Supreme Court reversed this verdict and decided the police officer to be sentenced on the charge of ‘causing death with conscious negligence’. (09/210) Detentions and Arrests in Alleged Link to Coup Attempt… On September 17, 2019, 14 people are detained in operations covering 8 cities through an Ankara based investigation and 9 people are detained in Ankara for using ByLock. On September 17, 2019 a detention warrant is issued for 14 people including military members on active duty and dismissed police officers, through an Izmir based investigation. It is learned that operations are initiated in 9 cities. (09/211) Trials in Alleged Link to Coup Attempt… The final trial of the case against Mehmet Kaya, former judge of Supreme Court, is held at Penal Department No 9 of Supreme Court on September 17, 2019. The court sentenced the defendant to 15 years for ‘being an illegal organisation member’. (09/212) Ban of Events in Adana… Adana Governorate made a declaration on September 17, 2019 and announced that over trustee appointment to Diyarbakır, Mardin and Van; all events such as demonstrations, press declarations, meetings, sit-ins, opening stands and tents, festivals, concerts, delivering leaflets and so on are banned for 15 days as of September 18, 2019. This is the third time of governorate ban on events for 15 days in Adana. (09/213) Ban of Events in Hakkari… Hakkari Governorate made a declaration on September 17, 2019 and announced that over trustee appointment to Diyarbakır, Mardin and Van; all events such as demonstrations, press declarations, meetings, sit-ins, opening stands and tents, festivals, concerts, delivering leaflets and so on are banned for 30 days as of September 16, 2019 until October 15, 2019. This is the second time of governorate ban on events for 30 days in Adana. (09/214) Trustee Appointed to Kulp District… It is learned that Ministry of Interior suspended Mehmet Fatih Taş and Fatma Ay, HDP co-mayors of Diyarbakır’s Kulp district on September 17, 2019 and appointed district sub-governorate Mustafa Gözlet as trustee. Mehmet Fatih Taş and Fatma Ay were detained through the investigation on the attack in Kulp district on September 12, 2019, which killed 7 people including 3 village guards, and were arrested on September 16, 2019.
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19 September 2019 Daily Human Rights Report
(09/215) Torture and Ill-Treatment in Prison… It is learned from the news coverage of September 18, 2019 that, Ramazan Çekmen, a prisoner in Denizli T Type Prison was subjected to disciplinary proceedings on the grounds that he spoke Kurdish with an officer on duty during family visits in prison. It is reported that Ramazan Çekmen was penalised with being prevented from some activities in prison, on the grounds of ‘speaking to or behaving towards institution staff improperly’. It is learned from the news coverage of September 18, 2019 that, wards in Izmir Kırıklar Prison were searched 9 times within last 15 days and personal belongings of prisoners were scattered around during searches. (09/216) Lawyers Were Subjected to Police Violence in Bursa… It is learned from the news coverage of September 18, 2019 that, lawyer Fesih Demir in Bursa was stopped by the police while he was driving his car and that the police wanted to search his car although he states that he is a lawyer. It is reported that a quarrel took place and Fesih Demir was subjected to insults and threats of the police and was forcefully taken into the police car. It is learned that lawyers from Bursa Bar Association Lawyers’ Rights Center who came to the police station where Fesih Demir was taken, were also subjected to verbal violence of the police. Bursa Bar Association made the following statement: “Our colleague stated that he will make an official complaint against the police officers and upon this, police officers at the station made a report based on groundless allegations against lawyer Ümit Özcan from Bursa Bar Association Lawyers’ Rights Center and attempted to treat him as a suspect although he was there in the line of duty, and his cell phone was tried to be seized on the grounds of ‘prosecutor’s instruction’. Police officers who assaulted lawyer Fesih Demir continued to verbally attack all our colleagues at the station. Our colleague who was taken to station by a police car at 10 p.m. and another colleague from Bursa Bar Association Lawyers’ Rights Center who went there on duty were kept at the station until 8 a.m. without prosecutor’s instruction. Our colleague who was assaulted was taken to hospital for forensic report upon his demand however he was accompanied with police officers although there was no prosecution instruction.” (09/217) Torture and Ill-Treatment Under Custody in Diyarbakır… It is learned from the news coverage of September 18, 2019 that, 5 people who were detained by the police using physical violence to intervene sit-in protest of Peace Mothers in front of Justice and Development Party (AKP) Diyarbakır office on September 17, 2019, were subjected to torture and illtreatment during detention and in detention vehicle. (09/218) Person Was Forced to be Police Informant in Istanbul… It is learned from the news coverage of September 18, 2019 that, a person named Soner İlbas was forced to be an informant by persons claiming to be Gendarmerie Special Operation Force members. It is stated in the news reports that, Soner İlbas went to Güvercintepe Police Station in Başakşehir district of Istanbul after he and his family members were called several times and then he was taken to a park and was forced to be an informant by those who called him. (09/219) 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 1044 days to regain their jobs, intended to be held in front of Human Rights Monument in Yüksel Street on September 18, 2019 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 September 18, 2019, 2 people (Nazan Bozkurt and Merve Demirel) and at 18.00 2 people (Acun Karadağ and Nazan Bozkurt) were detained. Thus in total 4 people were detained due to press declaration intended to be held in Yüksel Street on September 18, 2019. It is learned detained people were released on the same days they were detained. (09/220) Police Intervention Against a Protest in Ankara…
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The police intervened the sit-in protest in front of Justice and Development Party’s (AKP) Ankara office on September 18, 2019 by Cemal Yıldırım who rally to regain his job at Ministry of Finance from which he had been dismissed by state of emergency decree, and detained Cemal Yıldırım and Labourist Movement Party (EHP) Ankara chair Sanem Deniz Kural. The police also detained Emine Uyanık and Melek Çetinkaya, mothers of military school students sentenced to life imprisonment after July 15 coup attempt, since they wanted to have a sit-in protest there too. It is learned that 4 people were released on the same day. (09/221) Police Interventions and Preventions Against Protests After Appointment of Trustees to Diyarbakır, Mardin and Van… The police intervened the press declaration about appointment of trustees to Diyarbakır, Mardin and Van, which was to be held in front of Türkan Saylan Cultural Center in Izmir on September 18, 2019, and detained 6 people. Detained people are released on the same day. The names of detained people are: Mustafa Kazak, Recep Acar, Ferhat Harun Pehlivan, Hacay Yılmaz, Şerafettin Yetin and Yurdakul Üstekler. It is learned that 1 person was detained on the grounds of a warrant, during the press declaration on September 17, 2019 in Diyarbakır for the same reason. The name of detained person is unknown. (09/222) Community House Branch Chairs on Trial in Ankara… The final trial of the case against Mutlu Community House branch chair Seher Gümüşay, Mamak Community House branch chair Dilara Doğanbaş, Keçiören Community House branch chair Şebnem Kıymet Yar, Eryaman Community House branch chair Şenay Yılmaz Güner and İlker Community House branch chair Eray Kurt, on the charges of ‘praising offense and offender’ and ‘being an illegal organisation member’, is held at Ankara Heavy Penal Court No 13 on September 17, 2019. The court acquitted 5 people. (09/223) Musician on Trial for ‘Insulting the President’… The case against musician Ferhat Tunç on the charge of ‘insulting the President’ is held at Istanbul Büyükçekmece Penal Court of First Instance No 14 on September 17, 2019. The court rejected to lift the warrant on Ferhat Tunç and adjourned the trial to February 14, 2020. (09/224) Musician on Trial in Istanbul… The case against musician Ferhat Tunç on the charge of ‘inciting hatred and hospitality among people’ is held at Istanbul Büyükçekmece Penal Court of First Instance No 14 on September 17, 2019. The court decided to issue a warrant on Ferhat Tunç and adjourned the trial to December 4, 2019. (09/225) Mazlum Turan Case… Mardin Heavy Penal Court No 2 has reversed the verdict of Mardin Heavy Penal Court No 1 on April 27, 2019, which sentenced police officer Süleyman Esenboğa to 1 year 10 months and 15 days and then suspended the execution on January 18, 2019. Mazlum Turan (16) died due to the fire opened to his car, by special operations force applying road check in Kızıltepe district of Mardin on August 29, 2015, after an attack against police shuttle. It was claimed that Mazlum Turan disobeyed the stop warning for not having driving licence. The retrial of Süleyman Esenboğa started on September 18, 2019. It is learned that the board of judges and the prosecutor of the case were changed three times so far. The prosecutor declared legal opinion which contradicts the earlier, and stated that the police officer should be acquitted on the grounds that “following an order cannot be sentenced”. The court rejected the demand for arrest of Süleyman Esenboğa and adjourned the trial to October 18, 2019. (09/226) Detentions and Arrests in Alleged Link to Coup Attempt… On September 18, 2019, 2 people are detained in Ankara through an investigation against Samanyolu TV channel which was closed down by a state of emergency decree. 111 of 180 people who were detained through an Istanbul based investigation against Turkish Armed Forces personnel, are arrested by the court on September 18, 2019. 69 people are released 27 of which on judicial control conditions. (09/227) Ban of Events in Mardin and Mersin… Mardin Governorate made a declaration on September 18, 2019 and announced that over trustee appointment to Diyarbakır, Mardin and Van; all events such as demonstrations, press declarations, meetings, sit-ins, opening stands and tents, festivals, concerts, delivering leaflets and so on are
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banned for 30 days as of September 19, 2019. This is the second time of governorate ban on events for 30 days in Mardin. Mersin Governorate made a declaration on September 18, 2019 and announced that over trustee appointment to Diyarbakır, Mardin and Van; all events such as demonstrations, press declarations, meetings, sit-ins, opening stands and tents, festivals, concerts, delivering leaflets and so on are banned for 15 days as of September 17, 2019. Governorate has banned all events two times before, on August 20, and August 30, 2019, each for 10 days. (09/228) Trustee Appointed to Karayazı District… It is learned that Ministry of Interior suspended Melike Göksu, HDP co-mayor of Erzurum’s Karayazı district on September 18, 2019 and appointed district sub-governorate Mesut Tabakçıoğlu as trustee. Melike Göksu was arrested on September 17, 2019, upon the sentence of 7 years and 6 months given to her was approved by Penal Department No 16 of Supreme Court. After local elections on March 31, 2019, trustees are appointed to 5 municipalities (3 to metropolitan cities and 2 to districts).
20 September 2019 Daily Human Rights Report
(09/229) Operations and Attacks in Southeast… It is learned from the news coverage of September 19, 2019 that, 2 militants died in a clash between security forces and HPG militants in rural areas of Beytüşşebap district of Şırnak on September 17, 2019; 1 HPG militant died in a clash in rural areas of Bitlis on September 17, 2019; 2 HPG militants died in two clashes in rural areas of Çukurca district of Hakkari on September 3 and September 6, 2019; 2 HPG militants died in an air operation to Xakurkê area in Iraqi Kurdistan Regional Government on September 4, 2019. (09/230) Torture and Ill-Treatment in Prison… It is learned from the news coverage of September 19, 2019 that, prisoners in Osmaniye T Type Prison were forced to stand up in military order during roll-calls, and those who reject to it were subjected to physical violence of the wardens, 10 prisoners are kept in wards for 3 persons, and prisoners’ right to health and social, cultural and sportive activities were limited. (09/231) 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 1045 days to regain their jobs, intended to be held in front of Human Rights Monument in Yüksel Street on September 19, 2019 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 September 19, 2019, 2 people (Mehmet Dersulu and Merve Demirel) and at 18.00 2 people (Acun Karadağ, Nazan Bozkurt and Gülnaz Bozkurt) were detained. Thus in total 4 people were detained due to press declaration intended to be held in Yüksel Street on September 19, 2019. It is learned detained people were released on the same days they were detained. (09/232) Police Intervention Against a Protest in Ankara… The police intervened the sit-in protest in front of Justice and Development Party’s (AKP) Ankara office on September 19, 2019 by Cemal Yıldırım who rally to regain his job at Ministry of Finance from which he had been dismissed by state of emergency decree, and detained Cemal Yıldırım and 2 people who support him (Labourist Movement Party (EHP) Ankara chair Sanem Deniz Kural and Mahmut Konuk). It is learned that 3 people were released on the same day. The police also detained Emine Uyanık and Melek Çetinkaya, mothers of military school students sentenced to life imprisonment after July 15 coup attempt, since they wanted to have a sit-in protest there too. (09/233) Police Intervention Against a Protest in Ankara… The police intervened the sit-in protest in front of Justice and Development Party’s (AKP) Ankara office on September 19, 2019 by Meral Kuruç, whose son was sentenced to life imprisonment in July 15 coup attempt related cases, and detained Meral Kuruç.
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It is learned that Şahide Yumuş, who was in front of AKP office for the same reason and Sümeyye Yılmaz, spouse of Mustafa Yılmaz who was abducted in Ankara on February 19, 2019, were prevented by the police. It is also reported that, Hamide Göçer, whose son was also sentenced to life imprisonment in July 15 coup attempt related cases, was threatened as “if you keep coming here you will be arrested” by AKP executives that she met in AKP office. (09/234) Police Intervention Against a Protest in Batman… The police intervened the protest of dismissed municipality workers in front of AKP Batman office on September 19, 2019. Workers have been dismissed after AKP wins the local elections in Sason district of Batman on March 31, 2019. The number and names of detained people are unknown. (09/235) HDP Executives on Trial in Antalya… The indictment against People’s Democratic Party (HDP) Alanya district co-chair Safiye Dalgıç, district executive Abdulhekim Aktaş and Democratic Regions Party (DBP) Alanya district executive Tefra Akçın, on the charge of ‘being an illegal organisation member’ is accepted by Antalya Heavy Penal Court No 8. The first trial will be held on October 2, 2019. Safiye Dalgıç, Abdulhekim Aktaş and Tefra Akçın were detained on July 8, 2018 and were arrested by the court on July 12, 2019. (09/236) ECHR Decision on Prison Transfers Under Coercion… It is learned from the news coverage of September 19, 2019 that European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) concluded on the appeal of 2 prisoners who have been transferred to Kırıkkale Prison under coercion. ECHR decided that “Right to respect for private and family life” (Article 8 of European Convention of Human Rights) was violated and that 2 applicants should be paid a 6.000 Euro of compensation. Abdülkerim Avşar, whose family lived in Diyarbakır then, and Abdülkerim Tekin, whose family lived in Siirt then, were transferred to Kırıkkale F Type Prison under coercion in 2008 and the appeals of their lawyers were rejected by Ministry of Justice. (09/237) Trials in Alleged Link to Coup Attempt… The final trial of the case against former Supreme Court judge Ahmet Toker, is held at Penal Department No 9 of Supreme Court on September 19, 2019. The court sentenced defendant to 14 years and 3 months for ‘being an illegal organisation member’. The final trial of the case against Ömer Tunç, former deputy director of Logistics Department of Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality, is held at Istanbul Heavy Penal Court No 34 on September 19, 2019. The court sentenced defendant to 16 years 5 months and 15 days for ‘attempt to abolish constitutional order’, ‘violating privacy of workplace’ and ‘possession of unregistered firearm’. (09/238) Banned Books… It is learned from the news coverage of September 19, 2019 that 2 books, “From the Ashes of Angels: The Forbidden Legacy of a Fallen Race” by Avesta Publishing and “Song of the Soil” by Aram Publishing are banned by Kars Penal Court of Peace. It is reported that these 2 books were sent to a prisoner in Kars T Type Prison, and the books were not given to prisoner but were sent to Kars Police Directorate although there was no ban on them, and this was followed by ban verdict of Kars Penal Court of Peace. (09/239) Ban of Events in Muş… Muş Governorate made a declaration on September 19, 2019 and announced that over trustee appointment to Diyarbakır, Mardin and Van; all events such as demonstrations, press declarations, meetings, sit-ins, opening stands and tents, festivals, concerts, delivering leaflets and so on are banned for 15 days as of September 20, 2019. This is the third time of governorate ban on events for 15 days in Muş.
21 – 23 September 2019 Daily Human Rights Report
(09/240) Operations and Attacks in Southeast… It is learned from the news coverage of September 20, 2019 that, 4 HPG militants died in an air
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operation to Heftanin area of Iraqi Kurdistan Regional Government on August 25, 2019. It is learned that a civilian, Yusuf Kurt, died due to blast of an improvised explosive, alleged to be put by PKK, in rural areas of Dağiçi village of Nusaybin district of Mardin on September 22, 2019. (09/241) Soldier Died in Adana… It is learned from the news coverage of September 22, 2019 that, Şükrü Gündüz, who was on compulsory military service in Adana had a brain haemorrhage and died in hospital. (09/242) Person Died Due to Being Hit by Military Vehicle in Tunceli… It is learned that Oktay Er died due to being hit by a military vehicle in Göktepe village of Tunceli’s Mazgirt district on September 22, 2019. (09/243) Torture and Ill-Treatment in Prison… It is learned from the news coverage of September 20, 2019 that, Mehmet Emin Taş and Fatma Ay, co-mayors of Diyarbakır’s Kulp district who were suspended, and civil works director Şener Aktaş, People’s Democratic Party (HDP) Kulp district co-chair Abidin Karaman and Mehmet Emin Ay who were kept in Diyarbakır D Type Prison, were transferred to Osmaniye T Type Prison under coercion. It is learned from the news coverage of September 21, 2019 that, Özgür Sevim, a prisoner in Trabzon Beşikdüzü T Type Prison, was subjected to torture and ill-treatment at Elazığ T Type Prison where he was kept overnight on the way to Mardin for attending the trial of a case against him. It is reported that Özgür Sevim was subjected to physical violence of the wardens since he rejected strip search and was put in a solitary cell. It is learned from the news coverage of September 22, 2019 that, prisoners who reject to be forced to stand up in military order and to sing national anthem in Maraş Türkoğlu Prison were subjected to physical violence. (09/244) Rejection to Meeting Request with Abdullah Öcalan… It is learned that the appeal made on September 20, 2019 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. (09/245) 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 1048 days to regain their jobs, intended to be held in front of Human Rights Monument in Yüksel Street on September 20, 21, and 22, 2019 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 September 20, 2019, 2 people (Acun Karadağ and Merve Demirel) and at 18.00 2 people (Alev Şahin 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 September 21, 2019, 2 people (Merve Demirel and Nazan Bozkurt) and at 18.00 2 people (Derviş Lermi, Nazan Bozkurt 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 September 22, 2019, 2 people (Derviş Lermi and Merve Demirel) and at 18.00 2 people (Acun Karadağ and Nazan Bozkurt) were detained. Thus in total 13 people were detained due to press declaration intended to be held in Yüksel Street on September 20, 21, and 22, 2019. It is learned detained people were released on the same days they were detained. (09/246) Police Intervention Against a Protest in Ankara… The police intervened the sit-in protest in front of Justice and Development Party’s (AKP) Ankara office on September 20, 2019 by Cemal Yıldırım who rally to regain his job at Ministry of Finance from which he had been dismissed by state of emergency decree, and detained Cemal Yıldırım and 2 people who support him (Labourist Movement Party (EHP) Ankara chair Sanem Deniz Kural and Mahmut Konuk). It is learned that 3 people were released on the same day. (09/247) Prevention of Saturday Mothers’ Protest in Istanbul… Police obstructed all the streets around Galatasaray Square in Istanbul to prevent Saturday Mothers
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who rally every Saturday for 23 years in the same place to gather for the 756th time on September 21, 2019. 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. (09/248) Prevention of Human Rights Defenders’ Event in Istanbul… “F sit-in”, which is organized for the 391st time by Human Rights Association (IHD) Istanbul Branch Prison Watch Committee, to demand release of ill prisoners, on September 21, 2019, 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. (09/249) Police Intervention Against a Protest in Ankara… The police intervened the protest of Zeynep Koçak and Hakan Koçak, mother and father of lawyer Mustafa Koçak who is on indefinite hunger strike in prison, in front of Grand National Assembly of Turkey in Ankara on September 20, 2019 and detained them. It is learned that detained 2 people are released on the same day. (09/250) Police Interventions and Preventions Against Protests After Appointment of Trustees to Diyarbakır, Mardin and Van… 6 people who were detained for getting on a bus without tickets to protest appointment of trustees to Diyarbakır, Mardin and Van in Diyarbakır on September 17, 2019, are released by the court on judicial control conditions on September 20, 2019. (09/251) Police Intervention Against a Protest in Ankara… The police intervened the press declaration of the Women’s Defense Network in Tuzluçayır Square of Mamak district of Ankara on September 20, 2019 and detained 3 people by using physical violence and handcuffing them behind their backs. It is learned that detained people were subjected to physical violence in detention car too. The names of detained people who were released on the same day are: Aysun Gençtanır, Buse Üçer and Meziyet Yıldız. (09/252) Police Prevention Against a Protest in Istanbul… The police prevented the protest of families of military school students who have been arrested through July 15 coup attempt, in front of Justice and Development Party’s (AKP) Istanbul office on September 20, 2019. (09/253) Arrest Warrant for Former HDP Co-Chairs… On September 20, 2019, a new arrest warrant is issued by Ankara Public Prosecutor’s Office for Figen Yüksekdağ and Selahattin Demirtaş, former co-chairs of HDP, through an investigation on protests held on October 6 and 7, 2014. It is learned that a limitation of having only 3 lawyers is imposed on Figen Yüksekdağ and Selahattin Demirtaş for this investigation. Selahattin Demirtaş and Figen Yüksekdağ gave their official statements in prison through sound and vision system. On September 21, 2019 President Tayyip Erdoğan stated the following on arrest of Selahattin Demirtaş and Figen Yüksekdağ once again: “This nation did not and will not forget those who called out to streets and killed 53 children of this nation. We will pursue this to the end. We cannot release them. If we do so our martyrs in the eternal realm will call us to account for.” (09/254) Detained Journalist in Istanbul… Taylan Kulaçoğlu, editor of Gazete Tamam newspaper, is detained in Istanbul on September 21, 2019 and is released on the same day after statement procedures at the prosecutor’s office. (09/255) The Cases Against Academics Who Are the Signatories of the Petition “We will not be a party to this crime!”… The separate cases against 20 academicians (Assoc. Professor Ayten Alkan Mertoğlu from Istanbul University, Assoc. Professor Zeynep Dilek Hattatoğlu from Muğla Sıtkı Koçman University, Assist. Professor Ceren Ergenç Glauberman from METU, Didem Çınar Ünal from Istanbul Technical University, Assist. Professor Battal Odabaşı from Istanbul Aydın University, Professor Mine Gencel Bek from Ankara University, Professor Mehmet Teoman Pamukçu from METU, Assist. Professor Evrim Özlem Kavcar from Artuklu University, Emel Yuvayapan Yıldırım from Dokuz Eylül University, Professor Fatma Gök from Boğaziçi University, Research Assistant Hande Gülen from Yalova University, Assist. Professor Tuba Kıyan from Yıldız Technical University, Professor Nilüfer Göle Akat from Ecole des hautes études en sciences sociales, Emine Aslı Odman from Mimar Sinan Fine Arts
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University, PhD Başak Ertür and PhD student Ayşe Arslan from University of London, Research Assistant Hazal Halavut from Boğaziçi University, Assist. Professor Gülsüm Depeli Sevinç from Hacettepe University, Assoc. Professor Hakan Koçak from Kocaeli University, Ümit Çetin from Westminster University) for signing the petition “We will not be a party to this crime!” on Istanbul Heavy Penal Court No 32 are resulted in acquittal as a preceding judgment of the court on September 19, 2019. 223 of 808 cases against academicians for signing the petition “We will not be a party to this crime!” are resulted in acquittal as of September 23, 2019. (09/256) Journalists, Writers and Others on Trial in Istanbul… The first trial of the case against Bloomberg reporters Kerim Karakaya and Fercan Yalınkılıç who reported news on financial crisis and increasing exchange rates, and 36 people who shared and commented on these news reports on social media including Mustafa Sönmez, Merdan Yanardağ, Gazi Kozanoğlu, Sedef Kabaş Yirmibeşoğlu, upon the official complaint of Banking Regulation and Supervision Agency, is held at Istanbul Penal Court of First Instance No 3 on September 20, 2019. The indictment demands jail penalty from 2 years to 5 years for 38 people, on the charge of ‘attempt to weaken financial order and stability of the state’. After defence hearings the court issued a warrant for absent defendants and adjourned the trial to January 17, 2020. (09/257) Person on Trial for ‘Insulting the President’ in Van… The final trial of the case against Burhan Borak, on the charge of ‘insulting the President in social media posts’ is held at Van Penal Court of First Instance No 2 on September 22, 2019. The court sentenced Burhan Borak to 12 years and 3 months for 7 posts on social media and did not defer the announcement of the verdict. (09/258) Ankara JİTEM Case… The case known as “Ankara JİTEM case” continued to be held on Ankara Heavy Penal Court No 1 on September 20, 2019. The indictment demands jail sentence for defendants Mehmet Ağar, İbrahim Şahin, Korkut Eken, Ayhan Çarkın, Ayhan Akça, Ziya Bandırmalıoğlu, Ercan Ersoy, Ahmet Demirel, Ayhan Özkan, Seyfettin Lap, Enver Ulu, Uğur Şahin, Alper Tekdemir, Yusuf Yüksel, Abbas Semih Sueri, Lokman Külünk, Mahmut Yıldırım, Nurettin Güven, Muhsin Korman, on the charge of “committing murder as a part of activities of an armed organisation with the purpose of committing offences” for unidentified murders committed in an around Ankara between 1993 and 1996. The court accepted to grant time to the prosecutor for legal opinion and adjourned the trial to December 13, 2019. (09/259) June 5 – Diyarbakır Case… The case on the bombing attack to HDP’s rally in Diyarbakır on June 5, 2015, is held on Sincan West Courthouse Heavy Penal Court No 2 on September 20, 2019. Arrested defendants Orhan Gönder, İsmail Korkmaz and Mustafa Kılınç joined the trial via sound and vision system from the prisons they are kept while Burhan Gök, unarrested defendant did not attend. The demand of complainants’ lawyers that Ahmet Davutoğlu, Prime Minister back then, should be heard as a witness is rejected by the court on the grounds that it would not make a significant contribution to the case as to accusations. he court decided to continue detention of arrested defendants and adjourned the trial to November 15, 2019. (09/260) Detentions and Arrests in Alleged Link to Coup Attempt… On September 20, 2019, 6 people are detained in operations covering 3 cities through an Elazığ based investigation. It is learned that a detention warrant is issued for 74 military members on active duty through an Istanbul based investigation on Turkish Armed Forces personnel and that operations are initiated in 30 cities. (09/261) Ban of Events in Urfa… Urfa Governorate made a declaration on September 20, 2019 and announced that over trustee appointment to Diyarbakır, Mardin and Van; all out-door events such as demonstrations, press declarations, meetings, sit-ins, opening stands and tents, festivals, concerts, delivering leaflets and so on are banned for 15 days as of September 20, 2019. This is the second time of governorate ban on
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events for 15 days in Urfa. (09/262) Ban of Event in Ankara… It is learned from the news coverage of September 22, 2019 that, concert of Sabahat Akkiraz at Vedat Dalokay Park in Ankara on September 22, 2019, is banned on September 20, 2019 by Ankara Governorate on the grounds of security reasons.
24 September 2019 Daily Human Rights Report
(09/263) Operations and Attacks in Southeast… It is learned that 2 soldiers died in a bombing attack to a military vehicle in Iraqi Kurdistan Regional Government on September 23, 2019. (09/264) Prisoners Subjected to Physical Violence in Courtroom… The final trial of the case against 70 people including 17 children who were detained and arrested on May 26, 2016 during curfews in Nusaybin, is held on September 23, 2016. It is learned that prisoners in the courtroom who chanted slogans to protests heavy life imprisonment sentences given, were rousted out of the courtroom by gendarmerie. It is reported that prisoners were subjected to physical violence outside of the courtroom too. (09/265) Prevention of Right to Health in Prison… It is learned from the news coverage of September 23, 2019 that, Abdullah Turan, Serdal Yıldırım and Ergin Aktaş, 3 ill-prisoners in Metris R Type Prison were not medically treated. It is stated in the news reports that, Abdullah Turan is paralyzed from the neck down, Serdal Yıldırım is paralyzed from the waist down and Ergin Aktaş has amputated hands (one at the wrist and one at the elbow) and has tuberculosis and these 3 prisoners are kept in the same room, they are given insufficient and bad food, and they have to hand-wash their clothes due to broken washer. It is learned from the news coverage of September 23, 2019 that, Axin Biro, a prisoner with diabetes and prostate disease in Alanya T Type Prison is not being referred to hospital. (09/266) 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 1049 days to regain their jobs, intended to be held in front of Human Rights Monument in Yüksel Street on September 23, 2019 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 September 23, 2019, 2 people (Mehmet Dersulu and Nazan Bozkurt) and at 18.00 2 people (Derviş Lermi and Nazan Bozkurt) were detained. Thus in total 4 people were detained due to press declaration intended to be held in Yüksel Street on September 23, 2019. It is learned detained people were released on the same days they were detained. (09/267) Police Intervention Against a Protest in Ankara… The police intervened the protestors in front of Çankaya Public Health Directorate on September 23, 2019, who rally to regain their jobs from which they had been dismissed by state of emergency decrees, and detained 2 people (Mahmut Konuk and Derviş Lermi). It is learned that 2 people were released the same day. (09/268) Visit of HDP MP is Prevented in Muş… It is learned that People’s Democratic Party (HDP) Hakkari MP and Democratic Society Congress (DTK) co-chair Leyla Güven’s visit to Kayalıkale village in Varto district of Muş on September 23, 2019 is prevented by gendarmerie. It is reported that Muş Governorate declared a one-day security zone in the area before Leyla Güven’s visit. (09/269) Detained HDP Executive in Urfa… On September 23, 2019, 3 people including HDP district executive Hamit Bali are detained on the grounds of social media posts, in house raids in Suruç district of Urfa. (09/270) People on Trial… The final trial of the case against 238 people for participating in protests in Kocaeli to support Gezi Park demonstrations, is held at Kocaeli Penal Court of First Instance No 4 on September 23, 2019. It is
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learned that 2 of defendants died during proceedings. Izmit Municipality, which is the complainant side, declared recusation and the court acquitted 236 people on the charge of ‘damage to public property’. The court sentenced 236 people to 113 years 10 months and 18 days in total on the charges of ‘opposing the law on meetings and demonstrations’ and ‘resisting to police’. (09/271) Trials in Alleged Link to Coup Attempt… The final trial of the case against former Supreme Court judge Önder Aytaç is held at Penal Department No 9 of Supreme Court on September 23, 2019. The court sentenced Önder Aytaç to 11 years and 3 months for ‘being an illegal organisation member’. The final trial of the case against Mehmet Altınsoy, former employee of Information and Communication Technologies Authority (BTK) is held at Ankara Heavy Penal Court No 16 on September 23, 2019. The court sentenced Mehmet Altınsoy to 6 years and 3 months for ‘being an illegal organisation member’. (09/272) Ban of Event in Adana… It is learned from the news coverage of September 23, 2019 that, “Zargotin Zêrgotin e”, a Kurdish play to be staged at Yaşar Kemal Cultural Center in Adana, is banned by Adana Governorate on the grounds of security reasons. (09/273) Ban to Access to a Website… It is learned from the news coverage of September 23, 2019 that, the news reports on Sol Haber web portal published on September 5, 2019, about the access ban oh Istanbul Penal Court of Peace No 7 on a news report published on the same web portal on July 7, 2019 is also banned to access.
25 September 2019 Daily Human Rights Report
(09/274) Operations and Attacks in Southeast… It is learned from the news coverage of September 24, 2019 that, 1 HPG militant died in an air operation of Turkish Armed Forces in rural areas of Siirt’s Pervari district on September 22, 2019. (09/275) Military Vehicle Roll-Over in Hatay… Hatay Governorate announced that 6 people died and 27 people including 2 soldiers got wounded due to roll-over of a military vehicle carrying asylum seekers to be deported in Reyhanlı district of Hatay on September 24, 2019. (09/276) Assaulted HDP executives and City Council Members in Diyarbakır… It is learned that People’s Democratic Party (HDP) and Democratic Regions Party (DBP) executives and city council members of Ergani, Silvan and Hazro districts were assaulted by a group of 10 people with long barrelled weapons, on their way back from Kulp district on September 24, 2019. HDP and DBP executives and city council members were returning from their solidarity visit to city council members of Kulp district, where co-mayors Mehmet Fatih Taş and Fatma Ay were arrested and replaced by appointed trustees. It is reported that windows of the cars were broken by clubs and sticks, and DBP Silvan district co-chair İskan Üzümlü and Silvan district council member Şifayet Başotlıoğlu got wounded. It is learned that 5 village guards are detained in relation to the assault. It is also learned that HDP’s Kulp office was attacked on September 24, 2019 too, which caused material damage at the office. (09/277) Prevention of Right to Health in Prison… It is learned from the news coverage of September 24, 2019 that Delil Tekin, a prisoner in Izmir Şakran T Type Prison No 4 cannot have medical treatment. It is learned from the news coverage of September 24, 2019 that Hacire Çay and Gurbet Öztürk in Antalya L Type Closed Prison, who went on the hunger strike demanding an end to isolation of PKK leader Abdullah Öcalan cannot have sufficient medical treatment. It is also learned that right to health of prisoners is prevented due to being forced to be examined in handcuffs. It is learned from the news coverage of September 24, 2019 that Ömer Acar, Şükrü Ebinç and Mehmet Salih Filiz, 3 ill prisoners in Antalya L Type Prison cannot have medical treatment. It is also stated in the news reports that prisoners were either not referred to hospitals or referred with delay,
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and they cannot have medical treatment due to being forced to be examined in handcuffs, while LGBTI+ prisoners’ demands of treatment and operation are not put in force. (09/278) Torture and Ill-Treatment in Prison… It is learned from the news coverage of September 24, 2019 that prisoners in Antalya L Type Closed Prison were not given Yeni Yaşam newspaper since January, the number of books per prisoner is limited to 5, personal belongings of prisoners are seized during ward searches and social and sportive activity rights are prevented. It is learned from the news coverage of September 24, 2019 that, LGBTI+ prisoners in Alanya L Type Closed Prison are kept in mixed-sex wards and those who reject it are put in solitary cells. (09/279) 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 1050 days to regain their jobs, intended to be held in front of Human Rights Monument in Yüksel Street on September 24, 2019 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 September 24, 2019, 2 people (Mehmet Dersulu and Mahmut Konuk) and at 18.00 2 people (Acun Karadağ and Nazan Bozkurt) were detained. Thus in total 4 people were detained due to press declaration intended to be held in Yüksel Street on September 24, 2019. It is learned detained people were released on the same days they were detained. (09/280) Police Intervention Against a Protest in Ankara… The police intervened the press declaration on September 24, 2019 in front of Ankara Courthouse by Oktay İnce from Seyri Sokak journalism initiative, to demand getting back his digital archive which was seized by a police raid, and detained Oktay İnce. It is learned that Oktay İnce is released on the same day. (09/281) Police Intervention Against a Protest in Ankara… The police intervened the of Sümeyye Yılmaz, spouse of Mustafa Yılmaz who was abducted in Ankara on February 19, 2019, to be held in Sakarya Street of Ankara on September 24, 2019. It is learned that the police used physical violence to detain Sümeyye Yılmaz and Melek Çetinkaya, mother of a military school student who was sentenced to heavy life imprisonment through July 15 coup attempt investigations. It is learned that a police officer said “They are traitors, they escaped abroad” and that HDP’s Kocaeli MP Ömer Faruk Gergerlioğlu was subjected to physical intervention of the police. (09/282) Detained Person in Diyarbakır… It is learned from the news coverage of September 24, 2019 that a person named Mehmet Nesim Güleç was detained on September 23, 2019, upon complaint of people having a sit-in protest in front of HDP’s Diyarbakır office for their missing children. It is reported that Mehmet Nesih Güleç is referred to court on the charge of ‘being an illegal organisation member’ and is released by the court on judicial control conditions on September 24, 2019. (09/283) Detained People in Diyarbakır… It is learned that 3 people (Kocaalan neighbourhood’s local authority Mustafa Kılıç abbd Musta Sert and Nasır Sert) are detained in house raids in Dicle district of Diyarbakır on September 24, 2019. It is reported that detained people are taken to Dicle Gendarmerie Station. (09/284) Detained People in Adana for Racist Assault… It is learned that, 138 people were detained on September 23, 2019, for the racist assaults against Syrians which burst out after sexual abuse of a child in Adana on September 19, 2019. It is reported that 100 of those detained were released after statement procedures and 38 of them were released by the court on judicial control conditions on September 24, 2019. (09/285) The Cases Against Academics Who Are the Signatories of the Petition “We will not be a party to this crime!”… The separate cases against 3 academicians (Research Assistant Aydın Arı from Dokuz Eylül University, Assist. Professor Hanifi Kurt from Ege University and Assist. Professor Olga Selin Hünler from Izmir University of Economics) for signing the petition “We will not be a party to this crime!” on Istanbul Heavy Penal Court No 30 are resulted in acquittal as a preceding judgment of the court on September 24, 2019.
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The case against Erol Önderoğlu, Turkey representative Reporters Without Borders, for turning himself on the prosecutor’s office to support signatories of the petition “We will not be a party to this crime!” on Istanbul Heavy Penal Court No 25 is resulted in acquittal as a preceding judgment of the court on September 24, 2019. 255 of 808 cases against academicians for signing the petition “We will not be a party to this crime!” are resulted in acquittal as of September 25, 2019. (09/286) Co-Mayor on Trial… The final trial of the case against Bekir Kaya, co-mayor of Van and 10 employees of municipality, on Van Penal Court of First Instance No 3, on the grounds that the fire department did not intervene the fire started during Kobane incidents in 2014, is held on September 24, 2019. The court acquitted 11 people. (09/287) Journalist and Others on Trial in Adana… The final trial of the case against 20 people including journalist Filiz Zeyrek, who reported on condolence service of Şemdin Eye, an YPG militant who died in 2015; and Şemdin Eye’s mother and father, is held on Adana Heavy Penal Court No 13 on September 24, 2019. The court acquitted 20 people. (09/288) Journalist on Trial in Diyarbakır… The case against journalist Kibriye Evren on Diyarbakır Heavy Penal Court No 5 is held on September 24, 2019. Kibriyer Evren attended the trial and made defence. The indictment demands Kibriye Evren to be sentenced for ‘being an illegal organisation member’ and ‘making propaganda for an illegal organisation’. The court decided to continue detention of Kibriye Evren and adjourned the trial to November 12, 2019. Kibriye Evren was arrested after being detained with 141 others through a Diyarbakır based investigation on October 9, 2018. (09/289) Journalist and Others on Trial in Şırnak… The final trial of the case against 19 people 9 of which are arrested including Ziya Ataman, reporter of Dicle News Agency which was closed down by a state of emergency decree, is held on Şırnak Heavy Penal Court No 1 on September 24, 2019. The court sentenced Ziya Ataman to 14 years and 3 months for ‘being an illegal organisation member’, and 12 others to different jail penalties. The court acquitted 6 people. Ziya Ataman was arrested on April 11, 2016. (09/290) Journalists on Trial in Istanbul… The case against 6 journalists on Istanbul Heavy Penal Court No 29 is held on September 24, 2019. The indictment demands sentence for Ömer Çelik, news director and Metin Yoksu, reporter of Dicle News Agency which was closed down by a state of emergency decree; Tunca Öğreten, former editor of Diken news portal; Mahir Kanaat, Birgün newspaper employee; Eray Sargın, editor in chief of Yolculuk newspaper; Derya Okatan, Etkin News Agency news director on the charges of ‘being an illegal organisation member’, ‘making propaganda for an illegal organisation’ and ‘blocking and breaking the information system, changing or destroying the data’, for reporting on the e-mails of Berat Albayrak, Minister of Energy and Natural Sources which were hacked by Redhack and then published on the internet. The court rejected the demand of lifting juridical control conditions on journalists, and adjourned the trial to February 6, 2020. 3 of 6 journalists who were detained on December 25, 2016, were arrested by the court on January 17, 2017. Ömer Çelik was released on October 24, 2017; Tunca Öğreten and Mahir Kanaat were released on December 6, 2017. (09/291) Person on Trial in Hatay for Social Media Posts… The final trial of the case against Halil İncesoy for ‘making propaganda on social media’ is held at Hatay Heavy Penal Court No 3 on September 24, 2019. The court sentenced Halil İncesoy who shared wedding celebration videos of his family on social media to 1 year and 2 months on the charge of ‘making propaganda for an illegal organisation’ and deferred the announcement of the verdict. (09/292) Detentions and Arrests in Alleged Link to Coup Attempt… It is learned that a detention warrant is issued on September 24, 2019 for 50 people through an
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Ankara based investigation on Land Forces Command personnel and that 26 of them are detained. It is learned that a detention warrant is issued on September 24, 2019 for 40 people through an Ankara based investigation on leakage of Police Chief Exam 2011 questions and that 31 of them are detained. It is learned that another warrant through the same investigation is issued in Istanbul for 30 people and that 22 of them are detained. It is learned that a detention warrant is issued for 46 people through an Izmir based investigation and that 27 of them are detained.
26 September 2019 Daily Human Rights Report
(09/293) Operations and Attacks in Southeast… It is learned that 1 police officer and 4 civilians died due to an explosion during passage of a riot squad bus in Yüreğir district of Adana on September 25, 2019. It is learned from the news coverage of September 25, 2019 that 5 militants died in a clash between security forces and HPG militants in rural areas of Gevaş district of Van on September 13, 2019. (09/294) Torture and Ill-Treatment in Prison… It is learned from the news coverage of September 25, 2019 that, Grup Yorum music band member Emel Yeşilırmak who is kept in Silivri Prison, was handcuffed behind her back and was subjected to physical violence of the officer on duty while she was being taken to the courthouse for a trial. It is learned from the news coverage of September 25, 2019 that, lawyer Ebru Timtik who is kept in Silivri Prison, was subjected to physical violence of the officer on duty and fainted while she was being taken to the courthouse for a trial. It is learned from the news coverage of September 25, 2019 that, Nurullah Semo, a prisoner in Bolu F Type Prison is kept in a solitary ward for 2 years. It is also stated in the news reports that Nurullah Semo was being subjected to physical and verbal violence of wardens during roll-calls. It is learned from the news coverage of September 25, 2019 that, prisoners in Van F Type Prison are given insufficient food, and during phone calls, they are forced to say name and surname of the person they called, loudly as an oral report, otherwise the calls are interrupted. (09/295) Police Interventions and Preventions Against Protests After Appointment of Trustees to Diyarbakır, Mardin and Van… The police used pepper spray and rubber bullets to intervene the “Democracy Watch” of People’s Democratic Party (HDP) to protest appointment of trustees to Diyarbakır, Mardin and Van, in Esenyurt district of Istanbul on September 25, 2019, and detained 6 people. Detained people are released after statement procedures. (09/296) 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 1051 days to regain their jobs, intended to be held in front of Human Rights Monument in Yüksel Street on September 25, 2019 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 September 25, 2019, 2 people (Acun Karadağ and Nazan Bozkurt) and at 18.00 2 people (Derviş Lermi and Nazan Bozkurt) were detained. Thus in total 4 people were detained due to press declaration intended to be held in Yüksel Street on September 25, 2019. It is learned detained people were released on the same days they were detained. (09/297) Police Intervention Against a Protest in Ankara… The police intervened the press declaration of families of military school students who were arrested through July 15 coup attempt investigations and family of Mustafa Yılmaz who was abducted in Ankara on February 19, 2019, to be held in Sakarya Street of Ankara on September 25, 2019, and detained 14 people. It is reported that the police prevented press members from following and recording the press declaration. The names of detained people known so far are: Sümeyye Yılmaz, Nevin Yılmaz, Hamide Göçer and Melek Çetinkaya. (09/298) Journalist on Trial in Ankara…
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The first trial of the case against journalist Hayri Demir is held on September 25, 2019. It is learned that news reports and photos saved in Hayri Demir’s memory card which was taken by burglars breaking in his house, were submitted as evidence in the case file. The court adjourned the trial to October 23, 2019. (09/299) Person on Trial for ‘Insulting the President’ in Adana… The jail sentence of 2 years and 6 months given by Adana Penal Court of First Instance No 27, to Mustafa Özbarut, who gets treatment for schizophrenia, bipolar personality disorder, bipolar affective disorder, and atypical psychosis, on the charge of ‘insulting the President’ is approved by Adana Regional Court on September 25, 2019. It is learned from the news reports that, Adana Dr. Ekrem Tok Psychiatric Hospital gave a “criminally responsible” report to Mustafa Özbarut. (09/300) Grup Yorum Band Member on Trial… The final trial of the case against Grup Yorum music band member Emel Yeşilırmak on Istanbul Heavy Penal Court No 37 on September 25, 2019. The court sentenced Emel Yeşilırmak to 5 years for ‘making propaganda for an illegal organisation’, ‘participating in illegal demonstrations’, ‘resisting to police force’ and ‘participating in demonstrations carrying a weapon’. (09/301) Diyarbakır JITEM / Musa Anter Case… The consolidated case on Musa Anter’s killing in Diyarbakır in 1992 and activities of JITEM (Gendarmerie Intelligence and Anti-Terror Unit) in Diyarbakır is held on September 25, 2019 on Ankara Heavy Penal Court No 6. The case known as “JITEM Main Case” on Diyarbakır Penal Court No 1 and the case of Musa Anter’s killing has been consolidated by the Supreme Court’s decision on January 29, 2016. Father of Ayten Öztürk, who was murdered, and journalist Nedret Ersanel are heard as witnesses via sound and vision system. Ünal Erkan, regional governor of state of emergency back then is also heard as witness. Hüseyin Oğuz, another witness who was on duty at Anti-Terror Department back then stated the following: “I know that Ayten Öztürk was interrogated at JITEM. In Elazığ JITEM. I am not okay with such things, they tortured innocent people there. Some were executed in Elazığ JITEM. I was at intelligence department at that time. We used to receive much information with all details. One cannot get out alive from JITEM once taken by them. There is no detention, it is execution. I had phone calls with Mesut Mehmetoğlu and Abdulkadir Aygan. They said ‘We got Ayten Öztürk. I am a confessor coming from PKK and I did it to make myself accepted by them, I regret it. I took her to Elazığ JITEM’. They tortured her. It was not one person who killed her. This case will be solved if the real identity of lieutenant Zeki is revealed. Lawyer Nurettin Can and doctor Hasan Kaya were also murdered. They would not be murdered if they did not witness those who were murdered by torture there”. Another witness Selami Sağdıç stated that he has seen Mahmut Yıldırım (known as Yeşil) in Ankara in 2010. The court adjourned the trial to December 25, 2019. (09/302) Berkin Elvan Case… The case of Berkin Elvan’s death on Istanbul Heavy Penal Court No 17 is held on September 25, 2019. Berkin Elvan was wounded due to a gas canister fired by the police on June 16, 2013, during Gezi Park protests in Okmeydanı neighbourhood of Istanbul’s Beyoğlu district; and died in hospital on March 11, 2014. It is learned that the expertise report asked to detect whether the defendant police officer acted against instructions and have any fault, is not submitted yet. The court adjourned the trial to November 13, 2019. (09/303) Detentions and Arrests in Alleged Link to Coup Attempt… On September 25, 2019, 23 people are detained in operations covering 7 cities through a Yalova based investigation. (09/304) Ban of Events in Van… Van Governorate made a declaration on September 25, 2019 and announced that all events such as demonstrations, press declarations, meetings, sit-ins, opening stands and tents, festivals, concerts,
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delivering leaflets and so on are banned for 15 days as of September 26, 2019. All events are banned in Van since November 21, 2016, which makes a continuous ban for 1053 days in total.
28 – 30 September 2019 Daily Human Rights Report
(09/317) Operations and Attacks in Southeast… It is learned from the news coverage of September 27, 2019 that, 1 HPG militant died in an air operation to rural areas of Hakkari’s Yüksekova district on September 24, 2019. It is learned from the news coverage of September 29, 2019 that, 3 HPG militants died in an air operation to Avaşin area in Iraqi Kurdistan Regional Government on September 26, 2019; 2 HPG militants died in an air operation to Heftanin area in Iraqi Kurdistan Regional Government on September 25, 2019. (09/318) CHP Member Was Assaulted in Istanbul… It is learned that Mücahit Avcı, one of the advisors of Republican People’s Party (CHP), was assaulted by a group of “Grey Wolves” in Şişli district of Istanbul on September 26, 2019; upon his posts related to Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) chair Devlet Bahçeli. It is reported that before being assaulted, Mücahit Avcı got several threats on social media including MHP executives. It is learned that 4 people were detained in relation to the assault and they were then released by the court on judicial control conditions. (09/319) People Forced to be Police Informants in Ankara… It is learned from the news coverage of September 28, 2019 that, People’s Democratic Party (HDP) Youth Assembly member Rümeysa Aras and Umut Tarlak, were threatened and forced to be informants by persons claim to be National Intelligence Organisation (MIT) members. On September 26, 2019, Umut Tarlak was stopped by these people who claim to be MIT members and he states the following: “They asked me what I do. I told them I work for a private company and that I am on sick leave to go to the hospital. They said ‘Don’t make us bring the documents we have, tell us everything’, referring to photographs of me at 1 September, 1 May and Newroz demonstrations. They told me to go the HDP headquarters once a week and tell them what is going on at the party. They offered me money for this. I rejected and 2 of them hit me in the face and twisted my wrist.” (09/320) Torture and Ill-Treatment in Prison… It is learned from the news coverage of September 27, 2019 that, social, cultural and sportive rights of prisoners are prevented in Izmir Şakran Women’s Prison. It is learned from the news coverage of September 27, 2019 that some prisoners in Osmaniye Prison are transferred to Ereğli T Type Prison under coercion. The names and number of prisoners are unknown. It is learned from the news coverage of September 26, 2019 that Yeni Yaşam and Evrensel newspapers are not given to prisoners in Trabzon E Type Prison. (09/321) Prevention of Right to Health in Prison… It is learned from the news coverage of September 27, 2019 that, prisoners in Izmir Şakran Women’s Prison, were taken back to prison from hospital without being treated since they refuse to be handcuffed to the bed during medical treatment in hospital. (09/322) Rejection to Meeting Request with Abdullah Öcalan… It is learned that the appeal made on September 27, 2019 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. (09/323) 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 1055 days to regain their jobs, intended to be held
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in front of Human Rights Monument in Yüksel Street on September 27, 28, and 29, 2019 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 September 27, 2019, 2 people (Nazife Onay and Merve Demirel) and at 18.00 2 people (Derviş Lermi and 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 September 28, 2019, 2 people (Merve Demirel and Derviş Lermi) and at 18.00 2 people (Derviş Lermi 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 September 29, 2019, 2 people (Acun Karadağ and Merve Demirel) and at 18.00 2 people (Derviş Lermi and Nazan Bozkurt) were detained. Thus in total 12 people were detained due to press declaration intended to be held in Yüksel Street on September 27, 28, and 29, 2019. It is learned detained people were released on the same days they were detained. (09/324) 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 757th time on September 28, 2019. 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. (09/325) Prevention of Human Rights Defenders’ Event in Istanbul… “F sit-in”, which is organized for the 392nd time by Human Rights Association (IHD) Istanbul Branch Prison Watch Committee, to demand release of ill prisoners, on September 28, 2019, 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. (09/326) Police Interventions and Preventions Against Protests After Appointment of Trustees to Diyarbakır, Mardin and Van… The police intervened the “Democracy Watch” of People’s Democratic Party (HDP) to protest appointment of trustees to Diyarbakır, Mardin and Van, in Esenyurt district of Istanbul on September 27, 2019, and detained 5 people. Detained people are released after statement procedures. It is learned that the police also prevented press members to record the intervention. The police used pepper spray and rubber bullets to intervene the “Democracy Watch” of HDP to protest appointment of trustees to Diyarbakır, Mardin and Van, in Esenyurt district of Istanbul on September 29, 2019, and detained 14 people. It is learned that detained people were subjected to police violence during detention and in detention car. It is reported that numerous people including HDP MP Kemal Bülbül were injured due to police intervention. Detained people were released after statement procedures on September 30, 2019. (09/327) Detained HDP Executives in Tunceli… O September 29, 2019, 5 people inducing HDP provincial co-chairs are detained in house raids in Tunceli. The reason of detention is unknown. The names of detained people: HDP provincial cochairs Hıdır Çiçek and Özlem Toprak, former co-chair Özge Hoşoğlu, Yunus Aras, Cemile Ataş. (09/328) Detained HDP Executive in Diyarbakır… On September 27, 2019, HDP provincial executive Şeyhmus Şenyiğit and 1 person are detained in house raids in Diyarbakır. 2 people are arrested by the court on the charge of ‘being an illegal organisation member’ on September 30, 2019. (09/329) Former HDP Co-Chair on Trial… The case against Figen Yüksekdağ, former co-chair of HDP, on Ankara Heavy Penal Court No 16 is held on September 27, 2019. Figen Yüksekdağ attended the trial to make her defence. The indictment demands Figen Yüksekdağ to be sentenced from 30 years up to 83 years for ‘leading an illegal organisation’, ‘making propaganda for an illegal organisation’, ‘opposing to the Law on Meetings and Demonstrations’, and ‘inciting hostility and hate among people’. The court decided to continue detention of Figen Yüksekdağ adjourned the trial to December 24, 2019.
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(09/330) People on Trial in Diyarbakır… The final trial of the case against 62 people, for the hunger strike at HDP’s Diyarbakır office to support the hunger strikes in prisons to protest isolation of PKK leader Abdullah Öcalan, is held at Diyarbakır Heavy Penal Court No 11 on September 27, 2019. The court acquitted 62 people on the grounds of lacking culpability. (09/331) Detentions and Arrests in Alleged Link to Coup Attempt… On September 27, 2019, 16 people are detained in operations covering 20 cities through an Ankara based investigation on Turkish Air Forces personnel. (09/332) Trials in Alleged Link to Coup Attempt… The final trial of the case against former judge Hulusi Ceylan on Ankara Heavy Penal Court No 25 is held on September 27, 2019. The court sentenced the defendant to 7 years and 9 months and 22 days for ‘being an illegal organisation member’. The final trial of the case against Tacettin Şeker, former chief inspector of the Supreme Board of Judges and Prosecutors is held at Ankara Heavy PEnal Court No 25 on September 27, 2019. The court sentenced the defendant to 7 years and 6 months for ‘being an illegal organisation member’. The final trial of the case against Basri Aktepe, former official of National Intelligence Organisation is held at Ankara Heavy Penal Court No 25 on September 27, 2019. The court sentenced the defendant to 12 years for ‘being an illegal organisation member’. The final trial of the case against Sedat Hasan Karacaoğlu who was deported from Moldova, is held at Istanbul Heavy Penal Court No 33 on September 27, 2019. The court sentenced the defendant to 8 years and 3 months for ‘being an illegal organisation member’. (09/333) Special Security Zone in Hakkari… Hakkari Governorate made a declaration on September 25, 2019 and announced 3 areas of Yüksekova district as special security zones as of September 25, 2019 until September 30, 2019. (09/334) Special Security Zone in Hakkari… Hakkari Governorate made a declaration on September 28, 2019, and announced 5 areas of central, Çukurca, Şemdinli, Yüksekova, Derecik districts as special security zones as of September 29, 2019 until October 13, 2019.

[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.

The datas on Daily Reports of HRFT Documentation Center is obtained through news agencies, news papers, news portals or by the network of HRFT. Relevant news sources are: Vatan, Milliyet, Hürriyet, Evrensel, Birgün, Cumhuriyet, Fırat Haber Ajansı, Jinnews, ETHA, Mezopotamya Ajansı,
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Yurt, Yeni Yaşam, NTV, Yeni Asya, Bianet, Halkinsesi.tv, Cnnturk, T724, 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. The claimed human rights violations in HRFT daily reports, whether get investigated and become definite or remain as claims and removed from the annual report if not proved.