MESOP : HUMAN RIGHTS REPORT TURKEYMARCH 2016 by Human Rights Foundation of Turkey (HRFT/TIHV) -Daily Human Rights Reports

February 2016 –01-02 February 2016 Daily Human Rights Report

(02/001) Curfew in Cizre… The curfew in Cizre district of Şırnak reached its 52nd day as of 2 January 2016.

On 1 February 2016, bodies of 4 males and 1 female were found in 2 separate houses on Reyhan street in Cudi quarter. The persons were not identified and the bodies were taken to Şırnak State Hospital for forensic examination. Another body was reportedly found on 2 January 2016 on Gülüşük street.

(02/002) Attacks against Curfew Protests…

The police intervened a group of persons who staged a protest on 1 February 2016 in Dağlıoğlu quarter of Adana. Murat Daşkan (19) was shot to death during the armed clash that broke out after the intervention. Eyewitnesses testified to the effect that the police followed Murat Daşkan to a blind street and allegedly shot him to death.Kadir Çalışkan (20) was also shot at back and wounded during the incidents.

The police intervened a group of protesters on 30 January 2016 in Barbaros quarter of Adana. The police opened fire to disperse the crowd and shot the child Mahmur Can Çakır. He was hospitalised, but died in the hospital.

5 Members of İstanbul Youth Coordination of Peoples’ Democratic Congress (Halkların Demokratik Kongresi – HDK) occupied the Provincial Directorate of Health on 1 February 2016. The protesters and Dicle News Agency (DİHA) correspondent Elif Çetiner were detained.

(02/003) Operations and Attacks in the Southeast…

Gendarmerie Lieutenant Recep Erdoğan, Non-commissioned Officer Nusret Atmaca, Specialist Sergeant Bekir Şimşek, Gendarmerie Specialist Sergeant Sercan Bulak and Gendarmerie Specialist Sergeant Hüseyin Şerbetçi died during the clashes on 2 February 2016 in Sur district of Diyarbakır. 4 soldiers and 3 police officers were also wounded during the armed clashes.

3 police officers were wounded when a bomb exploded during the passage of an armoured police vehicle on 1 February 2016 in İdil district of Şırnak.

Governorate of Hakkari announced on that hundreds of regions in Yüksekova, Şemdinli and Çukurca districts of the province were decided to be temporary security zones for 15 days until 17 February 22016. Entrance of civilians to the security zones was also banned.

(02/004) Death in Military Barracks…

According to the news appeared in the press, Ersin Aras (30) who was serving for the compulsory military service in Kağızman district of Kars was subjected to torture and ill-treatment in the barracks and caught pneumonia. He reportedly died on 26 January 2016.

Ersin Aras informed his family that he was repeatedly sentenced to non-judicial punishments and he was forced to stand in the cold allegedly for fake sick leave attempts.

He was hospitalised for coughs and weakness and diagnosed terminal pneumonia.

After the diagnosis he was given a report certifying disability for military service. He was hospitalised to a hospital in Ankara to wait for heart implantation, but died in the hospital.

(02/005) JİTEM Cases Combined…

According to the news appeared in the press on 1 February 2016, 5th Penal Chamber at the Court of Cassation decided to combine the gendarmerie intelligence service JİTEM case against 16 defendants including 5 on-the-run defendants launched in connection with the killings of 26 persons in Diyarbakır and neighbouring provinces and the Musa Anter case. The case will be heard in Ankara.

(02/006) Torture and Ill-treatment in Şırnak…

According to the news appeared in the press on 1 February 2016, 24 persons including Dicle News Agency (DİHA) correspondent Nedim Oruç who were detained on 6 January 2016 in Silopi district of Şırnak were subjected to torture and ill-treatment in custody. The detainees were reportedly beaten, hosed with cold water and subjected to assault. The victims made official complaint against the perpetrators.

(02/007) Person Offered to Become an Informant…

Kadir Karabak organised a press conference on 26 January 2016 at the premises of Human Rights Association (HRA) İstanbul branch and announced that he was offered by “National Intelligence Service members” to become an informant. He was also threatened to death when rejected the demand.

(02/008) Persons on Trial in Adana…

According to the news appeared in the press on 1 February 2016, a court case was launched against Mahmut Arslan and Mevlit Kutli for taking part in folklore dancing during self-governance celebration on 7 September 2015 in Adana.

The indictment wants the defendants to be sentenced for “making propaganda of an illegal organisation” and Adana Heavy Penal Court No 2 will start to hear the case on 17 March 2016.

(02/009) TV Producers on Trial…

According to the news appeared in the press on 1 February 2016, a court case was launched 4 TV producers and presenters on charges of “insulting the State President”. The case was launched in connection with the newscast “Kanal D Haber Günaydın” aired on 30 September 2015 and presented by İrfan Değirmenci on Kanal D (Channel D).

The indictment wants the anchor İrfan Değirmenci, Kanal D news chief editor Süleyman Sarılar, news director Fevzi Yeniçeri and news editor Ali Ekber Aydın to be sentenced for showing a placard saying “Murderer Erdoğan” more than 2 times while covering a meeting of Peoples’ Democratic Party (HDP) Co-Chair Selahattin Demirtaş in Germany. Bakırköy (İstanbul) Penal Court of First Instance No 39 will start to hear the case.

(02/010) Former MP Convicted…

Ankara Penal Court of First Instance No 32 concluded on 1 February 2016 to hear the case against former MP Hüseyin Aygün launched on charges of “insulting public officer” by calling the Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoğlu “IS/ISIS-lover”.

The court sentenced Hüseyin Aygün to 1 year and 11 months’ imprisonment under the articles 125 and 216 TPC.

(02/011) Self-Governance Case in Diyarbakır…

According to the news appeared in the press on 1 February 2016, a court case was launched against 6 persons including remanded Co-Mayors of Sur district Seyit Narin and Fatma Şık Barut. The case was launched in connection with the self-governance declaration on 14 August 2015. 4 defendants are remanded in this case.

The indictment wants the defendants to be sentenced for “attempting to disrupt the unity and territorial integrity of the state” and Diyarbakır Heavy Penal Court No 5 will start to hear the case.

(02/012) Co-Mayor on Trial…

According to the news appeared in the press on 1 February 2016, a court case was launched against Mardin Co-Mayor Ahmet Türk in connection with his political activities and meetings. The indictment wants him to be sentenced to a term of imprisonment up to 18 years for “being member of an illegal organisation”, “making propaganda of an illegal organisation”, and “violating the Law on Meetings and Demonstrations”.

Diyarbakır Heavy Penal Court No 4 will start to hear the case.

(02/013) Operations throughout Turkey…

Sultan Mızrak, Nahide Yeniyurt, Hüseyin Kına and Fahrettin Baki who were among 5 persons detained during the operations conducted in Şemdinli district of Hakkari were arrested on 1 February 2016 on the allegations of “being member of an illegal organisation”.

Peoples’ Democratic Party (HDP) Co-Chair for Araklı district Sait Güvenç, Democratic Regions Party (DBP) Co-Chair for Araklı district Yılmaz Direk, HDP executive Tuncay Direk and Mesut Kaya who were detained in Bingöl were arrested also on the allegations of “being member of an illegal organisation”.

8 persons who were among 11 persons detained during the house raids conducted in Tunceli were arrested on 1 February 2016 on the allegations of “being member of an illegal organisation”.

  • 03 February 2016 Daily Human Rights Report

(02/014) Curfew in Sur…

The blockade and operations in Sur district of Diyarbakır reached its 55th day as of 3 February 2016.

Sub-governorate in Sur declared curfew in Camii Kebir, Camii Nebi, İskenderpaşa and Melikahmet quarters starting from the midnight on 3 February 2016. After the decision of the Sub-governorate, curfew was imposed in all 15 quarters of the district.

The curfew was lifted at 10.00 am on 3 February 2016 in Abdaldede, Ali Paşa, Lalebey, Süleyman Nazif and Ziya Gökalp quarters where curfew was imposed on 27 January 2016 and also in Camii Kebir, Camii Nebi, İskenderpaşa and Melikahmet quarters.

On 2 February 2016, a 10-12 years old boy was heavily wounded when the garden of a house was allegedly shot with a canon ball in Hasırlı quarter. His sister was also wounded at her leg.

(02/015) Operations and Attacks in the Southeast…

3 soldiers were wounded during the armed clashes that broke out during the operations on 2 February 2016 in Hasırlı quarter of Sur district in Diyarbakır. Specialist Sergeant Göksal Cin who was wounded during the clash died on 3 February 2016 in the hospital.

(02/016) Workers Death…

Worker’s Health and Job Safety Assembly announced on 3 February 2016 that at least 110 workers died in January 2016 during work accidents due to untaken security measures.

(02/017) Cem Aygün Case…

According to the news appeared in the press on 2 February 2016, 1st Penal Chamber at the Court of Cassation quashed the verdict against police officer Fatih Yılmaz. The police officer was sentenced to 11 years and 8 months’ imprisonment for “killing through intentional wounding” by Ankara Heavy Penal Court No 4 in the case launched on charges of killing Cem Aygün (24) on 30 August 2014 in Keçiören district of Ankara for not obeying stop warning.

1st Penal Chamber at the Court of Cassation quashed the verdict on the grounds that the defendant should have been sentenced for “reckless killing” and decided to release Fatih Yılmaz.

(02/018) Person Offered to Become an Informant…

According to the news appeared in the press on 2 February 2016, Jin News Agancy (JİNHA) correspondent in Adana province Filiz Zeyrek was offered by “state officials” to become an informant. She was also threatened when rejected the demand.

(02/019) Journalists on Trial…

Anadolu (İstanbul) Heavy Penal Court No 2 concluded on 2 February 2016 to hear the case against Aysun Yazıcı, correspondent with the daily Taraf, and former editor-in-chief of the paper Tunca Öğreten launched on charges of “making propaganda of an illegal organisation” with the news appeared in the paper concerning the operation in Çağlayan Court House in İstanbul which led to deaths of 2 DHKP-C (Revolutionary People’s Liberation Party – Front) militants and Public Prosecutor Mehmet Selim Kiraz was arrested on 20 April 2015.

The court acquitted the defendants on the grounds that they were not proven guilty as charged.

(02/020) Persons on Trial in Ağrı…

Ağrı Heavy Penal Court continued on 2 February 2016 to hear the case against 13 persons launched on charges of “making propaganda of an illegal organisation” with the banner saying “We salute our people’s self-governance” during the Peace Day celebrations in Ağrı on 1 September 2015.

After the final defence, the court acquitted all the defendants on the grounds that the elements of crime were not materialised.

(02/021) Investigations, Detentions and Arrests on the Allegations of Insulting State President…

Mehmet Kartal was arrested on 2 February 2016 in Halfeti district of Şanlıurfa on the allegations of “insulting the State President” with the comments on several web sites.

(02/022) Journalist on Trial on the Allegations of Insulting State President…

Çağlayan (İstanbul) Penal Court of First Instance No 2 started on 2 February 2016 to hear the case against Özgür Mumcu, columnist with the daily Cumhuriyet, launched on charges of “insulting the State President” for the expressions he used in his column on 18 May 2015.

After the identification and testimony of the defendant, the court adjourned the hearing to a later date.

(02/023) Correspondent Arrested in İstanbul…

“jiyan.org” news portal correspondent Hayri Tunç who was detained on 2 January 2016 in İstanbul was arrested on the same day on the allegations of “being member of an illegal organisation”.

(02/024) Correspondent Arrested in Malatya…

Dicle News Agency (DİHA) correspondent Nuri Akman who went to the Malatya Public Prosecutor to testify in connection with a case was arrested on the allegations of “being member of an illegal organisation”. The case was against 14 students who were arrested on 26 January 2016 in Malatya.

(02/025) Attacks against Curfew Protests…

G.A. (boy) who was wounded when the police attacked the protest on 30 January 2016 in Barbaros quarter of Adana was detained in the hospital before his treatment was completed. G.A. was arrested on 2 February 2016 on the allegations of “being member of an illegal organisation”.

4 persons including 2 children were reportedly arrested in connection with the same protest.

The police intervened a group of persons who started to stand guard on 2 February 2016 in Girêmîra quarter of Nusaybin district in Mardin with the demand of lifting the blockade in Cizre. The police also conducted house raids and detained 147 persons.

(02/026) Football Club Raided in Diyarbakır…

On 2 February 2016, Anti-Terror branch police officers raided the facilities of Amedspor football club in Seyrantepe quarter of Diyarbakır. The police searched the facilities and seized the hard discs of the computers.

THe raid was reportedly conducted in connection with the posts on social media related to the club.

(02/027) Operations throughout Turkey…

Digor Co-Mayors Şengül Erkmen and Ekrem Bingül, and 2 municipality workers who were arrested on 19 November 2015 in Dİgor district of Kars on the allegations of “debt” were released upon objection of their lawyers to be tried without remand.

 

  • 04-05 February 2016 Daily Human Rights Report

(02/028) Curfew in Cizre…

The curfew in Şırnak province, Cizre district and military operations entered its 55th day on 5 February 2016. For six days no news could be received from injured people who in Cudi quarter stayed in the cellar of a house, but on 4 February 2016 news were received that in another house 37 people remained being injured.

It was alleged that on 5 February 2016 9 people burned to death after tanks had shot at and shells had hit another house in Cudi quarters. Commenting on the incident İdris Baluken said that because of the fire 9 people had died and 25 people had show serious burn marks. Of the 9 people who died the identity of the following persons could be established: Şervan Adıgüzel, Ercan Pişkin, Mehmet Özkul, Nizar Isırgan, Cengiz Sansak, Ramazan Çömlek

Halil Özkül (21) who earlier had been injured by the fire of the security forces was detained on 3 February 2016 in Şırnak State Hospital.

(02/029) Attacks against protests against the curfews…

On 30 January 2016 a protest meeting was held in Adana, Barbaros quarter, Police teams shot at the crowd and injured Mahmur Can Çakır (16) heavily. He fell into brain-death and died on 4 February 2016.

On the call of the HDP actions were conducted in various towns on 4 February 2016 under the slogan “voice for peace”. During the action in Istanbul, Galatasaray Square police teams intervened with gas bombs and detained 15 people.

(02/030) Operations, Attacks in the South-east…

In Diyarbakır- Sur district clashes occurred in Hasırlı quarter during the military operations on 3 February 2016 that resulted in injuries of 5 soldiers and one special force member, two of which were heavily wounded. Of the injured soldiers Recep Aslan and the special force member Mustafa Büyükpoyraz died the same day in the hospital they had taken to.

During clashes in Şırnak-Cizre district Sur quarters the special force member Uğur Kutku lost his life on 4 February 2016.

Sergeant Nebi Arslan who had been injured heavily during clashes in Diyarbakır-Sur district on 31 January 2016 died on 4 February 2016 in Ankara GATA where he was under treatment.

(02/031) Çayan Birben Case…

After the 5th chamber of the Court of Cassation had quashed the decision of Yalova Heavy Penal Court not to be responsible for the case related to the death of Çayan Birben because of pepper gas that the police had used the court continued to hear the case on 4 February 2016. Summing up the case the prosecutor at Yalova Heavy Penal Court demanded up to six years’ imprisonment for the police officers İbrahim Baltacı, Serhat Ayhan Yeni and Tekin Ceyhan and asked for acquittal of the police officer Ercüment Küçükakça. The court adjourned the hearing in order that the defence can prepare its final arguments.

On 27 May 2012, the police had used tear gas to break up a fight in Abdullah Baştürk Park in Yalova. Çayan Birben (31) who was suffering from asthma was hospitalized due to the use of tear gas and taken to Yalova State Hospital where he died on 30 May 2012. During the investigation the Forensic Institute issued a medical report on 12 February 2013 certifying that the use of tear gas might have caused the death of Çayan Birben.

The indictment against the police officers İbrahim Baltacı, Ercüment Küçükakça, Serhat Ayhan Yeni and Tekin Ceyhan who had interfered on the day of the event had been sent from Yalova Penal Court 3 to Yalova Heavy Penal Court.

(02/032) The Ali İsmail Korkmaz Case…

The verdict that the local court had delivered in the case of police officers and civilians lynching Ali İsmail Korkmaz in Eskişehir Sanayi Street on 2 June 2013 was quashed by the penal chamber 1 of the Court of Cassation on 4 February 2016 on procedural grounds.

(02/033) The Ahmet Sülüşoğlu Case…

The court case against the deputy director of Istanbul Police HQ, Celal Yılmaz, who on 7 August 2015 had shot to death the motorbike rider Ahmet Sülüşoğlu after a discussion, continued on 3 February 2016. Bakırköy Heavy Penal Court 2 heard the testimony of the defendant who had not been arrested and decided that there were no reasons to punish Celal Yılmaz.

(02/034) Investigation into the Tevfik Caner Case…

Tevfik Caner Ertay, member of the People’s Houses in Eskişehir, was detained on 2 June 2013 during Gezi Park demonstrations in Eskişehir. He was put in the trunk of a police vehicle and tortured. Subsequently a court case was opened against the police officers Adem Arslan, Ahmet Kızıl and İzzet Erkan. Their case continued on 3 February 2016. During the hearing Eskişehir Penal Court 4 announced that the action of the defendants could not be termed bodily harm but torture and that the file would be sent to a heavy penal court.

(02/035) Death in Prison…

It was alleged that on 4 February 2016 Haydar Duymaz (35) committed suicide in Kürkçüler (Adana) F Type Prison where he was held on charges of membership of an illegal organization.

(02/036) Death in Prison…

It was alleged that on 2 February 2016 Barış Kılıç committed suicide in Elazığ F Type Prison where he was held on charges of murder.

(02/037) Charges against a journalist…

On 5 February 2016 it was learned that İdris Emen, reporter of the daily Hürriyet, was charged for an article he wrote on 6 July 2015 that related to the suicidal attack in Diyarbakır on a meeting conducted by the HDP. In this article deputy commissioner Ö.G. had been named. Bakırköy (İstanbul) Heavy Penal Court 2 accepted the indictment that charged İdris Emen with an offence of Article 6 of the Anti-Terror Law that is “showing personal involved in the fight against terrorism as targets” and will start to hear the case in the near future.

(02/038) Academic in Ankara on trial…

On 3 February 2016 the court case against Barış Ünlü, working at the faculty of political science at Ankara University and being charged for having asked a question related to a text of Abdullah Öcalan started. Ankara Heavy Penal Court 2 heard the defence of the defendant charged with having made propaganda for an illegal organization and at the end of the hearing declared that the defendant had to be acquitted.

(02/039) Detentions, arrests and investigations on insulting the State President…

On 4 February 2016 it was learned that Mehmet Güneş and Bekir Sürüci, living in Şanlıurfa, Bozova district and Ahmet Seçme, living in Birecik district had been arrested on charges of insulting the State President in various messages they had sent to a number of websites.

(02/040) Person on trial…

On 4 February 2016 the case against Utku Kalı launched for revealing intelligence during his compulsory military service in connection with the two parallel bomb explosions in Reyhanlı district of Hatay that resulted in the death of 52 people continued. Amasya Heavy Penal Court announced its verdict and declared that Utku Kalı had been acquitted.

(02/041) Police officers on trial for using violence during the actions concerning the Gezi Park…

Cameras had filmed an incident on 2 June 2013 in Gündoğdu Square in Izmir when during an action for Gezi Park three police officers had pulled a woman sitting at the seaside in Kordon bay by her hair and had beaten her. When the recordings were published an investigation started resulting in charges against the police officers İ.G., M.K. and M.B. on having misused their task. The trial continued on 4 February 2016. Izmir Penal Court 32 heard the final defence of the police officers who participated in the hearing. The judge reduced the sentence of 360 days’ imprisonment to 74 days and suspended the sentence for five years.

(02/042) People on trial because of actions for Gezi Park…

On 3 February 2016 the trial against 52 people who had participated in a protest demonstration in support of the actions for Gezi Park in Mersin on 1 June 2013 continued. Mersin Penal Court 52 declared that 41 defendants charged with a violation of Law 2911 on Meetings and Demonstrations, damaging public property and resisting officials had to be acquitted.

The lawyers of Mersin Bar Association, Onur Kale, Ahmet Ölmez, Melih Deniz Özşen, Hüseyin Bozdemir, Mesut Kocaman, Mehmet Deniz Sonuvar, Erdi Çalışkan, Ayhan Yerden, Turan Muhittin Turgut, Ahmet Argış and Kubilay Ceylan Özdağ were sentenced to between 12 and 18 months’ imprisonment.

(02/043) Association official on trial in Erzincan…

On 2 February the court case against 16 people on trial for having participated in an action for Gezi Park in Erzincan continued. Erzincan Heavy Penal Court declared its verdict on the 16 defendants charged with having violated Law 2911 on Meetings and Demonstrations and membership and propaganda for an illegal organization.

According to the verdict of the court the executive of the Pir Sultan Abdal Culture Association (PSAKD) in Erzincan, Hasan Sınırtaş was sentenced to 12 years’, the members of PSAKD in Erzincan, Hasan Şahin and Can Kocak to 12 years’, Çetin Kirsiz to 16 years’, Mukamet Çelik to 14 years’, Dağlar Delen to 12 years’, Özgün Kaya to 12 years, Özcan Kaya to 12 years’, Ali Sağlık to 12 years’ and Kenan Korkmaz to 6 years’ imprisonment. The defendant Uğur Pektaş was sentenced to a fine of 15.000 TL and Fuat Eskiköy to a fine of 6.000 TL.

(02/044) Detentions and arrests…

On 3 February 2016 police teams in Erzurum Horasan district detained the co-chair of the DBP in the district, Hüsnü Gül for having made propaganda for an illegal organization.

During a road check at the entrance to Xirvate (Büyükçiftlik) town in Hakkari-Yüksekova district Hüsnü Bulgan and Reşat İnce were detained and arrested on 3 February 2016 for being members of an illegal organization.

On 3 February 2016 special police teams raided houses in Mardin-Derik district and detained 5 people.

Mehmet Sekin and Osman Çetinkaya, who had been detained during a road check in Şanlıurfa-Viranşehir district were arrested on 4 February 2016 on charges of being members of an illegal organization.

Deputy mayor of Erciş M. Nuri Çiçek and former staff members of İpekyolu municipality, Hamdullah İnci who had been detained in Van, were arrested on 4 February 2016 on charges of being members of an illegal organization.

On 4 February 2016 police teams conducted operations in Mardin-Derik district and detained 5 people; in Erzurum the İHD executive Erdal Özakcı, the İHD members Yavuz Karabudak and Cemil Kuş were detained and in Diyarbakır-Silvan district Beritan Nergiz was detained.

In Ağrı five people were detained for their posts to the social media. On 3 February 2016 three of the them were arrested for having made propaganda for an illegal organization.

  • 06-12 February 2016 Daily Human Rights Report

(02/045) Curfew in Cizre…

The curfew in Cizre district of Şırnak where the operations of Security Forces concluded reached its 62nd day as of 12 February 2016. The Ministry of Interior Affairs announced that the operations were completed as of 11 February 2016, but the curfew will be on-going.

The bodies of 3 unidentified persons were found on 5 February 2016 on Site street in Sur quarter. 2 bodies in Huzur street and 2 bodies on Paraşüt street were also found on 7 February 2016. 7-month pregnant Zerin Uca living in Sur quarter reportedly had a heart attack on 6 February 2016. Since the ambulance was not allowed to enter Çalı street due to the clashes for 1.5 hour, Zerin Uca died in her house.

Abdullah Gün (16) who was stuck in a building on Narin street in Cudi quarter where 9 persons were burnt to death on 5 February 2016 was shot to death when he left the building to check the condition on the street. Security Forces allegedly conducted operations on 8 February 2016 against 2 building where wounded persons were stuck. MP Faysal Sarıyıldız announced that burnt bodies of 22 persons were found in the buildings. He added that there were no bullet wounds on the bodies.

On 10 February 2016, operations were allegedly conducted against a 3rd building in Sur quarter. 22 persons allegedly died in the building and 23 wounded persons remained stuck in the building. According to the news that appeared in the press, 149 persons were stuck in these 3 buildings as of 12 February 2016. 82 persons had reportedly died. Though there were bullet wounds on some of the bodies, some others were burnt and bodily integrity of the persons was violated. Some of the bodies were allegedly unrecognisable.

8 bodies were sent on 11 February 2016 to Şanlıurfa for autopsy. 2 persons were identified as Sultan Irmak (16) and Fehmi Dinç by their families. Sultan Irmak reportedly died on 30 January 2016 in the basement of the building on Caferi Sadık street in Cudi quarter. Fehmi Dinç remained stuck in the same basement.

(02/046) Curfew in Sur…

The blockade and military operations in Sur district of Diyarbakır entered its 64th day on 12 February 2016.

Murat Menekşe (13) who was heavily wounded when a house in Hasırlı quarter was hit by a bomb on 2 February 2016 died on 4 February 2016. On 9 February 2016, the Governorate of Diyarbakır banned entrance of civilians to Gazi Avenue from Çiftehan street to Mardinkapı.

(02/047) Curfew Protests Attacked…

The police intervened the protest staged on 9 February 2016 in Diyarbakır. Mahmut Bulak (16) was shot to death when the police opened fire to disperse the crowd on Sento Avenue.

Süleyman Güzel (19) who was wounded on 10 February 2016 when the police opened fire to disperse the crowd in Bağlar district of Diyarbakır died on 12 February 2016 in hospital. 2 persons were also wounded during the attack.

The police intervened a group of persons who wanted to march on 5 February 2016 from Nusaybin district of Mardin to Cizre district of Şırnak to protest the operations and detained 51 persons.

The police intervened a group of persons who were making noise on 7 February 2016 in Fatih district of İstanbul to protest the blockades and detained 14 persons. The police prevented the protest on 8 February 2016 on Galatasaray Square in İstanbul and detained 17 persons under beatings.

The protest staged on 8 February 2016 in İzmir was prevented by the police and 48 persons including HRFT board member Coşkun Üsterci.

The police conducted house raids on 9 February 2016 in Menemen district of İzmir and detained 10 persons on the allegations of taking part in the demonstrations staged to protest the blockades.

The police intervened a group of persons who started a signature campaign on 10 February 2016 in Didim district of Aydın and detained 9 women under beatings.

3 children were detained for taking part in the protest by making noise in Ortaklar town of Aydın were arrested on 10 February 2016 on the allegations of “making propaganda for an illegal organisation”.

2 persons including 1 child were arrested on 10 February 2016 in Adana on the allegations of “committing a crime in the name of an illegal organisation”.

(02/048) Person Killed by the Police in Hakkari…

An armed clash broke out when Security Forces intervened a group of persons who staged a demonstration on 11 February 2016 in Yüksekova district of Hakkari to protest the blockade and possible curfew in the district.

Security Forces opened fire to disperse the crowd in Esentepe quarter and Osman Alıcı (22) was shot to death.

(02/049) Extra-judicial Execution Allegation in Diyarbakır…

Selahattin Çeliktepe (45) from Karayakut village of Diyarbakır was reportedly shot to death with 2 bullets on 5 February 2016. His body was taken to Gazi Yaşargil Training and Research Hospital.

The police allegedly called the family and informed that he died when he was caught between fires during the attack against Pirinçlik Gendarmerie Station.

When the family revealed that there was no armed clash on the alleged day and place, the police declared that he was shot to death during a demonstration on Beşyüzevler road staged after an armed clash on Siverek road.

(02/050) Operations and Attacks in the Southeast…

A police officer was killed during an armed clash that broke out on 4 February 2016 in Cudi quarter of Cizre district in Şırnak.

4 militants were reportedly killed during the armed attack on 5 February 2016 against the Security Directorate in Şırnak.

Gendarmerie Lieutenant Abdulselam Öztak (25) and 1 solider died during an armed clash on 5 February in Sur district of Diyarbakır. Non-commissioned Officer Ünal Bıçakçı (24) who was wounded during the clash also died in hospital. 2 more soldiers were wounded during the clash.

Mehmet Sıddık Tekmen (27) who was when caught between fires and heavily wounded when an armoured police vehicle was attacked with a rocket launcher on 5 February 2016 in Şırnak died in hospital.

4 soldiers were wounded during an armed clash on 6 February 2016 in Sur district of Diyarbakır where curfew was imposed.

Gendarmerie special sergeants Osman Öz and Yusuf Alsancak, special corporal Kadir Genç were killed, 2 soldiers were wounded during an armed clash that broke out during the operations on 10 February 2016 in Sur district of Diyarbakır.

Police officer Abdulkadir Oğuz who was attacked on 8 February 2016 in the city centre of Yüksekova district in Hakkari died in hospital. 2 militants were reportedly killed during the operations conducted after the attack.

1 police officer and 1 soldier were killed, 2 soldiers and 1 police officer were wounded during an armed clash on 9 February 2016 in Sur quarter of Cizre district in Şırnak.

2 soldiers and 5 police officers were reportedly wounded during the armed clashes on 8 February 2016 in Cizre district of Şırnak.

Police officer Mehmet Güngördü (32) and 1 police officer was wounded when an armoured police vehicle was attacked on 9 February 2016 in Şırnak.

Police officer Osman Yurt (44) and private Arif Subaşoğlu were killed when an armed clash broke out on 10 February 2016 in the city centre of Cizre district in Şırnak.

Yüzsüren Military Border Station was attacked on 10 February 2016 and private Vedat Dolançay died.

Special Sergeant Hasan Talay who was wounded during an armed clash in Sur district of Diyarbakır died on 9 February 2016 in a hospital in Ankara.

Captain Fatih Yaşar (37) who was heavily wounded during an armed clash in Sur district of Diyarbakır died on 9 February 2016 in hospital.

The civil servants Ahmet Arttı (27) and Diyar Oslu (33) died; Abdülkerim Oslu was heavily wounded when a shuttle bus exploded on 9 February 2016 while going from Mergeh village of Uludere district in Şırnak to Uludere city centre.

Police officer Tayfun Yüce (24) who was heavily wounded when a bomb exploded during the passage of an armoured police vehicle on 1 February 2016 in İdil district of Şırnak died in a hospital in Ankara.

Köyceğiz Military Border Station was attacked on 9 February 2016. 1 private died, 2 soldiers and 1 major were wounded during the attack.

1 police officer was wounded when an armoured police vehicle was attacked with a rocket launcher on 10 February 2016 in Nusaybin district of Mardin.

4 police officers were reportedly wounded during an armed clash that broke out on 11 February 2016 in Sur district of Diyarbakır.

(02/051) Extra-judicial Killing in Şanlıurfa…

Ahmed Ubeyd (27) was killed when military troops opened fire on the grounds that he did not obey the stop warning while trying to pass the border from of Rojava to Akçakale district of Şanlıurfa province in Turkey.

(02/052) Extra-judicial Killing in Kilis…

A 9 or 10 years old girl from Afrin canton of Rojava was reportedly killed when military troops opened fire on 5 February 2016 against her on the grounds that she was too close to the border.

(02/053) Extra-judicial Killing in Kilis…

Emel El-Şêx (10) and Endan Hemze (36) were reportedly killed when military troops opened fire against them while trying to pass the border from Afrin canton of Rojava to Kilis province in Turkey.

(02/054) Children Wounded in Van by the Police…

S.O. (13-boy), U.K. (14-boy) and D.A. (16-boy) were wounded when police officers opened fire during a patrol on 7 February 2016 in Hacıbekir quarter in Van on the allegations that the children were planning to attack the police officers.

(02/055) Torture and Ill-treatment in Custody…

The faces of YPG militants Mehmet Naif Yusuf and Ala Vezax Xelil who were detained on 6 February 2016 on Rojava border in Nusaybin district of Mardin on the allegations of “being members of an illegal organisation” allegedly became unrecognisable for being subjected to heavy torture in custody. The detainees were beaten with the butt of rifles and the nose of Mehmet Naif Yusuf was reportedly broken.

(02/056) Death under Torture Trial Concluded

On 27 October 2010 Diyarbakır Heavy Penal Court No. 3 had sentenced sub-lieutenant Salih Üner (who has “Rambo” as nickname) to life sentence in solitary confinement and with no possibility of parole in connection with killing Abdulkadir Kurt (36) under torture who had been detained in Ağıllı Village of Bismil District of Diyarbakır Province on 19 February 1992 on charges of “homicide with torture with evil sentiments”. The court acquitted 14 soldiers following the opinion of the Public Prosecutor as to the accusations.

The Penal Chamber No. 1 at the Court of Cassation quashed the verdict on the grounds that some of the witnesses were not faced with the defendant and some of the documents were not read in the hearings on 11 February 2013.

After the decision of the Supreme Court of Appeal’s Penal Chambers No. 1 the court went on hearing the case on 30 May 2013. The court took the defence of Salih Üner through teleconference system who is in Bursa E Type of Closed Prison and sentenced him to 20 years of imprisonment on charges of “homicide with torture in order to get a confession during his duty”.

But Penal Chamber No. 1 at the Court of Cassation also quashed the verdict on 20 April 2015. According to the news that appeared in the press on 11 February 2016, the court sentenced Salih Üner once again to 20 years’ imprisonment for the same offence.

(02/057) Journalists on Trial…

Çağlayan (İstanbul) Heavy Penal Court No 14 accepted on 5 February 2016 the indictment against Can Dündar, editor-in-chief of the daily Cumhuriyet, and Erdem Gül, Ankara representative of the paper. The journalists were arrested on 26 November 2016 in connection with an investigation concerning the news that appeared in the paper on the transportation of fire arms to Syria by National Intelligence Service (MİT).

The indictment wants the defendants to be sentenced for “revealing information on the security of the state”, “political and military espionage”, “revealing confidential information”, and “making propaganda of an illegal organisation”. Çağlayan (İstanbul) Heavy Penal Court No 14 will start to hear the case on 25 March 2016.

(02/058) Political Party Executive on Trial on the Allegations of Insulting State President…

According to the news that appeared in the press on 9 February 2016, a court case was launched against Labour Party (EMEP) executive for Mersin province Mehmet Taşçı on charges of “insulting the State President” with the speech he gave during the demonstration staged on 13 October 2015 to protest the Ankara Massacre. Mersin Penal Court of First Instance No 6 will start to hear the case on 14 March 2016.

(02/059) Imam Convicted on the Allegations of Insulting State President…

Şırnak Penal Court of First Instance started on 9 February 2016 to hear the case against the imam Bakır Kutlu (Baki Kutlu) who was released after being detained on 29 December 2015 to testify on the allegations of “defending self-governance declarations during Friday sermons” and was arrested on 1 January 2016 on the allegations of “insulting the State President”. He was arrested in Şırnak Court House where he was called to testify in connection with the incident. After the identification and testimony of the defendant, the court sentenced Bakır Kutlu (Baki Kutlu) to 3 years and 2 months’ imprisonment and suspended the sentence.

(02/060) Students on Trial on the Allegations of Insulting State President…

İzmir Penal Court of First Instance No 30 started on 10 February 2016 to hear the case against Aegean University students Muhammed Kül, Çiğdem Geçimli and Erdal Kozan for putting up a poster saying “Tea for everyone on me, but not to Tayyip (Herkese benden çay, Tayyip’e yok)” referring to a classic Turkish movie Çiççek Abbas. The students were protesting the price rise and the indictment wants the defendants to be sentenced for “insulting the State President”. After the identification and testimonies of the defendants, the court adjourned the hearing to a later date.

(02/061) Columnist on Trial on the Allegations of Insulting State President…

Çağlayan (İstanbul) Penal Court of First Instance No 2 continued on 11 February 2016 to hear the case against Ender İmrek, columnist with the daily Evrensel, launched in connection with expressions he used against State President in a column he wrote concerning the ban on publications regarding the parliamentary commission for corruption allegations dating 29 November 2014. The indictment wants the defendant to be sentenced according to Article 299 TPC. After the testimony of Ercan İmrek, the court adjourned the hearing to 17 March 2016.

(02/062) Journalist Convicted on the Allegations of Insulting State President…

Afyonkarahisar Penal Court of First Instance No 3 concluded on 11 February 2016 the case against Hilal Kalafat launched on charges of “insulting the State President”. The case was launched for the columns she wrote on the web site of a local news portal. The court sentenced the defendant to 2 years and 4 months’ under the Article 299 TPC and suspended the execution of the sentence.

(02/063) Journalist Arrested in Gaziantep…

Dicle News Agency (DİHA) Nazım Daşdan who was detained on 10 February 2016 in Gaziantep was arrested on 11 February 2016 on the allegations of “making propaganda of an illegal organisation” through facebook comments and the news he wrote.

(02/064) Web Site Banned…

Access to web site “herkul.org” was banned upon decision of İstanbul Peace Penal Judge 7 dating 11 February 2016. The articles of Fettullah Gülen were published on the web site.

(02/065) Protesters on Trial in Aydın…

Aydın Penal Court of First Instance No 1 started on 8 February 2016 to hear the case against 77 persons launched in connection with a demonstration staged in Aydın to protest the killing of 301 miners in Soma district of Manisa. The indictment wants the defendants to be sentenced for “violating the Law on Meetings and Demonstrations”. After the identification and testimonies of the present defendants, the court adjourned the hearing to a later date to complete the testimonies.

(02/066) Protest Attacked in İzmir…

The police intervened in a demonstration staged on 10 February 2016 in İzmir to commemorate the suicide bomb attack on 10 October 2015 in Ankara. 16 persons were detained during police intervention.

(02/067) Political Party Premises Attacked in Bursa…

Unidentified persons organised an armed attack on 11 February 2016 against the Peoples’ Democratic Party (HDP) premises in Yenişehir district of Bursa. HDP Chair for the district Rahmi Dağyar and former Chair Hasan Ural were wounded during the attack.

(02/068) Detentions and Arrests…

Selçuk Doğan and Gurbet Ektiren who were among 5 persons detained during house raids in Derik district of Mardin were arrested on 5 February 2016 on the allegations of “being members of an illegal organisation”.

On 5 February 2016, Security Forces detained 3 persons including Peoples’ Democratic Party (HDP) executive for Karlıova district Emrah Özcan in Karlıova district of Bingöl.

Leyla Nergiz (22) who was detained in Silvan district of Diyarbakır was arrested on 5 February 2016 on the allegations of “acting in the name of an illegal organisation”.

The police conducted house raids on 11 February 2016 in Antalya against the houses of HDP members and supporters and detained 25 persons including Dicle News Agency (DİHA) correspondent Feyyaz İmrak.

The police conducted house raids on 6 February 2016 in Başkale district of Van and detained Democratic Regions Party (DBP) Co-Chair for the district Senar Yeşilırmak.

Human Rights Association (HRA) members Erdal Özakçil, Yavuz Karabudak, Hamit Ateş who were detained during house raids in Erzurum were arrested on 6 February 2016 on the allegations of “being members of an illegal organisation” and “making propaganda for an illegal organisation”. Latif Polat who was detained in Diyadin district of Ağrı was also arrested on the same day on the allegations of “aiding and abetting an illegal organisation”.

11 member of the Labour Party (EMEP) were detained on 7 February 2016 when they were putting up posters of the party saying “Unite to Raise the Voice of Peace (Barışın sesini yükseltmek için birleşelim)”. The detainees were released after a while, but 8 of them were fined TL 219 under the Law on Misdemeanours.

5 persons including HDP and DBP co-chairs for Bingöl province who were detained during operations in Bingöl were arrested on 8 February 2016 on the allegations of “being members of an illegal organisation”.

İhsan Denk, Hamit Güleç and Erhan Aktay who were detained during house raids in Derik district of Mardin were arrested on 8 February 2016 on the allegations of “being members of an illegal organisation”.

The police intervened in a march organised on 8 February 2016 in Mersin and detained 6 persons.

HDP Co-Chair for Beyoğlu district in İstanbul province Rukiye Demir who was detained on the grounds that there was an arrest warrant against her was arrested on 8 February 2016 on the allegations of “being a member of an illegal organisation”.

Union in health sector SES representative in Ağrı province Recep Altındağ was arrested on 9 February 2016 on the allegations of “being a member of an illegal organisation”.

Rojava Association board members Mustafa Ocaklı, Ramazan Karabalı and Davut Kesen were detained on 10 February 2016 in Mardin.

The police conducted house raids on 10 February 2016 in Edremit district of Van and detained 10 persons.

Kübra Oğul, Susin Şengül and Mücahit Kaplan who were among 5 persons detained during house raids in Ankara were arrested on 11 February 2016 on the allegations of “being members of an illegal organisation”.

5 persons were detained during the house raids conducted on 11 February 2016 in Tatvan district of Bitlis on the allegations of “being members of an illegal organisation”. 5 persons in Suruç district of Şanlıurfa and 3 persons including Co-Mayor Rahmi Çelik in Bulanık district of Muş were reportedly detained on 11 February 2016.

Helin Öncü who was wounded when Security Forces opened fire and was under treatment in Mardin was detained on 11 February 2016 when being discharged from hospital.

 

  • 13-22 February 2016 Daily Human Rights Report

(02/069) Curfew in Cizre…

The curfew in Cizre district of Şırnak where the operations of the Security Forces concluded reached its 67th day as of 17 February 2016. The number of the bodies found in the basements of 3 buildings reportedly reached 145.

According to the news that appeared in the press on 12 February 2016, 5 bodies in temporary Forensic Institute in the Habur Border Gate where 45 bodies were kept were identified as Mahsum Erdoğan, Sabri Sezgin, Muharrem Erbek (16), Abdulselam Turgut and Murat Kazıcı.

Abbas Güllübahçe was also identified on 13 February 2016 in Gaziantep where 20 bodies were kept in the Forensic Institute.

Mesut Arsin was identified on 13 February 2016 in Şanlıurfa where 28 bodies were kept in the Forensic Institute.

Ercan Bişkin on 15 February 2016 and Sinan Kaya on 16 February 2016 were identified in Şanlıurfa.

According to the news that appeared in the press on 14 February 2016, Ekrem Sevilgen (17), Serdar Özbek (32) and Mehmet Benzer (19) were also identified in Mardin where 17 bodies were kept in the Forensic Institute.

The bodies of Tajdin Merse (22) and Mehmet Dalmış (31) were identified by their families on 15 February 2016.

The families of Derya Koç, Yasemin Çıkmaz, İbrahim Temel, Yakup Yalçın, Barış Gasır, Abdullah Gün (16), Felek Çağdavul (18), Mehmet Özkul (23), Nursel Dalmış (18), Selim Turay (29), Fırat Malgaz, Sakine Şiray, Cihan Karaman, Ercan Bişkin, Yakup Dadak, Kasım Yana, Ramazan Aydın, Lokman Bilgiç and Mehmet Tunç went to Silopi district to identify their children.

Dicle News Agency (DİHA) correspondent Beritan İrlan and 15 persons who wanted to go to the basements in Cudi and Nur quarter where the bodies were found were detained on the allegations of “breaking the curfew”.

Beritan İrlan was reportedly forced for a naked body-search in the Anti-Terror branch.

Constitutional Court rejected the interlocutory injunction demand concerning the persons who were wounded and not able to reach health services under curfew in Cizre district of Şırnak.

(02/070) Attacks and Operations in the Southeast…

Police officer Kemal Yılmaz (41) who was heavily wounded during an armed clash on 4 February 2016 in Cizre district of Şırnak died on 12 February 2016 in a hospital in Ankara.

A soldier who was wounded during an armed clash on 31 January 2016 in Cizre district of Şırnak reportedly died on 12 February 2016.

1 police officer was wounded when the Governorate in Nusaybin district of Mardin was attacked on 12 February 2016.

1 police officer was wounded when an armoured vehicle was attacked on 13 February 2016 in Nusaybin district of Mardin.

(02/071) Child Killed by the Police in Mardin…

A group or persons gathered in Dicle quarter of Nusaybin district in Mardin on 14 February 2016 to protest the rumours about a possible curfew in the district. The police opened fire to disperse the group and shot Muğdat Ay (12) to death. A.D. (16-boy) was shot to his leg and wounded during the attack.

(02/072) Nihat Kazanhan Case…

Cizre (Şırnak) Heavy Penal Court No 1 continued on 12 February 2016 to hear the case launched in connection with the killing of Nihat Kazanhan (12) by the police on 14 January 2014 in Cizre district of Şırnak.

Because of the on-going curfew in Cizre district of Şırnak, the court adjourned the hearing to 8 April 2016. The indictment wants the defendants U.İ., H.V., and Mehmet Emin Arslan to be sentenced for “intentional killing”, the defendants O.Ç. and G.T for “not reporting a crime”.

(02/073) Impunity in Hasan Ergül Investigation…

The grave of Hasan Ergul who had been abducted in 1995 by the gendarmerie intelligence service JİTEM in Silopi district of Şırnak and forcibly disappeared was found on 12 April 2009 upon confessions of JİTEM informant Abdülkadir Aygan. According to the news appeared in the press on 13 February 2016, Public Prosecutor in Elazığ decided not to prosecute retired Colonel Cemal Temizöz and temporary village guard Koçero Saluci on the grounds of “lack of evidence”.

(02/074) Execution Attempt in Custody Trial in Adana…

According to the news that appeared in the press, Adana Heavy Penal Court No 2 concluded on 9 February 2016 to hear the case against a police officer launched for heavily wounding the detainee Serkan Ünal who allegedly attempted to escape during physical examination in the hospital on 28 May 2015 in Adana. The court reportedly acquitted the defendant.

(02/075) Bomb Attack in Hatay Case…

Ankara Heavy Penal Court No 9 continued on 12 February 2016 to hear the case launched in connection with the bomb explosions in Reyhanlı district of Hatay on 11 May 2013 which led to the death of 52 persons.

After the defence as to the accusation, the court rejected the demand of the defendants to be tried without remand and adjourned the hearing to 27 April 2016.

(02/076) Investigations, Detentions and Arrests on the Allegations of Insulting the State President…

H.K. was detained on 12 February 2016 in Isparta on the allegations of “insulting the State President” with the comments s/he shared on the internet.

(02/077) Political Party Executive Convicted in Malatya…

Malatya Heavy Penal Court No 2 concluded to hear the case against Socialist Party of the Oppressed (ESP) executive for Malatya province Serdar Yücekaya launched in connection with the his comments on facebook. The court sentenced Serdar Yücekaya to 1 year and 3 months’ imprisonment for “making propaganda of the illegal organisations “MLKP, DHKP-C and PKK”.

(02/078) Prisoner Convicted on the Allegations of Insulting the State President…

According to the news that appeared in the press on 12 February 2016, Bafra (Samsun) Penal Court of First Instance No 3 concluded to hear the case against prisoner Melih Gürler incarcerated in Bafra (Samsun) T-type Prison launched for the letter he wrote on 10 November 2015 to Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. The court sentenced Melih Gürler to 1 year and 6 months’ imprisonment under Article 299 TPC for “insulting the State President”.

(02/079) Former MP Convicted…

According to the news that appeared in the press on 12 February 2016, Van Heavy Penal Court No 2 concluded to hear the case against former MP Aysel Tuğluk launched in connection with the expressions she used during Newroz celebrations on 17 March 2013 in Van. The court sentenced Aysel Tuğluk to 10 months’ imprisonment for “making propaganda of an illegal organisation”.

(02/080) Person Convicted in Van…

According to the news that appeared in the press on 15 February 2016, Erciş (Van) Heavy Penal Court concluded to hear the case against Kenan Ultar who was the presentator of a festival during Ramadan in July 2015 in Erciş district of Van. The case was launched for using the word “biji” (long live) during the festival. The indictment wanted Kenan Ultar to be sentenced for “making propaganda of an illegal organisation” and the court sentenced the defendant to 1 year and 6 months’ imprisonment.

(02/081) 15 February Protests Intervened…

The police intervened demonstrations staged on 15 February 2016 in İstanbul to protest Abdullah Öcalan’s being brought to Turkey in 1999 and detained 59 persons.

12 persons were detained during the police intervention against the demonstration staged in Batman on 14 February 2016.

The police also intervened in the demonstrations staged on 14 February 2016 in Mersin. 2 children were shot and wounded during police attack.

(02/082) Persons on Trial in Ankara…

Ankara Penal Court of First Instance No 25 started on 12 February 2016 to hear the case against 90 persons launched after the demonstration of members of the Eğitim-Sen, union of public servants in the education sector, who wanted to march from Tandoğan Square to Kılızay Square on 20 December 2014 in Ankara with the demand of “secular education and respect to labour”.

The indictment wants the defendants to be sentenced for “violating the Law on Meetings and Demonstrations”. The court adjourned the hearing to a later date for the completion of the testimonies.

The police dispersed the demonstrators by using tear gas and water cannons. 89 members of the union including the Chair of the Eğitim-Sen Veli Demir were detained during the intervention. The nose of a unionist was reportedly broken when a police officer kicked her/him in the face.

(02/083) Curfew Protests Attacked…

The police detained 6 members of United Revolutionary Party (Birleşik Devrimci Parti) when they were distributing leaflets on 14 February 2016 in Avcilar district of İstanbul.

The police attacked the protest staged on 14 February 2016 in Sultangazi district of İstanbul. 4 persons were shot and wounded during the attack; at least 15 persons were detained.

(02/084) Persons on Trial in Batman…

Batman Heavy Penal Court No 2 continued on 12 February 2016 to hear the case against 83 persons launched for staging a human shield action on 18 September 2015 in the rural area of Kelhasan village of Sason district in Batman to stop the armed clashes and military operations in the region.

The indictment wants the defendants to be sentenced for “being members of an illegal organisation” and “violating the Law on Meetings and Demonstrations”. After the testimonies of the defendants, the court adjourned the hearing to 15 April 2016.

(02/085) Co-Mayor Dismissed from Duty…

Orhan Şansal Co-Mayor for Suruç district in Şanlıurfa, was dismissed from duty on 12 February 2016 by the Ministry of Interior Affairs.

(02/086) Political Party Premises Attacked in Mersin…

On 13 February 2016, unidentified persons broke in Peoples’ Democratic Party (HDP) premises in Tarsus district of Mersin. The furniture in the premises was damaged.

(02/087) Detentions and Arrests…

The police conducted house raids on 13 February 2016 in Çukurca district of Hakkari and detained 7 persons including Peoples’ Democratic Party (HDP) and Democratic Regions Party (DBP) Co-Chairs for the district Halime Şimşek and Garibe Çetin.

Halime Şimşek, Cebrail Erdemir, Cengiz Atak, Savaş Altay, Cennet Ayar and Şaban Döner were arrested on 13 February 2016 on the allegation of “being members of an illegal organisation”.

12 students who were among 13 students detained during house raids in Gaziantep were arrested on 13 February 2016 on the allegations of “being members of an illegal organisation”.

Rector of Ankara University made ID presentation obligatory at the entrance of the Cebeci Campus of the university. Private security guards and the police performed ID check in the campus. 15 persons who objected showing ID were detained.

The police conducted house raids on 15 February 2016 in Derik district of Mardin and detained Derik Municipality Assembly Member Mülkiye Ezmez, municipality worker Abdullah Ecer, İsmail Çelik, Mahsum Temel and Şakir Ecer.

20 persons including 6 children were detained during the house raids on 14 and 15 February 2016 in Adana.

The police conducted operations in Şanlıurfa. 19 persons in Birecik district and 10 persons in Viranşehir district were detained.

HDP and DBP member Şiyar Aslan, Nevzat Çavuş, Esat Kabak, Türkan Kara, Sebebi Sarı Demir, Mehmet Nasır Çelik and Sait Doğan were detained during operations in Erzurum.

The police conducted house raids in Silopi district of Şırnak and reportedly detained at least 15 municipality assembly members and municipality workers including Silopi Co-Mayor Seyfettin Aydemir.

The police conducted house raids against the houses of HDP members and supporters in Antalya and detained 25 persons. 17 detainees including Dicle News Agency (DİHA) correspondent Feyyaz İmrak were arrested on 15 February 2016 on the allegations of “being members of an illegal organisation”.

The police conducted operations on 14 February 2016 in Kaynartepe quarter of Bağlar district in Diyarbakır and detained 9 persons.

Free Journalists Society (Özgür Gazeteciler Cemiyeti) Co-Chair Nevin Erdemir and Free Day Radio (Özgür Gün Radyosu) worker Ahmet Gülmez were detained on 14 February 2016 during a road control when they were going from Diyarbakır to Mardin.

DİHA correspondent Asya İnedi was detained on 14 February 2016 in Sultanbeyli district of İstanbul.

4 persons including Ağrı Provincial Assembly Co-Chair and DBP member Gülizar Epli who were detained during house raids conducted in Doğubayazıt district of Ağrı were arrested on 12 February 2016 on the allegations of “being members of an illegal organisation”.

Serkan Aydemir, Mehmet Mansur Akbay and Bişar Akdemir who were among 5 persons detained during house raids in Tatvan district of Bitlis were arrested on 13 February 2016 on the allegations of “being member of an illegal organisation”.

Co-Mayor for Bulanık district in Muş province Rahmi Çelik who was among 3 persons detained in Bulanık was arrested on 11 February 2016 on the allegations of “being a member of an illegal organisation”.

7 persons including HDP Co-Chair for the district İbrahim Yaşar were detained during house raids on 14 February 2016 in Taşlıçay district of Ağrı.

HDP Chair for central district in Siirt province Şükrü Timurtaş who was detained during house raids in Siirt was arrested on 14 February 2016 on the allegations of “aiding an illegal organisation”.

(02/088) Curfew in İdil…

The Governorate of Şırnak imposed curfew in İdil district and Dirsekli village starting from 16 February 2016 at 11.00pm. The Governorate also announced that 4 thousand members of Security Forces took part in the operations that started on the same day.

(02/089) Curfew in Sur…

The blockade and military operations in Sur district of Diyarbakır entered its 70th day on 18 February 2016.

Erhan Keskin (18) was reportedly shot to death on 16 February 2016 during the operations conducted in the district.

Dicle News Agency (DİHA) correspondent Mazlum Dolan announced on 17 February 2016 relying on the statements of his colleagues that 200 persons including babies and wounded persons were stuck in the basement of a building.

(02/090) Curfew in Cizre…

The curfew in Cizre district of Şırnak where the operations of Security Forces concluded reached its 68th day as of 18 February 2016.

The number of the bodies found in the basements of 3 buildings reportedly reached 156.

According to the news that appeared in the press on 15 February 2016, the bodies were transferred to Şanlıurfa and one of the bodies was identified as YPS member Ali Pişkin.

Mehmet Kulbay was also identified by his family on 17 February 2016 in Şanlıurfa.

The bodies of Burhan Taşdelen, Aydın Erol, Ferhat Karaduman, Edip Arvas and Nursel Dalmış (18) were identified by their families on 16 February 2016 in Habur Border Gate.

Derya Koç was identified on 16 February 2016 by her father.

Security Forces found 2 unidentified bodies on 17 February 2016 in Cudi quarter.

(02/091) Bomb Attack in Ankara…

A suicide bomb attack was organised against the military buses on 17 February 2016 in Ankara. The attack was organised at the end of the business day on Merasim street nearby the service commands. According to the official announcement, 28 persons including 20 ranked soldiers, 7 civil servants and 1 civilian were killed and 81 persons were wounded during attack.

The governmental authorities announced that the vehicle used during the attack was stolen from İzmir province. And the attacker was Syrian Salih Necar who was allegedly an YPG fighter against IS/ISIS in Rojava region of Syrian. RTÜK (supreme board of radio and television) imposed a temporary ban on publication about the attack.

(02/092) Person Killed by the Police in Şırnak…

Eyüp Üstek (23) who had been shot to his leg on 15 February 2016 in Dicle quarter of Şırnak died in hospital. He was not allowed to be hospitalised for a long time by the Security Forces.

(02/093) Operations and Attacks in the Southeast…

3 soldiers were wounded during an armed clash on 16 February 2016 in Sur district of Diyarbakır. Non-commissioned officer Mehmet Ali Dinç died on the same day and non-commissioned officer Seçkin Çil (29) died on 17 February 2016 in hospital.

An armoured police vehicle was attacked with a rocket launcher on 15 February 2016 in Hacıbekir quarter of Van. 1 police officer was wounded during the attack.

The Governorate of Hakkari announced that hundreds of regions in Yüksekova, Şemdinli and Çukurca districts of the province were decided to be temporary security zones from 8 February 2016 to 3 March 2016. Entrance of civilians to the security zones was also banned.

(02/094) Dilek Doğan Case…

Çağlayan (İstanbul) Heavy Penal Court No 12 started on 17 February 2015 to hear the case of the police officer Yüksel Moğultay launched on charges of “intentional killing by negligent conduct” for killing Dilek Doğan during a house raid. The indictment wants the defendant to be sentenced to a term of imprisonment up to 26 years and 6 months. The police attacked the persons who wanted to follow the trial by using tear gas. The court rejected the demand of Doğan family’s lawyers for the arrest of the defendant and adjourned the hearing to 20 April 2016.

Dilek Doğan (25) who was shot during a house raid on 18 October 2015 in Sarıyer district of İstanbul conducted in connection with a “DHKP-C (Revolutionary People’s Liberation Party – Front) Investigation” died on 25 October 2015. She was heavily wounded when the police opened fire on the house. Dilek Doğan’s family declared that the police opened fire when they had a dispute for wearing overshoes to enter the house.

On 20 December 2015, lawyers of Doğan Family revealed the footages of Dilek Doğan’s killing. According to the recordings, chief police officer Yüksel Moğultay killed Dilek Doğan after having a dispute for wearing overshoes to enter the house.

(02/095) Lawyer Convicted on the Allegations of Insulting the State President…

İstanbul Penal Court of First Instance No 44 concluded on 16 February 2016 to hear the case against lawyer Saliha Sera Kadıgil launched on charges of “insulting the State President” with the expressions she used during a trial. The court sentenced Saliha Sera Kadıgil to 9 months’ imprisonment under Article 299 TPC.

(02/096) Unionists on Trial on the Allegations of Insulting the State President…

Mersin Penal Court of First Instance No 16 started on 17 February 2016 to hear the case against 12 members of Labour and Democracy Platform launched after a demonstration staged in Mersin to protest the Ankara Massacre on 10 October 2015. The indictment wants the defendants to be sentenced according to the Article 299 TPC for “insulting the State President”. 9 defendants appeared before the court and testified at the hearing. The court ruled the case to be combined with the case against 6 persons launched with the same accusations at Mersin Penal Court of First Instance No 11 and adjourned the hearing to 21 April 2016.

(02/097) Persons on Trial in İzmir…

İzmir Heavy Penal Court No 2 started on 15 February 2016 to hear the case against Pınar Aydınlar, Hacay Yılmaz and Murat Elmastaş for the speeches they made on 3 May 2015 in İzmir during the general elections campaign. The indictment wants the defendants to be sentenced for “making propaganda of an illegal organisation”. After the identification and testimonies of the defendants, the court adjourned the hearing to 25 April 2016.

(02/098) Web Site Banned…

According to the news that appeared in the press on 16 February 2016, Telecommunication Communication Directorate (TİB) banned access to the domain “jinhahaber.link” of Jin News Agency (JİNHA) and the domain “kizilbayrak.net” of the paper Kızıl Bayrak.

(02/099) Environmentalist Protest Attacked…

The police attacked a group of persons who gathered in Artvin to protest on 16 and 17 February 2016 in the mining licence and destruction of the environment on Cerrattepe region of Artvin. The police and gendarmerie soldiers attacked the protesters by using tear gas.

Security Forces attacked the protesters allegedly because they closed the road to Cerrattepe. Several protesters were hospitalised due to excessive use of tear gas and 10 persons were detained.

The police also intervened a group of persons who gathered in front of the head office of the mining licence holder Cengiz İnşaat in Ankara to protests the attacks in Artvin. 11 persons were detained during the police intervention. The protest in Kocaeli was also attacked and 12 persons were detained.

(02/100) 15 February Protests Intervened…

The police intervened a demonstrations staged on 15 February 2016 in Diyarbakır to protest Abdullah Öcalan’s being brought to Turkey in 1999. The police opened fire to disperse the crowd and C.Ç. (10-girl) was wounded on the balcony of her house.

2 persons including a child who were detained during the demonstration in Adana were arrested on 16 February 2016 on the allegations of “being members of an illegal organisation”.

The police conducted house raids on 13 February 2016 in Tarsus district of Mersin against the house of persons who allegedly took part in the protests in Tarsus. 51 persons were detained during the raids. 19 detainees were arrested on 17 February 2016.

18 persons were detained on 16 February 2016 in İzmir on the allegations of taking part in the protests in İzmir.

(02/101) Kobanê Demonstrators on Trial…

Ankara Peal Court of First Instance No 28 continued on 15 February 2016 to hear the case against 49 persons launched in connection with the Kobanê demonstrations staged in Ankara. The indictment wants the defendants to be sentenced for “violating the Law on Meetings and Demonstrations”. The court started to hear the testimonies of the defendants at the hearing and adjourned the hearing to 30 May 2016 for the completion of testimonies.

(02/102) Persons on Trial for Self-Governance Declaration…

Diyarbakır Heavy Penal Court No 4 continued on 16 February 2016 to hear the case against 8 persons including remanded defendants Co-Mayor for Silvan district of Diyarbakır province Yüksel Bodakçı, İsa Yanık and Hayati Cesur. The case was launched in connection with the self-governance declarations. The indictment wants the defendants to be sentenced to life imprisonment for “disrupting the unity and territorial integrity of the state” according to Article 302 TPC. After the testimonies of present defendants, the court adjourned the hearing to 17 March 2016.

The defendants were arrested on 23 August 2015 after the self-governance declaration. Co-Mayor of Silvan district Yüksel Bodakçi and Co-Mayor of Sur district Seyid Narin were dismissed from duty on 24 August 2015 by the Ministry of Interior Affairs.

(02/103) Co-Mayors, Municipality Workers and Political Party Executives on Trial in Hakkari…

Hakkari Heavy Penal Court continued on 17 February 2016 to hear the case against 11 persons including Co-Mayors in Hakkari province Nurullah Çiftçi and Dilek Hatipoğlu, Peoples’ Democratic Party (HDP) Co-Chair for Central district in Hakkari province İsmail Sihat Kaya, and Hakkari Municipality Bınevş Women’s Centre worker Hamide Özer launched on the allegations of “disrupting the unity and territorial integrity of the state”. The defendants were arrested after a public statement on self-governance and 6 defendants are still remanded.

After the testimonies of the defendants, the court rejected the demand for the release of the remanded defendants and adjourned the hearing to 2 March 2016 for the preparation of the Public Prosecutor’s opinion as to the accusations.

(02/104) Detentions and Arrests…

The police conducted house raids on 14 February 2016 in Adana and detained at least 10 persons. The reason of the operations was not disclosed.

The police also conducted operations on 15 February 2016 in Adana and detained 11 supporters of United Revolutionary Party (Birleşik Devrimci Parti) on the grounds of “reasonable suspicion”.

Peoples’ Democratic Party (HDP) Co-Chair for Hakkari province Metin Besi was detained in connection with a public statement on 15 February 2016.

The police conducted house raids on 15 February 2016 in Birecik district of Şanlıurfa and detained 6 persons including Democratic Regions Party (DBP) executives for the district.

DBP Secretary for Diyadin district in Ağrı province Fevzi Yeşil who was detained on 16 February 2016 while being in the Security Directorate was arrested on the same day on the allegations of “aiding an illegal organisation”.

11 persons including 4 children who were among 25 persons detained during house raids in Ortaklar town of Aydın were arrested on 16 February 2016 on the allegations of “damaging public property” and making propaganda of an illegal organisation”.

İdris Demir, İdris Algan, İsmail Şen, Muttalip Sakman and Jiyan Demir who were among 8 persons detained during house raids in Silopi district of Şırnak were arrested on 16 February 2016 on the allegations of “being members of an illegal organisation”.

The police conducted house raids on 17 February 2016 in Mersin and detained 61 persons including 45 children.

(02/105) Curfew in Cizre…

The curfew in Cizre district of Şırnak where the operations of Security Forces concluded reached its 69th day as of 19 February 2016.

2 of the bodies kept in Şanlıurfa for an autopsy were identified on 18 February 2016 as Fatma Demir and Barış Gasir by their families.

Cüneyt Kızılay who was killed in Cİzre and identified by his family was reportedly buried on 18 February 2016 in Diyarbakır.

According to the news that appeared in the press on 18 February 2016, one of the unidentified bodies was reportedly identified as YPS member Adem (Edip) Arvas.

After the changes in the Regulation on Forensic Institutes, 13 bodies which were not identified were reportedly buried on 19 February 2016 in the cemetery of the nameless.

Although one of the bodies in Şırnak was identified as Mehmet Edin on 16 February 2016 by his family, the body is missing. The officials alleged that the body was transferred to Cizre district of Şırnak.

Security Forces found an unidentified female body on Narin street in Cudi quarter where people took shelter and were stuck in 2 basements.

The bodies of 13 persons who were killed in 3 separate basements were taken from Cizre to Habur Border Gate in Silopi.

(02/106) Curfew in Sur…

The blockade and military operations in Sur district of Diyarbakır entered its 71st day on 19 February 2016.

The body of Casim Kaya (26) was found on 17 February 2016 nearby the Dört Ayaklı Minare in Sur district of Diyarbakır. 24 persons who were among some 200 persons stuck in the basement of a building was identified relying on the information provided by the relatives of Dicle News Agency (DİHA) correspondent Mazlum Doğan who was also stuck in the basement. The names were announced as Fahri Ateş (60), Fatma Ateş (55) and their children Fatma Ateş (27), Beritan Ateş (18), Sinem Ateş (20), Ekrem Karatay, İhsan Karatay, Ekrem Karatay, Ahmet Karatay, Aynur Aslan, G.A. (11-girl), R.A. (6-girl), M.A. (4-boy), Ö.A. (3-boy), Hülya Erkaplan, Semia Sürer, Seda Aslan, E.A. (4-girl), Ferat Efe, Mehmet Aktaş, M.Y. (12-boy), M.Y. (14-boy), Vedat Yılmaz, Ayşe Yılmaz.

7 persons were reportedly wounded when a house was bombed by cannons in Sur.

(02/107) Operations and Attacks in the Southeast…

6 solider died and 1 soldier was heavily wounded when a bomb exploded during the passage of a military vehicle on 18 February 2016 on Diyarbakır-Bingöl road.

Special Sergeant Burak Güneş and police officer Veysi Katkı died on 18 February 2016 during an armed clash in İdil district of Şırnak where a curfew was imposed and military operations were initiated.

2 gendarmerie soldiers and 2 police officers reportedly died during the armed clashes on 19 February 2016 in Sur district of Diyarbakır.

4 militants were reportedly killed during the military operations on 18 February 2016 on Bagok Mountain in Nusaybin district of Mardin.

(02/108) Anti-Terror Law…

Freedom and Solidarity Party (ÖDP) board member for Keşan district of Edirne province Hasan Karagöz was arrested on 18 February 2016 on the allegations of “making propaganda of an illegal organisation through media” with the expressions he used in a press statement.

(02/109) Environmentalist Protest Attacked…

The police attacked a group of persons who gathered in İzmir on 18 February 2016 and wanted to protest the mining licence and destruction of the environment in Cerattepe region of Artvin. 18 persons were detained during the police intervention.

(02/110) 15 February Protests Intervened…

6 children who were detained in Viranşehir district of Şanlıurfa were arrested on 18 February 2016 on the allegations of “resisting security forces” and “throwing stones at the security forces”.

Selim İnal, Ferhat Alpaydın and Agit Ekinci were arrested on 18 February 2016 in Mersin on the allegations of “being member of an illegal organisation”.

(02/111) Political Party Executives on Trial in Van…

Erciş (Van) Penal Court of First Instance continued on 18 February 2016 to hear the case against Peoples’ Democratic Party (HDP) Co-Chairs for Erciş district in Van province Derya Gönül and Refik Aladağ on charges of “being members of an illegal organisation”. Derya Gönül and Refik Aladağ were arrested on 29 September 2015 during the operations conducted in Çaldıran district of Van. After the testimonies of the defendants, the court decided to release Derya Gönül to be tried without remand and adjourned the hearing to 10 March 2016.

(02/112) Detentions and Arraests…

The police conducted operations on 18 February 2016 and detained 7 persons in Ovacık district of Tunceli, 3 persons in Çatak district of Van, 4 students in Muğla, and 4 persons in Dicle district of Diyarbakır.

(02/113) Curfew in Cizre…

The curfew in Cizre district of Şırnak where the operations of Security Forces concluded reached its 72nd day as of 22 February 2016.

According to the news that appeared in the press on 19 February 2016, parts of human bodies were found in the debris of ruined buildings.

The body of a female person who was allegedly detained previously in Cizre was found dead on 20 February 2016 in Cudi quarter. The woman was reportedly detained in Şah quarter and the eyewitnesses allegedly stated that there were traces of blood in the basement of a building in the quarter.

Securty Forces found another body on 21 February 2016 on Narin street in Cudi quarter.

2 more bodies were found by the Security Forces on 22 February 2016 on Narin street in Cudi quarter.

Yunus Meral whose body was identified by his family in Şanlıurfa was buried on 19 February 2016 in Bingöl.

According to the news that appeared in the press on 19 February 2016, 2 of the bodies kept in the temporary Forensic Institute in Habur Gate Border were identified as Tahir Akdoğan (16) and Mevlüde Özalp.

According to the announcement by the Crises Desk, 167 bodies were hospitalised. 30 of the bodies were reportedly buried and 137 bodies were not identified.

(02/114) Curfew in Sur…

The curfew and military operations in Sur district of Diyarbakır entered its 74st day on 22 February 2016.

Dicle News Agency (DİHA) correspondent Mazlum Dolan who was stuck in the basement of a building with some 200 persons reported on 19 February 2016 that the building was under heavy attack of the Security Forces. He reported that the building was shot at and attacked with howitzers. Fatma Ateş (55) was heavily wounded with shrapnel when she went out to find some water and Mazlum Dolan demanded ambulance for her.

Later in the evening, 5 persons including Mazlum Dolan and Fatma Ateş left the building when a security corridor was opened. But Fatma Ateş died of blood loss. The remaining 4 persons were detained.

On 21 February 2016, the bodies of 2 persons were reportedly taken to Gazi Yaşargil Training and Research Hospital. The persons were identified as YPS members Asya Taşçı and Faruk Kaçman.

(02/115) Curfew in İdil…

The curfew and operations in İdil district and Dirsekli village of Şırnak reached its 6th day as of 22 February 2016. The curfew was imposed on 16 February 2016.

Abdulcelil Gasyak who was stuck in a building in Turgut Özal quarter after being attacked with cannons on 19 February 2016 was reportedly wounded at his head.

Abdulcelil Gasyak who was reportedly a mentally retarded person was detained before his treatment was completed in hospital.

(02/116) Extra-judicial Killings in Şırnak…

According to the news that appeared in the press on 20 February 2016, 7 persons including a child were shot to death when Turkish soldiers opened fire when they were trying to pass the border from Çilaxa region of Rojava to İdil district of Şırnak. The incident reportedly occurred one week ago and was disclosed when a relative of the killed persons wanted to take the body of his relative from temporary Forensic Institute in Habur Border Gate.

(02/117) Person Killed by the Police in Mardin…

Dilşah Ak (45) was shot to death on 19 February 2016 in Nusaybin district of Mardin when an armoured police vehicle opened fire. Her 10-year-old daughter was also wounded during the incident. Governorate of Mardin announced that Dilşah Ak was shot due to a “technical malfunction”.

(02/118) Person Killed by the Police in İstanbul…

Yılmaz Öztürk (20) was shot to death by the police on 20 February 2016 on the allegations that he attempted to organise a bomb attack against a police station in Küçükarmutlu quarter of Sarıyer district in İstanbul. Lawyers of Yılmaz Öztürk’s family announced on the other hand that Yılmaz Öztürk was shot some 700 meters far from the police station and alleged that he was shot at for carrying a plastic bag.

(02/119) Bomb attack in Ankara…

28 persons were killed and 81 persons were wounded during an suicide bomb attack against the military buses on 17 February 2016 in Ankara. The governmental authorities previously announced that the attacker was Syrian Salih Necar who was a YPG fighter against IS/ISIS in Rojava region of Syrian.

Kurdistan Freedom Falcons (TAK) claimed responsibility for the attack on 19 February 2016 and announced that the attack was organised by Abdulbaki Sönmez.

Chief Public Prosecutor in Ankara stated an investigation and 21 persons were detained in connection with the attack. Abdulbaki Sönmez’ father Abdülbaki Sönmez was also among the detainees for DNA tests. 14 detainees were arrested on 22 February 2016.

The names of the 28 victims were announced as Ertan Akgül, Mustafa Haliloğlu, Erkan Tümer, İbrahim Baran, Meryem Yılmaztürk, Uğur Fatih Özdemir, Fatma Berna Atmaca, Cumali Akman, Yıldız Demirtaş, Cüneyt Sertel, Mehmet Kutlu, Feyyaz İlhan, Mevlüt Öksüzoğlu, Mehmet Yener, Figen Gündüz, Filiz Koçak, Eren Ördek, Ayşegül Pürnek, Gülşen Yıldız, Mustafa Küçük, Sedat Durgun, Mehmet Koray Pınar, Güner Altınok, Özgür Orçun Munyas, Recep Gülen, Fevziye Kayış, Muammer Kosacı and Ali Öztaş.

(02/120) Operations and Attacks in the Southeast…

On 19 February 2016, a building in Hasırlı quarter of Sur district in Diyarabakır which was used by the Securty Forces as a post allegedly collapsed when being bombed. First Lieutenant Enes Demir, Gendarmerie Special Sergeant Hüseyin Gümüş and Third Lieutenant Doğukan Tazegül died, 9 soldiers were wounded during the incident.

According to the official announcement, YPS member Ümit Diri died during an explosion on 18 February 2016 in Nusaybin district of Mardin.

The soldiers Coşkun Karabulut and Serdar Akın who were among 3 soldiers wounded during an armed clash on 21 February 2016 in Sur district of Diyarbakır died in hospital.

Special Sergeant Mustafa Can Kalfe reportedly died during an armed clash on 21 February 2016 in İdil district of Şırnak.

A soldier who was wounded when a bomb exploded during the passage of a military vehicle on 18 February 2016 on Diyarbakır-Bingöl road reportedly died in hospital. 6 soldiers were killed during the attack and the number of casualties reached 7.

A child was wounded when a bomb exploded during the passage of an armoured police vehicle on 21 February 2016 in Artuklu district of Mardin.

4 militants were reportedly killed during the armed clashes that broke out on 19 and 20 February 2016 in Derik district of Diyarbakır.

State-run Anatolian News Agency correspondent Rauf Maltaş, Onur Çoban and Kenan Yeşilyurt who were abducted on 18 February 2016 in Nusaybin district of Mardin were released on 21 February 2016.

(02/121) Uğur Kurt Case…

Çağlayan (İstanbul) Heavy Penal Court No 14 continued on 19 February 2016 to hear the case against the police officer Sezgin Korkmaz launched for killing Uğur Kurt in Şişli district of İstanbul.

The indictment wants the defendant to be sentenced to a term of imprisonment up to 25 years for “possible intentional killing”. After the presentations of the lawyers, the court rejected the arrest of the defendant and adjourned the hearing to 31 May 2016 to watch the footages of the incident.

On 22 May 2014, the police intervened a group of protesters in Okmeydanı quarter of Şişli district in İstanbul. Uğur Kurt who was in the garden of Djemevi for a funeral was shot at his throat during the intervention. He was hospitalised, but died in the hospital in the evening. The Forensic Institute issued a report certifying that the bullet which killed Uğur Kurt was fired from the weapon of the police officer Sezgin Korkmaz who was in charge at Anti-Terror branch.

(02/122) Abdullah Cömert Case…

Balıkkesir Heavy Penal Court No 2 continued on 19 February 2016 to hear the case against the police officer Ahmet Kuş (29) launched on charges of killing Abdullah Cömert (22) with a tear gas canister on 3 June 2013 in Hatay during Gezi Park demonstrations. The case was transferred to Balıkesir Heavy Penal Court No 2 for security reasons. The indictment wants the defendant to be sentenced to a term of imprisonment up to 25 years for “killing with eventual intent”.

Only lawyers and members of the Ayvalıtaş family were allowed to attend the hearing. After the Public Prosecutor’s opinion as to the accusations, the court rejected the demand for the arrest of defendant and adjourned the hearing to 14 March 2016.

(02/123) Death in Prison…

Ramazan Beyazpirinç who was arrested after being captured heavily wounded on 14 November 2015 in Van reportedly died on 19 February 2016 in an ambulance when he was being transferred from one hospital to another on the grounds of “high patient occupancy rate”.

(02/124) Pressures in Prisons…

Co-Mayor of Çatak district in Van province Evin Keve who was arrested on 3 January 2016 in connection with “self-governance declaration” was reportedly exiled on 19 February 2016 from Oltu (Erzurum) T-type Prison to Bayburt M-type Prison.

(02/125) Columnist on Trial…

Çağlayan (İstanbul) Penal Court of First Instance No 2 continued on 19 February 2016 to hear the case against Can Dündar, columnist with the daily Cumhuriyet, launched upon official complaint of State President for the column he wrote on 18 July 2014 under the title “We have the right to read the summary proceedings” on corruption operations. The indictment wants the defendant to be sentenced for “insulting public officer” according to the Article 125 TPC. The court adjourned the hearing to 25 April 2016 for the preparation of the defence as to the accusations.

(02/126) Web Site Banned…

On 19 February 2016, Telecommunication Communication Directorate (TİB) banned access to the new domain “dihanews.pw” of Dicle News Agency (DİHA). The number of the banned domains of DİHA reached 29.

(02/127) Environmentalist Protest Attacked…

The police attacked a group of women who gathered in Artvin on 21 February 2016 and wanted to march to Cerattepe region to protest the mining licence and destruction of the environment. The police used tear gas to disperse the crowd and 26 persons were abounded during thepolice attack.

(02/128) Search Decision in İzmir…

According to the news that appeared in the press, İzmir Peace Penal Court gave the Security Directorate search permission from 17 February 2015 to 23 February 2015 in Buca, Balçova, Bayraklı, Bornova, Gaziemir, Güzelbahçe, Çiğli, Karabağlar, Konak and Narlıdere districts of İzmir. The permission was reportedly given upon demand of the Governorate of İzmir and Provincial Security Directorate.

(02/129) Detentions and Arrests…

Socialist Party of the Oppressed (ESP) Chair for Adana province Murat Akıncı who was detained in Adana was arrested on 19 February 2016 on the allegations of “being a member of an illegal organisation”.

Zeki Akbulak, Mehmet Tartan, Tayyip Tekbudak and Adil Kiye who were among 6 persons detained during house raids in Çatak district of Van were arrested on 20 February 2016 on the allegations of “being members of an illegal organisation”.

3 univesity students were arrested in Muğla on 20 February 2016 on the allegations of “aiding an illegal organisation”.

N.A. against whom an arrest warrant was issued by Nusaybin Peace Penal Judge on the allegations of “being a member of an illegal organisation” and “making propaganda of an illegal organisation” was arrested on 20 February 2016 in Isparta.

The police raided a public dormitory on 20 February 2016 in İzmir in connection with a “Patriotic Revolutionary Youth Movement (YDG-H) Investigation” and detained 7 persons.

Erkan Akkoç who was among 10 persons detained in several provinces in connection with an investigation started in Tunceli was arrested on 19 February 2016 on the allegations of “being a member of an illegal organisation”.

The police conducted operations on 21 February 2016 in several provinces. Peoples’ Democratic Part (HDP) Central Executive Committee member Fırat Yaman in Mersin, Azadiya Welat correspondent Melek Yüksel and Dicle News Agency (DİHA) correspondet Emrah Ayverdi in Derik district of Mardin, Silopi Municipality press relations unit worker Sabahattin Koyuncu in Silopi district of Şırnak, DİHA and JINHA correspondents Handan Tufan, Ahmet Kanbal, Eylem Baykuş, Servet Yigen and the person hosting them were detained during the operations.

  • 23 February 2016 Daily Human Rights Report

(02/130) Curfew in Cizre…

The curfew in Cizre district of Şırnak where the operations of Security Forces concluded reached its 73rd day as of 23 February 2016.

The bodies of 8 unidentified persons were reportedly found on 22 February 2016 on Narin street in Cudi quarter. The bodies were taken to Şırnak State Hospital and 2 of the persons were identified as Mehmet Yılmaz (23) ve Cihat Altun (22).

(02/131) Persons Killed in Mersin…

2 persons were killed on 22 February 2016 in Kale quarter Derik district of Mardin when Security Forces opened fire. Although curfew was not imposed in Derik, clashes, blockade and military operations are on-going in the district. One of the killed persons was identified as Ercan Sayan (27).

(02/132) Bomb Attack in Ankara…

According to the DNA test results dating 22 February 2016, the suicide bomb attack on 17 February 2016 in Ankara was organised by Kurdistan Freedom Falcons (TAK) member Abdülbaki Sömer. The number of casualties reached 29 when Aydın Dedegil died on 23 February 2016 in the hospital.

(02/133) Detentions and Arrests…

The police conducted operations on 22 February 2016 in Ergani district of Diyarbakır and detained 7 persons. The reason of the operations was not disclosed.

The soldiers raided Helbînî village of Halfeti district in Şanlıurfa and reportedly detained Haci Yalçınkaya and Sariye Yalçınkaya on allegations of “making propaganda of an illegal organisation”.

University student Ersin Baran was detained in Van when s/he went to the faculty in 100th Year University to attend a class.

Co-Mayors for Derik district in Mardin, Sabahat Çetin Kaya and Abdulkerim Erdem, Vice-Mayor Murat Özüçalışır, Municipality Assembly members Yaşar Acabey and Mustafa Kutlar, municipality worker Erem Koyuncu were detained during the operations conducted in Derik district of Mardin.

  • 24 February 2016 Daily Human Rights Report

(02/134) Curfew in Cizre…

The curfew and military operations in Şırnak province, Cizre district entered its 74th day on 24 February 2016. On 23 February 2016 it was established that two of the corpses waiting at Habur Border Station belonged to Emel Ayhan and Murat Şimşek. It also emerged that five corpses held in Şırnak had been buried without identification.

(02/135) Curfew in İdil…

The curfew in Şırnak province, İdil district and military operations that had been announced on 16 February 2016 entered its 8th day. In Atakent quarter where no trenches and barricades existed M. Sadık Bozderi (57) suffering from a heart disease and reportedly awaiting treatment in his house for five days was found dead on 23 February 2016 being shot to his chest. The same day another corpse whose identity could not be established was brought to hospital after M. Sadık Bozderi.

(02/152) Operations, Attacks in the South-east…

It was announced that during a clash on 23 February 2016 in Diyarbakır-Sur district sergeant Selçuk Dost was shot to death.

Sergeant Yetkin Erşan who had been injured in Sur on 8 February 2016 died on 23 February 2016 in GATA in Ankara where he was under treatment.

It was announced that during a clash that took place in Mardin-Derik district on 22 February 2016 three militants were killed and 5 soldiers were wounded.

(02/137) Bomb attack in Istanbul…

Of the 14 people who were injured during a suicidal attack in Sultanahmet Square on 12 January 2016 a 52-years old woman died on 23 February 2016 in Germany where she was under treatment. The number of people that lost their lives rose to 12.

(02/138) Investigation into the Tevfik Caner Case…

Tevfik Caner Ertay, member of the People’s Houses in Eskişehir, was detained on 2 June 2013 during Gezi Park demonstrations in Eskişehir. He was put in the trunk of a police vehicle and tortured. Subsequently a court case was opened against the police officers Adem Arslan, Ahmet Kızıl and İzzet Erkan. Their case at Eskişehir Penal Court 4 had been sent to a heavy penal court because the offense was torture and not only bodily harm. Eskişehir Heavy Penal Court on duty heard the case on 22 February 2016 and sent the file back to the penal court 4.

(02/139) Ongoing case in Izmir of torture in custody…

On 16 July 2011 F.C. had been detained in Izmir on allegations of having resisted the police. Later recordings by a camera revealed that F.C. had been tortured and 4 police officers were identified as the offenders. They were sentenced on charges of having caused bodily harm. The Court of Cassation quashed the verdict. On 23 February 2016 the retrial started. İzmir Heavy Penal Court 6 heard the arguments of the parties and adjourned the hearing so that the prosecutor can prepare his summary of the case.

On 13 May 2015 the first trial had ended with a fine for F.C. on charges of having insulted the police officers. The announcement of the verdict was adjourned. Among the four police officers who had been charged with having tortured F.C., Beyit S. and Hakan Y. had been sentenced to 15 months’ imprisonment for having caused simple bodily harm. The police officers Tekin D. and Nevzat A. had been acquitted.

(02/140) Threats against a journalist in Şırnak…

It was alleged that on 23 February 2016 police officers stopped Azadiya Welat staff member M. Halil Ötün on the streets in Şırnak and threatened him with the words “if you work for this newspaper we’ll kill you” while holding a pistol to his head.

(02/141) Person on trial for having insulted the State President…

The court case against the physician Bilgin Çiftçi charged with having insulted Recep Tayyip Erdoğan by putting an image of Gollum, one of the characters of the novel “Lord of the Rings” resembling the State President on his Facebook account continued at Aydın Penal Court 3. At the end of the administrative investigation Bilgin Çiftçi had been punished with a ban from civil service and charged with having insulted the State President. At the end of the hearing on 23 February 2016 it was decided to wait for the expert opinion on whether Gollum was a bad character or not. The case was adjourned to 12 May 2016.

(02/142) People on trial in Ağrı…

On 23 February 2016 the trial against 14 civil servants who had participated in a protest action in Ağrı in remembrance of the people who had been killed in the massacre of Suruç and who the governor in Ağrı, Musa Işın had banned from duty started on charges of having committed a crime in the name of an illegal organization without being a member and having made propaganda for an illegal organization started. Ağrı Heavy Penal Court 1 noted the identity of the defendants and heard their defense. The trial was adjourned to 29 March 2016.

(02/143) Intervention in an action in Muğla…

On 23 February 2016 police officers detained 4 women from the university in Muğla on charges of having conducted an illegal action by protesting violence against women from the roof of a car park.

(02/144) KCK trial continued in Ağrı…

On 23 February 2016 the trial against 20 people who had been detained in Ağrı-Doğubayazıt district during an investigation against KCK and had been indicted as members of an illegal organization started. Since none of the defendants participated in the hearing at Doğubayazıt Heavy Penal Court the jury decided to complete the missing parts of the file and adjourned the hearing to 10 May 2016.

(02/145) Detentions and arrests…

On 23 February 2016 police teams detained nine people, 4 of them children during house raids. Allegedly they offered condolence for Abdülbaki Sömer who had bombed himself to death in a car in Ankara on 17 February 2016.

The same day police officers raided the place of condolence and detained 8 people.

On 23 February 2016 special teams conducted a road check in Şırnak-Silopi district and detained Emine Esmer, co-mayor of Silopi municipality and her driver at the entrance to the town.

Six of the 10 people who had been detained during house raids in Şanlıurfa were arrested on 23 February 2016 on order of the responsible court on charges of having made propaganda for an illegal organization.

In Sur where the clashes continued six people had been allowed to leave the house where they were trapped via a corridor. Among them the DİHA reporter Mazlum Dolan and Sinem Ateş, Fatma Ateş, Fahrettin Ateş and Ekrem Karatay were arrested on 23 February 2016.

As part of the operations against the political parties HDP and DBP 9 people were detained in Adana, 4 people in Bitlis-Hizan district, in Diyarbakır-Ergani district the co-chair of the DBP, Şeyhmus Doku and 22 people in Kocaeli on 23 February 2016.

Sabri Akçan, executive of the DBP in Bingöl-Kığı district who had been detained on charges of making propaganda for an illegal organization in the social media was arrested on 23 February 2016.

  • 25-29 February 2016 Daily Human Rights Report

(02/146) Curfew and massacre in Cizre…

The curfew and military operations in Şırnak province, Cizre district entered its 79th day on 29 February 2016. The crisis desk that had been established concerning the people massacred in Cizre declared that on 26 February 2016 the number of corpses that had been taken to hospital had reached 178, 101 of which were awaiting to be identified.

Of the people that had been trapped in the cellars of three houses and had been killed in attacks of the security forces the corpse of Mehmet Yavuzer, member of the Party of Democratic Regions’ parliament, was identified in Mardin on 24 February 2016. The corpse of Cihan Karaman who despite an interim decision of the ECHR died because he was not taken to a hospital was identified in Mardin on 24 February 2016. In addition the corpses of Rıdvan Ekinci, Kenan Adıgüzel and Beşenk Kolanç were identified in Mardin and handed over to their families on 25 February 2016.

On 24 February 2016 it was learned that ten of the corpses that had been taken to the temporary forensic institution at the border station Habur of Silopi district had been identified. The name of the 10 people are: Tuğba Eminoğlu, Erdal Şahin, Rohat Aktaş, editor-in-chief of the newspaper Azadiya Welat, Adil Küçük, Selim Turay, Mahmut Duymak, Umut Ürek, Mahsun Erdoğan, Ramazan İşçi and Metin Karane.

On 25 February 2016 the corpses of 10 people kept in the morgue of Yeşilkent Cemetery in Gaziantep were identified. The name of 9 people who the families identified are: Dersim Aksoy, İslam Balıkesir, Ömer Baran, Nusreddin Bayar, Mustafa Gasyak, Ali Fırat Kalkan, Kasım Yana, İzzet Gündüz, member of YPS, Berjin Demirkaya and Sakine Siray.

On 25 February 2016 it was learned that Güler Eroğlu who allegedly had been killed by police officers in Diyarbakır, but later was identified as someone else, actually died being trapped in a cellar in Cizre. In addition the corpse of the YPS member Velat Zal who had been killed in Cizre was buried after having been identified near Habur border station.

Of the corpses that had been taken out of the cellars in Cizre and had been taken to Şanlıurfa those of Star Özkül and Hasan Ayaz (15) were handed over to their families on 25 February 2016. On 25 February 2016 it was revealed that three corpses that had been held in Şırnak State Hospital in order to be identified had on order of the governor in Şırnak been taken to Özveren village, close to Balveren town and had been buried there.

With the burial of the last three corpses being held at Şırnak State Hospital no more corpses remained there.

Murat Şimşek (16) who had been killed in the cellar of the third house in Sur district was identified by the family and handed over to them in order to be buried in Nusaybin on 25 February 2016. Of the corpses in Gaziantep the DNA test for Dersim Aksoy was finalized and his family received the corpse on 26 February 2016. On 27 February 2016 the families of Murat Tunç, Yılmaz Geçim, Mesut Özer and Cengiz Gerem identified the corpses at Habur Border Station where they had been held.

On 28 February 2016 it was established that the DNA tests resulted in identifying Mehmet Tunç, co-chair of the people’s parliament in Cizre and his brother Orhan Tunç. Pieces of the remains of Veysi Bademkıran who had been killed Cizre were sent to two different hospitals. On 27 February 2016 the pieces in Mardin were sent to his home town Diyarbakır. On 27 February 2016 the corpses of Yasemin Çıkmaz and another 12 persons who had burnt to death in the cellars they had been trapped in, were buried in Cizre.

During the massacre in Cizre the corpse of Hülya Aksoy had mistakenly been confused with Derya Koç and buried in Erzurum-Karayazı district. On 27 February 2016 her corpse was taken from the cemetery and handed over to her family. The corpse of Derya Koç had been identified at Habur Border Station by her family and she had been handed over to them.

(02/147) Curfew in Sur…

The curfew in Diyarbakır province, Sur district and military operations entered its 81st day on 29 February 2016.

It was expressed that the situation of about 200 people being trapped in the cellars of various houses was getting worse. The governor of Diyarbakır stated that despite announcements to leave the houses nobody had shown up and alleged that there were no civilians among the trapped people.

(02/148) Curfew in İdil…

The curfew in Şırnak province, İdil district and military operations that had been announced on 16 February 2016 entered its 13th day. On 23 February 2016 it was learned that the corpse that was found belonged to Vedat Gürbüz, born in İdil.

(02/149) Person killed by police officers in Mardin…

On 24 February 2016 police teams shot at a vehicle near Diîmê village, Kızıltepe district, Mardin province allegedly because the car did not stop. A woman in the car that had no identity card was killed. It was alleged that the 2 people were PKK militants. One of them, H.A. was arrested on 27 February 2016.

(02/150) Person killed by police officers in Diyarbakır…

On 27 February 2016 the police intervened in a demonstration in Diyarbakır demanding an end to the curfew in Sur. Police officers shot Abdullah Yılmaz (22) in his head. He died in hospital.

(02/151) Person killed by police officers in Mardin…

On 24 February 2016 special police forces shot at Cemal Nerzgiz in Mardin-Nusaybin district, where the curfew had ended but the blockade and attacks of security forces continued. He was taken to hospital.

(02/152) Operations, Attacks in the South-east…

It was announced that in the region of Cehennem Deresi, near Hespist village in Şırnak-İdil district an air strike was launched on 24 February 2016 and 12 militants were killed.

In Diyarbakır-Sur district where the clashes continued sergeant Burhan Kaplan was shot to death by a sniper on 25 February 2016; 2 soldiers were wounded. On 24 February 2016 the sergeants Mustafa Hakan Kacar and Osman Kablan were shot to death in Sur.

It was declared that the name of the YPS militant who was killed in a clash in Sur on 23 February 2016 was Erdal Tekin.

On 25 February 2016 the civilian dressed sergeant Ömer Koca was attacked in Şırnak, Ömer Kabak Square and killed by a bullet to his head.

It was announced that on 25 February 2016 a clash occurred in Sur and one soldier was killed and another one was wounded. On 26 February 2016 an explosion occurred in Şırnak-İdil district when an armoured vehicle passed. 7 members of a special force were wounded. On 27 February 2016 clashes occurred in İdil injuring one soldier and one police officer. In a clash that happened in Sur on 28 February 2016 lieutenant Cihan Çalışkan was killed by a rifle of a sniper. Again on 28 February 2016 rockets were fired at an armoured vehicle of the police in Nusaybin resulting in the death of a member of a special police unit and injuries of two members.

(02/153) Continuation of a case of extra-judicial execution…

The court case in Ankara against bureaucrats and members of a special police unit in which Mehmet Ağar is defendant number one on charges of 18 extra-judicial executions continued on 26 February 2016.

In the hearing against 19 defendants Ankara Heavy Penal Court 1 listened to Tuncay Özkan and the deputy chair of Vatan Party, Hikmet Çiçek and decided to hear Veli Küçük, former Minister of the Interior Nahit Menteşe and former Ankara chief of police, Orhan Taşanlar as witness and adjourned the hearing to 17 June 2016.

(05/154) Pressure in the Prisons…

On 25 February 2016 it was learned that the author Sevan Nişanyan, imprisoned in Söke (Aydın) T Type Prison was punished with 11 days’ solitary confinement because he had provided an unauthorized device of an internet provider into prison.

(02/155) TV channel ordered to stop publication…

On demand of the chief republican prosecutor in Ankara, Ramazan Dinç the publication of the station İMC TV was banned by the General Directorate of TÜRKSAT on 26 February 2016.

(02/156) Writer on trial for having insulted the State President…

On 26 February 2016 it was learned that the columnist Cengiz Çandar was on trial in connection with 7 articles in which he allegedly insulted the State President. The trial against Cengiz Çandar charged with an offence of Article 299 TPC will start on 7 April 2016 at Bakırköy Peace Court 2.

(02/157) Detentions, arrests and investigations on insulting the State President…

On 24 February 2016 police officers raided a house in İstanbul-Küçükçekmece district and detained A.Ş. (13) for having insulted the State President.

Gizem Yerik, living in Bursa-Mudanya district was arrested on 27 February 2016 on charges of having insulted the State President in internet messages.

(02/158) People on trial in Batman…

On 27 February 2016 it was learned that the indictment against 54 people who had participated in a press conference during which self administration had been announced and that demanded aggravated life imprisonment for having broken the unity of the State and the entity of the country had been accepted. The trial against the 54 people including the co-mayors of Batman, Sabri Özdemir and Gülistan Akel will start at Batman Heavy Penal Court on 4 April 2016.

(02/159) Detentions and arrests…

On 24 February 2016 Muhammed Yusuf Keskin, editor-in-chief of the journal Patriotic Youth who had been detained during an operation in Diyarbakır was arrested on charges of membership of an illegal organization for notes and phone numbers found in his notebook.

In Mardin-Nusaybin district Şerzan Falay and in Ağrı-Doğubayazıt district Tanju Güllü were arrested on the same charges on 24 February 2016.

Of the 14 people that had been detained during house raids in İstanbul because of messages in their facebook accounts 11 were arrested on 25 February 2016 on charges of having made propaganda for an illegal organization.

On 25 February 2016 a funeral was held for Erdal Şahin who had been killed in Cizre. Police teams intervened with gas bombs and detained 30 people including 3 minors.

On 25 February 2016 Aydın Keskin who had been detained in the centre of Muş-Bulanık district was arrested for being a member of an illegal organization.

Seracettin Hessas, co-chair of HDP in Yunusemre district who had been detained in Manisa was arrested on 25 February 2016 on charges of being a member of an illegal organization and having made propaganda for it.

On 25 February 2016 5 of 6 students of Sakarya University who had been detained during house raids in Sakarya were arrested on charges of being members of an illegal organization.

On 25 February 2016 police operations were conducted in various cities. In Erzurum-Çat district, Karabey village 9 people were detained, in Van the DBP co-chair in Van, Ökkeş Kawa; in Muş-Varto district, Qerqerut (Sazlıca) village E.B. (17); in Mardin-Derik district 8 people including the co-mayors of the town were detained. Of the detainees the co-mayors of Derik, Abdulkerim Erdem and Sabahat Çetinkaya and the deputy co-mayor Cebrail Parıltılı were arrested on 26 February 2016 on charges being members of an illegal organization.

In Muş E.B. was arrested on 26 February 2016.

Reşit Teymur, co-chair of the DBP in Siirt who had been detained in Siirt was arrested on 26 February 2016 for having supporting an illegal organization.

3 people including the representative of Support and Solidarity with families who had lost relatives in Mesopotamia (MEYA-DER) in Erciş, Tekin Hezer who had been detained during house raids in Van were arrested on 26 February 2016 on the basis of the testimony of a secret witness.

Of the 22 people that had been detained in Kocaeli 8 people including the ESP representative in Gebze, Adıgüzel and the co chair of the HDP in the province, Hikmet Koçak were arrested on 26 February 2016 on charges of being members of an illegal organization.

On 28 February 2016 HDP member Merve Aydoğan was detained in Adana and the same day she was arrested by a court on charges of being a member of an illegal organization.

Songül Öğmen, co-chair of the Federation of Associations of Solidarity with Families of Prisoners (TUHAD-FED) who had been detained in Hakkari-Yüksekova district was arrested on court’s order on 28 February 2016.