TIHV)

Daily Human Rights Reports –April 2016
31 March-01-04 April 2016 Daily Human Rights Report

(04/001) Curfew in İdil…

Round-the-clock curfew in İdil district of Şırnak was lifted on 30 March 2016 on the 43rd day of the implementation. The Governorate of Şırnak imposed night curfew in İdil between 21.30 and 04.30.

Bodies of 9 persons who died during the operations and were not identified were buried on 30 March 2016 in Mardin.

(04/002) Curfew in Cizre…

After the completion of the operations, the night-curfew in Cizre district of Şırnak reached its 33rd day as of 4 April 2016.

Harun Çağlı (4) and Ayşenur Geçit (6) were killed on 31 March 2016 when an object they found exploded in Cudi quarter.

Şerwan Bakır (Şerger Mazdek) who was buried in Silopi district of Şırnak for not being identified after being killed in Cizre was identified after DNA test and her/his family buried her on 1 April 2016 in Diyarbakır.

(04/003) Curfew in Yüksekova…

Curfew and operations in Yüksekova district of Hakkari reached its 22nd day as of 4 April 2016.

30 March 2016, Governorate of Hakkari imposed curfew in on Vezirava (Vezirli) village and Çimenli hamlet where operations were conducted.

(04/004) Curfew in Sur…

After the completion of the military operations in Sur district of Diyarbakır, the curfew reached its 117th day as of 30 March 2016.

On 30 March 2016, the bodies of 7 persons were transferred to Gaziantep for identification. 3 bodies were also transferred to Elazığ on 1 April 2016.

(04/005) Curfew in Şırnak…

Curfew and operations in Şınak reached its 20th day as of 4 April 2016.

Bayram Tatar was shot to death and 2 persons from the same family were wounded during the clashes on 31 March 2016 in İsmetpaşa quarter.

(04/006) Curfew in Nusaybin…

Curfew and operations in Nusaybin district of Mardin reached its 22nd day as of 4 April 2016.

Municipality worker Mehmet Pitek (40) was shot to death on 3 April 2016 in front of his house.

Abdulsetar Cibara (16) who was living in Qamişlo city in Rojava region of Syria on Nusaybin border and was wounded on 27 March 2016 with bullet from the clashes in Nusaybin died on 3 April 2016 in the hospital.

(04/007) Children Died during Police Station Construction…

Ayaz Özdemir (6) and Furkan Öner (6) died when the outer wall of Turgut Özal Priamary School collapsed on 30 March 2016. The wall was demolished by a construction vehicle carrying concrete blocks to the construction of a police station next to the school in Ben û Sen quarter of Yenişehir district in Diyarbakır. A child was also wounded during the incident.

(04/008) Operations and Attacks in the Southeast…

During the armed clashes on 27 March 206 in Yüksekova district of Hakkari, 10 members of YPS and YPS-JIN were killed. According to the news appeared in the press on 30 March 2016, 2 of them were identified as Vahit Şahin and Hayat Orhan.

YPS member Ahmet Akdeniz (Kamuran Amed) was reportedly killed during an armed clash on 30 March 2016 in Cumhuriyet quarter of Yüksekova.

The bodies of 12 YPS members who were killed during the clashes in Yüksekova were reportedly transferred to Erzurum on 2 April 2016 for identification.

2 police officers died, 4 police officers and 2 journalists were wounded when an armoured vehicle was attacked on 31 March 2016 with a rocket launcher in Nusaybin district of Mardin.

1 gendarmerie soldier who was wounded during an armed clash in Nusaybin reportedly died on 1 April 2016 in the hospital.

5 police officers were wounded when a bomb exploded on 2 April 2016 during the passage of an armoured vehicle in Fırat quarter of Nusaybin.

5 gendarmerie soldiers and 1 police officer died when a bomb exploded in a house on 2 April 2016 in Dicle quarter of Nusaybin. 4 police officers were also wounded during the explosion.

1 police officer was reportedly killed during an armed clash on 31 March 2016 in Oran quarter of Yüksekova. 1 police officer died and 2 police officers were also wounded during another clash on 2 April 2016.

1 police officer was killed during an armed clash on 1 April 2016 in Yeni Mahalle quarter of Şırnak. 1 gendarmerie solider was killed during the clash on 2 April 2016 in Dicle quarter.

According to the news appeared in the press on 30 March 2016, YPS members Mahmut Sürgit and Mehmet İnal were killed during the clashes in Şırnak.

7 police officers died, 14 civilians and 13 police officers were wounded when a bomb vehicle exploded on 31 March 2016 during the passage of an armoured vehicle in Bağlar district of Diyarbakır.

Military induction centre in Kızıltep district of Mardin was attacked on 1 April 2016 with a bomb vehicle. A Syrian who was working as night-watchman in a construction site nearby the induction centre died, 2 soldiers and 3 civilians were wounded during the attack.

3 militants wre reportedly killed and 1 militant was wounded during an armed clash that broke out on 31 March 2016 in the rural area of Mutki district in Bitlis.

1 militant died during an armed clash on 1 April 2016 in Amanos Mountains region of Belen district in Hatay.

(04/009) Death in Custody in İstanbul…

On 30 March 2016, 1 detainee was stabbed to death and 2 detainees were wounded during a fight among detainees in custody in Şehit Vedat Ulusoy Police Station.

(04/010) Torture and Ill-treatment in Kocaeli…

According to the news appeared in the press on 31 March 2016, Hakan Ergin and Deniz Yalçın who recorded on 30 March 2016 and shared the footage of the children demanding help on the windows of a rehabilitation centre in Kocaeli on the allegations of being subjected to torture were detained on 30 March 2016 and beaten in the Bekirpaşa Police Station.

(04/011) Pressures in Prisons…

According to the news appeared in the press on 1 April 2016, 4 prisoners including a child incarcerated in Diyarbakır E-type Prison, 4 prisoners incarcerated in Diyarbakır D-type Prison and Democratic Regions Party (DBP) Co-Chair for Van province Ökkeş Kava incarcerated in Van F-type Prison were reportedly transferred to other prisons.

(04/012) Person Convicted in Mersin…

Mersin Heavy Penal Court No 2 concluded on 31 March 2016 to hear the case against former Co-Chair of YAKAY-DER Mersin branch Şirin Eruncak launched in connection with the posters seized in the premises of the association. The court sentenced the defendant to 1 year and 8 months’ imprisonment for “making propaganda of an illegal organisation”.

(04/013) Conscientious Objector Acquitted in Muğla…

Muğla Penal Court of First Instance No 4 concluded on 30 March 2016 to hear the case against conscientious objector İnan Mayıs Aru launched on charges of “alienating people from military service”. After the final defence as to the accusations, the court acquitted the defendant.

(04/014) Persons Convicted in Mersin…

Mersin Heavy Penal Court No 2 concluded on 1 April 2016 to hear the case against 5 persons including a child launched for listening to Kurdish music and dancing in Erdemli district of Mersin and publishing the recordings on the internet.

The court sentenced the defendants Vedat Azrak, Samet Bozdağ, Vedat Korkmaz, Zafer Yiğiter to 2 years and 6 months’ imprisonment for “making propaganda of an illegal organisation” S.Y. was sentenced to 1 year 4 months.

(04/15) Academics for Peace Operations…

The academician against whom an arrest warrant was issued for being signatory of the Academics for Peace petition when she was abroad was detained on her arrival to Turkey. She was arrested on 31 March 2016 on the allegations of “making propaganda of an illegal organisation” and “insulting the state and its organs”.

(04/016) March Prevented in Şanlıurfa…

The police prevented a group of persons who wanted to go from Diyarbakır to Amara village of Halfeti district in Şanlıurfa for the birthday of Abdullah Öcalan. The group was stopped nearby Siverek district and 60 persons were detained.

(04/017) Activists Attacked in Ankara…

A group of Revolutionary High School Students (DEV-LİS) was attacked by soldiers on weekend discharge on 3 April 2016 on Yüksel Avenue in Ankara. The police detained 15 activists of DEV-LİS after the attack.

(04/018) Commemoration Intervened in Aydın…

On 2 April 2016, 22 persons who wanted to visit the grave of Ali Arabul, former editor-in-chief of the paper Atılım, in Didim district of Aydın were detained on the allegations of “making propaganda of an illegal organisation”.

(04/019) Protest Intervened n Ankara…

The police prevented members of People’s Houses (Halkevleri) who wanted to stage a protest on 2 April 2016 during in Ankara after the arrest of the teacher Muammer B. (54) for raping male students in Ensar Foundation’s houses in Karaman. The police detained 30 members of the People’s Houses.

(04/020) Commemorations Intervened…

On 30 March 2016, the police intervened the students of Mimar Sinan University in Bomonti campus who wanted to commemorate 10 persons killed during Kızıldere Massacre on 30 March 1972. 6 students were detained.

14 persons in Mersin and 27 persons in Ankara were also detained for taking part in the commemorations.

(04/021) Public Statement Intervened in İstanbul…

The police intervened a group of lawyers who wanted to make a public statement on 30 March 2016 in front of Çağlayan Court House in İstanbul before the hearing of the court case against 22 members of Progressive Lawyers Association (ÇHD). Backbone of lawyer Zeycan Balcı was reportedly broken during the attack of the police.

(04/022) Students Detained in Ankara…

On 31 March 2016, the police raided the Cebeci campus of Ankara University with anti-riot water cannon vehicle TOMAs allegedly because of a fight between 2 opposing groups. Despite the warnings of the academicians and faculty administration, the police threw tear gas nto the faculty buildings. 19 students were detained during the police intervention.

(04/023) Detentions and Arrests…

The public servant Asiye Bulut and Halil Köse who were among 3 persons detained in Dargeçit district of Mardin were arrested on 29 March 2016 on the allegations of “making propaganda of an illegal organisations” with the posts on social media.

Yusuf Polat and Emin Sezek who were detained in Siirt and E.G. was detained in Ardahan were arrested on 29 March 2016 on the allegations of “being member of an illegal organisation” and “making propaganda of an illegal organisation”.

Manolya Bulut, correspondent with the JİNHA news agency and student in Atatürk University, was detained on 30 March 2016 on the allegations of “making propaganda of an illegal organisation”.

Mehmet Şerif Han who was among 13 persons detained in Vezirava village of Yüksekova district in Hakkari was arrested on 31 March 2016 on the allegations of “being member of an illegal organisation”.

During the operations conducted on 31 March 2016, 18 persons in Kargapazar village of Karlıova district in Bingöl, 5 persons in Batman, 3 persons in Dargeçirt district of Mardin, Democratic Regions Party (DBP) executive for the province Hatice Dayan in Siirt, 2 students in Sincan district of Ankara, 4 persons in Birecik of Şanlıurfa, and 3 persons in Kasrik town of Şırnak were detained.

Samir Tiryaki and Muhammed Uzun who were detained in Karlıova, Serhat Yılmaz who was among 5 persons detained in Batman, 3 persons detained in Dargeçit, and Hatice Dayan who was detained in Siirt were arrested on 1 April 2016.

Co-Mayor of Dargeçit district in Mardin province Zeynep Sipçik who was among 4 persons detained on 30 March 2016 during a road control in Midyat district of Mardin was arrested on the same day on the allegations of “being member of an illegal organisation”. Kızıltepe Co-Mayor Leyla Salman and Dargeçit Municipality Assembly member Yüksel Oğuz were also arrested on 31 March 2016 on the allegations of “protecting criminals”.

Temporary substitute teacher Hamdiye Saklı who was on duty in Erciy village of Başkale district in Van was arrested on 1 April 2015 on the allegations of “making propaganda of an illegal organisation”.

İnönü University students Taner Evren, Hasan Kaya, Mahmut Derin, Uğur Akın, Hüseyin Sayar, Kerem Çoban, Mehmet Timur and Ümit Doğan who were detained during house raids in Malatya were arrested on 1 April 2015 on the allegations of “being member of an illegal organisation”.

4 persons including DBP Co-Chair for Bulanık district of Muş province Faruk Çiftçi who were detained along with 10 persons during house raids were arrested on 2 April 2015 on the allegations of “being member of an illegal organisation”.

Nadir Çapan was arrested on 2 April 2015 on the allegations of “being member of an illegal organisation” in Silvan district of Diyarbakır for the photographs he took in Kobanê when he was working for Dicle News Agency (DİHA).

The police conducted operations on 2 April 2016 against the members and supporters of Peoples’ Democratic Party (HDP) in İzmir and detained 8 persons including Co-Chairs for the province. 5 of the detainees were arrested on 3 April 2016.

Municipality Assembly member Abdulkerim Akdoğan, Nasrettin Anuk, Rojda Tokçu and Sultan Taş who were detained in Yüksekova district of Van were arrested on 2 April 2016 on the allegations of “being member of an illegal organisation” and “aiding an illegal organisation”.

The police conducted house raids on 2 April 2016 in Adana and detained 17 persons for “taking part in demonstrations on various dates”.
05 April 2016 Daily Human Rights Report

(04/024) Curfew in Sur…

After the completion of the military operations in Sur district of Diyarbakır, the curfew reached its 123rd day as of 5 April 2016.

On 4 April 2016 the bodies of 2 persons were transferred from Sur to Gaziantep for identification.

According to the news appeared in the press on 4 April 2016, One of the unidentified bodies kept in Gaziantep was identified as Seyda Cegerxwin Özbek.

(04/025) Curfew in Cizre…

After the completion of the operations, the night-curfew in Cizre district of Şırnak reached its 34th day as of 5 April 2016.

2 person who were buried after being killed in Cizre were identified as Sefa Sever and Murat Aslan after the DNA tests. The bodies were taken by their families on 4 April 2016.

(04/026) Operations and Attacks in the Southeast…

YPS member Yasin Elçi’nin (Tolhıldan Çırav) on 30 March 2016 and YPS member “Botan Nusaybin” on 1 April 2016 were killed during the armed clashes in Şırnak where curfew was imposed during on-going operations.

YPS member “Agit Van” was killed during armed clashes on 1 April 2016 in Yüksekova district of Hakkari. YPS member Orhan Gül (Rızgar Van) was also killed on 2 April 2016 in Yüksekova.

YPS member Mehmet Salih Akar who was killed on 30 March 2016 in Yüksekova was reportedly identified on 4 April 2016.

Temporary village guard Adnan D. was killed during an armed attack on 4 April 2016 in Girmeli village of Nusaybin district in Mardin.

According to the news appeared in the press on 4 April 2016, 4 members of YPS and YPS-JIN who were killed during the clashes on the 14th day of blockade and curfew in Yüksekova district of Hakkari and transferred to Erzurum Forensic Institute were identified as Mustafa Ekin, Ferhat Yaşa, Evindar Kılıçarslan, Tülay Eren and Kader Çoban.

There are reportedly 13 unidentified bodies in the Erzurum Forensic Institute.

1 gendarmerie soldier was killed and 2 gendarmerie soldiers were wounded during an armed clash that broke out on 4 April 2016 in Nusaybin district of Mardin.

7 police officers died, 14 civilians and 13 police officers were wounded when a bomb vehicle exploded on 31 March 2016 during the passage of an armoured vehicle in Bağlar district of Diyarbakır. The number of casualties reached 8 when a police officer died in the hospital on 5 April 2016.

9 persons were detained in connection with the attack and the detainees were reportedly subjected to torture 4 detainees were arrested on 4 April 2016.

1 police officer died and 4 police officers were abounded when n armoured police vehicle was attacked on 4 April 2016 in Silopi district of Şırnak. Curfew was imposed in the district after the attack.

1 major and 2 soldiers died, 1 soldier was wounded during an armed clash that broke out on 4 April 2016 in Nusaybin district of Mardin.

(04/027) Worker Deaths…

Worker’s Health and Job Safety Assembly announced on 4 April 2016 that at least 157 workers died in March 2016 during work accidents due to untaken security measures. At least 415 workers died in first 3 months of 2016.

(04/028) Ethem Sarısülük Case…

Aksaray Heavy Penal Court continued on 4 April 2016 to hear the retrial of police officer Ahmet Şahbaz launched in connection with the killing of Ethem Sarısülük on 1 June 2013 during Gezi Park demonstrations in Ankara. The case was transferred from Ankara to Aksaray for security reasons.

The court read out the decision of the Court of the Cassation at the hearing. The court rejected the demand for the arrest of the defendant and adjourned the hearing to 27 June 2016.

Ankara Heavy Penal Court No 6 concluded on 3 September 2014 to hear the case against police officer Ahmet Şahbaz and reduced at first the life imprisonment for “intentional killing” to 21 years for “killing someone with possible intention”. The court increased the sentence to 28 years for committing the crime on duty. But then the sentence was reduced to 7 years 9 months 10 days relying on “unjust provocation”, “good conduct of the defendant at the hearings” and “matter of discretional extenuation”.

1st Penal Chamber at the Court of Cassation quashed the verdict on procedural grounds and did not deal with the merits of the case. The Chamber also rejected the release demand of Ahmet Şahbaz. But Ahmet Şahbaz was released on 3 September 2015 to be tried without remand.

(04/029) March Prevented in Şanlıurfa…

The police prevented a group of persons who wanted to go from Mersin to Amara village of Halfeti district in Şanlıurfa for the birthday of Abdullah Öcalan. The group was stopped nearby Birecik district and 19 persons were detained.

(04/030) Detentions and Arrests…

Mehmet Hatip Özdemir who was detained during the operations conducted on 4 April 2016 in Viranşehir village of Karlıova district in Bingöl was arrested on the same day on the allegations of “being member of an illegal organisation”.

10 persons including 6 children who were among 17 persons detained during house raids in Adana for “taking part in demonstrations on various dates” were arrested on 4 April 2016 on the allegations of “being member of an illegal organisation” and “making propaganda of an illegal organisation”.

06 April 2016 Daily Human Rights Report

(04/031) Curfew in Sur…

After the completion of the military operations in Sur district of Diyarbakır, the curfew reached its 124th day as of 6 April 2016.

The bodies of Muhammed Emin Erol (33) and Erkan Burakmak (30) kept in Malatya Forensic Institute were identified on 5 April 2016 after DNA tests.

(04/032) Curfew in Silopi…

On 5 April 2016, Bahattin Tanguç was shot and wounded on the second day of curfew in Silopi during the intensified clashes in Başak quarter.

(04/033) Excessive Use of Tear Gas Killed Person in Kahramanmaraş…

The soldiers intervened a demonstrations staged on 3 April 2016 in Pazarcık district of Kahramanmaraş to protest in the construction of a refugee camp in Terolar region where most of the population was Alevite people. Mor Ali Kabayel (82) was hospitalised for the excessive use of tear gas during the intervention and he died in the hospital.

(04/034) Operations and Attacks in the Southeast…

1 police officer was reportedly killed during an armed clash on 5 April 2016 in Yeni Mahalle quarter of Şırnak.

5 militants were reportedly killed during an armed clash on 6 April 2016 in the rural area of Sason district in Batman.

1 soldier was killed during an armed attack on 6 April 2016 in Bismil district of Diyarbakır.

(04/035) Persons on Trial on the Allegations of Insulting the State President…

Kocaeli Penal Court of First Instance started on 5 April 2016 to hear the case against 22 persons launched on charges of “insulting the State President” during a public statement in 2015 in Kocaeli.

After the identification and testimonies of the present defendants, the court adjourned the hearing to 9 June 2106.

(04/036) Students Detained in İstanbul…

The police conducted house raids on 6 April 2016 in İstanbul and detained 25 university students from Mimar Sinan University on the allegations of “prevention of education and training” and “boycotting the classes”. The operations were reportedly conducted upon complaint by Mimar Sinan University instructor Esra Keskinkılıç.

(04/037) Detentions and Arrests…

During the operations conducted against Peoples’ Democratic Party (HDP) and Democratic Regions Party (DBP), 5 persons in Erciş district of Van, 6 persons including Aygün Taşkın in Ergani district of Diyarbakır, 11 persons in Manisa and Turgutlu district were detained.

The police conducted house raids on 5 April 2016 in Buca district of İzmir and detained Selver Orman, Sercan Üstündaş and Yoldaş Aydın.

07 April 2016 Daily Human Rights Report

(04/038) Curfew in Silopi…

After the curfew imposed in Silopi district of Şırnak on 4 April 2016, the houses in Barbaros were attacked with tanks on 6 April 2016.

İsa Tonguç, Ahmet Tonguç, Muhyettin Tonguç and Saadettin Tonguç were killed, 3 persons were wounded when a house was shot by the tanks.

Züleyha Şalk (70) and Esra Şalk (2) were also killed in another house in the same quarter.

Behiye Erener (45) was reportedly killed in a house in Başak quarter when the house was hit by a cannon.

Rahime Sanır (14) was killed and her brother M. Sanır (17) was wounded when they were opened fire while plating on the balcony of their house in Başak quarter.

(04/039) Curfew in İdil…

After the completion of the operations, the night-curfew in İdil district of Şırnak continued on 6 April 2016. Bodies of 6 persons who were killed during the curfew and transferred to Şanlıurfa were reportedly buried on 6 April 2016 on the grounds that they were not identified.

(04/040) House Raid in Bolu…

Special Forces from Ankara raided a house on 6 April 2016 in Bolu province on the allegations that PKK militants were living in the house. 2 unidentified persons were shot to death during the raid.

(04/041) Attack by Unidentified Assailants in Diyarbakır…

S.Ç. (17-female) was shot at head and wounded when she was opened fire from a “Toros” model vehicle on 5 April 2016 in Kayapınar district of Diyarbakır. She was taken to Dicle University Medical School hospital and her condition was reportedly critical. Her aunt alleged that the persons in the vehicle were police officers.

(04/042) Operations and Attacks in the Southeast…

YPS members Rojhat İşleyen (Cilo Botan) and Neriman Koçhan were killed during the armed clashes on 4 April 2016 in Nusaybin district of Mardin where curfew was imposed.

YPS members Zınar Serhat, Rızgar Batman and Yusuf Aybak (Şoreş Goyi Masiro) were reportedly killed on 5 April 2016 during the operations and clashes in Şırnak.

YPS General Coordination made a public announcement concerning the condition in cities where curfew was imposed and declared that Yunus Keskin (Adıl Bılıki) was killed on 5 April 2016 in Yüksekova district of Hakkari.

The bodies of 9 YPS and YPS-JIN members who were killed during the clashes in Yüksekova district of Hakkari were reportedly transferred on 6 April 2016 to Erzurum Forensic Institute for identification.

3 soldiers were wounded on 6 April 2016 in Yüksekova district of Hakkari when a bulding collapsed.

3 police officers and 1 gendarmerie soldier were wounded when an armoured vehicle was attacked with a rocket launcher on 6 April 2016 in Güngör quarter of Yüksekova district in Hakkari.

1 temporary village guard who was wounded during an armed clash that broke out on 6 April 2016 in the rural area of Mutki district in Bitlis reportedly died in the hospital. 1 militant was killed during the clash.

(04/043) Torture and Ill-treatment in Custody…

4 persons who were among 20 persons detained during house raids conducted on 5 April 2016 in Silopi district of Şırnak were reportedly beaten in custody.

(04/044) Unionists on Trial in Adana…

Adana Penal Court of First Instance No 17 started on 6 April 2016 to hear the case against 13 unionists and members of professional chambers who were detained for distributing leaflets on 6 October 2016. The indictment wants the defendants to be sentenced for “violating the Law on Meetings and Demonstrations”.

After the identification and testimonies of the defendants, the court adjourned the hearing to 13 July 2016 for the completion of deficient documents.

(04/045) Gezi Park Trails…

Çağlayan (İstanbul) Penal Court of First Instance No 65 continued on 6 April 2016 to hear the case against 44 persons including 41 lawyers launched in connection with a protest staged in the Çağlayan Court House during the Gezi Park demonstrations.

The indictment wants the defendants to be sentenced for “violating the Law on Meetings and Demonstrations”. After the testimonies of the defendants, the court adjourned the hearing to 28 September 2016 for the completion of deficient documents.

(04/046) Detentions and Arrests…

The Public Prosecutor in İstanbul objected the release of 31 persons including 9 lawyers who were detained on 16 March 2016 in İstanbul. Peace Penal Judge No 1 ordered on 22 March 2016 arrest of 21 persons including the lawyers Hüseyin Boğatekin, Ramazan Demir, Ayşe Acinikli and Ayşe Gösterişlioğlu. After the decision, Hüseyin Boğatekin and Ayşe Gösterişlioğlu were arrested at Çağlayan Court House. The lawyers Ayşe Canikli and Ramazan Demir were also arrested on 6 April 2016 at Çağlayan Court House.

Health worker Ercan Üzün and teacher Fatma Akkaya who were detained in Dargeçit district of Mardin were arrested on 6 April 2016 on the allegations of “making propaganda of an illegal organisation” with the posts on social media.

Peoples’ Democratic Party (HDP) executive for Hakkari province Rahmi Kurt who was among 8 persons detained during the raid of HDP premises in Hakkari was arrested on 6 April 2016 on the allegations of “making propaganda of an illegal organisation”.

KJA member Gülli Kara who was among 5 persons detained in Van was arrested on 6 April 2016 on the allegations of “being member of an illegal organisation”.

Erciş Municipality Assembl member Halil Yılmazer, municipality workers Fesih Ağtepe and Abdulkadir Köroğlu who were among 16 persons detained during house raids in Erciş district of Van were arrested on 6 April 2016 on the allegations of “disrupting the unity and territorial integrity of the state”. Former Co-Chair of Democratic Regions Party (DBP) in Erciş district Abidin İnce was also arrested on the allegations of “insulting the State President”.

08 April 2016 Daily Human Rights Report

(04/047) Co-Mayor Acquitted…

Diyarbakır Heavy Penal Court No 5 concluded on 7 April 2016 to hear the case against Diyarbakır Co-Mayor Gültan Kışanak launched on charges of “making propaganda of an illegal organisation” with her speech on 9 January 2016 during the commemoration of 3 Kurdish women killed in Paris.

After the final defence as to the accusations, the court acquitted the defendant on the grounds that the elements of crime did not materialise.

(04/048) Operations and Attacks in the Southeast…

1 gendarmerie major and 5 police officers were killed, 10 members of Security Forces were wounded during the armed clashes on 7 April 2016 in Nusaybin district of Mardin.

4 militants were reportedly killed during an armed clash that broke out on 7 April 2016 in the rural area of Badan village in Varto district of Muş.

1 militant was killed during an armed clash on 6 April 2016 nearby Geyiksuyu village of Tunceli. 1 DHKP-C (Revolutionary People’s Liberation Party – Front) militant was reportedly killed during an armed clash in Hozat district of Tunceli.

(04/049) Detentions and Arrests…

9 persons including Co-Mayor of Ergani district Aygün Taşkın who were detained during operations in Ergani district of Diyarbakır were arrested on 7 April 2016 on the allegations of “making propaganda of an illegal organisation”.

Sise Bingöl (77) who was among 3 persons detained during operations conducted in Badan village of Varto district in Muş was arrested on 7 April 2016 on the allegations of “being member of an illegal organisation”.

(04/050) Columnist on Trial on the Allegations of Insulting the State President…

On 7 April 2016, Bakırköy (İstanbul) Penal Court of First Instance No 2 started to hear the case against Cengiz Çandar, columnist with the daily Radikal, launched on charges of “insulting the State President” in his 7 articles. The indictment wants the defendant to be sentenced according to the Article 299 TPC.

The defendant testified at the hearing to the effect that the Article 299 was unconstitutional and rejected to present defence. The court adjourned the hearing to 26 May 2016.

(04/051) Hopa Protesters on Trial…

On 7 April 2016, Ankara Penal Court of First Instance No 24 concluded to hear the case 98 demonstrators launched in connection with the incidents during protests in Ankara against the intervention of the police in Artvin-Hopa district during a visit of Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan on 31 May 2011 and the death of Metin Lokumcu as the result of the intervention.

The court acquitted all the defendants.

(04/052) Curfew in Sur…

After completion of operations in Sur district of Diyarbakır, body parts of a female were found on 7 April 2016 in the debris carried to a dumb site.

09-11 April 2016 Daily Human Rights Report

(04/053) Curfew in Yüksekova…

Curfew and operations in Yüksekova district of Hakkari reached 29nd day as of 11 April 2016.

A woman was shot at arm and wounded during the operations on 10 April 2016 when she was on the window of her house in Yeni Mahalle quarter.

(04/054) Curfew in Nusaybin…

Curfew and operations in Nusaybin district of Mardin reached 29nd day as of 11 April 2016.

S.A. (14-girl) was shot and wounded on 10 April 2016 when she was in front of her house in Gırnavas quarter.

(04/055) Curfew in Sur…

After the completion of the military operations in Sur district of Diyarbakır, the curfew reached its 135th day as of 11 April 2016.

On 9 April 2016, one of the bodies kept in Elazığ Forensic Institute was identified as Azat Kaya (22) by her/his family.

(04/056) Operations and Attacks in the Southeast…

YPS announced on 8 April 2016 that 1 YPS member n Nusaybin district of Mardin, YPS members Cumali Bircan (Zınar Serhat), Yunus Erdem (Rızgar Garzan) and Sekvan İlhan (Andok Zana) in Yüksekova district of Hakkari, Veli İnal and 2 unidentified YPS members in Silopi district of Şırnak were killed during the armed clashes.

One of the 21 persons whose bodies were kept in Erzurum Forensic Institute after being killed during armed clashes in Yüksekova district of Hakkari was identified as Ferit Solcan on 10 April 2016 by his family.

1 police officer was reportedly wounded during an armed clash on 9 April 2016 in Nusaybin district of Mardin.

3 police officers in Yüksekova district of Hakkari and 4 police officers in Nusaybin district of Mardin were wounded during the armed clashes on 10 April 2016.

The police houses in Derik district of Mardin were attacked on 9 April with long barelled weapons. 1 police officer and 1 civilian were killed during the attack.

4 soldiers and 1 temporary village guard were wounded during an armed clash on 10 April 2016 in Hisan district of Bitlis.

Police officer Serkan Yılmaz who was wounded during an armed clash in Nusaybin district of Mardin died on 10 April 2016 in the hospital in Ankara.

(04/057) Nihat Kazanhan Case…

Cizre (Şırnak) Heavy Penal Court No 1 continued on 8 April 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.

The remanded defendant police officer Mehmet Emin Arslan testified at the hearing through SEGBİS system at the hearing. The court rejected the demand for the arrest of the defendant police officers U.İ., H.V., O.Ç. and G.T. and adjourned the hearing to 3 June 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”.

(04/058) Torture and Ill-treatment Allegation in Diyarbakır…

30 persons were detained on 7 April 2016 in connection with the killing of specialist sergeant Said Çelik during an armed attack in Bismil district of Diyarbakır. The detainee Mehmet Yüksel who was released after testifying in Bismil Gendarmerie Command announced that he heard the detainees screaming under torture.

The detainees Ahmet İnanç, Mervan Demir, Ozan Oral, Yusuf Çelebi, Şirin Kılıç and Ömer Uygun were arrested on 10 April 2016 on the allegations of “being member of an illegal organisation”.

(04/059) Riot in Prison…

The prisoners incarcerated in Kocabaş (Denizli) D-type Prison rioted on 9 April 2016 to protest in the capacity overburden in the prison. There were 520 inmates in the prison whereas the capacity of the prison was 160. The prisoners set the beds to fire. No casualties were reported.

(04/060) Political Party Executive Convicted in Diyarbakır…

Diyarbakır Heavy Penal Court No 5 concluded on 7 April 2016 to hear the case against Democratic Regions Party (DBP) Co-Chair for Diyarbakır province Hafize İpek launched in connection with a speech she gave during election campaign for the 7 June general elections.

The court sentenced Hafize İpek who was not present at the hearing for being under arrest in Sincan (Ankara) Women Prison to 1 year imprisonment under the Article 7/2 of Anti-Terror Law for making propaganda of an illegal organisation.

(04/061) Unionist Acquitted in İstanbul…

İstanbul Penal Court of First Instance No 15 concluded on 7 April 2016 to hear the case against DİSK (Confederation of Progressive Trade Unions of Turkey) Secretary General Arzu Çerkezoğlu launched in connection with the public statement she made concerning the killings of 10 workers during an “elevator accident” in the construction of Torun Centre on 6 September 2014 in Şişli district of İstanbul. The indictment wanted the defendant to be sentenced for “violating the Law on Meetings and Demonstrations” and the court acquitted the defendant.

(04/062) Web Site Banned…

On 8 April 2016, Telecommunication Communication Directorate (TİB) banned access to the new domain of Dicle News Agency (DİHA). The number of the banned domains of DİHA reached 34.

The access to web sites of daily Azadiya Welat and news portal siyasihaber2.org were also banned on the same day.

(04/063) Demonstration Intervened in Mersin…

The police intervened a demonstration staged by children on 10 April 2016 in Tarsus district of Mersin. The police use real bullets to disperse the children and 5 children were wounded.

(04/064) Protest Intervened in İstanbul…

Peoples’ Democratic Party (HDP) Youth Assembly member 9 persons were detained when they wanted to stage an action on 9 April 2016 in İstanbul for the solidarity with people living under curfew.

(04/065) Protest Intervened in Ankara…

The police intervened a group of persons who staged a demonstration on 10 April 2016 in Mamak district of Ankara to protest in the construction of refugee camps nearby Alevite villages in Kahramanmaraş. 10 persons were detained during the police intervention.

(04/066) Detentions and Fines in İstanbul…

7 persons who were putting up the posters of Peoples’ Democratic Party (HDP) congress in İstanbul were detained on 8 April 2016 in Avcılar district of İstanbul. The detainees were fined TL 219 for violating the Law on Misdemeanour.

(04/067) 3rd KCK/TM Main Trial in İstanbul…

Çağlayan (İstanbul) Heavy Penal Court No 3 continued on 8 April 2016 to hear the case against 46 journalists and correspondents launched after the operation conducted on 20 December 2011 against the premises of Dicle News Agency and several other news agencies in connection with a KCK investigation.

The indictment wants the defendants to be sentenced for “being member of an illegal organisation” and “being leading member of an illegal organisation”.

At the previous hearing of the case, the lawyers defended that the files of the case should be sent to the Constitutional Court on the grounds that the Temporary Article 14/4 of the Anti-terror Law and the Article 1 of the Law No 6526 on Amendments in Anti-Terror Law, Law on Criminal Procedures and in other laws were against the constitution. The court accepted the demand and decided to ask the Constitutional Court.

Since the Constitutional Court did not answer the question, the court continued with testimonies of the defendants and adjourned the hearing to 15 July 2015.

(04/068) Detentions and Arrests…

Solidarity with Rojava Association (Mersin Rojava Yardımlaşma Derneği) Chairperson Cüneyt Takuş was arrested on 7 April 2016 in connection with 2 separate investigation started on the allegations of “making propaganda of an illegal organisation” and “insulting the State President” with the post on social media.

Fırat Kırdağ, distributor of the daily İpekyolu, was detained during a house raid conducted on 7 April 2016 in Van.

He was arrested on 9 April 2016 on the allegations of “being member of an illegal organisation”.

Şerife Oral, Kadriye Koç, Özlem Erenuluğ, Nurcan Güngör and Sultan Yıkılmaz were detained in Akhisar district of Manisa for taking part in the march organised by Akhisar Democracy Platform on World Women’s Day.

Serhat Baytak, Hasan Şahin, Mehmet Erbey and M. Sancar who were among 9 persons detained in Şanlıurfa and Hilvan district were arrested on 7 April 2016 on the allegations of “possessing illegal documents”.

Union in health sector SES (Sağlık ve Sosyal Hizmet Emekçileri Sendikası) branch secretary in Batman Cihan Tüzün, SES member Bayram Güzel, union in education sector Eğitim-Sen member Ender Onur Künteş, and 1 unidentified person were detained during house raids conducted on 7 April 2016 in Batman.

Democratic Regions Party (DBP) former Co-Chair for Adıyaman province Zeynal Mutlu, 5 persons in Van, and 11 persons in Bursa were detained during house raids.

Zeynal Mutlu was arrested on 8 April 2016 on the allegations of “being member of an illegal organisation”.

2 persons who were among 11 persons detained in Bursa were also arrested on 8 April 2016 “making propaganda of an illegal organisation”.

3 persons who were among 7 persons detained during house raids in Kızıltepe district of Mardin were arrested on 7 April 2016 on the allegations of “being member of an illegal organisation”.

Socialist Party of the Oppressed (ESP) activist Selver Orman, Sercan Üstündaş nd Yoldaş Aydın who were detained in Buca district of İzmi were arrested on 8 April 2016 on the allegations of “being member of an illegal organisation”.

Dilaver Erçek, Sinan Taş, Fedai Akbaş, Adem Gürbüz and Sedat Yıldız who were detained during the raids conducted against the houses of students in Erzurum were arrest on 9 April 2016 “making propaganda of an illegal organisation”.

Dicle News Agency (DİHA) correspondent Engin Eren was detained on 8 April 2016 in Siirt. The reason of detention was not disclosed.

DBP Co-Chairs for Ömerli district of Mardin province Mahmut Özdemir and Esma Yılmaz, Peoples’ Democratic Party (HDP) Co-Chair for Ömerli district Elmas Demircan were detained on 8 April 2016.

During the operations conducted on 10 April 2016, DBP Co-Chair for Yüksekova district of Hakkari province Rüstem Demir and Municipality Assembly member Remziye Yaşar were detained.

DBP Co-Chair for Yüksekova district of Hakkari province Rüstem Demir was arrested on 10 April 2016.

DİHA correspondent Ziya Ataman was detained on 10 April 2016 in Van on the allegations that an arrest warrant was issued against him.

Security Forces conducted operations on 10 April 2016 in Diyarbakır and raided several addresses including DBP premises of Local Administrations.

The reason of the operations was not disclosed on the grounds that the related investigation was confidential. 14 persons including Democratic Local Administrations Unity (Demokratik Yerel Yönetimler Birliği) Co-Chair Çimen Işık were detained.

Zeynep İdin, branch Co-Chair of the union Gene-İş in Şırnak, was detained on 10 April 2016 during a road control when she was going from Güçlükonak district to Cizre district.

DBP Party Assembly Member Rıdvar Sincar in Van, HDP General Compter Hüseyin Yılmaz in Ankara were detained on 10 April 2016.

Ahmet Y., Muhammed A., Mazlum E. and Gıyaseddin Ö. who were among 7 persons detained in Bolu after the house raid which led to killings of alleged PKK members Serdar Kayardı and 1 unidentified person were arrested on 11 April 2016 on the allegations of “aiding an illegal organisation”.

Democratic Youth Associations Federation (Demokratik Gençlik Dernekleri Federasyonu – DEM-GENÇ) member 5 students were detained during the raids conducted on 10 April 2016 against the houses and dormitories in Samsun.

Fadile Göktürk, Hasret Atala, Mazlum Karan, Hüsnü Demir, Ferdi Özdemir, and H.A. who were among 11 persons detained in Manisa were arrested on 8 April 2016 on the allegations of “violating the Law on Meetings and Demonstrations” ad “making propaganda of an illegal organisation”.

12 April 2016 Daily Human Rights Report

(04/069) Operations and Attacks in the Southeast…

Gendarmerie Command in Hani district of Diyarbakır was attacked on 11 April 2015 with a bomb truck. 2 soliders were killed, 8 civilians and 38 soldiers were wounded during the attack. RTÜK (supreme board of radio and television) imposed temporary ban on publication about the attack.

Curfew in Silopi district of Şırnak reached its 8th day as of 12 April 2016. 2 persons who were killed during an armed clash on 5 April 2016 were reportedly identified by their families as YPS members Velid İnan (Şoreşger Gap) and Ali Altürk’ün (Seyidxan Pîranî).

YPS General Coordination announced on 11 April 2016 that Abdullah Karaduman (Şoreş Nusaybin) and Abdurrahman Oral (Xalit Mardin) were killed during the clashes on 7 April 2016 in Nusaybin district of Mardin. YPS General Coordination also announced that Vedat Arsu (Rubar Qoser) was killed on 29 March 2016 in Yüksekova district of Hakkari.

Jirki tribe leader and temporary village guard Tahir Adıyaman was wounded when PKK militants closed a road on 11 April 2016 in Beytüşşebap district of Şırnak and opened fire against a group of village guards.

Tatar tribe member Yusuf Tatar was shot on 11 April 2016 in Şırnak when a group of temporary village guards were opened fire while trying to enter a zone under the control YPS.

The bodies of 6 YPS members who were killed during the armed clashes in Yüksekova district of Hakkari were transferred on 11 April 2016 to Erzurum for identification.

(04/070) Attack by Unidentified Assailants in Diyarbakır…

Semra Çelik (17-female) who was shot at head and wounded when she was opened fire from a “Toros” model vehicle on 5 April 2016 in Kayapınar district of Diyarbakır died on 11 April 2016 in the hospital. She was taken to Dicle University Medical School hospital. Her aunt and eyewitnesses alleged that the persons in the vehicle were police officers.

(04/071) Rocket Launched from Syria to Kilis…

12 persons were wounded in Kilis when a rocket was launched by IS/ISIS on 11 April 2016 from Syria to Kilis.

(04/072) Condition of Prisoners…

According to the news appeared in the press on 12 April 2016, Yılmaz Kahraman who was arrested after the operations conducted in 2009 in Adana in connection with a “KCK Investigation” and incarcerated in Silivri (İstanbul) E-type Prison was reportedly given a medical report alleging that he can serve his sentence in the prison despite the medical report by Forensic Institute certifying pituitary neoplasms in his brain.

(04/073) Persons on Trial in Mersin…

Mersin Heavy Penal Court No 2 continued on 11 April 2016 to hear the case against 11 persons including Peoples’ Democratic Party (HDP) MP for Hakkari province Nihat Akdoğan. The case was launched for taking part in several activities from 2011 to 2013 in Mersin and the indictment wants the defendants to be sentenced for “being member of an illegal organisation” and “making propaganda of an illegal organisation”.

After the testimonies of the present defendants, the court decided to separate the case of Nihat Akdoğan and adjourned the hearing to 30 June 2016.

(04/074) Detentions and Arrests…

Special Forces conducted operations on 11 April 2016 in Şırnak and Silopi district. At least 20 persons were detained during house raids and road controls. Headman of Cumhuriyet quarter in Şırnak province Hizni Uğur and Ethem Kızılcan were arrested.

Security Forces conducted house raids in Dağgöl, Kıran and Gazi quarters of Hakkari. 7 persons including Hakkari Vice Co-Mayor Derya Çiftçi and Deputy Co-Mayor Fatma Yıldız were detained during the operations.

Dicle News Agency (DİHA) correspondent Ziya Ataman who was detained in Van was arrested on 11 April 2016 on the allegations of “being member of an illegal organisation”.

The police conducted house raids in Nusaybn district of Mardn and detained Dicle News Agency (DİHA) correspondents Meltem Oktay and Uğur Akgül.

İbrahim Uygur who was worker with the local news portal urfadabugun.com and was released on probation was reportedly arrested in Şanlıurfa on the grounds that he did not appear for signature during probation.

Democratic Regions Party (DBP) Co-Chairs for Ömerli district of Mardin province Mahmut Özdemir and Esma Yılmaz, Peoples’ Democratic Party (HDP) Co-Chair for Ömerli district Elmas Demircan who were detained on 8 April 2016 during riads against the premises of DBP and HDP were arrested on 11 April 2016 on the allegations of “making propaganda of an illegal organisation”.

Democratic Local Administrations Unity (Demokratik Yerel Yönetimler Birliği) Co-Chair Çimen Işık, DBP Party Assembly members Pero Dündar and Olcay Kanlıbaş, KJA member Zozan Toprak who were detained during raids conducted on 10 April 2016 in Diyarbakır were arrested on 12 April 2016 on the allegations of “being member of an illegal organisation”.

13 April 2016 Daily Human Rights Report

(04/075) Operations and Attacks in the Southeast…

Armed clashes and attacks continued on 12 April 2016 in the cities where curfews were imposed and adjacent areas.

1 gendarmerie solider was killed and 3 soldiers were wounded during the heavy clashes in Cumhuriyet and Bahçelievler quarters of Şırnak. 3 gendarmerie soliders were killed and 1 soldier was wounded when a bomb exploded in a house in Fırat quarter of Nusaybin district in Mardin.

A military base was attacked in Dağlıca region of Yüksekova district in Hakkari. An armed cash broke out after the attack and 2 gendarmerie soldiers were killed. 4 soldiers were also wounded during the attack.

12 militants were reportedly killed during an armed clash that broke out on 10 April 2016 nearby Dara village of Yüksekova district in Hakkari. The villagers of Dara alleged that some of the militants were captured alive and executed.

Curfew and operations in Yüksekova district of Hakkari reached 31st day as of 13 April 2016. The body of YPS member Altun Yaray kept in Erzurum Forensic Institute was identified by her/his family on 12 April 2016.

YPS gEneral Coordination announced on 12 April 2016 that YPS members Besna Tındık (Hebun Cudi) and İslam Aras (Çavreş Mem) were killed during the armed clashes on 7 April 2016 in Silopi district of Şırnak.

Gendarmerie solider Mustafa Karaman who wounded during an armed clash on 8 April 2016 in Nusaybin district of Mardin died on 13 April 2016 in the hospital in Ankara.

(04/076) Enes Ata and Mahsum Mızrak Case…

Diyarbakır Heavy Penal Court No 1 continued on 12 April 2016 to hear the case against the police officers Bilal Özkara, Hayrettin Akar and Nuri Özgenç launched on charges of causing deaths of Enes Ata (8) and Mahsum Mızrak (14) on March 2006 in Diyarbakır.

The defendants and their lawyers were not present at the hearing. After the demands of the complainants’ lawyers, the court rejected the demand for the arrests of the defendants and adjourned the hearing to 19 July 2016.

It was revealed at the previous hearings that the recordings of the radio conversations of the day of incident were deleted. Tear gas canister which caused the death of Enes Ata has also gone missing.

On 28 March 2006, the police intervened the funeral of PKK militants in Diyarbakır. 10 persons were killed and 400 persons were wounded during the incidents. Public Prosecutor asked for permission to start an investigation against the police officers in connection with the killing of Enes Ata (8), but Diyarbakır Governorate did not allow the investigation on 25 July 2012 on the grounds the perpetrator could not be identified. Public Prosecutor objected the decision and Diyarbakır Regional Administrative Court suspended the decision on 4 December 2012.

(04/077) Pressures in Prisons…

4 prisoners incarcerated in Siverek (Şanlıurfa) T-type Prison were reportedly transferred on 11 April 2016 to Kırıklar (İzmir) F-type Prison without their demand.

(04/078) Banned Books…

According to the news appeared in the press on 12 April 2016, the books “Devrimin Rojava Hali (Rojava Status of Revolution)” and “Savaşta Barışta Özgürlükte Aşkta Dağın Kadın Hali (Female State of Mountains: in War, in Peace, in Freedom, and in Love)” written by Etkin News Agency (ETHA) correspondent Arzu Demir and published by Ceylan Yayınları were banned by Peace Penal Judge No 6 in İstanbul on the grounds of “making propaganda of an illegal organisation”. The Judge also ordered the confiscation of the books and banned distribution.

(04/079) Detentions and Arrests…

Peoples’ Democratic Party (HDP) Co-Chair for Mardin province Aysel Erol who was detained during the operations conducted by the police in Mardin was arrested on 12 April 2016 on the allegations of “making propaganda of an illegal organisation”.

HDP General Compter Hüseyin Yılmaz who was detained on 10 April 2016 while leaving the HDP HQ in Ankara was arrested on 12 April 2016 on the allegations of “being member of an illegal organisation”.

The police conducted operations against Democratic Regions Party (DBP) in Hakkari and detained 3 persons.

The police detained 8 persons in Araban district of Gaziantep. The reason of the detentions was not disclosed. Security Forces conducted operations in Balıkesir province and its districts in connection with a “Patriotic Revolutionary Youth Movement (YDG-H) Investigation” and detained 14 persons including HDP CO-Chair for Edremit district Hürriyet Kızıl.

14 April 2016 Daily Human Rights Report

(04/080) Curfew in İdil…

Hidayet Tek (4) died on 13 April 2016 in İdil district of Şırnak when an object she found on the street in front of her house in Turgut Özal quarter exploded. Şeyhmus Kaya (60) was also wounded during the explosion.

(04/081) Operations and Attacks in the Southeast…

The police officer Ozan Özmen who was wounded during an armed clash on 31 March 2016 in Nusaybin district of Mardin died on 14 April 2016 in the hospital in Ankara.

4 gendarmerie soliders were abounded when a bomb exploded on 13 April 2016 during the passage of an armoured vehicle n Fırat quarter of Nusaybin.

The body of YPS-JIN member Leyla Dayangaç who was killed during an armed clash in Yüksekova district of Hakkari and kept in Erzurum for identification was identified on 13 April 2016 by her family.

(04/082) Pressures in Prisons…

According to the news appeared in the press on 13 April 2016, 4 female prisoners incarcerated in Diyarbakır D-type Prison were transferred to Alanya (Antalya) L-type Prison without their demands.

32 prisoners incarcerated Karataş (Adana) Women Prison were reportedly transferred to Tarsus (Mersin) C-type Prison without their demands.

(04/083) Investigations, Detentions and Arrests on the Allegations of Insulting State President…

The police conducted operations in Hilvan district of Şnlıurfa and detained 6 persons on the allegations of “insulting the State President” through the comments and posts on the internet.

Hasan Cidir, Yunus Toprak, Adil Turgut, Mecnun Toprak and Müjdat Turgut were arrested on the same day.

(04/084) Association Closed…

According to the news appeared in the press on 13 April 2016, Governorate of İzmir closed the association 33 Düş Yolcusu Gençlik Kültür Derneği (33 Dream Travellers Youth and Culture Association). The association was founded in commemoration of 33 persons killed during the suicide bomb attack in Suruç. The Governorate allegedly took the decision relying on the equipment in the premises of the association like chairs, tables, computers, tea pots.

(04/085) Detentions and Arrests…

Operations against Peoples’ Democratic Party (HDP) and Democratic Regions Party (DBP) continued on 13 April 2016. The police detained 8 persons including DBP executives for the province in Van and 2 persons were detained in Dargeçit district of Mardin.

Security Forces conducted operations against the DBP Democratic Local Administrations Unity (Demokratik Yerel Yönetimler Birliği) and detained 18 persons. Fırat Alökmen was arrested on 13 April 2016, Rıdvan Sincar, Turan Genç, Yusuf Koyuncu, Abdullah Cin, Serdar Tosun, İbrahim Durmuş and Mehmet Taha Burakmak were arrested on 13 April 2016 on the allegations of “being member of an illegal organisation”.

Mehmet Çelik who was detained in Yüksekova district of Hakkari was arrested on 13 April 2016 on the allegations of “being member of an illegal organisation”.

The police officers Y.Y. and A.Y. in charge at Şırnak Security Directorate were arrested on 13 April 2016 on the allegations of “aiding an illegal organisation”.

Deputy Co-Mayor for Yüksekova district of Hakkari province Hüsnü Beşer was detained during a house raid on 13 April 2016.

Hakkari Vice Co-Mayor Derya Çiftçi, municipality Assembly members İsmet Tuncer, Hasan Yiğit, Kazım Yalçın, unions confederation KESK Spokesperson for Hakkari province Metin Demirel and Hamdullah Çelebioğlu who were among 7 persons detained during the operations conducted in Hakkari were arrested on 13 April 2016 on the allegations of “inciting people to uprising through declarations of self-governance”.

DBP Co-Chair for Şırnak province Yahya İdin was detained during a road control in Cizre district.

The police conducted raids on 14 April 2016 against the premises of DBP in Diyarbakır province, Kayapınar district and the houses of DBP executives. DBP Co-Chair for Diyarbakır province Ali Şimşek and DBP Co-Chairs for Kayapınar district Mustafa Uyguner and Sevim Adsoy were detained during the raids.

15 April 2016 Daily Human Rights Report

(04/086) Operations and Attacks in the Southeast…

YPS General Coordination announced on 14 April 2016 that YPS members Sevim Arzu (Hebun Silopi) and Mazlum Eren (Gelhat Botan) accidentally died on 8 April 2016 in Nusaybin district of Mardin. According to the announcement, Selim Tekin (Mazlum Pirdoğan) and Yılmaz Kalan (Yılmaz Tolhildan) were killed during the armed clashes on 9 April 2016 in Nusaybin.

The body of YPS member Yusuf Aşan (46) who was killed during armed clashes n Yüksekova district of Hakkari and transferred to Erzurum for identification was identified on 14 April 2016 by his family.

Governorate of Diyarbakır declared curfew on 14 April 2016 in 10 villages of Silvan relying on the information on possible attacks by PKK.

(04/087) Torture and Ill-treatment in Custody in İdil…

Zeynep Kayaş who went to İdil district of Şırnak to contribute in the re-construction of the district after the completion of the operations and was detained on 12 April 2016 on the grounds that there was an search warrant issued against her announced that she was forced to naked search in Cizre Security Directorate.

(04/088) Pressures in Prisons…

Fadik Adıyaman who was on hunger strike for the last 75 days for not being transferred from Tekirdağ T-type Prison to Bakırköy (İstanbul) Women Prison reportedly had heart attack on 8 April 2016. Her lawyer Şükriye Erden announced that her health condition was worsening.

(04/089) Prisoner Released…

According to the news appeared in the press on 14 April 2016, Mecit Gümüş who was arrested in 2012 on the allegations of being PKK’s representative in Russia and suffering from lung cancer was released from Metris (İstanbul) R-type Prison upon medical report by Forensic Institute certifying his health condition.

(04/090) We Sites Banned…

On 15 April 2016, Telecommunication Communication Directorate (TİB) banned access to the new domain of Dicle News Agency (DİHA). The number of the banned domains of DİHA reached 35.

Access to Russia based news portal sputniknews.com and Jin News Agency’s web site jinhahaber.info were also banned on the same day.

(04/091) Political Party Executives on Trial…

Yiannis Bournous, Member of the Political Secretariat of SYRIZA / Greece, took part and gave a speech during the meeting of Peoples’ Democratic Party (HDP) on Gündoğdu Square in İzmir before the elections on 7 June 2015. A court case was launched against 7 executives of Peoples’ Democratic Party (HDP) for not informing officials about the speech of Yiannis Bournous.

İzmir Penal Court of First Instance No 22 continued on 14 April 2016 to hear the case. The indictment wants the defendants to be sentenced for “violating the Law on Meetings and Demonstrations”. After the testimonies of the present defendants, the court adjourned the hearing to 14 June 2016 for the completion of the defence.

(04/092) Detentions and Arrests…

Mehmet Dalmış (45) who was detained during a house raid in İdil district of Şırnak was arrested on 14 April 2016 on the allegations of “being member of an illegal organisation”.

Nail Durmaz and Yüksekova Municipality Assembly member Remziye Yaşar who were detained in Yüksekova district of Hakkari were arrested on 14 April 2016 on the allegations of “being member of an illegal organisation”.

During the operations conducted on 14 April 2016, 6 persons in İstanbul, 17 persons in Erciş district of Van, 21 persons in Karlova district of Bingöl, and 1 person in Şırnak were detained.

Dicle News Agency (DİHA) correspondent Meltem Oktay who was detained along with another DİHA correspondent Uğur Akgül in Nusaybin district of Mardin was arrested on 14 April 2016 on the allegations of “being member of an illegal organisation”. Uğur Akgül was released with judicial control decision.

Democratic Regions Party (DBP) Co-Chair for Şırnak province Yahya İdin who was detained during a road control in Cizre district was arrested on 14 April 2016 on the allegations of “being member of an illegal organisation”.

3 persons who went to Cizre district of Şırnak for solidarity with the residents of Cizre after the completion of the operations were detained on 14 April 2016 on the grounds of “not having the permission of the Governorate for distribution of aids”.

Hakkari Provincial Assembly member İl Zeynep Yılmaz who was detained in Dizê village of Hakkari was arrested on 14 April 2016 on the allegations of “taking part in the self-governance declaration”.

16-18 April 2016 Daily Human Rights Report

(04/093) Operations and Attacks in the Southeast…

YPS General Coordination announced on 15 April 2016 that 2 YPS members were killed during the armed clashes on 9 April 2016 in Nusaybin district of Mardin.

YPS General Coordination also announced that Bedrettin Işık (Hebun Azad) and Baran Kaval (Turan Amed) were killed during the armed clashes on 10-15 April 2016 in Silopi district of Şırnak.

HPG Press Information Centre announced that 2 militants on 11 April 2016 nearby Avzot village of Muş and 2 militants on 13 April 2016 nearby Mermari village of Ömerli district in Mardin were killed during the armed clashes.

4 soldiers died and 3 soldiers were wounded when a bomb exploded on 15 April 2016 during the passage of an armoured military vehicle in Savur district of Mardin.

1 police officer died and 8 police officers were wounded when a bomb exploded on 15 April 2016 while searching a in a house in Şırnak where curfew was imposed.

1 police officer died and 3 police officers were wounded when an armoured police vehicle was attacked with a rocket launcher on 16 April 2016 on Ahmet Yesevi Avenue in Şırnak. 1 police officer died and 1 police officer was wounded during another attacks against an armoured vehicle on Vatan Avenue.

1 police officer who was wounded during an armed attack in Nusaybin district of Mardin died on 16 April 2016 in the hospital in Ankara.

The body of YPS member Mehmet Şerif Akdoğan who was killed during an armed clash in Yüksekova district f Hakkari and kept in Erzurum Forensic Institute for identification was identified on 15 April 2016 b his family.

1 police officer was killed and 3 soldiers were wounded during an armed clash that broke out on 17 April 2016 in Yüksekova district f Hakkari.

2 soldiers were wounded during an armed clash that broke out on 17 April 2016 in Karakurt region of Sarıkamış district in Kars.

1 police officer died and 3 police officers were wounded when a bomb exploded on 17 April 2016 during the passage of an armoured military vehicle in Abdulkadirpaşa quarter of Nusaybin district of Mardin.

On 17 April 2016, Governorate of Diyarbakır declared curfew in 10 villages in Silvan district of Diyarbakır. Curfew was lifted on the same day.

8 militants were reportedly killed during the operations conducted in the rural area of Silvan district ıf Diyarbakır.

(04/094) Armed Attack in Adana…

An armed attack was organised on 18 April 2016 in Adana against an armoured police vehicle. An armed clash broke out after the attack and the attacker was reportedly killed.

(04/095) Pressures in Prisons…

According to the news appeared in the press on 15 April 2016, 8 persons including Co-Mayor of Ergani district Aygün Taşkın who were incarcerated in Diyarbakır D-type and E-type prisons were reportedly transferred in the prison in several other provinces. The prisoners including Aygün Taşkın who were detained during operations on 5 April 2016 in Ergani district of Diyarbakır were arrested on 7 April 2016 on the allegations of “making propaganda of an illegal organisation”.

(04/096) Protesters Detained in Kahramanmaraş…

On 15 April 2016, Security Forces conducted house raids in Pazarcık district of Kahramanmaraş and detained 8 persons in connection with recent refugee camp protests. The soldiers intervened a demonstrations staged on 3 April 2016 in Pazarcık district of Kahramanmaraş to protest in the construction of a refugee camp in Terolar region where most of the population was Alevite people.

(04/097) Protest Intervened in Kocaeli…

The police intervened a group of persons who staged an action on 16 April 2016 in Kocaeli to protest in the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) MP Burhan Kuzu during his visit to the city for a conference and 17 protesters.

(04/098) Mayors, Municipality Workers and Political Party Executives on Trial in Iğdır…

Iğdır Heavy Penal Court continued on 15 April 2016 to hear the case against 18 persons including Iğdır Co-Mayor Şaziye Önder launched for “taking part in the declaration of self-governance”.

After the testimonies and defence, the court decided to release only remanded defendant Şaziye Önder to be tried without remand and adjourned the hearing to a later date.

(04/099) Detentions and Arrests…

The police conducted house raids on 15 April 2016 in Sakarya and detained 11 persons including Dicle News Agency (DİHA) correspondent Muhammed Doğru on the grounds that they took part in the unauthorised 8 March Women’s Day demonstration in Sakarya”.

5 persons in Bingöl in Karlıova district of Bingöl and Şahin Eye in Derik district of Mardin who were detained during previous operations were arrested on 15 April 2016 on the allegations of “being member of an illegal organisation”. Ramazan Ayan who was detained in Elazığ was also arrested on 15 April 2016 on the allegations of “making propaganda of an illegal organisation”.

Co-Mayor of Yüksekova district of Hakkari province Hüsnü Beşer was arrested on 15 April 2016 on the allegations of “being member of an illegal organisation”.

1 person in Şanlıurfa and 5 persons in Van were detained during the operations against Peoples’ Democratic Party (HDP) and Democratic Regions Party (DBP).10 persons in Erciş district of Van, 5 persons in İstanbul, 7 persons in Balıkesir, 1 person in Siirt, Sekvan Çağatay and M.A. (16) in Silopi district of Şırnak who were detained during previous operations were arrested.

19-20 April 2016 Daily Human Rights Report

(04/100) Curfew in Yüksekova…

Curfew and operations in Yüksekova district of Hakkari reached 38th day as of 20 April 2016.

The bosy of Yusuf Aşan’ın (46) who was shot to death in front of his house in Orman quarter and transferred to Erzurum was identified on 14 April 2016 by his family. (correction of the news 04/086 on 15 April 2016)

(04/101) Operations and Attacks in the Southeast…

According to the news appeared in the press on 18 April 2016, one of the persons killed during the operations in Sur district of Diyarbakır was identified as YPS member Miraz Başak (Mordem Cotkan).

YPS General Coordination announced on 18 April 2016 that YPS member Metin Ak (Herekol) was killed during the clashes on 13 April 2016 in Nusaybin district of Mardin, YPS members Zaman Kılınç (Zana), Cemil Külter Mehmet Sait Külter were killed during the clashes on 15 April 2016 in Şırnak.

YPS also announced that Serhat Akpolat (Dewran Zilan) was killed on 10 April 2016 during the clashes in Şırnak. YPS member Mehmet Gül (Sefkan) was also killed on 18 April 2016.

1 gendarmerie solider was killed during an armed attack on 18 April 2016 in Nusaybin district of Mardin.

Security Forces reportedly opened fire against a group of YPS members who attempted to pass the border from Nusaybin to Rojava on 17 April 2016. 18 YPS militants were allegedly killed during the incident. 4 YPS members were identified as Kamuran Kavak, Yunus Elif, Şiyar Tarlak, and Barış Erdem.

1 police officer and 1 militant were killed, 1 police officer was wounded during the alleged armed clash that broke out during a house raid on 18 April 2016 in Van.

The police also raided another house after the clash and shot pregnant Remziye Bor at neck and chest who was alone at home. Remziye Bor was hospitalised and her health condition was reported critical.

3 militants were killed and 1 temporary village guard was wounded during an armed clash that broke out on 18 April 2016 nearby Gözertepe village of Genç district in Bingöl.

1 police officer who wounded during an amred clash on 1 April 2016 in Nusaybin district of Mardin died on 19 April 2016 in hospital in Ankara.

2 gendarmerie soldiers were killed and 6 soldiers were wounded during an armed clash on 19 April 2016 in Bahçelievler quarter of Şırnak.

2 persons who were killed during the operations in Yüksekova district of Hakkari and transferred to Erzurum for identification were identified on 19 April 2016 as Nadir Güneç (Bawer Pir) and Seracettin Menafoğlu (Çawreş Gever) by their families.

According to the news appeared in the press, the bodies of 15 YPS members who were killed during the clashes in Yüksekova district of Hakkari were also transferred to Erzurum on 18 and 19 April 2016. The number of bodies transferred to Erzurum for identification reportedly reached 70. 15 bodies were identified and taken by their families.

The body of YPS member İsa Yılmaz who was killed during clashes in Şırnak was identified on 19 April 2016 by his family.

(04/102) Extra-judicial Killing in Şanlıurfa

Hîto Salih (40) was shot to death and Mihemed Reşîd Xelîl was heavily wounded when military troops opened fire on the grounds that they did not obey the stop warning while trying to pass the border from of Rojava to Suruç district of Şanlıurfa province in Turkey.

(04/103) Rockets Launched from Syria to Kilis…

5 Syrians including 4 children were killed when a rocket was launched from Syria to Kilis province on 18 Aril 2016 by IS/ISIS. 5 persons were also wounded during the attack.

(04/104) Hrant Dink Case…

Çağlayan (İstanbul) Heavy Penal Court No 14 started to hear the case against 34 persons including 8 remanded defendants in connection with the killing of Hrant Dink. 2nd Penal Chamber at the Court of Cassation ruled on 26 January 2016 the case against 26 public officers to be combined with the main case.

After the testimonies of the present defendants, the court decided to release the defendants Police Chief Özkan Mumcu and police officer Muhittin Zenit to be tried without remand and adjourned the hearing to 24 May 2016.

(04/105) Ali İsmail Korkmaz Case…

Kayseri Heavy Penal Court No 3 started on 18 April 2016 to hear the retrial of 5 persons (all remanded including one police officer) and 3 police officers without remand on charges of killing Ali İsmail Korkmaz (19).

On 5 February 2016, 1st Penal Chamber at the Court of Cassation quashed the verdict in Ali İsmail Korkmaz Case on grounds of procedural flaws for not taking the final defence. During the Gezi Park demonstrations in Eskişehir on 3 June 2013, Ali İsmail Korkmaz was beaten with sticks by unidentified persons when he was escaping from police violence. He died one month later on 10 July 2013.

On 21 January 2015, Kayseri Heavy Penal Court No 3 concluded to hear the case against 5 persons (all remanded including one police officer) and 3 police officers without remand on charges of killing Ali İsmail Korkmaz (19). The case was transferred to Kayseri from Eskişehir for security reasons.

After the final defence as to the accusations, the court sentenced the defendants to the same terms of imprisonment and gave the same decision. But the court also decided to release civilian defendants İsmail Koyuncu, Ramazan Koyuncu and Muhammet Vatansever.

During the previous trial, the court sentenced police officer Mevlut Saldoğan to 13 years’ imprisonment for “killing someone by intentional wounding” and reduced the sentence to 10 years and 10 months for the good conduct of the defendant.

The police officers Şaban Gökpınar and Hüseyin Engin who were on trial without remand were acquitted.

The court sentenced the police officer Yalçın Akbulut who was on trial without remand to 12 years’ imprisonment, reduced the sentence to 10 years.

The remanded civilian defendants İsmail Koyuncu, Ramazan Koyuncu, Muhammet Vatansever were sentenced to 8 years’ imprisonment, but the sentences were reduced to 6 years and 8 months.

The remaining civilian defendant Ebubekir Harlar was sentenced to 3 years and 4 months’ imprisonment and released relying on the term he stayed in prison during trial.

(04/106) Pressures in Prisons…

According to the news appeared in the press on 18 April 2016, Zeliha Karınca, Elif Ezgi Karadoğan, Hasret Alp and Vildan Sol who were arrested after the operations conducted following the 8 March Women’s Day demonstrations were transferred from Adıyaman E-type Prison to Tarsus (Mersin) C-type Prison without their demands.

According to the news appeared in the press on 19 April 2016, 20 prisoners incarcerated in Diyarbakır D-type Prison were also transferred to prisons varying provinces.

(04/107) Journalist Acquitted in the Case of Insulting State President…

Çağlayan (İstanbul) Penal Court of First Instance No 2 concluded on 19 April 2016 to hear the case against Arif Koşar, publisher of the daily Evrensel, and managing director of the paper Vural Nasuhbeyoğlu launched in connection with the news appeared in the paper concerning the killing of Ali İsmail Korkmaz.

After the final defence as to the accusations, the court acquitted the defendants on the grounds that the elements of crime were not materialised. The indictment wants the defendants to be sentenced according to the Article 299 TPC for “insulting the State President”. At the previous hearing the defendants testified to the effect that they would have committed crime by not making the news.

(04/108) Persons on the Trial on the Allegations of Insulting the State President…

According to the news appeared in the press on 18 April 2016, a court case was launched against academics in Mersin University Hakan Mertcan, Mustafa Şener and Selim Çakmaklı on the allegations of “insulting the State President” and “insulting public officers” through facebook posts:

Mersin Penal Court of First Instance No 11 will start to hear the case on 6 September 2016.

(04/109) 1 May Celebrations…

The police detained 11 activists of Socialist Youth Association (Sosyalist Gençlik Derneği) when they were distributing leaflets on 19 April 2016 in Beşiktaş district of İstanbul for 1 May celebrations.

(04/110) KCK Trial in Hakari…

Hakkari Heavy Penal Court continued on 19 April 2016 to hear the case against 20 persons including Co-Mayor in Hakkari province Nurullah Çiftçi launched after a KCK operation conducted in 2011 in Hakkari.

After the testimonies of the defendants, the court adjourned the hearing to 17 May 2016 for the continuation of the defence.

(04/111) Mayor, Municipality and Political Party Executives on Trial for Self-Governance Declaration…

Erciş (Van) Heavy Penal Court started on 19 April 2016 to hear the case against 20 persons including Erciş Co-Mayor Diba Keskin launched on charges of ““disrupting the unity and territorial integrity of the state”. Diba Keskin was arrested on 15 October 2015 for “taking part in the declaration of self-governance” and transferred to Sincan (Ankara) Women’s Prison. She was suspended from duty on 28 October 2015 by the Ministry of Interior Affairs. 11 defendants are remanded in this case.

After the testimonies of the present defendants, the court decided for the continuation of the arrest of the remanded defendants and adjourned the hearing to 26 May 2016 to take the testimonies of the defendants in several prisons through SEGBİS teleconference system.

(04/112) Person on Trial in Mersin…

Mersin Heavy Penal Court No 2 continued on 18 April 2016 to hear the case against KJA member Bilmez Cengiz who was detained in Mersin and arrested on 7 January 2016. The indictment wants the defendant to be sentenced for “being member of an illegal organisation” and “making propaganda of an illegal organisation”.

After the defence of the lawyers, the court decided to release Bilmez Cengiz to be tried without remand and adjourned the hearing to 27 June 2016.

(04/113) Detentions and Arrests…

On 18 April 2016, Special Forces raided Saxnis village of Karlıova district in Bingöl and detained 12 persons including the headman of the village. Harun Aşit, Deniz Ay, Mehmet Altun and Ferazzeddin Ayak who were among the detainees were arrested on the same day on the allegations of “being member of an illegal organisation”.

During the operations and raids conducted by the Security Forces on 19 April 2016, 10 persons in Viranşehir district of Şanlıurfa, 4 persons including Peoples’ Democratic Party (HDP) and Democratic Regions Party (DBP) executives in Nizip district of Gaziantep were detained.

6 persons including Dicle News Agency (DİHA) correspondent Muhammed Doğru who were among 11 persons detained during operations in Sakarya province were arrested on 19 April 2016 on the allegations of “being member of an illegal organisation”.

Ali Sümbül and Hekim Yorga who were among 4 persons detained during operations in Şırnak were arrested on 18 April 2016 on the allegations of “being member of an illegal organisation”.

Serdar Gün who was among 3 persons detained during operations in Cizre district of Şırnak were arrested on 19 April 2016 on the allegations of “being member of an illegal organisation”.

Former HDP Chair for Sultanhisar district in Aydın province Tekin Akdemir was arrested on 19 April 2016 in Nazilli district of Aydın on the grounds that there was an arrest warrant issued against him.

21 April 2016 Daily Human Rights Report

(04/114) Curfew in Cizre…

According to the news appeared in the press on 20 April 2016, one of the persons who was transferred to Gaziantep after being killed in a basement in Cizre district of Şırnak and buried on 28 February 2016 was identified as Mem û Zin Culture and Art Centre (Mem û Zin Kültür Sanat Merkezi) worker Gülistan Üstün after DNA tests.

(04/115) Curfew in Yüksekova…

Governorate of Hakkari announced on 20 April 2016 that the operations in Yüksekova district were completed on the 39th day of the implementation of the curfew. Governorate also announced the continuation of the curfew in the district. The curfew was imposed on 13 March 2016.

(04/116) Operations and Attacks in the Southeast…

1 soldier was wounded when a bomb exploded on 20 April 2016 during the passage of an armoured vehicle in the rural area of Kocaköy district in Diyarbakır.

YPS General Coordination announced on 20 April 2016 that YPS member İzzettin Kutum (Eriş Şirvan) was killed in Şırnak and YPS member Umut Esin (Deniz Devran) in Yüksekova district of Hakkari during the clashes on 18 April 2016.

The bodies of 7 YPS members who were killed during the armed clashes on several dates in Yüksekova district of Hakkari were reportedly transferred to Erzurum.

According to the news appeared in the press on 20 April 2016, 2 bodies kept in Erzurum were identified as Jêhat Doğma (Tekoşer Gever) and Veysel Bayram (Agit Cûdî).

3 militants were reportedly killed during an armed clash on 16 April 2016 in Pülümür district of Tunceli.

(04/117) Dilek Doğan Case…

Çağlayan (İstanbul) Heavy Penal Court No 12 continued on 20 April 2016 to hear the case 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.

Members of Doğan family were detained before the hearing and the court decided to continue the case with a closed hearing. The judges left the hearing when the people did not leave the court room for closed session. Lawyers of Doğan family objected the attitude of the judges and the court ordered detention of the lawyers. The court rejected the demand of Doğan family’s lawyers for the arrest of the defendant and adjourned the hearing to 30 May 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 in 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.

(04/118) Pressures in Prisons…

Local Administrations Unit Offcer Ali Şimşek, Rıdvan Sincar, Turan Genç, Yusuf Koyuncu, Abdullah Cin, Serdar Tursun, İbrahim Durmuş, Mehmet Taha Burakmak who were arrested after the operations against Democratic Regions Party (DBP) in Diyarbakır and incarcerated in Diyarbakır D-type Prison were reportedly transferred to Sincan (Ankara) F-type Prison on 20 April 2016 without their demand.

(04/119) Death in Prison…

Nedim Bulluş incarcerated in İskenderun (Hatay) M-type Prison for being on trial on charges of “being member of IS/ISIS” allegedly committed suicide in his cell by hanging himself on 20 April 2016.

(04/120) Academic on Trial in Ankara…

Ankara Heavy Penal Court No 2 started on 20 April 2016 to hear the case against academician Sibel Özbudun launched on charges of “making propaganda of an illegal organisation” with the comments she shared on social media on YPG fighting against IS/ISIS in Syria. The court acquitted the defendant on the grounds that the elements of crime did not materialise.

(04/121) 1 May Celebrations…

After the ban on 1 May celebrations on Taksim Square by the government and Governorate of İstanbul, Governorate of Ankara did not give permission on 20 April 2016 for the celebrations on Sıhhiye Square.

The police detained 4 persons in Mersin when they were distributing leaflets inviting people to 1 May celebrations in Mersin. The police also detained 5 persons in İzmir for putting up posters of 1 May celebrations in İzmir.

(04/122) Detentions and Arrests…

Operations against Peoples’ Democratic Party (HDP) and Democratic Regions Party (DBP) continued on 20 April 2016. Security Forces conducted operations in Muş and its districts. 35 persons including Co-Mayor of Bulanık district Figen Yaşar were detained.

On 20 April 2016, the police raided the mevlüt (Islamic memorial service) organised for the persons died under curfew in İdil district of Şırnak. Dicle News Agency (DİHA) correspondents Süheyla Ölmez and Mahsum Molak, 3 imams who were present during the mevlüt were detained. Co-Mayors of İdil district Mehdi Arslan and Nevin Oyman Girasun were also detained on the same day to be interrogated in connection with the mevlüt.

Duygu Hardal who was detained on 20 April 2016 in Didim district of Aydın was arrested on the same day on the allegations of “making propaganda of an illegal organisation” in connection with an investigation launched by Public Prosecutor in Cizre district of Şırnak.

22 April 2016 Daily Human Rights Report

(04/123) Operations and Attacks in the Southeast…

The body of YPS-JIN member Sidar Ziyanek’in (16) who was killed during armed clashes in Nusaybin district of Mardin and kept in Şanlıurfa was identified on 21 April 2016.

One of the persons killed during the armed clashes in Şırnak and kept in Şırnak State Hospital was identified on 21 April 2016 as YPS member Azat Gün.

The bodies of YPS members Evin Akçelik and Talip Bartin who were killed during the armed clashes in Yüksekova district of Hakkari and kept in Erzurum were identified on 21 April 2016 by their families.

(04/124) Mazlum Turan Case…

Mazlum Turan (16) who did not obey the stop warning on a control point on 29 August 2015 in Kızıltepe district of Mardin was shot to death with a single bullet at his back of the neck and killed. Special Forces were conducting operations after the bomb attack against a police service and stopping vehicles for ID control. Since Mazlum Turan did not have a driving license, he did not want to stop.

Mardin Heavy Penal Court no 2 started on 21 April 2016 to hear the case against police officer who shot Mazlum Turan to death. The indictment wants the defendant to be sentenced for “intentional killing”. The police officer did not appear before the court. The court rejected the demand for the arrests of the police officer and ordered the police officer to be present at the following hearing. The court decided crime scene investigations and adjourned the hearing to 23 September 2016.

(04/125) Çayan Birben Case…

After the 5th chamber of the Court of Cassation had quashed the verdict 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 on 21 April 2016 the case against police officers Ercüment Küçükakça, İbrahim Baltacı, Serhat Ayhan Yeni and Tekin Ceyhan. In his opinion as to the accusations at the previous hearing, the Public Prosecutor 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.

Since the defence lawyers did not appear, the court adjourned the hearing to 23 June 2016.

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.

(04/126) Torture and Ill-treatment in Custody…

The police conducted operations on 14 April 2016 in Yüksekova district of Hakkari and detained 7 persons. Despite the arrest decision of the court on the allegations of “being member of an illegal organisation”, the persons kept in police custody for 4 days. According to the news appeared in the press on 21 April 2016, they were reportedly given electricity, beaten, insulted, stripped naked and beaten with truncheons in custody.

(04/127) Lütfullah Tacik Case…

Van Heavy Penal Court No 2 continued on 21 April 2016 to hear the case against police officers in connection with the death of Afghani refugee Lütfullah Tacik (17) as a result of beatings on 31 May 2015 in Van. The indictment wants the police officer Serdar Oran to be sentenced for “simple wounding and causing death by intentional wounding” and the police officer Hasan Özgür Özdemir for “misconduct of duty”.

The defendants did not appear before the court at the hearing. The court rejected the demand of lawyers to be intervening party with case and adjourned the hearing to 16 June 2016.

Lütfullah Tacik (17) who was detained by the soldiers on 16 May 2014 while trying to pass the border illegally in Iğdır and transferred to the Repatriation Centre of the Foreigner’s Department in Van on 26 May 2014 to be deported was beaten by a police officer for lying about his age.

Lütfullah Tacik had cerebral haemorrhage when the police officer Serdar Oran working at Illegal Migration and Human Trafficking Department of Foreigners Department beat him. He was hospitalised, but died on 31 May 2014.

(04/128) Pressures in Prisons…

According to the news appeared in the press on 21 April 2016, Mizgin Kırkağaç, Dilan Bakay, Ferda Avcı, Feride Kardaş, Berivan Erol and Democratic Regions Party (DBP) Co-Chair for Van province Caziye Duman incarcerated in Van M-type Prison were reportedly transferred to other prisons on the allegations of overcapacity.

(04/129) Unionists on Trial on the Allegations of “Insulting the State President”…

Mersin Penal Court of First Instance No 16 continued on 21 April 2016 to hear the case against 18 members of Labour and Democracy Platform launched after a demonstration staged in Mersin to protest in 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”

After the testimonies of the present defendants, t adjourned the hearing to 16 June 2016 for the completion of deficient documents.

(04/130) Investigations, Detentions and Arrests on the Allegations of Insulting State President…

The police conducted operations on 21 April 2016 in Antalya and detained 11 persons on the allegations of “insulting the State President” on the internet. 3 of the detainees were arrested on the same day.

Kazım Akpolat was also detained in Erzincan for the same reason.

(04/131) Journal Confiscated…

On 21 April 2016, Public Prosecutor in Diyarbakır ordered the confiscation of the 3rd issues of the bi-monthly journal Kovara Jinen Azad published by Kongreya Jinen Azad/Free Women Congress (KJA) on the allegations of “making propaganda of an illegal organisation”.

(04/132) 1 May Celebrations…

The police detained 4 persons when they were distributing leaflets for the 1 May celebrations in Kadıköy district of İstanbul.

(04/133) Gezi Park Trials…

Ankara Heavy Penal Court No 12 continued on 21 April 2016 to hear the case against 9 persons launched in connection with the Gezi Park demonstrations in Ankara. The indictment wants the defendants to be sentenced for “making propaganda of the illegal organisation Socialist Workers Movement (Sosyalist İşçi Hareketi)”.

After the testimonies of the defendants, the court adjourned the hearing to 7 September 2016 for the examination of the footages of the demonstrations by an expert.

(04/134) Protesters on Trial in Artvin…

According to the news appeared in the press on 21 April 2016, a court case was launched against 48 persons in connection with the protests on 16 and 17 February 2016 in Artvin against the mining licence and destruction of the environment on Cerrattepe region of Artvin. The indictment wants the defendants to be sentenced for “violating the Law on Meetings and Demonstrations”.

Artvin Penal Court of First Instance will start to hear the case on 23 September 2016.

(04/135) Protest Intervened in Ankara…

On 20 April 2016, the police intervened a group of women in the campus of Kocaeli University who wanted to protest islamist scholar Ömer Tuğrul İnançer for his expression on 26 September 2013 concerning women. 8 women were detained during the police intervention.

(04/136) Persons on Trial in Erzurum…

Erzurum Heavy Penal Court No 2 started on 21 April 2016 to hear the case against 36 persons including Karayazı district Co-Mayor Memet Sayit Karabakan and Democratic Regions Party (DBP) Co-Chair for the district Salih Altaylı launched after the operations conducted in Karayazı district.

The indictment wants the defendants to be sentenced for “being member of an illegal organisation”. After the identification and testimonies of the defendants, the court adjourned the hearing to 23 June 2016 for the completion of the testimonies.

(04/137) Persons on Trial in Ankara…

Ankara Heavy Penal Court No 2 started on 21 April 2016 to hear the case against 6 remanded persons launched after operations conducted on 8 December 2015 against Peoples’ Democratic Party (HDP) in Ankara.

The indictment wants the defendants to be sentenced for “being member of an illegal organisation”. After the identification and testimonies of the defendants, the court decided to release the defendants Barış Ceyhan, Mehmet Azat Yılmaz, Aynur Özcan, Burhan Dara, Erkan Kara and Edip Öztürk to be tried without remand adjourned the hearing to 9 June 2016.

(04/138) Political Party Premises Raided in Şanlıurfa…

The police raided on 21 April 2016 the premises of Democratic Regions Party (DBP) in Viranşehir district of Şanlıurfa and searched the premises without declaring a reason.

(04/139) Detentions and Arrests…

During the operations conducted by the police on 21 April 2016, 2 persons in Giresun, Peoples’ Democratic Party (HDP) Co-Chair for Viranşehir district Ayşe Sürücü in Viranşehir district of Şanlıurfa, 6 persons in Siirt and 1 person in Hakkari were detained. And Basri Gülenç who was detained in Şırnak was arrested on the allegations of “being member of an illegal organisation”.

On 21 April 2016, the police stopped the vehicle of Afif Durğaç, Municipality Assembly member in Silvan district of Diyarbakır, on the grounds that it was a bomb vehicle. 5 persons in the vehicle were detained.

During the house raids conducted on 21 April 2016 in Şırnak province, Feride Benzer and Zeytin Akman were detained in Cizre district; Muhyettin Mete and his son Hasan Mete were detained in Silopi district.

Nevzat Şahin, Yaşar Şahin and Sürmeli Eşsiz who were detained in Doğubayazıt district of Ağrı were arrested on 21 April 2016 on the allegations of “being member of an illegal organisation”.

Dicle News Agency (DİHA) correspondent Doğan Akdamar was detained in Karlıova district of Bingöl on the grounds that there was an search warrant issued against him.

23-25 April 2016 Daily Human Rights Report

(04/140) Curfew in Sur…

Curfew in 6 quarters of of Sur district in Diyarbakır reached its 154th day as of 25 April 2016.

4 bodies kept in Erzurum were identified on 22 April 2016 as Yusuf Yürümeyen, Erhan Keskin, Erdal Tekin and Welat Bilen after DNA tests.

According to the news appeared in the press, the body of a person was taken from Sur district to Gazi Yaşargil Training and Research Hospital on 22 April 2016.

(04/141) Curfew in Silopi…

After the restart of the operations on 4 April 2016 in Silopi district of Şırnak, the curfew was lifted on its 18th day on 22 April 2016. The Governorate imposed a night curfew in the district.

(04/142) Operations and Attacks in the Southeast…

YPS General Coordination announced on 22 April 2016 that Zeki Adıyeke (Azat Şoreş) was killed on 18 April 2016 and Yekta Atlı (Aso Zagros) was killed on 22 April 2016 during the armed clashes in Nusaybin district of Mardin.

YPS also announced that YPS member Mehmet Sait Külter and İsa Yılmaz who were allegedly killed during the armed clashes were alive.

3 soldiers were killed when a bomb exploded during the passage of an armoured vehicle on 22 April 2016 nearby Göktepe village of Tunceli.

5 gendarmerie soldiers and 2 police officers were wounded when a bomb exploded on 22 April 2016 in Nusaybin district of Mardin.

1 gendarmerie soldier was killed on 23 April 2016 in Abdülkadirpaşa quarter of Nusaybin district in Mardin.

5 gendarmerie soldiers died and 2 soldiers were wounded when a bomb exploded on 25 April 2016 in Nusaybin district of Mardin.

12 police officers were wounded when a bomb exploded during the passage of an armoured vehicle on 23 April 2016 nearby Mazıdağı district of Mardin.

The body of YPS militant Ercan Atar who was killed during clashes in Yüksekova district of Hakkari and kept in Erzurum was identified on 22 April 2016 by his family.

Sub-Governorate in Lice district of Diyarbakır imposed curfew at 09.00 am on 23 April 2016 in 16 villages on the grounds of operations to be conducted in the district.

(04/143) Rocket Launched from Syria to Kilis…

Abbas Çelik who was wounded when IS/ISIS launched a rocket from Syria to city centre of Kilis province on 11 April 2016 died on 22 April 2016.

Emre Aslan (14), Hatice Evran (62) and Abdullah Kaçan (42) were killed, 3 persons were wounded when IS/ISIS launched another rocket from Syria to city centre of Kilis province on 22 April 2016.

Fatma Demir (36) and Syrian Fadıl Emin (23) were killed, 26 persons were wounded during the rocket attack on 24 April 2016.

(04/144) Ultra-nationalist Attack in Karaman…

According to the news appeared in the press on 22 April 2016, V.Ç. (20),Karamanoğlu Mehmetbey University student in Kaman, was attacked by a group some 15 ultra-nationalists after being targeted by local news portal karamaninsesi.com by sharing a photo of wearing local cloths in the wedding ceremony of his brother in Silvan district of Diyarbakır.

He had broken bones after the attack and hospitalised. He also had an operation in the hospital.

(04/145) Ultra-nationalist Attack and Lynching Attempt in Ankara …

5 board members of the sports club Amedspor were attacked by a group of board members and supporters of sports club Anakargücü after the end of Ankaragücü-Amedspor football match on 24 April 2016 in Ankara. Board members of Amedspor were wounded during the lynching attempt and hospitalised.

(04/146) Pressures in Prisons…

According to the news appeared in the press on 22 April 2016, 11 prisoners incarcerated in Afyonkarahisar E-type Prison were given 11 days’ cell confinement and banned from visits for one month on the allegations of “resisting prison guards during intervention against hunger strikes in the prison”.

(04/147) Pressures in Prisons…

13 prisoners incarcerated in Elazığ E-type Prison were reportedly transferred on 22 April 2016 to various prisons in several provinces without their demands.

(04/148) Correspondent Convicted…

Diyarbakır Penal Court of First Instance No 7 concluded on 20 April 2016 to hear the case against Faruk Ayyıldız, correspondent with the daily Evrensel in Diyarbakır, launched with the expressions “Every stone thrown to the intruder is legitimate when they come with weapons, soldiers, police and violence” he used on twitter on 9 October 2013.

The court sentenced the defendant to 5 months’ imprisonment under the Article 214 TPC for “inciting people to commit crime”. The sentence was commuted to a fine of TL 3,000.

(04/149) Person on Trial in Bitlis…

According to the news appeared in the press on 23 April 2016, a court case was launched against Mehmet Eteş for the speech he gave during funeral of his son YPG militant Yusuf Eteş in Bitlis.

The indictment wants the defendant to be sentenced for “making propaganda of an illegal organisation”. Bitlis Heavy Penal Court No 2 will start t hear the case on 5 May 2016.

(04/150) Academics for Peace on Trial …

İstanbul Heavy Penal Court No 1 started on 22 April 2016 to hear the case against the academicians Muzaffer Kaya (fired from Nişantası University in İstanbul), Boğaziçi University member Esra Mungan, Mimar Sinan Fine Arts University member Kıvanç Ersoy, and Meral Camcı (fired from Yeni Yüzyıl University in İstanbul) who were detained for signing the “Academics for Peace” and arrested on 15 March 2016 on the allegations of “making propaganda of an illegal organisation” and “insulting the state and its organs”.

After the identification and testimonies of the defendants, Public Prosecutor revised opinion as to the accusations and demanded the defendants to be sentenced according to the Article 301 TPC instead of Article 7/2 of Anti-Terror Law. The court decided to release the defendants to be tried without demand and adjourned the hearing to 27 September 2016.

(04/151) Investigations, Detentions and Arrests on the Allegations of Insulting State President…

Ali Kaya who was detained in Derik district of Mardin for the facebook posts was arrested on 23 April 2016 on the allegations of “insulting the State President”.

Fırat Ataç who was detained in Dargeçit district of Mardin was also arrested on 24 April 2016 on the allegations of “insulting the State President”.

Ebru Umar, columnist with the Dutch daily Metro, was detained in Kuşadası district of Aydın on the allegations of “insulting the State President” with a twit she shared. She was released on judicial control decision with a ban on leaving the country.

(04/152) Curfew Protests…

The police intervened and dispersed a group of persons who gathered on 24 April 2016 in front of Peoples’ Democratic Party (HDP) premises in Sultanbeyli district of İstanbul. 6 persons were detained during the police intervention.

(04/153) Protest Intervened in İstanbul…

The police prevented members of Freedom and Solidarity Party (ÖDP) who wanted to stage a protest on 23 April 2016 in İstanbul following the decision of the court not extending the inquiry after the trial of the teacher Muammer B. (54) for raping / sexually abusing male students in Ensar Foundation’s houses in Karaman and not prosecuting Ensar Foundation and its board members. The police detained 10 members of the ÖDP.

(04/154) 1 May Celebrations…

5 persons who were distributing leaflets on 22 April 2016 in Muğla for 1 May celebrations were detained.

(04/155) Ban Decision in Mardin…

Governorate of Mardin announced on 22 April 2016 ban on all meetings and demonstrations, public and press statements, stands and tents in provincial centre and all districts for 30 days.

(04/156) Detentions and Arrests…

Operation and detentions continued on 22 April 2016 in the provinces and district where curfews were imposed.

The police conducted house raids in Silopi district of Şırnak and detained Mizgin Gelgi, Faysal Ayna, Lokman and Yakup Erol. The detainees were arrested on 23 April 2016 on the allegations of “being member of an illegal organisation”.

Muhyettin Mete and his son Hasan Mete who were detained on 21 April 2016 in Cizre district of Şırnak were also arrested on 23 April 2016 on the allegations of “aiding an illegal organisation”.

Feride Benzer, Zilan Tetik and Zeytin Akman who were among 5 persons detained during house raids in Cizre district of Şırnak were arrested on 23 April 2016 on the allegations of “being member of an illegal organisation”.

The police raided a house on 18 April 2016 in Hacıbekir quarter of Van after an armed clash and shot pregnant Remziye Bor at neck and chest who was alone at home. Remziye Bor was hospitalised. 8 persons including her husband İrfan Bor were detained during the operations conducted after the incident. İrfan Bor, Lokman Abi and Ciwan Yemen who were among detainees were arrested on 22 April 2016 on the allegations of “being member of an illegal organisation”.

Democratic Regions Party (DBP) Co-Chair for Nizip district of Gaziantep province Songül Taydaş, Yasin Arslan, Muharrem Polat, Cemil Polat, Hasan Demir, Yılmaz Kabakulak, Ramazan Karagöz and Serdar Yılmaz who were in Nizip district of Gaziantep were arrested on 21 April 2016 on the allegations of “being member of an illegal organisation” and “making propaganda of an illegal organisation”.

Gendarmerie soldiers conducted raids on 22 April 2016 in Bismil district of Diyarbakır and detained 10 persons.

15 persons including Co-Mayor of Bulanık district Figen Yaşar who were detained during the operations conducted by Security Forces in Muş and its districts were arrested on 23 April 2016 on the allegations of “being member of an illegal organisation”.

Prisoners’ Families Solidarity Association TAYDER Co-Chair Musa Karbadağ and Peoples’ Democratic Party (HDP) member Zarife Karasungur were detained by gendarmerie on the grounds there were arrest warrent against them when a group on TAYDER and Human Rights Association (HRA) members were going to Şakran prison to protest in the pressures in the prison.

Democratic Youth Associations Federation (Demokratik Gençlik Dernekleri Federasyonu – DEM-GENÇ) members Şaban Erdoğan and Muhammed Ensar Kurt who went to Public Prosecutors office to testify in connection with an investigation started against them were arrested on 21 April 2016 on the allegations of “being member of an illegal organisation” relying on the 35 days they spent in Cizre district of Şırnak.

7 persons who were among 15 members and activists of HDP detained in Viranşehir district of Şanlıurfa were arrested on 23 April 2016 on the allegations of “being member of an illegal organisation” and “making propaganda of an illegal organisation”.

MEYA-DER (solidarity association for people who lost their relatives in Mesopotamia) Co-Chair for Cizre district Kasım Yiğit and MEYA-DER executive Ali Nas who were among 5 persons detained during a religious memorial ceremony for persons killed during curfew in İdil district of Şırnak were arrested on 22 April 2016 on the allegations of “making propaganda of an illegal organisation”.

Şahin Demirhan who was among 6 persons detained in Siirt and Kurtalan district was arrested on 22 April 2016 on the allegations of “being member of an illegal organisation”

4 persons who were among 9 persons detained in Adana in connection with the posts they shared on facebook were arrested on 22 April 2016 on the allegations of “being member of an illegal organisation” and “making propaganda of an illegal organisation”. .

Dicle News Agency (DİHA) correspondent Bilal Güldem who was detained in Batman was arrested on 24 April 2016 on the allegations of “being member of an illegal organisation”.

Halil Üstek who was detained for not leaving his house during curfew in Şırnak was arrested on 23 April 2016 on the allegations of “being member of an illegal organisation”.

Nadir Angi who was detained in İneg village of Doğubayazıt district of Ağrı was arrested on 23 April 2016 on the allegations of “”aiding an illegal organisation”.

Yusuf İbren who was among 8 persons detained during house raids in Antalya was arrested on 23 April 2016 on the allegations of “acting in the name of YPS”.

26 April 2016 Daily Human Rights Report

(04/157) Curfew in Sur…

Curfew in 6 quarters of Sur district in Diyarbakır reached its 155th day as of 26 April 2016.

According to the news appeared in the press, the body of a person was taken from Sur district to Gazi Yaşargil Training and Research Hospital on 25 April 2016.

(04/158) Operations and Attacks in the Southeast…

The body of YPS member Emre Önver who was killed during an armed clash in Yüksekova district of Hakkari and transferred to Erzurum was identified on 25 April 2016 by his family.

According to the news appeared in the press, the bodies of 10 persons who were killed during armed clashes in Yüksekova district of Hakkari and transferred to Erzurum were buried on 25 April 2015.

5 militants were reportedly killed during an armed clash that broke out on 25 April 2016 in the rural area of Kağızman district in Kars province.

1 HPG was reportedly killed and 1 militant was wounded during an armed clash that broke out on 25 April 2016 in the rural area of Talê village in Hakkari province.

1 gendarmerie soldier was killed and 10 soldiers were wounded during 2 separate explosions in Dicle and Yenişehir quarter of Nusaybin district in Mardin.

(04/159) JİTEM (Diyarbakır)/ Musa Anter Case…

Ankara Heavy Penal Court No 6 continued on 25 April 2016 to hear the gendarmerie intelligence service JİTEM case against 16 defendants including 5 on-the-run defendants launched in connection with the killings of 26 persons including Musa Anter in Diyarbakır and neighbouring provinces. The case was transferred to Ankara for alleged security reasons.

Orhan Miroğlu testified at the hearing as witness. The court rejected to release the only remanded defendant Hamit Yıldırım to be tried without remand and decided to hear Veli Küçük as witnesses who did not appear before the court for giving excuse. The court adjourned the hearing to 20 June 2016.

(04/160) Columnist Convicted…

Çağlayan (İstanbul) Penal Court of First Instance No 2 concluded on 25 April 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.

After the final defence as to the accusations, the court sentenced Can Dündar to a fine of TL 28,650 for “insulting public officer” under to the Article 125 TPC.

(04/161) Persons on Trial on the Allegations of Insulting the State President…

Zonguldak Penal Court of First Instance No 9 started on 21 April 2016 to her the case against 9 persons launched on charges of “insulting the State President”. The case was launched after the action staged on in Zonguldak to protest in the Ankara Massacre on 10 October 2016.

The indictment wants the defendants to be sentenced for “violating the Law on Meetings and Demonstrations”. After the testimonies of the defendants, the court adjourned the hearing to 13 My 2016 for the completion of deficient documents.

Hüseyin Karadağ, Suna Altındağ, Hakan Dilbaz, Funda Kaya, Zülfikar Ali Samsun, İsmail Yıldız, Zuhal Engiz, Recep Adıgüzel and Bekir Atay testified at the hearing. And the court adjourned the hearing to 5 October 2016.

(04/162) Investigations, Detentions and Arrests on the Allegations of Insulting State President…

A group of villagers growing potato in Adana closed a road on 24 April 2016 to protest in the low potato prices. 10 of the villagers were detained on the allegations of “insulting the State President” and “resisting security forces”.

(04/163) Persons on Trial in Mersin…

According to the news appeared in the press on 25 April 2016, a court case was launched against Veysi Demir and Kamuran Nas for taking part in the funeral of the HPG militant Mehmet Cemal Demir in Tarsus district of Mersin. Mehmet Cemal Demir was killed during an armed clash on 14 September 2015 in the rural area of Hazro district in Diyarbakır.

The indictment wants the defendants to be sentenced for “making propaganda of an illegal organisation” and Tarsus Heavy Penal Court No 2 will start to hear the case on 7 June 2016.

(04/164) 1 May Celebrations…

A group of ultra-nationalists attacked the students of Osmangazi University in Eskişehir when they were distributing 1 May leaflets on 25 April 2016 in Eskişehir. 13 students were wounded during the attack. The police intervened the incident to disperse the ultra-nationalists and detained 9 students.

(04/165) Detentions and Arrests…

The police conducted house raids on 25 April 2016 in İstanbul against the houses of Peoples’ Democratic Party (HDP) activists and detained 5 persons.

2 workers of the paper Özgür Gelecek (Free Future) and 7 followers of the paper were also detained during the operations conducted on 26 April 2016 in İstanbul.

27 April 2016 Daily Human Rights Report

(04/166) Operations and Attacks in the Southeast…

YPS General Coordination announced on 26 April 2016 that YPS member Serdar Doğan (Xeyrî Lice) was killed during the armed clashes on 24 April 2016 in Nusaybin district of Mardin.

According to the news appeared in the press on 26 April 2016, 12 persons who were killed in Yüksekova district of Hakkari and transferred to Erzurum were buried to common grave.

3 police officers were abounded when an armoured vehicle was attacked with a rocket launcher during patrol on 27 April 2016 in Hacı Bekir quarter of Van.

(04/167) Support Demonstrators on Trial…

According to the news appeared in the press on 26 April 2016, a court case was launched against 29 persons who made official complaints against themselves on 13 January 2016 for solidarity with Ayşe Çelik to protest in the investigation against her started on the allegations of “making propaganda of an illegal organisation”. She appeared on a TV show through phone and wanted people not to be silent while children were killed in Diyarbakır.

The indictment wants 29 defendants to be sentenced according to the Article 7/2 on Anti-Terror Law for “making propaganda of an illegal organisation” and Bakırköy Heavy Penal Court No 2 will start to hear the case on 23 September 2016.

The defendants in this case are:

Ahmet Dindar, Ayşe Erzan, Ayşegül Devecioğlu, Ayşegül İyidoğan, B. Bahri Belen, Dilek Gökçin, Ergin Cinmen, Ferhat Tunç, Gençay Gürsoy, Gülseren Onanç, Gülşen Denizhan, Gürhan Ertür), Halim Bulutoğlu, İbrahim Akın, İbrahim Sinemillioğlu, Kemal Özgül, Mevlut Ülgen, Murat Çelikkan, Nergiz Savran), Neşe Yaşın, Nil Özsoy Dindar, Orhan Alkaya, Orhan Silier, Oya Baydar, Pınar Önen, Şanar Yurdatapan, Türkcan Baykal, Vecdi Sayar, Vedi Üner Eyüboğlu.

(04/168) Investigations, Detentions and Arrests on the Allegations of Insulting State President…

Süleyman Demirel University student Y.E.T. (23) was detained on 26 April 2016 in Yalvaç district of Isparta on the allegations of “insulting the State President” with the comments and messages on several web sites.

(04/169) Lawyers on Trial in İstanbul…

İstanbul Penal Court of First Instance No 80 continued on 26 April 2016 to hear the case against 6 lawyers launched in connection with a public statement in front of Çağlayan Court House to protest in the arrest of lawyer Deniz Sürgüt on 7 August 2015 in İdil district of Şırnak.

The indictment wants the lawyers Gülhan Kaya, Özlem Gümüştaş, Sezin Uçar, Naciye Demir, Sinan Zincir and Hüseyin Boğatekin to be sentenced for “violating the Law on Meetings and Demonstrations”. The defence lawyers demanded the hearing to be adjourned on the grounds that the defence was not ready for not being allowed to access the case files. The court followed the demand and adjourned the hearing to 4 October 2016.

(04/170) Persons on Trial in Ankara…

Ankara Heavy Penal Court No 2 started on 26 April 2016 to hear the case against 24 students including 2 remanded ones launched after the operations conducted in Ankara in connection with a “Democratic Patriotic Youth Assembly Investigation”.

The indictment wants the defendants to be sentenced for “being member of an illegal organisation” and “making propaganda of an illegal organisation” for the activities they took part in the university campuses from 2012 to 2014. The court decided to release remanded defendants Fatih Barsak and İbrahim Baş to be tried without remand and adjourned the hearing to 8 September 2016.

(04/171) Detentions and Arrests…

The police conducted raids on 26 April 2016 in Bingöl against the premises of Peoples’ Democratic Party (HDP), Democratic Regions Party (DBP), Human Rights Association (HRA), and unions. 16 persons were detained during the operations.

During the operations conducted throughout Turkey, DBP Party Assembly members Mesut Bağcık and Abdülbaki Özboğanlı in Dİyarbakır, HDP Co-Chair 4 persons including for Malazgirt district of Muş province Rahmi Akçin in Malazgirt were detained.

28 April 2016 Daily Human Rights Report

(04/172) Person Killed by Armoured Vehicle in Diyarbakır…

An armoured vehicle hit and killed Hatun Elhaman (76) on 27 April 2016 in Yenişehir district of Diyarbakır.

(04/173) Curfew in Cizre…

According to the news appeared in the press on 27 April 2016, the body of a person who was stuck in one of the 3 basements during the night-curfew in Cizre district of Şırnak and buried in Şanlıurfa after being transferred was identified as Zeliha Başkurt after DNA tests.

According to the news appeared in the press on 26 April 2016, 2 bodies were also identified as İbrahim Teme (23) and Erdal Kar after DNA tests.

(04/174) Curfew in İdil…

According to the news appeared in the press on 27 April 2016, the body of a person who was buried after being killed during the operations in İdil district of Şırnak was identified as Müslüm Akgöbek after DNA tests.

(04/175) Suicide Attack in Bursa…

A suicide bomb attack was organised on 27 April 2016 nearby Ulucami Mosque in Bursa. The attacker who died during the explosion was not identified. 23 persons were wounded during the attack. 15 persons were reportedly detained during the operations conducted after the attack.

(04/176) Operations and Attacks in the Southeast…

1 police officer who was wounded during the armed clashes in Nusaybin district of Mardin died on 28 April 2016 in the hospital in Ankara.

1 police officer was killed and 3 police officers were wounded when a bomb exploded during the passage of an armoured vehicle on 27 April 2016 in Varto district of Muş.

(04/177) Rocket Launched from Syria to Kilis…

Muhammed İdisa (14) who was wounded when IS/ISIS launched a rocket from Syria to city centre of Kilis province on 26 April 2016 died on 27 April 2016 in the hospital.

(04/178) Kzıltepe JİTEM Case…

Ankara Heavy Penal Court No 5 continued on 27 April 2016 to hear the case against 9 persons including former Diyarbakır Gendarmerie Commander Colonel Eşref Hatipoğlu and former Kızıltepe Gendarmerie Deputy Commander Hasan Atilla Uğur launched in connection with the disappearances of 22 persons in detention and/or killings by unidentified persons in Mardin and its districts between the years 1992 and 1996. 4 soldiers and 5 village guards are on trial in this case.

Similar to the previous cases concerning disappearances in detention, killings by unidentified persons and extra-judicial executions, the lawyers of the defendants applied to the Court of Cassation to transfer the case to another province for security measures. The Court of Cassation decided to send the case to Ankara Heavy Penal Court No 5.

The defendants İsmet Kandemir, Mehmet Emin, Abdurrahman Kuğra, Ahmet Boncuk appeared at the hearing; Eşref Hatipoğlu, Emekli Albay Hasan Atilla Uğur, Ünal Alkan testified at the hearing through SEGBİS tele-conference system.

After the reading the bill of indictment, the court adjourned the hearing to 28 April 2016 for the continuation of the testimonies.

(04/179) Bomb Attack in Reyhanlı…

Ankara Heavy Penal Court No 9 continued on 27 April 2016 to hear the case against 33 persons including 9 remanded defendants launched in connection with the bomb explosions in Reyhanlı district of in Hatay on 11 May 2013 which led to 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 13 July 2016.

(04/180) Investigations, Detentions and Arrests on the Allegations of Insulting State President…

1 member of Young Hope High School (Liseli Genç Umut) was detained on the allegations of “insulting the State President” with slogans s/he shouted during a demonstration on 27 April 2016 in Adana.

(04/181) Persons on Trial in Erzurum…

Erzurum Heavy Penal Court No 2 continued on 27 April 2016 to hear the case against 4 persons including 2 remanded defendants launched after the operations conducted on 12 May 2015 in Karayazı district of Erzurum. The indictment wants the defendants to be sentenced for “being member of an illegal organisation”.

After the testimonies of the remanded defendants Karayazı Municipality Assembly member Nurhayat Üstündağ and Doğan Özmen, the court adjourned the hearing to 22 June 2016.

(04/182) Detentions and Arrests…

Hakkari Deputy Co-Mayor Nazmi Coşkun was arrested on 27 April 2016 on the on the allegations of “disrupting the unity and territorial integrity of the state” by taking part in the self-governance declaration on 14 August 2015.

D.T. was detained on 27 April 2016 in Amasya on the allegations of “making propaganda of an illegal organisation” with the post on facebook.

The police conducted operations on 27 April 2016 in Mardin and its districts. Democratic Regions Party (DBP) Co-Chair for Mardin province Ömer Öcalan in Mardin and 5 persons in Dargeçit district were detained.

Gülhanım Aslandoğan, Müslüm Cevahir Vurucu, Ali Yetgin and Bulut Doğan who were among 22 persons detained during the operations in İstanbul against the workers and followers of the paper Özgür Gelecek (Free Future) were arrested on 28 April 2016 on the allegations of “being member of an illegal organisation”.

29-30 April 2016 Daily Human Rights Report

(04/183) Curfew in Sur…

The curfew in 6 quarters of Sur district in Diyarbakır reached its 159th day as of 30 April 2016.

According to the news appeared in the press, the body of a person was taken from Sur district to Gazi Yaşargil Training and Research Hospital on 27 April 2016.

The body of a person who was taken from Sur on 26 April 2016 was alleged to be Mehmet Kaya (55).

(04/184) Curfew in Cizre…

The bodies of Servet Çurak and Rêber Çelik who was stuck in 3 basements during the night-curfew in Cizre district of Şırnak were identified after DNA tests. The bodies were taken by their families on 29 April 2016.

(04/185) Operations and Attacks in the Southeast…

2 gendarmerie soldiers who were wounded during the clashes in Şırnak and transferred to Ankara reportedly died on 29 April 2016 in the hospital.

1 gendarmerie soldier was killed during an armed clash on 28 April 2016 in İsmetpaşa quarter of Şırnak where curfew was imposed.

One of the YPS members who were killed during the armed clashes in Cizre district of Şırnak was identified as Mehmet Can and reportedly buried on 29 April 2016.

1 gendarmerie solider was killed, 2 police officers and 1 gendarmerie soldier were abounded when an armoured vehicle was attacked with rocket-launcher on 30 April 2016 in Nusaybin district of Mardin.

1 captain was killed and 3 gendarmerie soldiers were reportedly wounded during an armed clash in Nusaybin.

3 police officers and 3 gendarmerie soldiers were wounded when a bomb exploded during the operations conducted on 30 April 2016 in Nusaybin.

YS General Coordination announced on 29 April 2016 that YPS member Kadir Tanıt (Hamza Cudi) was killed during the clashes on 19 April 2016 in Şırnak.

YS General Coordination also announced on 30 April 2016 that following YPS members were killed during the clashes in Nusaybin: Resul İnan (Rêzan Baran) on 25 April 2016, Harun Korkmaz (Kendal Koçer) on 26 April 2016, Egîd Germira on 27 April 2016.

Temporary village guard Salih Babat (45) was organised an armed attack and killed on 30 April 2016 in Şenoba district of Şırnak. Curfew was imposed in the district following the incident.

(04/186) Ultra-nationalist Attack in Uşak…

Construction workers Eren Sömer (26) and Ufuk Çelik were attacked on 24 April 2016 by a group of 3 persons for talking in Kurdish in a public park in Uşak. The workers were stabbed and hospitalised.

(04/187) Suicide Bomb Attack in Bursa…

1 soldier was wounded when a bomb exploded during the passage of a military vehicle on 28 April 2016 in Soma district of Manisa. HPG claimed the attack.

(04/188) Kızıltepe JİTEM Case…

Ankara Heavy Penal Court No 5 continued on 28 April 2016 to hear the case against 9 persons including former Diyarbakır Gendarmerie Commander Colonel Eşref Hatipoğlu and former Kızıltepe Gendarmerie Deputy Commander Hasan Atilla Uğur launched in connection with the disappearances of 22 persons in detention and/or killings by unidentified persons in Mardin and its districts between the years 1992 and 1996. 4 soldiers and 5 village guards are on trial in this case.

After the testimonies of the defendants, the court adjourned the hearing to 24 June 2016 for the completion of deficient documents.

(04/189) Columnists on Trial…

Çağlayan (İstanbul) Penal Court of First Instance No 2 concluded on 28 April 2016 to hear the case against Ceyda Karan and Hikmet Çetinkaya, journalists with daily Cumhuriyet, for publishing cartoons of Charlie Hebdo on their columns on 14 January 2015.

The indictment wanted the journalists to be sentenced according to the Article 216 TPC for “degrading religious values of people”. The court sentenced the defendants to 2 years’ imprisonment.

(04/190) Chief-Editors on Trial…

According to the news appeared in the press on 28 April 2016, a court case was launched against Fatih Polat, chief-editor of the daily Evrensel, and managing director of the paper Vural Nasuhbeyoğlu in connection with the news entitled “HPG: the police officer who claimed you will see the power of the Turks was abducted (HPG: Yüksekova’da Türk’ün gücünü göreceksiniz diyen polis alıkonuldu)”appeared in the paper on 9 October 2015.

The indictment wants the defendants to be sentenced for “making propaganda of an illegal organisation”. İstanbul (Çağlayan) Heavy Penal Court No 13 will start to hear the case on 6 October 2016.

(04/191) Former MP on Trial in Ağrı…

Ağrı Heavy Penal Court started on 29 April 2016 to hear the case against former Peoples’ Democratic Party (HDP) MP Halil Aksoy who was arrested on 21 January 2015 on the allegations of “being member of an illegal organisation” and “making propaganda of an illegal organisation” when he went to Ağrı Security Directorate to testify in connection with an investigation started after the raid of his house in İstanbul.

Halil Aksoy testified at the hearing through SEGBİS tele-conference system from Oltu (Erzurum) T-type Prison. The court decided to release the defendant to be tried without remand and adjourned the hearing to a later date.

(04/192) 1 May Celebrations…

A group of ultra-nationalists attacked the Anadolu University students with knives and sticks while distributing leaflets for 1 May on 28 April 2016 in Eskişehir. 4 students were wounded during the attack.

(04/193) KCK/TM Main Trial in Diyarbakır…

Diyarbakır Heavy Penal Court No 2 continued on 29 April 2016 to hear the case against 175 persons launched after an operation conducted in 2009. The indictment wants the defendants to be sentenced for founding the “Koma Ciwaken Kurdistan-Kurdistan Union of Communities/Turkish Assembly (KCK/TM)” and acting in the name of the organisation.

After the Public Prosecutor’s opinion as to the accusations, the court adjourned the hearing to 23 May 2016 for the preparation of the defence as to the accusations.

(04/194) Persons on Trial in Diyarbakır…

Diyarbakır Heavy Penal Court No 4 started on 29 June 2016 to hear the case against 21 persons including 2 remanded defendants launched for “taking part n the self-governance declaration” on 15 July 2016 in Yenişehir district of Diyarbakır.

After the identification of the defendants and reading the indictment, the court decided to release the defendants Türkan Uzun Avşin and Hikmet Aralan to be tried without remand and adjourned the hearing to 30 June 2016.

(04/195) Persons on Trial in İstanbul…

According to the news appeared in the press on 29 April 2016, Public Prosecutor in İstanbul concluded the investigation against 50 lawyers including 9 members of Libertarian Lawyers Association (Özgürlükçü Hukukçular Derneği – ÖHD) who were detained during the house raids conducted on 16 March 2016 in 16 districts of İstanbul.

Public Prosecutor demanded the lawyers to be sentenced for “being member of an illegal organisation”, “making propaganda of an illegal organisation”, and “aiding an illegal organisation”. ÖHD member lawyers’ appeals to the ECtHR were also cited as evidence in the indictment. İstanbul Heavy Penal Court No 14 will start to hear the case on 22 June 2016.

(04/196) Detentions and Arrests…

15 persons who were among 19 persons detained during the operations conducted against the premises of Peoples’ Democratic Party (HDP), Democratic Regions Party (DBP), Human Rights Association (HRA) and several unions in Bingöl were arrested on 29 April 2016 on the allegations of “being member of an illegal organisation”.

Erciş Co-Mayor Abdurrahman Çağan who was detained on the grounds that there was an arrest warrant against him issued on the allegations of taking part in the self-governance declaration on 12 October 2015 in Erciş district of Van was arrested on 29 April 2016 on the allegations of “disrupting the unity and territorial integrity of the state”.

During the operations conducted against HDP and DBP on 28 April 2016, DBP Co-Chair for Tuşba district of Van province Harika Uyar in Tuşba and 12 persons in Xirvate town of Yüksekova district in Hakkari were detained. HDP Co-Chair for Edirne province Hazal Köysüren was arrested on the allegations of “being member of an illegal organisation”.

Tahir Demirtaş, Binali Gülmez, Yılmaz Gürgül and Serhat Boztaş who were among 7 members of Democratic Rights Federation (Demokratik Hakları Federasyonu) detained during the raid of the Hozat Culture and Art Association (Hozat Kültür ve Sanat Derneği) in Tunceli were arrested on 28 April 2016 on the allegations of “being member of an illegal organisation”.

9 persons including 4 children who were among 24 persons detained during the house raids in Mersin were arrested on 29 April 2016 on the allegations of “being member of an illegal organisation” and “making propaganda of an illegal organisation” relying on the demonstrations they took part.

4 persons including DBP Co-Chair for Mardin province Ömer Öcalan who were detained during the raids in Kızıltepe and Dargeçit were arrested on 29 April 2016 on the allegations of “being member of an illegal organisation”.

The police conducted house raid on 30 April 2016 in Bahçelievler district of İstanbul and detained İMC TV news editor Hamza Aktan on the allegations of “making propaganda of an illegal organisation”.

Provincial General Assembly member in Muş province Sıracettin Çiftçi who was detained during a raid in Bulanık district of Muş was arrested on 29 April 2016 on the allegations of “being member of an illegal organisation”.

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MESOP DETAILED HUMAN RIGHTS REPORT TURKEY APRIL 2016 / Human Rights Foundation of Turkey (HRFT/TIHV)