FULL HUMAN RIGHTS REPORT TURKEY (MARCH 2014)

Human Rights Foundation of Turkey (HRFT/TIHV) – March 2014  – Daily Human Rights Report

(03/001) Investigation into extra-judicial execution in Bingöl…

On 1 March 2014 it was learned that staff sergeant Z.D. who the public prosecutor in Diyarbakır heard as witness into the killing of nine villagers who in 1994 had been taken in Bingöl-Genç district, Azgilêr (Geyikdere) village by soldiers of the 2nd Command Brigade from Bolu to show them their way and had later been killed had testified just like the other witnesses that the villagers had been killed on order of the commander of the Brigade, Yavuz Ertürk.

(03/002) The case of Ali İsmail Korkmaz…

Ali İsmail Korkmaz’ın (19) had participated in the protests in Eskişehir on 3 June 2013 against the police attacks on the actions concerning the Gezi Park in Istanbul. He was beaten on his way home by unknown people with sticks and died on 10 July 2013. Eight people were indicted, five of them were put in pre-trial detention, one of them a police officer, while three police officers were indicted but not imprisoned. Aspart of the trial at Kayseri Heavy Penal Court 3 the testimony of 24 witnesses was taken on 28 February 2014.

Almost all witnesses testifying at Eskişehir Heavy Penal Court 1 stated that that they had been beaten with sticks by police officers or civilians as protesters on Gezi-Park. The court decided to forcibly get Yılmaz Balkan and Koray Demirel who had not come to testify and adjourned the hearing to 11 April 2014.

(03/003) Abducted village headman…

On 2 March 2014 the General Staff declared that A.E. headman in Çığlı village in Hakkâri-Çukurca district had been abducted by people said to be PKK militants.

(03/004) Investigation into disappearance…

On 2 March 2014 it was learned that the application of the family of Seyithan Yolur, one of three villagers who had been detained in Diyarbakır-ice district, Türeli village on 18 May 1994 and had not been seen since then, asking the governor’s office in Diyarbakır for compensation had been turned down on the grounds that this had not been an action in the fight against terrorism.

(03/005) Decision for excavation for disappeared party executives…

HADEP Silopi District Branch Chairperson Serdar Tanış and party executive Ebubekir Deniz who on 25 January 2011 had been called to the headquarters of the gendarmerie by Captain Süleyman Can at the time when Levent Ersöz, defendant in the Ergenekon trial had been the commander of the gendarmerie in Şırnak province, and had disappeared. The graves that allegedly belonged to Tanış and Deniz were exhumed in Dargeçit District of Mardin Province on 2 January 2014.

Under the supervision of a prosecutor bones of one person were found in a blanket and sent to Istanbul Forensic Institute for a comparison of the DNA of the family and the bones. On 1 March 2014 it was learned that the DNA material had not matched.

(03/006) Violence at middle school…

The family of A.G. (14), pupil at Gazipaşa Middle School in Sivas, filed a complaint against two teachers who on 27 February 2014 had allegedly beaten him in the room of the deputy director because he smoked a cigarette.

(03/007) Violence at school…

A.B. (11) attended a special school of autistic children in Antalya had bruises on 26 February 2014 because teachers had beaten him.

(03/008) Fire in Prison…

Five prisoners had been taken to hospital because of the fume that developed, after one prisoner in Bakırköy (İstanbul) Women’s Prison had set her bed on fire on 27 February 2014.

(03/009) Situation of ill and old prisoners…

On 24 February 2014 it was learned that the prosecutor for the execution of sentences had ruled that Hasan Kaçar imprisoned in Metris T-Type Prison has to stay in prison despite a report by the Forensic Institute that he cannot stay in prison, because he cannot move his hands and head.

(03/010) Writer convicted…

On 28 February 2014 Istanbul Penal Court 24 sentenced Mümtazer Türköne columnist with the daily Zaman to one year’s imprisonment because expressions he used in an article had violated the Law on Crimes against Atatürk.

(03/011) Banned campaign in Diyarbakır…

On 28 Februry 2014 the judge at the court 1 authorized under the Anti-Terror Law banned the signature campaign that the BDP in Diyarbakır had started on “Freedom for Öcalan”.

(03/012) Intervention in a demonstration in Diyarbakır…

Three people were injured when on 28 February 2014 military units and police teams shot at the crowd that protested the building of a police station in Diyarbakır-Lice district.

(03/013) Intervention in an action in Istanbul…

Onb 2 March 2014 police teams intervened with gas bombs and plastic bullets on a tent that students of the Democratic Patriotic Youth had erected in Istanbul-Fatih district in protest at rights’ violations and detained eight people.

(03/014) Intervention in protest demonstration against malpractice and bribery…

On 1 March 2014 a group staged a protest in Ankara against malpractice and bribery allegations after the recording of a conversation between Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and his son Bilal Erdoğan had turned up. Police teams intervened and detained 25 people. In Istanbul eight people were detained for the same action.

(03/015) KCK trial continued in Şırnak…

On 28 February 2014 Diyarbakır Heavy Penal Court 6 continued to hear the trial against 68 people, 37 of them in pre-trial detention who had been detained in Şırnak and its district in 2011 as part of the KCK investigations. At the hearing the court heard the testimony and demands of the defendants and their lawyers, ordered the continuation of pre-trial detention and adjourned the hearing to 25 April 2014.

(03/016) Violations in connection with the local elections of 30 March 2014…

In Eskişehir a group of six people attacked candidates of the HDP with knives. Nobody was injured in the attack.

Serious material damage occurred as the result of an attack with hand grenades by unknown people on the election office of the BDP in Mardin-Kızıltepe on 1 March 2014.

On 2 March 2014 followers of the AKP visited Güneyyamaç village in Van-Bahçesaray district and were attacked by villagers shouting “here is no place for thieves”. One person was injured by a knife.

Material damage occurred as the result of an attack with Molotov cocktails on the house of Ahmet Hamdi Yıldırım, candidate for the AKP as mayor in Şırnak.

In Van-Edremit district the convoy of Osman Nuri Gülaçar, candidate for the AKP as mayor in Van, who visited the district was attacked with stones on 2 March 2014.

Material damage occurred as the result of an attack by unknown people on the election office of the BDP in Mersin-Toroslar district on 28 February 2014.

(03/017) Industrial accident in Bursa…

On 27 February 2014 the worker Hacı Mustafa Köse (37) was hit by a rock and died at the construction site for the Samanlı Tunnel in Bursa-Orhangazi district as part of the Gebze-Izmir Highway.

 

04 March 2014 Daily Human Rights Report

(03/018) Banned Film…

On 3 March 2014 the Council for Evaluation and Classification of Films in the Ministry of Culture that is rating films going to be viewed banned the first part of the film “Nymphomaniac” by director Lars von Trier from being shown in Turkey.

(03/019) People on Trial…

On 3 March 2014 the court case against 16 people, one of them a US citizen who had protested police brutality in Istanbul-Kadıköy district on 12 September 2013 continued.

Anadolu Penal Court 19 noted the identities of the defendants, heard their testimony on charges of having violated Law 2911 on Meetings and Demonstrations, and resisted officers on duty, and adjourned the hearing to 26 May 2014.

(03/020) Persons on trial in connection with the action for Gezi Park…

On 3 March 2014 the case against 245 people, indicted in three files, who had participated in protest meetings in support of the actions for Gezi Park in Kırklareli on 2 June 2013 started. The court adjourned the hearing to 28 April 2014 to decide on the demand of the lawyers in the first two cases with 106 of the 245 defendants charged with violating Law 2911 on Meetings and Demonstrations on rejecting the judge. In the 5th case with 139 defendants judge heard the testimony of the defendants and adjourned the hearing to 28 April 2014 to hear the testimony of those who had not come.

In Kırklareli there are a total of 3108 defendants charged in 16 cases for having participated in actions for Gezi Park.

(03/021) Violations in connection with the local elections of 30 March 2014…

Material damage occurred as the result of an attack by unknown people on the election office of the HDP in Ankara-Mamak district on 3 March 2014.

In Van-Edremit district, Pêrtek village followers of the AKP on an election tour attacked villagers who reacted against them on 3 March 2014 and injured two people.

(03/022) Continuing 3rd KCK/TM main trial in Istanbul…

In the framework of operations under the name of “KCK investigations” police officers from the department to fight terrorism conducted operations in eight provinces searching offices in particular those of the news agency Dicle (DİHA) on 20 December 2011 and detained 49 people, most of them journalists. On 24 December 2011 Istanbul Heavy Penal Court 9 ordered the arrest of 36 of them on charged of being members of an illegal organization.

Of the 49 detainees 44 were indicted and on 27 April 2012 the office of the public prosecutor in Istanbul sent the indictment to Istanbul Heavy Penal Court 15 to be accepted. On 11 May 2012 Istanbul Heavy Penal Court 15 accepted the 800 page indictment on material in 102 folders that charged 44 people with being leaders and members of an illegal organization. On 3 March 2014 the court continued to hear the case of now 46 members of the press, 18 of them in pre-trial detention.

The imprisoned defendants had not appeared so that the court decided to release Ayşe Oymaz, Sibel Güler and Dilek Demiral and adjourned the hearing to 5 May 2014.

(03/023) Person on trial…

On 3 March 2014 the trial against the soldier Utku Kalı charged with having leaked information on a double bomb attack in Hatay-Reyhanlı district that resulted in the death of 52 people continued. Samsun Heavy Penal Court 3 decided to fate for a decision on courts with special authorization and adjourned the hearing to 10 March 2014.

(03/024) Soldier’s death in Diyarbakır…

On 3 March 2014 it was learned that Tuncay Yıldızhan (22), born in Zonguldak who had been recruited despite his low weight and was doing his enforced military service in Diyarbakır could not stand the heavy working conditions and died in the Education and Research Hospital of Dicle University.

(03/025) Industrial accident in Diyarbakır…

On 3 March 2014 the worker Y.S. (18) fell from a construction site in Diyarbakır-Silvan district and lost his life.

(03/026) Industrial accident in Ankara…

On 3 March 2014 the engineer Kadir Ustael (27) was hit by the load carried by a crane in the factory that he worked at in Ankara. He was taken to hospital heavily wounded and died there.

 

05 March 2014 Daily Human Rights Report

(03/037) Torture and ill-treatment in detention…

During the election work of Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan in Osmaniye İbrahim Alıcı was detained on 3 March 2014 by guards when he opened a banner saying “thieves are here”. İbrahim Alıcı stated that he was taken into a minibus and eaten there with a truncheon for 45 minutes. After official measures he allegedly was threatened with death should he complain.

(03/028) Suicide in prison…

It was alleged that Muhlis Baykuşak (29) imprisoned in Diyarbakır E-Type Prison for murder committed suicide in his cell on 3 March 2014.

(03/029) Situation of ill and old prisoners…

Lawyer Özgür Faik Erol, one of the defendants in the case of “KCK Leadership Committee” in which 50 people mostly lawyers of Abdullah Öcalan are on trial, 11 of them in pre-trial detention, was issued a report by Kocaeli Education and Research Hospital stating that he was at rsik of losing a kidney. Based on this report Istanbul Heavy Penal Court 16 released him on 4 March 2014. Özgür Faik Erol was released from Kandıra (Kocaeli) F-Type Prison 2 the same day.

(03/030) Pressure in the Prisons…

On 4 March 2014 it was learned that writer Sevan Nişanyan who had been transferred from Torbalı (Izmir) Open Prison to Buca Closed Prison was fored to sleep on concrete ground reportedly because there was no bed.

(03/031) Broadcast of channel stopped…

On the grounds that Cem TV had not complied with the restrictions on the election the High Election Council (YSK) banned the news program in the morning for four days and in the evening for five days, a total of nine days. This was learned on 4 March 2014.

(03/032) Intervention in 8 March action in Malatya…

On 4 March 2014 a rightist group attacked an activity at the İnönü University in Malatya relating to 8 March World Women’s Day. Police teams intervened in the quarrel and detained 47 students. Two students were injured in the incident.

(03/033) Violations in connection with the local elections of 30 March 2014…

On 4 March 2014 a delegation of the HDP was on election tour in Inner Anatolia. In Aksaray their bus was attacked with stones by a group of unknown people. Because of the attack the bus became unusable.

Unknown people attacked the election office of the AKP in Mardin-Kızıltepe district with Molotov cocktails on 4 March 2014.

In Ankara five members of the CHP were beaten by unknown people when they hung up the flag of their party.

(03/034) Continuing MLKP Case…

During police raids centred in Istanbul directed against the newspaper Atılım, the Socialist Party of the Oppressed and the MLKP investigation that had been conducted on 21 June 2012 12 people, including Ersin Sedefoğlu, Görgü Demirpençe, Gökben Keskin, Özlem Cihan, Fırat Şeran, Ali Haydar Keleş and Ali Gülmez (all in pre-trail detention) and five defendants not imprisoned had been indicted as being members and leaders of an illegal organization. Their trial continued on 4 March 2014. Istanbul Heavy Penal Court 22 heard the testimony of the defendants and a secret witness, prolonged the arrest of the imprisoned defendants and adjourned the hearing to 22 May 2014.

 

06-07 March 2014 Daily Human Rights Report

(03/035) Extra-judicial execution in Kilis…

On 5 March 2014 Syrian citizen Ahmet Mahmut Henan (45) wanted to go from Afrin town in Syria to Kilis to buy goods for his needs. Soldiers shot at him and killed him.

(03/036) Operations, Attacks in the Southeast…

On 6 March 2014 a military unit hit a landmine near Şırnak-Uludere district, Roboskî village. Sergeant Musa Sumay (28) lost his life in the explosion.

(03/037) The Cem Aygün Case…

On 30 August 2012 Cem Aygün (24) was killed in Ankara-Keçiören district by shots fired at him because he did not losten to stop warnings. Ankara Heavy Penal Court 4 accepted the indictment on this case and continued the trial against police officer Fatih Yılmaz on 6 March 2014.

Police officer Fatih Yılmaz on trial for unintentional homicide by exceeding the limits that would remove his penal responsibility with the demand of 30 months’ imprisonment did not attend the hearing. The court refrained from hearing witnesses and adjourned the hearing to 14 April 2014.

The indictment stated that Fatih Yılmaz had used his rights from the Law on Duties and Rights of the Police to apply force and use arms when he tried to catch Cem Aygün who effectively resisted detention. He had warned him, fired warning shots in gradual manner and continued: “After the first shot Cem Aygün was injured and slowed down but continued to run away. The suspect ran after him in a closed tunnel and a steep staircase when he fell and the gun he held in his hand fired a second shot. By carrying an unlocked gun in his hand during the way down he did not show the necessary attention and fell. The second shot injured Cem Aygün and second time and resulted in his death.”

(03/038) Person beaten by police officers…

On 2 March 2014 police teams stopped a bus in İstanbul-Fatih district in order to find demonstrators. The detained Ali Yenice under beatings because he refused to say “how happy is someone who say I’m a Turk”.

(03/039) Police officers shoot at students…

On 5 March 2014 students protested in Hakkâri-Yüksekova district when an armoured police vehicle drove by their school. The police officers used plastic bullets and injured two people.

(03/040) Pressure in the Prisons…

On 5 March 2014 it was learned that 20 prisoners had been transferred against their will from Ceyhan (Adana) M-Type Prison to three other prisons.

(03/041) Situation of ill and old prisoners…

On 5 March 2014 it emerged that Neşet Kara imprisoned in Siirt E-Type Prison had not been taken to hospital for the treatment of a tumour of 12 cm in his brain.

(03/042) Broadcast of channel stopped…

On the grounds that Kanal D had not complied with the restrictions on the election the High Election Council (YSK) banned the news program in the morning for one day. This was learned on 6 March 2014.

(03/043) Poster confiscated…

On 6 March 2014 a ban was issued for posters that the BDP wanted to put up in Şırnak on behalf of 8 March Women’s Day on the grounds that the posters contained propaganda for an illegal organization.

(03/044) Reporter acquitted…

On 6 March 2014 the trial against the Izmir correspondent of the newspaper Yurt, Ahmet Çınar charged with having insulted a civil servant because of his duty by the word he used on the mikroblog site via twitter.com.

Izmir Peace Court 7 heard the testimony of the defendant and acquitted him.

(03/045) Persons on trial in connection with the action for Gezi Park…

On 5 March 2014 the case against 10 people in Hatay because they had participated in protest meetings in support of the actions for Gezi Park on 12 July 2013 and had been put on trial after the indictment had been accepted started. Antakya Penal Court 2 heard the testimony of the defendants charged with having violated Law 2911 on Meetings and Demonstrations, having damaged to public property and resisted officers on duty and adjourned the hearing to 21 April 2014.

(03/046) Persons on trial in connection with the action for Gezi Park…

On 5 March 2014 the case against 109 out of 171 people who had participated in protest meetings in support of the actions for Gezi Park in Samsun on 1 June 2013 and had been put on trial after three separate indictments had been accepted started. Samsun Penal Court 7 heard the testimony of the 109 defendants charged with having violated Law 2911 on Meetings and Demonstrations, having damaged to public property and resisted officers on duty and adjourned the hearing. The trial against 27 minors (below 18 years of age) and 35 people from the third file will start in the near future.

(03/047) Persons on trial in connection with the action for Gezi Park…

On 6 March 2014 the trial against the lawyers Mehmet Ümit Erdem and Osman Zeki Erdoğan because they had participated in a protest meeting at the Anadolu Courthouse in Istanbul on 4 June 2013 in support of the actions for Gezi Park started. Anadolu Criminal Court 15 heard the testimony of the two people charged with violating Law 2911 on Meetings and Demonstrations and acquitted them.

(03/048) Violations in connection with the local elections of 30 March 2014…

Material damage occurred as the result of an attack with stones on the election office of the HDP in İzmir-Karaburun district on 5 March 2014.

On 4 March 2014 four people came to the election office of the AKP in Mardin-Midyat district and beat the tea cooker Veysi Altınışık. Veysi Altınışık was taken to hospital because of the pain. Disruption of his inner organs was certified and he died on 5 March 2014.

Material damage occurred as the result of attack with stones on the election office of the BDP in Ağrı on 5 March 2014.

On 5 March 2014 three people were injured in Rize, when a group that had come to listen to the CHP Chairperson Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu was attacked by another group.

On 4 March 2014 Şerafettin Kör (38) was injured to his leg by shots from unknown people when he hung up flags of the CHP in Istanbul-Bahçelievler district.

On 5 March 2014 a racist group attacked the election office of the HDP in Aksaray causing injuries of 38 people. The 40 people that were detained after the attack were later released. On 6 March 2014 another 27 people were detained because of the attack. They were released as well.

Three people were injured in Van on 6 March 2014 when a group of the BDP was attacked by followers of another political party.

On 6 March 2014 sympathizers of the BDP who opened the election office in Gaziantep were physically attacked by another group.

(03/049) Racist attacks in Bolu…

On 5 March 2014 verbal attacks against Kurdish students in Bolu turned into physical attacks. As the result of an attack of a racist group against Kurdish students at Abant İzzet Baysal University three students were injured. Police teams detained 23 Kurdish students who had been attacked.

(03/050) House raids in Izmir…

On 6 March 2014 police teams raided houses of HDP and BDP members on various districts of Izmir and detained 18 people.

 

08-10 March 2014 Daily Human Rights Report

(03/051) Extra-judicial Killing Attempt in Şırnak…

3 persons were wounded on 7 March 2014, when Turkish troops opened fire against 8 Kurish persons who tried to pass the border from Rojava region in Syria to Bazıxt (Katran) village on Cizre district in Şırnak to provide humanitarian needs.

(03/052) Armed Attack by Unidentified Persons…

Unidentified persons opened on 8 March 2014 fire against the house of Serhat Encü and his family in Roboskî village of Uludere district in Şırnak. The attack caused material damage and some 100 bullets hit the house.

(03/053) Persons Wounded…

5 persons were wounded on 7 March 2014 in Şenoba town of Şırnak when the soldiers used tear gas against people who protested military troops on round. (03/054) Condition of Prisoners… Neşet Kara incarcerated in Siirt E-type Prison committed suicide on 6 March 2014 by cutting his wrists to protest not being hospitalised despite his tumour in his brain. He was taken to hospital, but sent back to the prison on 8 March 2014. (03/055) 8 March Demonstration Intervened… The police attacked the demonstration staged in Nusaybin district of Mardin on 8 March 2014 for World Women’s Day. A.R.E. (13) was shot at the head with tear gas canister and hospitalised.

(03/056) Detentions and Arrests…

The police attacked on 10 March 2014 by using tear gas the crowd waiting in front of theOkmeydanı Hospital where Berkin Elvan (15) was kept in intensive care. Berkin Elvan (15) was shot at his head with tear gas canister during Gezi Park demonstrations when was going to buy bread for breakfast.

(03/057) House Raids in Hakkari…

On 6 March 2014, the police raided an internet café in Şemdinli district of Hakkari and detained 7 children for throwing stones during demonstrations.

(03/058) Protest Intervened…

The police intervened the protest in Eskişehir staged to protest in the visit of Prime Minister on 7 March 2014. The police dispersed the crowd by using tear gas, pepper ball and water canons, 183 persons were detained during the incidents.

(03/059) Local Elections…

Local election office of HDP in Sarıyer district of İstanbul was attacked on 7 March 2014 with stones. The attack caused material damage.

HDP committee who visited Ordu in connection with the local election was attacked on 7 March 2014 by an ultra-nationalist group. HDP MP Ertuğrul Kürkçü was stuck in HDP premises for a while. The taxi he tried to leave the premises with was also subjected to attacks.

The visits of HDP committee to Black Sea region cities were cancelled when the committee was also attacked in Bulancak district of Giresun on 8 March 2014.

On 8 March 2014, HDP bus was attacked in Mamak district of Ankara. The attack caused material damage. The opening of HDP local election office in Fethiye district of Muğla was attacked on 9 March 2014 by ultra-nationalists persons. The crowd threw inflammables to the building. The police did not prevent the crowd, but instead they removed the signboard of HDP in collaboration with the officers of municipality and governorate. They hanged a Turkish flag in place of the board.

The opening of HDP local election office in Bolu was attacked on 9 March 2014 by ultra-nationalists persons. One person was wounded during the incident.

Mühendis Katanalt, HDP co-mayor candidate for Susuz district in Kars, was attacked by supporters of another candidate on 8 March 2014. Katanalt was abounded during the attack.

Local election office of HDP in Ümraniye district of İstanbul was attacked on 8 March 2014 with arms. The attack caused material damage.

(03/060) Work Accident in Nevşehir…

3 construction workers were wounded on 7 March 2014 in Nevşehir when a concrete form collapsed during the construction of a municipality building.

 

11 March 2014 Daily Human Rights Report

(03/061) Extra-Judicial Killing in İstanbul…

Berkin Elvan who was shot with a tear gas canister by the police on 15 June 1013 during Gezi Park demonstrations in Okmeydanı quarter of İstanbul when he was going to buy bread for breakfast and was in coma for 269 days died on 11 March 2014.

(03/062) Mass Grave in Mardin…

İstanbul Forensic Institute concluded the examination of the bones which were excavated on 2 October 2013 from a mass grave nearby Ürünlü village in Mazıdağı district of Mardin. According to the news appeared on the press on 10 March 2014, the Institute gave the report certifying that they were the bones of PKK militant Ali Temel who had been killed on 9 July 1994 during a clash.

(03/063) Extra-Judicial Killing Trial in Van…

On 4 March 2014, Ankara Heavy Penal Court No 6 continued to hear the case against 18 retired and regular soldiers launched in connection with the killings of the HPG militants Sunullah Keserci and Necmeddin Ahmed Hasan, and villager İbrahim Atabay (18) on 6 October 2009 in Buğulukaynak (Kel) village in Çaldıran district of Van. According to the indictment the militants were trying to leave the village during the incident. But Beşir Atalay, who was the Ministry of Interior Affair then, alleged that the militants died during a clash. The case was transferred to Ankara for security reasons. The court took the testimonies of the defendants and adjourned the hearing to 21 April 2014 for completion of the deficient documents.

(03/064) Local Election…

HDP supporters who were distributing leaflets for the local election in Tekirdağ on 10 March 2014 were attacked with stones and sticks. 2 persons were wounded and the attack caused material damage on their vehicle. A group of grey-wolves attempted to attack the HDP premises in Bolu on 10 March 2014. Unidentified persons threw Molotov cocktails to the CHP local election office in Esenyurt district of İstanbul on 10 March 2014. The attack caused material damage.

03/065) Ultra-Nationalist Attacks… A group of ultra-nationalist students in Abant İzzet Baysal University in Bolu attacked an opposing group of students on 10 March 2014. 5 students from the attacked group were wounded during the incident.

(03/066) Work Accident in Ağrı…

Hüseyin Demir (15) working as delivery boy for a restaurant was hit by a bus and died on 10 March 2014 in Ağrı while he was on his way for delivery on bike.

(03/067) Work Accident in Ankara…

The tram driver Mehmet Dukan (47) fell under the train and died while helping another tram driver for parking on 10 March 2014 in Ankara.

(03/068) Work Accident in İstanbul…

Ünal Barış Coşkun (24) who was an engineer for a construction of the Üsküdar municipality in İstabul fell from 5th floor and died on 10 March 2014.

(03/069) Work Accident in Konya…

Murat Akdoğan (26) fell from 12th floor of a construction and died on 10 March 2014 in Konya.

(03/070) Private Died…

Sinan Sezgin (21) serving for compulsory military service in Sivas Prison allegedly killed himself on 8 March 2014 by using his rifle in porters’ lodge.

 

12 March 2014 Daily Human Rights Report

(03/071) Demonstrations for Berkin Elvan…

Demonstrations were staged in several cities after the death of Berkin Elvan on 11 March 2014 who was shot with a tear gas canister by the police on 15 June 1013 during Gezi Park demonstrations in Okmeydanı quarter of İstanbul when he was going to buy bread for breakfast and was in coma for 269 days.
The police intervened the demonstrations by excessive use force and violence. The demonstrators were dispersed by using tear gas and water cannons.
The demonstrations started right after the announcement of the death. People started to gather in front of Okmeydanı Hospital where Berkin Elvan died. Excessive use of tear gas also effected people in the hospital. Ramazan Apaydın was heavily wounded during the intervention when he was shot at head with tear gas canister.
The demonstration continued the whole day in İstanbul. 5 persons were detained in Kadıköy district of İstanbul. 3 persons were detained and another 3 were wounded during the incidents in Kocaeli.

The police intervened the crowds in METU, Hacettepe and Ankara universities by using pepper-balls, tears gas and water cannons. 2 students were wounded during the intervention when they were shot at head with tear gas canister. The police reportedly used FN-303 type riot gun which was banned to be used in several countries for being fatal.
People gathered in Güvenpark in Ankara. The police dispersed the crowd after hours of waiting in the park without warning at about 6:00 pm by using tear gas and water cannons. After the intervention, the police kept using tear gas everywhere and against almost everyone in Kızılay region.

After the sunset, people used their freedom of peaceful demonstration in several cities. But the security forces intervened and dispersed all the demonstrations on order of the government and several persons were wounded during the incidents. Registered or unregistered detentions were recorded all night.
People staged demonstration in Kızılay, Tuzluçayır and Tunalı Hilmi quarters of Ankara. 15 persons were wounded during the interventions when they were shot at head with tear gas canister. 70 persons were reportedly detained.
Meltem Aslan, member of the Board of Auditors at Journalists Union of Turkey, was reportedly beaten by the police on his way back to home after following the demonstrations.
In İzmir, 5 persons were wounded and 102 persons were detained.
In Mersin, a TOMA (Police Vehicle to Intervene Social Incidents) tried to hit 2 demonstrators. They were hospitalised. And 52 persons were detained during demonstrations.
2 persons chained themselves to the door of the Governorate in Van to protest in the death of Berkin Elvan. The police detained the protestors.
22 persons in Kocaeli, 40 persons in Bursa and 22 persons in Muğla were reportedly detained.
The police attacked the demonstrators in Samsun and detained 22 persons.
While carrying 2 detainees, Armoured Vehicle of the police crashed the vehicle of Dicle News Agency. Hamdullah Yağız Kesen, correspondent with the Dicle News Agency, was wounded during the accident.

The police also intervened the demonstrators in Taksim Square and İstiklal Avenue and used tear gas, pepper-ball and water cannon against everyone in the region. Demonstrators in Kadıköy were also attacked by the police. One person was wounded when s/he was shot at head with tear gas canister from close distance. 20 persons were wounded and 45 persons were reportedly detained.
3 persons were wounded and 5 persons were detained in Tunceli. 3 persons were wounded and 28 persons were detained in Denizli. 3 persons were wounded and 15 persons were detained in Hatay.
According to the news gathered 59 persons were wounded and 444 persons were detained during the interventions.

(03/072) Torture Trial…

Amasya Heavy Penal Court started on 10 March 2014 to hear the case against one retired major and one retired master-sergeant launched on charges of torture. The indictment wants the defendants to be sentenced to terms of imprisonment up to 40 years. The defendants were accused with torturing Fazlı Kuru, Musa Koyuncu and Ali Soyal, Metin Irmak in Suluova district of Amasya after the 1980 Coup d’États.
After the testimonies of the complainants, the court decided the defendants to be forcibly taken to the court and adjourned the hearing to later date.

(03/073) Pressures in Prison…

According to the news appeared on the press on 12 March 2014, 14 prisoners who were transferred from Tekirdağ F-type Prison No1 to Silivri (İstanbul) L-type Prison No 3 without their demand were kept for the last 4 months in single-cells 10 meters under the ground.

(03/074) Local Elections…

Unidentified persons opened fire on 10 March 2014 against the HDP premises in Elbistan district of Kahramanmaraş. The attack caused material damage.
A HDP vehicle used for local elections propaganda was attacked on 11 March 2014 in Alanya district of Antalya. The attack caused material damage.
HDP premises in Düzce were attacked on 11 March. The attack caused material damage.
Unidentified persons opened fire on 11 March 2014 against the BDP premises in Şahinbey district of Gaziantep. The attack caused material damage.
A HDP vehicle used for local elections propaganda in Sakarya was attacked on 11 March 2014. Ertuğrul Kürkçü, Co-President of HDP, was also on the vehicle. The attack caused material damage.

 

13 March 2014 Daily Human Rights Report

(03/075) Demonstrations for Berkin Elvan…

Police intervened demonstrations staged in several cities after the death of Berkin Elvan on 11 March 2014 who was shot with a tear gas canister by the police on 15 June 1013 during Gezi Park demonstrations in Okmeydanı quarter of İstanbul when he was going to buy bread for breakfast and was in coma for 269 days.

The police kept the whole day attacking people who tried to gather in Güvenpark in Ankara. The group who wanted to march from Ankara University’s Cebeci campus to Kızılay was also dispersed. The police threw even into the faculty buildings of the university. 15 persons were wounded during the interventions. 74 persons were detained either registered or unregistered. 2 persons were also wounded during the intervention of the police in Tuzluçayır quarter of Ankara. After the funeral of Berkin Elvan, the police attacked people in Şişli and Taksim by using tear gas, plastic bullets and water cannons. 51 persons were detained and 16 persons were wounded during the incidents.

During a quarrel between leftist and rightist groups in Okmeydanı, Burak Can Kahramanoğlu (22) was shot to death and 2 persons were wounded. [DHKP-C undertook later today with a written announcement the killing of Burak Can Kahramanoğlu.] The police also prevented people to gather in İzmir. 12 persons were detained and 6 persons were wounded during interventions. A police officer threw his helmet to a civilian and then beat him. The incident was recorded by journalists. The police attack the students of Pamukkale University in Denizli and detained 6 persons. 2 persons were hospitalised after being attacked by the police in Eskişehir.

A group of people wanted to march AKP premises in Kocaeli, the police dispersed the crowd and detained 5 persons. In Hatay, the police also attacked the demonstrators and 3 persons were wounded.

The police intervened the demonstration in Tunceli by using tear gas. 6 persons were wounded during the incidents. Police officer Ahmet Küçükdağ died in a police vehicle for having heart attack during the intervention. Though he allegedly had the attack due to excessive use of tear gas, the allegations were not confirmed, yet.

16 persons were detained in Adana.

During the incidents across Turkey, 2 persons died, 49 persons were abounded and at least 164 persons were detained on 12 March 2014.

(03/079) Person on Trial…

İstanbul Peace Penal Court No 19 started on 13 March 2014 to hear the case against Levent Pişkin on charges of insulting the Prime Minister in a twit. The lawyers of the Prime Minister demanded extra time for preparations to the case and the court adjourned the hearing to 25 March 2014.

(03/078) Gezi Park Trials…

On 12 March 2014, Denizli Penal Curt of First Instance No 7 started to hear the case against 9 persons launched on charges of attending Gezi Park demonstrations in Denizli. After the identification of the defendants, the court acquitted the defendants. The court also ruled in its decision that differing or opposing parts of the society could not be regarded as threat to the state.

(03/077) KCK Trial in Batman…

On 12 March 2014, Batman Heavy Penal Court No continued to hear the KCK case launched against 25 persons. 6 of the defendants are remanded. Diyarbakır Heavy Penal Court No 7 was responsible with the case, but after the abolishment of specially authorised courts the case transferred to Batman. The case was launched after the KCK operations conducted in 2011 n Batman. After the testimonies of the defendants, the court released remanded defendants and adjourned the hearing.

(03/075) Local Elections…

Unidentified persons attacked HDP premises in Soma district of Manisa on 11 March 2014. The attack caused material damage. A group of persons attacked HDP premises in Hatay on 11 March 2014. Attackers set flags of the party to fire.

(03/080) Work Accident in Burdur…

Ali Kınalı (51) working as lumberjack in Burdur died when a rock fell on him nearby Çobanpınar village in Bucak district of Burdur on 12 March 2014.

 

14 March 2014 Daily Human Rights Report

(03/081) Death in Prison…

Okan Kılkışlılar (35) incarcerated in Afyon E-type Prison and convicted for possessing drugs was suffocated by another inmate with a piece of wire n 9 March 2014.

(03/082) Festus Okey Case…

According to the news appeared on the press on 14 March 2014, the retrial of the police officer Cengiz Yıldız will reportedly restart on 5 June 2014 at İstanbul Heavy Penal Court No 21. Cengiz Yıldız was charged with killing of Fetur Okey. He was sentenced to 4 years and 2 months’ imprisonment on 13 December 2011, but the 1st Penal Chamber at the Court of Cassation quashed the verdict.
Fetus Okey was detained on 20 August 2007 ad taken to Beyoğlu Security Directorate. He was shot to death in the directorate with a bullet fired from the weapon of Cengiz Yıldız.

(03/083) Demonstrations for Berkin Elvan…

Demonstrations continued in several cities after the death of Berkin Elvan on 11 March 2014 who was shot with a tear gas canister by the police on 15 June 1013 during Gezi Park demonstrations in Okmeydanı quarter of İstanbul when he was going to buy bread for breakfast and was in coma for 269 days.
The police kept the whole day attacking students who tried to gather in Güvenpark in Ankara. One person was wounded during the interventions. At least 40 persons were detained either registered or unregistered. The police also attacked demonstrators in Tuzluçayır quarter, 4 children were wounded during the intervention.
13 high school students were detained in Konak square in İzmir on the allegations of insulting Prime Minister. The police also detained 22 persons during the demonstrations staged in the evening.
14 high school students were detained in Yamanlar quarter of Bayraklı district in İzmir.
The police raided on 14 March 2014 a tent put up for Berkin Elvan in Didim district of Aydın. 30 persons were detained by the police.

(03/084) Gezi Park Trials…

Tokat Penal Court of First Instance No 2 started on 13 March 2014 to hear the case against 138 persons launched on charges of attending Gezi Park demonstrations in Tokat. After identification and testimonies of the defendants, the court adjourned the hearing to 15 May 2014 for the continuation of testimonies.

(03/085) Children Detained in Osmaniye…

15 children were detained during house raids conducted on 13 March 2014 in Osmaniye for throwing stones to election vehicles of AKP.

(03/086) Protests Against Prime Minister…

The police intervened and dispersed people who wanted to protest Prime Minister on 13 March 2014 during his visit to Mersin for local elections. The police used tear gas, water cannons and plastic bullets during the intervention.

(03/087) Local Elections…

The bus used by Mustafa Sarıgül, CHP candidate for İstanbul Municipality, for the local elections propaganda was attacked with stones on 13 March 2014 in Şişli district. The attack caused material damage.
Unidentified persons threw a handmade bomb to the AKP premises in Sur district of Diyarbakır on 12 March 2014. The attack caused material damage.
A car with the flags of AKP was set to fire in Adana on 13 March 2014.

 

15-17 March 2014 Daily Human Rights Report

(03/088) Extra-judicial Killing in Şanlıurfa…

Eladinê Qavaz (32) was shot to death by soldiers on 14 March 2014 when s/he was trying to pass the border from Rojava to Turkey visit relatives in Atmenek village in Suruç district of Şanlıurfa.

(03/089) Extra-judicial Killing Attempt in Mardin…

Kawa Abdullah (25) was wounded when soldiers opened fire against him while he was trying to pass the border from Rojava to Turkey to provide some needs.

(03/090) Tear Gas Use…

Gülsüm Malgaz (20) was wounded on 15 March 2014 in Cizre district of Şırnak when she was shot with a tear gas canister fired from a police armoured vehicle.

(03/091) Conditions in Prisons…

Execution Prosecutor in Bakırköy suspended the sentence of the prisoner Hasan Kaçar on 14 March 2014 upon the report of Forensic Institute. Hasan Kaçar was not capable of using his arms and hands, and also move his head.

(03/092) Pressures in Prisons…

According to the news appeared on 16 March 2014, the book “Delila” was not given to Hasan Cemal incarcerated in Mardin E-type Prison on the grounds that the book was “prejudicial”.

(03/093) Artists Convicted…

On 14 March 2014, Bakırköy Heavy Penal Court No 15 concluded to hear the case against the Kurdish Artist Ali Baran launched on charges of making propaganda of an illegal organisation in a speech he made during a concert in Van. The court sentenced Ali Baran to 10 months’ imprisonment and suspended the sentence.

(03/094) Berkin Elvan Demonstrations…

The police intervened a group of persons who wanted to stage a sit-in action on 14 March 2014 in Esenler district of İstanbul. 5 persons were detained.

(03/095) Gezi Park Trials…

İstanbul Penal Court of First Instance No 33 accepted the indictment against 26 members of Taksim Solidarity. The court will start to hear the case on 12 June 2014. The indictment was prepared in connection with the protests on 8 July 2013 in Taksim Square to support the Gezi Park demonstrations. The court rejected the indictment previously on 10 February 2014.

(03/096) Students Detained…

9 students from Nine September University were detained in İzmir on 14 March 2014 by the police for collecting signatures for the campaign “Freedom to Öcalan”.

(03/097) Local Elections…

HDP election office in Esenler district of İstanbul was attacked on 14 March 2014. The attack caused material damage. CHP vehicles were stoned on 15 March 2014 in Turgutlu district of Manisa. One police officer and one civilian were wounded. MHP bus was attacked on 16 March 2014 in Aydın. The attack caused material damage.

HDP election office in Beyoğlu district of İstanbul was attacked three times from 11 March to 16 March 2014. The attack caused material damage.

HDP election office in Çınarcak district of Yalova was attacked with stones and sticks on 15 March 2014. The attack caused material damage.

HDP election vehicle was stoned on 16 March 2014 in Zeytinburnu district of İstanbul. The attack caused material damage.

HÜDA-PAR vehicles were stoned on 16 March 2014 in Diyarbakır. 5 persons were wounded during the attack.

A group of AKP supporters were attacked with stones and sticks on 16 March 2014 in Van. 5 Persons were wounded.

HDP election office in Esenler district of İstanbul was attacked with fire arms on 17 March 2014. The attack caused material damage.

(03/098) Work Accident in Sakarya…

Şenel Ayazoğlu (46) died on 16 March 2014 in Sapanca district of Sakarya when he fell in stair opening of a building under construction where he was working.

(03/099) Work Accident in Gaziantep…

Ömer Ceylan (19) died on 16 March 2014 in Gaziantep when iron sticks fell on him from 12th floor in a construction area.

(03/100) Work Accident in İstanbul…

Tamer Şeyhun (32) who was wounded on 25 February 2014 in an accident in a shipyard in Tuzla region of İstanbul died on 16 March 2014 in the hospital.

 

18 March 2014 Daily Human Rights Report

(03/101) Local Elections…

BDP election office in Tuşba district of Van was attacked by unidentified persons on 17 March 2014. The attack caused material damage.

2 female supporters of HDP who were making propaganda for local election in Kadıköy district of İstanbul on 17 March 2014 were wounded when they were attacked by unidentified persons.

HDP election offices in Etimesgut and Mamak districts of Ankara were attacked by unidentified persons on 16 March 2014. The attack caused material damage.

HDP vehicle was attacked by unidentified persons on 17 March 2014 in Kırşehir. 3 HDP supporters beaten and the attack caused material damage.

(03/102) Newroz Celebrations…

The police intervened a group of persons who wanted to celebrate Newroz on 17 March 2014 in Kızıltepe district of Mardin. H.B. (16) was wounded during the intervention.

(03/103) Protest Prevented…

The police detained 20 persons in Aydın on the allegations that they were planning to stage a protest action during the meeting of the Prime Minister on 17 March 2014 n Aydın.

(03/104) Gezi Park Trials…

Antalya Penal Court of First Instance No 13 started on 17 March 2014 to hear the case against 170 persons launched for attending the demonstrations on 1 June 2013 in Antalya. The court adjourned the hearing to 21 March 2014 for the completion of the testimonies.

 

19 March 2014 Daily Human Rights Report

(03/105) Extra-Judicial Killing…

According to the news appeared on the press on 22 October 2013, Public Prosecutor in Diyarbakır sent for further investigation the files concerning the killings of Mehmet Eliveren (19) and Yılmaz Eliveren (17) on 17 April 1999 in Genç district of Bingöl by special forces on the allegations of being PKK militants.
On 18 March 2014, Bingöl Heavy penal Court started to hear the case against 5 police officers launched on charges of “conspiratorially killing”, “threatening”, “fraud on official documents”.
The defendants started to testify at the hearing through teleconference. The court adjourned the hearing to 12 June 2014 for completion of the testimonies.

(03/106) Detentions in Gaziantep…

9 persons who came from Switzerland to Turkey on 18 March 2014 to attend Newroz celebrations in Diyarbakır on 21 March 2014 were detained in Yavuzeli district of Gaziantep for having scarf saying Kürdistan in the bags.

(03/107) Protest Prevented…

The police raided TKP premises in Çanakkale and detained 34 persons on the grounds they were planning to stage a protest action on 18 March 2014 during the visit of Prime Minister.

(03/108) KCK Trial in Batman…

After the abolishment of specially authorised courts, Batman Heavy Penal Court No1 continued on 18 March 2014 to hear the KCK case against 23 persons launched on charges of constituting “Youth Assembly of KCK”. On 15 February 2012, an operation called “Youth Assembly of KCK Investigation” was conducted in Batman.
The court decided to release all the remanded defendants.

(03/109) KCK/TM Main Case in İstanbul…

After the abolishment of specially authorised courts, İstanbul Heavy Penal Court No 1 dealt with the release demand of 10 defendants in the KCK case against 50 persons launched on charges of “aiding and abetting an illegal organisation” and “being leading member of an illegal organisation”.
The court decided to release all the remanded defendants. 46 of the defendants in this trial are lawyers.

(03/110) KCK Trial in Batman…

After the abolishment of specially authorised courts, Batman Heavy Penal Court No 1 continued on 18 March 2014 to hear the KCK case against 38 persons launched on charges of constituting “City Assembly of KCK”. After the operations conducted on 8 December 2012 in Batman, 13 defendants were arrested.
The court decided to release 4 defendants and adjourned the hearing to 15 May 2014.

(03/111) Local Elections…

HDP election office in Alanya district of Antalya was tired to be set to fire on 17 March 2014 by unidentified persons. The fire was extinguished after a while and caused material damage.

(03/112) Work Accident in Antalya…

Soner Şencan (19) died on 18 March 2014 in Antalya when he fell from 3rd floor while he was working on the isolation of the building.

 

20 March 2014 Daily Human Rights Report

(03/113) Emrah Barlak Case…

İzmir Heavy Penal Court No 6 continued on 19 March 2014 to hear the case against the police officer İmran Kâhya launched on charges of killing Emrah Barlak (26). On 12 August 2012, a police vehicle crashed with a civil car. The police officer opened fire against 4 persons ib the civil car after the dispute among them. Emrah Barlak was heavily wounded during the incident and died in the hospital.
The court rejected the demand of the police officer to be released and adjourned the hearing to 24 May 2014 for the preparation of the opinion as to the accusations by the prosecutor.

(03/114) Protest Prevented…

The police raided TKP and ÖDP premises in Edirne. 14 ÖDP members and 3 TKP members were detained on the grounds they were planning to stage a protest action on 19 March 2014 during the meeting of Prime Minister.

(03/115) Local Elections…

On 18 March 2014, unidentified person threw molotov cocktails to HDP election office in Adana. The attack caused material damage.

On 19 March 2014, unidentified person threw hand-crafted bomb to AKP election office in Diyarbakır. The attack caused material damage.

(03/116) House Raids Şırnak…

Abdurrahman Budak, Nurettin Başaran and İrfan Demirci were arrested on the allegations of “being member of an illegal organisation”. They were among 5 persons who were detained during house raids conducted on 19 March 2014 in Cizre district of Şırnak.

(03/117) Work Accident in Şanlıurfa…

Halil Karaca (24) lost one of his feet on 19 March 2014 in Ceylanpınar district of Şanlıurfa during maintenance of manure spreader.

(03/118) Workers Died / Wounded…

10 workers died and 3 workers were wounded on 20 March 2014 in Akdeniz district of Mersin when a train crashed the transportation vehicle of the workers.

 

21 March 2014 Daily Human Rights Report

(03/119) Armed Clash in Niğde…

One gendarmerie private and one police officer died on 20 March 2014 during an armed clash on Niğde-Adana road nearby Ulukışla district of Niğde. According to the news gathered, security forces were on a regular control and a vehicle did not obey the stop warrant, but opened fire against them. The attackers did allegedly come from Syria. They tried to escape with a truck, after killing the driver. 7 gendarmerie soldiers and one civilian were wounded during the clash. The attackers were captured after a while in a clinic.

(03/120) Hrant Dink Case…

On 20 March 2014, Trabzon Heavy Penal Court No 1 continued to hear the retrial of Colonel Ali Öz in connection with the killing of Hrant Dink. He was the gendarmerie commander of Trabzon when Dink was killed. The court decided to write to İstanbul Heavy Penal Court No 5 to combine the case with main case in İstanbul.

(03/121) Web Site Banned…

On 20 March 2014, the Prime Minister announced during a meeting in Bursa thath the government will take the necessary measures to eradicate twitter and twitter-like social media without taking the response of international community into consideration. At the night of the same day twitter.com was banned.

The decision was taken relying on the decisions of Anadolu (İstanbul) Penal Court of First Instance No 14 dating 3 February 2014, Samsun Peace Penal Court No 2 dating 4 March 2014 and Anadolu (İstanbul) Peace Penal Court No 5 dating 18 March 2014.

But the users of twitter are still accessing the web site by changing their DNS settings.

(03/122) Investigation against Demonstrators…

Public Prosecutor in Ankara concluded on 20 March 2014 the investigation started against the demonstrators in connection with the incidents happened on 28 October 2013 during the case against the police officer Ahmet Şahbaz who shot Ethem Sarısülük to death during Gezi Park demonstrations in Ankara.

The indictment was sent to Ankara penal Court of First Instance No 16 and wants 23 persons including 2 brothers of Ethem Sarısülük to be sentenced terms of imprisonment up to 12 years.

(03/123) Local Elections…

On 20 March 2014, an armed attack was organised against AKP premises in Esenyurt district of İstanbul. The attack caused material damage.

On 20 March 2014, a blast bomb was thrown to AKP election office in Adana. The attack caused material damage.

(03/124) Detentions in İstanbul…

BDP member Dilan Bilken was detained on 20 March 2014 during house a raid conducted by the police in İstanbul. The reason of the rad was not disclosed.

(03/125) Worker Died…

Osman Ceylan (24) who worked in workplaces for stoning jeans in İstanbul and suffering from silicosis died on 20 March 2014 in Diyarbakır. He was from Taşlıçay village in Karlova district of Bingöl and he is the 11 persons from Taşlıçay village who died due to silicosis. The number of persons in Turkey who died due to silicosis reached 56.

(03/126) Work Accident in Kayseri…

Osman Özdemir (34) died on 21 March 2014 in Yahyalı district of Kayseri when the construction vehicle he was driving tumbled down a cliff during construction of water channels.

(03/127) Work Accident in Şanlıurfa…

H.A. (33), who was reportedly a citizen of Syria, died on 20 March 2014 in Karaköprü town of Şanlıurfa due to electric shock in a gas station where he was working.

 

22-24 March 2014 Daily Human Rights Report

(03/128) Human Bones Found in Mardin…

On 22 March 2014, İHD Mardin branch organised a press conference and announced the report of Forensic Institute on the findings of the examination of the bones excavated nearby Efarê village in Kızıltepe district of Mardin on 13 June 2013. According the report the bones were belonging to A.Baki Birlik, Kemal Birlik, Zübeyir Birlik and Zeki Alabalık who disappeared in the region on 29 March 1995 after being detained and another female.

(03/129) Death under Torture in Military Base…

Cyprus Turkish Peace Forces Military Court continued on 21 March 2014 to hear the case against guards Ayhan Arslan and Fırat Keser on charges of killing Uğur Kantar. The defendants testified at the hearing. The court decided to release the defendants for long period of arrest and adjourned the hearing to 11 June 2014.
Uğur Kantar died on 12 October 2011 in Ankara, where he was transferred form Cyprus. He was serving for compulsory military service in Cyprus and subjected to torture for 3 days in disciplinary ward.

(03/130) Protests İntervened…

The police detained 4 members of People’s Houses on the allegations that they were planning to stage a protest action on 22 March 2014 in Hatay during the visit of Prime Minister.

(03/131) Protests İntervened…

The police detained 29 members of People’s Houses on the allegations that they were planning to stage a protest action on 23 March 2014 in Kocaeli during the visit of Prime Minister.

(03/132) Protests İntervened…

The police detained 11 members of People’s Houses on the allegations that they were planning to stage a protest action on 21 March 2014 in Artvin during the visit of Prime Minister.

(03/133) Newroz Celebrations…

The police intervened the crowd after the Newroz celebrations in Adana on 23 March 2014 and detained 5 persons under beatings. A group of right wing extremists attacked on 21 March 2014 another group who were celebrating Newroz in Akdeniz University Campus.
A person drove his car over the people who were walking to the Newroz celebrations on 22 March 2014 in İzmir. 3 persons were wounded; one of them was reportedly wounded heavily.
Non-commissioned officer Mehmet Onat opened fire against people who were celebrating Newroz in Gökçeada district of Çanakkale on 22 March 2014. 4 persons were wounded during the attack.

(03/134) DHKP/C Investigation…

After the abolishment of specially authorised courts, İstanbul Heavy Penal Court No 18 continued on 21 March 2014 to hear the case against the members of Progressive Lawyers Association. The court dealt with the release demand of the 5 remanded lawyers and released the defendants Selçuk Kozağaçlı, Taylan Tanay, Ebru Timtik, Barkın Timtik and Günay Dağ to be tried without remand. The Court also suspended the arrest warrant against the lawyers Oya Aslan and Özgür Yılmaz, and adjourned the hearing to 11-12 November 2014.
On 18 January 2013, Anti-Terror branch conducted operations against the members of Progressive Lawyers Association in connection with an investigation against DHKP/C. The lawyers were remanded since then.

(03/135) Local Elections…

HDP premises in Niğde were attacked on 21 March 2014 by supporters of other political parties with stones. The attack caused material damage.
2 persons were wounded when a blast bomb was thrown to AKP premises in Diyarbakır on 23 March 2014. AKP election office in Bahçelievler district of İstanbul was thrown Molotov cocktail on 23 March 2014. The attack caused material damage.
13 persons were wounded during a quarrel among supporters of AKP and BDP on 23 March 2014 in Beşiri district of Batman. A group of supporters of a political party attacked the election bus of CHP candidate Mansur Yavaş for Ankara on 22 March 2014 in Ankara. The attack caused material damage.

(03/136) Work Accident in Şanlıurfa … Construction worker Ali Fırat Belder (16) fell from 9th floor and died on 20 March 2014 in Şanlıurfa.

(03/137) Work Accident in Giresun…

The ironmaster Haydar Tomruk (60) fell from the construction he was working for and died on 23 March 2014 in Espiye district of Giresun.

(03/138) Privates Stabbed…

Private A.E. (20) stabbed and killed private Hazni Gezer (26) on 22 March 2014 in a military base in Çorlu district of Tekirdağ. They were both serving for the compulsory military service. Hazni Gezer (26) was from Nusaybin district of Mardin.

 

25 March 2014 Daily Human Rights Report

(03/139) TV Show Suspended…

According to the news appeared on the press on 24 March 2014, Supreme Election Committee suspended the morning news show broadcasted on Kanal D for 2 days for not obeying the election bans.

(03/140) Protest Prevented…

The police detained 6 persons on the allegations that they were planning to stage a protest action on 24 March 2014 in Trabzon during the visit of Prime Minister.

(03/141) Protesters to Pay Fine…

According to the news appeared on the press on 24 March 2014, 271 demonstrators who wanted to stage a protest action on 7 March 2014 in Eskişehir during the visit of Prime Minister were given each TL 343 fine under the article 14 of Law on Traffic.

(03/142) Gezi Park Trials…

Kırklareli Penal Court of First Instance No 1 continued on 24 March 2014 to hear the case against 105 persons launched on charges of attending Gezi Park demonstrations in Kırklareli on 2 June 2014.

The court decided to separate the files 22 defendants for the testimonies to be taken. 83 defendants were acquitted on the grounds that the security forces did not warn the crowd properly.

(03/143) Gezi Park Trials…

Heavy Penal Court in İstanbul decided to release 4 members of SDP on 24 March 2014 upon objection of their lawyers. They were detained on 11 June 2014 during a raid conducted against SDP premises during Gezi Park demonstrations.

(03/144) KCK Trial in Batman…

After the abolishment of specially authorised courts, Batman Heavy Penal Court No 1 conitinued on 24 March 2014 to hear the case launched after 3 separate operations conducted in Batman under a “KCK Investigation”. The court dealt with release demand of 13 defendants, but released only Şirin Arı, Şerif Çakar and Mahfuz Altınışık.

(03/145) Local Elections…

The election bus of BBP was attacked with stones on 23 March 2014 in Antalya. The attack caused material damage.

Extreme-rightists attacked on 24 March 2014 a group of HDP supporters in Afşin district of Kahramanmaraş. 5 persons were wounded.

5 persons who were hanging CHP flags and banners n Sincan district of Ankara were beaten by unidentified person on 24 March 2014.

(03/146) Detentions in Adana…

The police detained on 24 March 2014 in Adana 5 persons including Yüreğir Municipality Assembly members for HDP on the grounds they were possessing “Abdullah Öcalan’s defence”.

(03/147) Work Accident in Adıyaman…

Necdet Çelik (35) was heavily wounded on 24 March 2014 in Kahta district of Adıyaman when a piece of iron fell on his head from 8th floor of a construction.

(03/148) Work Accident in Ankara…

Savaş Oğuz (27) died on 24 March 2014 when he fell from height in the construction area of new Prime Ministry in Ankara. The construction plan was cancelled on 2 March 2014 by court decision; the government kept continuing the construction.

 

26 March 2014 Daily Human Rights Report

(03/158) Torture Case…

Kırklareli Heavy Penal Court started on 26 March 2014 to hear the case against 4 persons including one police officer launched on charges of torturing Çetin Vural in 86th Infantry Regiment in Pınarhisar district of Kırklareli after the 12 September 1980 coup d’état. The case launched after the investigation started upon official complaint by Çetin Vural.

After the testimonies of the attending defendants, the court adjourned the hearing to 24 June 2014 for the remaining defendants to be taken to the court forcibly.

(03/159) KCK/TM Main Trial in İstanbul…

After the abolishment of specially authorised courts, İstanbul Heavy Penal Court continued on 26 March 2014 to hear the case launched against 205 persons in connection with a KCK Investigation. The case was launched after the operations conducted in 2011 in İstanbul in connection with a “KCK Investigation”.

The court dealt with the release demand of 71 remanded defendants. The court decided to release 37 defendants. Ayşe Güney who was among those defendants was not released for being convicted in another case.

(03/160) 3. KCK/TM Main Trial in İstanbul…

After the abolishment of specially authorised courts, İstanbul Heavy Penal Court continued on 26 March 2014 to hear the case launched against 46 media workers on charges of “being member of an illegal organisation” and “being a leading member of an illegal organisation”.

The court dealt with the release demand of 15 remanded defendants. The court decided to release 9 defendants. Mikail Barut who was among those defendants was not released for being convicted in another case.

On 20 December 2011, the police conducted operations in 8 provinces against the premises of media including Dicle News Agency in connection with the “KCK Investigation”. 49 persons were detained during the operations. 36 persons were arrested on 24 December 2011 by Istanbul Heavy Penal Court No 9 on charges of “being member of an illegal organisation”.

On 27 April 2012, Istanbul Heavy Penal Court No 15 accepted the indictment prepared by Public Prosecutor against 44 persons. The case was combined with another KCK case on 11 May 2012.

(03/161) Local Elections…

On 26 March 2014, a group of ultra-nationalists attacked HDP premises in Ödemiş district of İzmir. The group demanded HDP flag to be lowered to end the attack. Upon this request the police lowered the falg.

The verbal discussion among headman candidates Esat Karacaoğlan and Talip Demirel in Kantara village in Oğuzeli district of Gaziantep turned into an armed quarrel. 9 persons were wounded during the incident.

A HDP vehicle was stopped by a pickup truck on 26 March 2014 in Maltepe district of İstanbul. Though driver of HDP vehicle was threatened, the police detained the driver of HDP vehicle Hüseyin Bulut.

On 26 March 2014, a group of AKP supporters attacked to the people who were working for the campaign of independent candidate Melek Altıntaş. During the incident in Batıkent quarter of Yenimahalle district in Ankara 2 persons were wounded. Knives and choppers were reportedly used in the attack.

27 March 2014 Daily Human Rights Report

(03/158) Torture Case…

Kırklareli Heavy Penal Court started on 26 March 2014 to hear the case against 4 persons including one police officer launched on charges of torturing Çetin Vural in 86th Infantry Regiment in Pınarhisar district of Kırklareli after the 12 September 1980 coup d’état. The case launched after the investigation started upon official complaint by Çetin Vural.

After the testimonies of the attending defendants, the court adjourned the hearing to 24 June 2014 for the remaining defendants to be taken to the court forcibly.

(03/159) KCK/TM Main Trial in İstanbul…

After the abolishment of specially authorised courts, İstanbul Heavy Penal Court continued on 26 March 2014 to hear the case launched against 205 persons in connection with a KCK Investigation. The case was launched after the operations conducted in 2011 in İstanbul in connection with a “KCK Investigation”.

The court dealt with the release demand of 71 remanded defendants. The court decided to release 37 defendants. Ayşe Güney who was among those defendants was not released for being convicted in another case.

(03/160) 3. KCK/TM Main Trial in İstanbul…

After the abolishment of specially authorised courts, İstanbul Heavy Penal Court continued on 26 March 2014 to hear the case launched against 46 media workers on charges of “being member of an illegal organisation” and “being a leading member of an illegal organisation”.

The court dealt with the release demand of 15 remanded defendants. The court decided to release 9 defendants. Mikail Barut who was among those defendants was not released for being convicted in another case.

On 20 December 2011, the police conducted operations in 8 provinces against the premises of media including Dicle News Agency in connection with the “KCK Investigation”. 49 persons were detained during the operations. 36 persons were arrested on 24 December 2011 by Istanbul Heavy Penal Court No 9 on charges of “being member of an illegal organisation”.

On 27 April 2012, Istanbul Heavy Penal Court No 15 accepted the indictment prepared by Public Prosecutor against 44 persons. The case was combined with another KCK case on 11 May 2012.

(03/161) Local Elections…

On 26 March 2014, a group of ultra-nationalists attacked HDP premises in Ödemiş district of İzmir. The group demanded HDP flag to be lowered to end the attack. Upon this request the police lowered the falg.

The verbal discussion among headman candidates Esat Karacaoğlan and Talip Demirel in Kantara village in Oğuzeli district of Gaziantep turned into an armed quarrel. 9 persons were wounded during the incident.

A HDP vehicle was stopped by a pickup truck on 26 March 2014 in Maltepe district of İstanbul. Though driver of HDP vehicle was threatened, the police detained the driver of HDP vehicle Hüseyin Bulut.

On 26 March 2014, a group of AKP supporters attacked to the people who were working for the campaign of independent candidate Melek Altıntaş. During the incident in Batıkent quarter of Yenimahalle district in Ankara 2 persons were wounded. Knives and choppers were reportedly used in the attack.

28 March 2014 Daily Human Rights Report

(03/162) Attempt of an extra-judicial execution in Van…

Following an election meeting with Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan in Van on 27 March 2014 sympathizers of the AKP had quarrelled with sympathizers of the BDP. Police teams had intervened and the worker Kadir İnan (22) watching the event from the balcony of a hotel had been heavily wounded by a shot to his chest.

(03/163) JITEM trial related to killings of unknown assailants in Cizre…

On 27 March 2014 Major Cemil Temizöz former commander of Cizre Gendarmerie Station in Şırnak province, where 20 killings by unknown assailants had been committed between 1993 and 1995 and retired commander of Kayseri Gendarmerie Regiment, was released on the grounds that the maximum pre-trial detention period of five years had expired.

(03/164) Hindered Website…

The Presidency of Telecommunication banned the access to the platform for video sharing youtube.com on 27 March 2014.

(03/165) Violations in connection with the local elections of 30 March 2014…

Material damage occurred as the result of an attack by a group of three racist persons on the headquarters of the HDP in Hamanönü in Ankara-Altındağ district on 27 March 2014. Representatives of the HDP who went to testify learned that on 22 March 2014 there had been an attempt of sabotage on the building.

On 27 March 2014 a racist group conducted an attack with sticks on a stand by member of the TKP, ÖDP and HDP in Istanbul-Beşiktaş district and injured three members of the TKP.

(03/166) Industrial accident in Bursa…

In Bursa-Nilüfer district the worker Celil Memişoğlu (46) lost his life on 27 March 2014 when an additional building to a compressor factory collapsed.

(03/167) Industrial accident in Manisa…

On 27 March 2014 the building of an underground car park collapsed in Manisa. Of the three workers that were buried underneath Afghan citizen Salman Muhammad Javad (21) lost his life.

(03/168) Suspicious soldier’s death in Diyarbakır…

It was alleged that E.T. (21) registered in Şanlıurfa and conducting his enforced military service in Diyarbakır-Bismil district committed suicide with his G-3 rifle when he was on guard at the K-Type Prison.

 

29-31 March 2014 Daily Human Rights Report

(03/169) Local Elections…

AKP supporters reportedly attacked people in İpekyolu district of Van on 30 March 2014 when people were on their way to vote.

22 persons were wounded and 2 persons were detained during a quarrel in Tatvan district of Bingöl when the police wanted to seize a ballot box.

2 persons were shot and wounded in Dicle district of Diyarbakır during a dispute among supporters of BDP and AKP.

2 civilians and a soldier were wounded during an armed quarrel among supporters of headman candidates in Akhisar village of Hatay.

4 persons were wounded during a quarrel in Siverek district of Şanlıurfa for open voting.

CHP bus was stoned by unidentified persons in Bayraklı district of İzmir. The attack caused material damage.

A group of unidentified persons attacked MHP officers in Altındağ district of Ankara and 4 persons were wounded.

One police officer and 2 persons were wounded during a quarrel among supporters of headman candidates in Şanlıurfa. 4 persons were detained in connection with the incident.

2 persons died and 9 persons were wounded during an armed quarrel among supporters of headman candidates in Gölbaşı village of Kırıkhan district in Hatay.

6 persons died and 5 persons were wounded during an armed quarrel among supporters of headman candidates in Hilvan district in Şanlıurfa.

2 MHP election offices were attacked by unidentified persons in Kütahya. The attack caused material damage.

One child and 3 persons were detained in Erciş district of Van when the police intervened the election celebrations.

Aykut Tunç who was working for TKP campaign was wounded when he was stabbed on 29 March 2014 in Kartal district of İstanbul.

Mert Gökhan Koç, correspondent with the daily Hürriyet, was attacked and beaten on 29 March 2014 by the guards of Melih Gökçek, AKP candidate for Ankara.

HDP co-major candidate for Edirne Pakize Ece and 2 HDP supporters were wounded when they were attacked on 29 March 2014.

2 persons were wounded on 28 March 2014 in Özalp district of Van during a quarrel among the supporters of 2 political parties.

4 persons were wounded when a group attacked BDP elections observers in Kurtika village in Çaldıran district of Van.

One person died during an armed quarrel among supporters of 2 headman candidates in Yıldızeli district of Sivas.

(03/170) Protest Prevented…

The police detained one person on 29 March 2014 in Sarıyer district of İstanbul during a meeting of the Prime Minister for protesting him.

(03/171) Journalist Detained…

Derviş Genç, correspondent with the daily Zaman, was detained on 29 March 2014 in Sarıyer district of İstanbul during a meeting of the Prime Minister for taking photo of Prime Minister’s Adviser Mustafa Varank.

(03/172) Persons Fined…

According to the news appeared on the press on 29 March 2014, 12 demonstrators who wanted to stage a protest action on 11 March 2014 in Tarsus district of Mersin after the death of Berkin Elvan were given each TL 365 fine under the article 14 of Law on Traffic.

(03/173) House Raids in Şırnak…

On 26 March 2014, the police conducted house raids in Silopi district of Şırnak and detained 9 persons. Serhat Kartal who was among detainees was arrested on 28 March 2014 on the allegations of “being member of an illegal organisation”.

(03/174) Work Accident in İzmir…

Adem Bayraktutan (22) died on 30 March 2014 in Kaymakçı town of Ödemiş district in İzmir when he fell from height in a prison construction.

(03/175) Work Accident in Kayseri…

Mahmut Aslan (64) died on 29 March 2014 in Kayseri when he fell from height in a construction area.