MESOPOTAMIA NEWS : FULL & DETAILED HUMAN RIGHTS REPORT TURKEY

Human Rights Foundation Documentation Center Daily Human Rights Reports

March/April 2019 (02-05, 23-25, 30 March, 01-03 April)

02 – 04 March Daily Human Rights Report

(03/013) Person Killed in Hatay for Disobeying Stop Warning… It is learned from the news coverage of March 3, 2019 that, 1 person died and 3 people got wounded due to fire opened by gendarmerie to a car for disobeying stop warning in Altınözü district of Hatay. The names of people are unknown. (03/014)

 

Police Officers Had Accident in Bitlis… It is learned that 13 police officers got wounded due to roll-over of the bus, carrying the police officers of Bitlis Security Directorate to Erzurum, in order to ensure security of the meeting of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, about the local elections on March 31, 2019. (03/015) Torture and Ill-Treatment in Prison… It is learned from the news coverage of March 2, 2019 that, Lawyers’ Association for Freedom (ÖHD) and Human Rights Association (IHD) prepared a report on right violations in Düzce T Type Prison. It is stated in the report that, according to the interviews with 6 prisoners visited in prison on January 18, 2019, the following issues are identified: Prisoners are threatened with torture, prisoners are prevented from right to health, prisoners are prohibited from right to communication and talk, as a result of arbitrary disciplinary proceedings against them, petitions and letters of prisoners are not sent to answerers, and prisoners are not given Yeni Yaşam and Evrensel newspapers. It is learned from the news coverage of March 2, 2019 that, Human Rights Association (IHD) Antalya Branch Prisons Watch Committee prepared a report based on the interviews on February 26, 2019 with Mesut Canbey and Nevin Gükçe, who are on hunger strike in Alanya L Type Closed Prison demanding an end to isolation of PKK leader Abdullah Öcalan. It is stated in the report that, prisoners have difficulty to keep themselves warm due to insufficient working of the heaters, and thus they use hot water bags however the prison administration seized these bags, prisoners are not given the books that are sent by their family, prisoners are not medically examined and not given vitamin B1. (03/016) Hunger Strike in Prison… It is learned from the news coverage of March 3, 2019 that, 331 prisoners in prisons all over Turkey are on hunger strike demanding an end to isolation of PKK leader Abdullah Öcalan. (03/017) Children in Prisons… IHD Izmir Branch Women Committee made a declaration on March 1, 2019 and announced that 3.000 children (under the age of 18) are kept in prisons in Turkey and 743 of them are aged 0-6 years. (03/018) Rejection to Meeting Request with Abdullah Öcalan… It is learned that the appeal made on March 2, 2019 to chief public prosecutor’s office in Bursa by PKK leader Abdullah Öcalan’s sister and brother and tutelary along with the families of Hamili Yıldırım, Ömer Hayri Konar and Veysel Aktaş in order to visit, was rejected the same day on the grounds of limitations for prisoners in accordance with the Law on the Execution of Criminal and Security Measures Number 5275. Abdullah Öcalan’s brother Mehmet Öcalan, visited Abdullah Öcalan on January 12, 2019, for the first time since September 11, 2016. (03/019) Police Intervention Against “I Want My Job Back” Protest in Ankara… The police intervened the press declaration of public labourers who had been dismissed by a state of emergency decree and have been struggling 845 days to regain their jobs, intended to be held in front of Human Rights Monument in Yüksel Street on March 1, 2, and 3, 2019 at 13.30 and 18.00. It was reported that during police intervention against the press declaration which was planned to be held at 13.30 on March 1, 2019, 2 people (Acun Karadağ, Dağhan Beşli) and at 18.00 2 people (Alev

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Şahin, Nazan Bozkurt) were detained. It was reported that during police intervention against the press declaration which was planned to be held at 13.30 on March 2, 2019, 3 people (Mehmet Dersulu, Alev Şahin and Nazan Bozkurt) and at 18.00 2 people (Acun Karadağ, Mehmet Dersulu and Alev Şahin) were detained. It was reported that during police intervention against the press declaration which was planned to be held at 13.30 on March 3, 2019, 2 people (Nazan Bozkurt and Acun Karadağ) and at 18.00 2 people (Nazan Bozkurt and Acun Karadağ) were detained. Thus in total 14 people were detained due to press declaration intended to be held in Yüksel Street on March 1, 2, and 3, 2019. It is learned that detainees were released the same day. (03/020) Police Intervention Against a Protest in Istanbul… Türkan Albayrak, who was dismissed from her job at Sarıyer district Health Department, on the grounds of ‘personnel security investigation’ and ‘archive search’, on August 3, 2018; made a press declaration to regain her job on March 1, 2019, and attempted for a sit-in protest in front of Health Department. The police intervened into the sit-in and detained Türkan Albayrak. It is learned that Türkan Albayrak was released the same day. It is the 94th time of detention of Türkan Albayrak.  (03/021) Police Intervention Against a Protest in Istanbul… On March 2, 2019, 1 person (Feridun Osmanağaoğlu) who made a press declaration themed as “Galatasaray Square cannot be Banned” at Galatasaray Square in Beyoğlu district of Istanbul are detained by police intervention. (03/022) Police Intervention Against Saturday Mothers’ Protest in Istanbul… Police obstructed all the streets around Galatasaray Square in Istanbul to prevent Saturday Mothers who rally every Saturday for 23 years in the same place to gather for the 727th time on March 2, 2019. Upon police prevention, the group including People’s Democratic Party (HDP) MP Zeynel Özen, and Republican People’s Party (CHP) MP Sezgin Tanrıkulu as well as representatives of political parties, human rights defenders and artists along with families of disappeared people gather in front of Human Rights Association (IHD) Istanbul office and started to march. It is reported that the police blockaded the street of IHD Istanbul office too. (03/023) Prevention of Human Rights Defenders’ Event in Istanbul…  “F sit-in”, which is organized for the 362nd time by Human Rights Association (IHD) Istanbul Branch Prison Watch Committee, to demand release of ill prisoners, on March 2, 2019, is prevented by the police. The police obstructed all the streets around Galatasaray Square. Human rights defenders made the press declaration in front of IHD Istanbul office. (03/024) Police Intervention to a Commemoration in Istanbul… The police intervened the students gathering at Istanbul University Beyazıt Campus on March 1, 2019, to commemorate Önder Babat. Önder Babat, a student of Istanbul University Law Faculty, was killed on March 3, 2001. It is learned that 17 students were detained by police intervention and those detained were handcuffed behind their backs. It is learned that İleri News reporter İzel Sezer was detained as well. Detained people are released after statement procedures at the police on March 2, 2019. (03/025) Assault to Bar Association Executives in Diyarbakır… Diyarbakır Bar Association chair Cihan Aydın, made a declaration on March 1, 2019 and announced that, after the 167th of Tahir Elçi Human Rights event that the bar organizes every Friday, himself and a group of lawyers were assaulted by a person whose son is on hunger strike in prison and his relatives. It is learned that 3 people are detained through the investigation of Diyarbakır Public Prosecutor’s Office on the assault. (03/026) Principal Claimed to Commit Physical Violence Against Students in Urfa… The video footage showing the principal of Piri Reis Vocational and Technical High School committing physical violence to students being late to school is covered in the news report of March 2, 2019. It is learned that provincial Directorate of National Education initiated an investigation about the footage. (03/027) Police Preventing a Journalist in Istanbul… It is learned that İsmet Sefer, reporter of PİRHA, who was following “Mother Language” event of People’s Democratic Congress (HDK) Peoples and Beliefs Committee on March 2, 2019 in Istanbul, was stopped by the police and was forced to submit the videos and photos he recorded at the event.

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It is reported that the police seized the videos and photos in Sefer’s camera on the grounds of ‘instruction of the prosecutor’s office’, although there is no written directive. (03/028) Police Raid to Idil Cultural Center… 6 of 8 people who were detained in the police raid to Idil Cultural Center in Okmeydanı neighbourhood of Istanbul’s Beyoğlu district on February 26, 2019, are arrested by the court on March 2, 2019. The names of arrested people are: Ümit İlter, Caferi Sadık Eroğlu, Emel Yeşilırmak, İbrahim Gökçek, Barkın Timtik, Barış Yüksel. It is learned that 2 people Betül Varan, Sultan Gökçek) are released on judicial control conditions. (03/029) Police Officers on Trial for ‘Sexual Assault’ in Istanbul… The case against 5 police officers, 2 of which are arrested, on the charges of raping and seizing money of an Uzbekistani woman in the police car, started to be held on Istanbul Heavy Penal Court No 8 on March 1, 2019. The police officers were alleged to take the woman in the police car on the grounds that she does not have an ID card, after stopping the taxi that she was in, in Fatih district of Istanbul on October 15, 2018. After defence hearings the court decided to release İsmail K. and adjourned the trial. (03/030) Arrested Person in Kayseri for ‘Insulting the Atatürk’… It is learned from the news coverage of March 1, 2019 that, Kadir Göçek, a person in Kocasinan district of Kayseri is arrested on the grounds of ‘insulting Atatürk’ in his social media posts. (03/031) Journalist on Trial in Istanbul… The final trial of the case on Istanbul Penal Court of First Instance No 24, against Cumhuriyet newspaper reporter Pelin Ünker and Orhan Erinç, former grant holder of the newspaper, upon complaint of Binali Yıldırım, Justice and Development Party’s (AKP) mayor candidate for Istanbul, and his sons, for the news reports on ‘Paradise Papers’, is held on March 1, 2019. The court sentenced Pelin Ünker and Orhan Erinç to pay 30.000 Turkish Liras (10.000 Turkish Liras each for Binali Yıldırım, Erkam Yıldırım and Bülent Yıldırım) for immaterial damages, on the charge of ‘attacking individual rights’. (03/032) Journalists on Trial in Hatay… The final trial of the case against Erdoğan Alayumat and Nuri Akman, reporters of DİHABER which was closed down by the state of emergency decree, for ‘providing classified state information for political and military spying purposes’ and ‘being an illegal organisation member’, on Hatay Heavy Penal Court No 2, is held on March 1, 2019. The court acquitted Erdoğan Alayumat and Nuri Akman. (03/033) Newspaper Employee on Trial in Urfa… The case against Mustafa Göktaş, an employee of Özgür Gündem newspaper which was closed by a state of emergency decree, is held on Urfa Heavy Penal Court No 2 on March 1, 2019. It is learned that the prosecutor declared the legal opinion at the trial and demanded sentence for Göktaş on the charges of ‘being an illegal organisation member’ and ‘making propaganda for an illegal organisation’. The court adjourned the trial to May 23, 2019. (03/034) Former CHP MP on Trial… The case against 12 people including Eren Erdem, former Republican People’s Party (CHP) MP and former executive editor of Karşı newspaper; Turan Ababey, grant holder of the newspaper; and journalist Kutlu Esendemir, on Istanbul Heavy Penal Court No 23 is held on March 1, 2019. The court decided to separate the cases against Ufuk Emin Köroğlu, Emrah Direk, Değer Özergün, Mehmet Aydoğmuş, Murat Kazancı, and to separate the case against arrested defendant Onur Kala. The court also sentenced Onur Kala to 3 years and 1 month and 15 days for ‘being an illegal organisation member’; and Emre Erciş to 3 years 1 month and 15 days for ‘aiding an illegal organisation although not being a member of it’. The court acquitted Mehmet Bozkurt and Kutlu Esendemir, and sentenced Turan Ababey to 4 years and 2 months for ‘aiding an illegal organisation although not being a member of it’, and decided to arrest Turan Ababey. The court acquitted Eren Erdem on the charges of ‘violation of confidentiality’ and ‘revealing a secret witness’, and sentenced him to 4 years and 2 months for ‘aiding an illegal organisation although not being a member of it’. (03/035) The Cases Against Academics Who Are the Signatories of the Petition “We will not be a party to this crime!”… The separate cases against 13 academicians (Assoc. Professor Ferda Kemal Keskin, Professor H.B.B.

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and PhD Atike Zeynep Kılıç from Bilgi University, retired Assoc. Professor Alaeddin Şenel, and N.S.Ö. from Ankara University, lecturer Pınar Önen from Okan University, Assoc. Professor Umut Tümay Arslan from Mimar Sinan Fine Arts University, Assoc. Professor A.B.Y. from Koç University, PhD Özge Yaka from Fondation Maison des sciences de l’homme, research assistant Turan Keskin from Van Yüzüncüyıl University, Assist. Professor Derya Keskin, Assoc. Professor Özlem Özkan, Eren Can and Burcu Toğral Koca from Kocaeli University) for signing the petition “We will not be a party to this crime!” on Istanbul Heavy Penal Court No 22 for ‘making propaganda for an illegal organisation’ are held on March 1, 2019. It is learned that the Ministry of Justice responded to the writ sent by the court in order to continue proceedings against H.B.B., N.Ö.S. and Pınar Önen according to Article 301 of Turkish Penal Code. The court decided to consider the other cases against academics and then decide on to consolidate the cases, and adjourned the trial to June 28, 2019. The court decided to send a writ to the Ministry of Justice in order to continue proceedings against Ferda Kemal Keskin, A.B.Y., Özge Yaka, Eren Can, Burcu Toğral Koca, Turan Keskin, Umut Tümay Arslan, Derya Keskin and Özlem Özkan according to Article 301 of Turkish Penal Code, and to stop trials until then. It is learned from the news coverage of March 3, 2019 that, on February 25, 2019, Penal Department No 3 of Istanbul Regional Court approved by a large majority, 1 year and 3 months’ sentence given on April 4, 2018, by Istanbul Heavy Penal Court No 32 to Professor Zübeyde Füsun Üstel for signing the petition “We will not be a party to this crime!”. (03/036) HDP MP on Trial… The trial of the case against HDP Urfa MP Ayşe Sürücü, for attending the opening of Halfeti Municipality Sara Women’s House on March 4, 2016, is held on Urfa Heavy Penal Court No 6 on March 1, 2019. It is learned that the prosecutor demands jail sentence from 1 year 6 months to 3 years for Ayşe Sürücü on the charge of ‘opposing the law on meetings and demonstrations No 2911’. The court adjourned the trial to March 7, 2019. (03/037) The Constitutional Court Decision on Sincan Prison… It is learned from the news coverage of March 2, 2019 that the Constitutional Court concluded the appeal on torture and ill-treatment that children were subjected to in Sincan Juvenile Closed Prison, and stated that ban on torture was violated. On January 1, 2014, an ill child prisoner has rejected to be in roll-calls and then children were intervened on the grounds of insurrection alert and children were subjected to torture and ill-treatment in padded cells. Sincan Prosecutor’s Office has decided on non-prosecution of the wardens, upon children’s complaint against them. The Constitutional Court however considered the individual appeals and decided that ban on ill-treatment is violated and 8 children should be paid 10.000 Turkish Liras each for damages. (03/038) Detentions and Arrests in Alleged Link to Coup Attempt… 11 of 22 military officers who were detained on February 28, 2019 through an Ankara based investigation are arrested on March 1, 2019. On March 3, 2019, 7 people including military members on active duty are detained in operations covering 5 cities through an Erzincan based investigation. (03/039) Permit Obligation for Events in Batman… Batman Governorate made a declaration on February 28, 2019 and announced that events such as shows, exhibitions, hanging posters and distributing leaflets are obliged to get permission and all events such as open door and indoor meetings, demonstrations, press declarations, tents, opening booths are banned as of February 28, 2019 until March 14, 2019. (03/040) Curfew in Dicle… Diyarbakır Governorate made a declaration on March 1, 2019 and announced curfew in 8 neighbourhoods of Dicle district as of 06.00 on March 1, 2019. The court lifted the curfew as of 24.00 on March 2, 2019. The neighbourhoods under curfew are: Boğaz, Kayıköy, Kurşunlu, Yokuşlu, Kırkpınar, Boğazköy, Gelincik, Baltacı. (03/041) Ban on March 8 Event in METU… It is learned from the news coverage of March 1, 2019 that Middle East Technical University Rectorate banned the talk “Women in Local Administration” which was organized by Social Democracy Club to be held on March 6, 2019 for International Women’s Day – March 8, on the grounds that “the issue of the talk is political”.

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(03/042) Elections on March,31… 5 of 17 people who were detained on February 27, 2019 through an Erzurum based investigation are detained by the court on March 2, 2019 on the charge of ‘being an illegal organisation member’ and attending a rally for Kobane in 2014. The names of arrested people are: Zekeriya Kaldır (HDP’s city council member candidate), Cengiz Kaldır, Vahdettin İba, Murat İba and Budak Koçak. On March 3, 2019, the police raided HDP’s Diyarbakır office and detained 5 people who were on hunger strike to support HDP Hakkari MP and Democratic Society Congress (DTK) co-chair Leyla Güven. It is learned that the reason of detention is ‘making propaganda for an illegal organisation’. The names of detainees are: Salih Cansever, İsmet Yıldız, Sevican Yaşar, Salih Tekin and Bilal Özgezer. It is learned from the news coverage of March 1, 2019 that party flags around HDP office in Iskenderun district of Hatay were removed by anonymous people and a racist note saying “Fatherland for the Turks is neither Turkey, nor yet Turkestan. Fatherland is a great and eternal country for the Turks: Turan” was left at the door of the office. It is learned from the news coverage of March 1, 2019 that the banner in front of HDP Mersin office, with a photograph of Leyla Güven and “Speak up for freedom. Speak up for justice. Speak up for Leyla” expression on, was removed by the police on the grounds of “court decision”. It is learned that the windows of the office of “Cumhur Alliance” (alliance of AKP and MHP for elections) in Silivri district of Istanbul was broken by anonymous people on March 3, 2019. President and AKP chair Tayyip Erdoğan made a meeting in Trabzon on March 2, 2019 and showed some clips from speeches of HDP MP’s and stated the following: “If you love so much, then there is Kurdistan in northern Iraq. Go there. Go to Kurdistan. You have no place in this country”. President Tayyip Erdoğan continued as following: “I am calling on to my brothers willing for CHP, to my brothers willing for so-called İYİ Party, will you be a part of this mistake? I even go further and call on to those who will for HDP which is supported by the separatist terrorist organisation, will you be with the ones who want to separate this country? Come and let us hit a strong Ottoman slap on them on March 31”.

05 March Daily Human Rights Report

 

(03/043) Operations and Attacks in Southeast… It is learned that a specialised sergeant, Mehmet Darıcı, on duty at Siirt Gendarmerie Command died due to a traffic accident. (03/044) Suspicious Death of a Soldier… Turkish Armed Forces announced on March 4, 2019 that Uğur Çakmak, a soldier on compulsory military service at Armoured Brigade Command No 172 in Çalışkan town of Silopi district of Şırnak, died “as a result of a weapon accident during watch”. It is learned that Uğur Çakmak was born in Balıkesir and thus Balıkesir Governorate made a declaration on his death stating that he “was wounded at neck as a result of firing of the weapon of another soldier at watch point and was taken to Şırnak Major General Aydoğan Aydın Hospital” where he died. (03/045) Asylum Seekers Were Subjected to Police Violence in Denizli… It is learned from the news coverage of March 4, 2019 that, asylum seekers waiting in front of Provincial Migration Directorate in Denizli, in order to get their ID cards which they have to renew once in every 6 months, were intervened by police using pepper gas in order to “get them in line”. It is reported that some asylum seekers who were subjected to pepper gas at a close range were injured. (03/046) Torture and Ill-Treatment in Prison… It is learned from the news coverage of March 4, 2019 that prisoners on hunger strike in Bandırma T Type Prison No 1 were subjected to physical violence of the wardens because rejecting to stand in military order during roll-calls. It is learned from the news coverage of March 4, 2019 that People’s Democratic Party (HDP) Diyarbakır MP Saliha Aydeniz submit a parliamentary question regarding the claim of suicide attempt by 13 prisoners in Diyarbakır T Type Prisons o 1 and 2. It is reported that the question remarks the

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omissions that cause death of a prisoner Ahmet Ç. (22) who were alleged to commit suicide in Diyarbakır T Type Prison No 2 on September 22, 2018 and draws attention to the fact that there is only one physician on duty for these two prisons. (03/047) Hunger Strike in Prison… It is learned from the news coverage of March 4, 2019 that 175 prisoners in Silivri L Type Closed Prison No 5 went on a hunger strike demanding an end to isolation of PKK leader Abdullah Öcalan. It is learned from the news coverage of March 4, 2019 that 26 prisoners including Erciş district comayor Diba Keskin, who was replaced by a trustee, and Dargeçit district co-mayor Zeynep Sipçik, kept in Sincan Women’s Closed Prison went on a hunger strike for the same demand. (03/048) Ill Prisoner Released from Prison… Sise Bingöl, an ill prisoner at the age of 85, for whom the Forensic Medicine Institution stated “available to be kept in prison” in the medical report, is released from Adana Karataş Women’s Open Prison on March 4, 2019 as she served her sentence. According to the data of Human Rights Association (IHD) 1154 ill prisoners are kept in prisons. (03/049) Police Intervention Against “I Want My Job Back” Protest in Ankara… The police intervened the press declaration of public labourers who had been dismissed by a state of emergency decree and have been struggling 846 days to regain their jobs, intended to be held in front of Human Rights Monument in Yüksel Street on March 4, 2019 at 13.30 and 18.00. It was reported that during police intervention against the press declaration which was planned to be held at 13.30 on March 4, 2019, 2 people (Mehmet Dersulu and Nazan Bozkurt) and at 18.00 3 people (Gülnaz Bozkurt, Acun Karadağ and Nazan Bozkurt) were detained. Thus in total 5 people were detained due to press declaration intended to be held in Yüksel Street on March 4, 2019. It is learned that detainees were released the same day. (03/050) Police Intervention Against a Protest in Ankara… The police intervened the protestors in front of Çankaya Public Health Directorate on March 4, 2019, who rally to regain their jobs from which they had been dismissed by state of emergency decrees, and detained 2 people (Mahmut Konuk and 1 more person). It is learned that 2 people were released the same day. (03/051) Police Intervention Against a Protest in Istanbul… Türkan Albayrak, who was dismissed from her job at Sarıyer district Health Department, on the grounds of ‘personnel security investigation’ and ‘archive search’, on August 3, 2018; made a press declaration to regain her job on March 4, 2019, and attempted for a sit-in protest in front of Health Department. The police intervened into the sit-in and detained Türkan Albayrak. It is learned that Türkan Albayrak was released the same day. It is the 95th time of detention of Türkan Albayrak. (03/052) People Investigated for ‘Insulting the President’ in Ankara… It is learned from the news coverage of March 4, 2019 that, a person named M.C., made an official complaint against his daughter A.T.C. to Ankara Public Prosecutor’s Office on January 14, 2019, on the grounds of ‘insulting the President’; and that A.T.C. giving her official statement through this investigation on January 17, 2019 rejected the charges and stated that she has problems with her father. It is also reported that, A.T.C. made an official complaint against her father M.C. on the same charge (insulting the President) and as the result of this complaint is non-prosecution while the prosecutor’s office is waiting for the permission of the Ministry of Justice in order to continue proceedings against A.T.C. Professor Yaman Akdeniz from Bilgi University Law Faculty, states in the news reports that the charge of ‘insulting the President’ is involved in Turkish Penal Code in 2014, when Erdoğan began his duty as President, and the number of prosecutions on this charge since then is 66.691 while the number of cases opened is 12.305. (03/053) Police Raid to HDP Office in Diyarbakır… It is learned that detention period for 5 people (Salih Cansever, İsmet Yıldız, Sevican Yaşar, Salih Tekin and Bilal Özgezer) who were detained by the police raiding People’s Democratic Party’s (HDP) Diyarbakır office on March 3, 2019, is extended 4 days. Those 5 people were on hunger strike in HDP Diyarbakır office to support HDP Hakkari MP and Democratic Society Congress (DTK) chair Leyla Güven.

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Süleyman Soylu, the Minister of Interior, who made a speech at electoral campaign meeting of AKP in a hotel in Beypazarı district of Ankara, stated the following: “They were planning to go on hunger strike in their party’s office (HDP) in a city (Diyarbakır). I ordered the security forces to get them out of there in half an hour. I just had a phone call. They got them.” (03/054) Gezi Case… The indictment of Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office against Osman Kavala, Yiğit Aksakoğlu, Ali Hakan Altınay, Ayşe Mücella Yapıcı, Ayşe Pınar Alabora, Can Dündar, Çiğdem Mater Utku, Gökçe Yılmaz, Handan Meltem Arıkan, Hanzade Hikmet Germiyanoğlu, İnanç Ekmekçi, Mehmet Ali Alabora, Mine Özerden, Şerafettin Can Atalay, Tayfun Kahraman and Yiğit Ali Ekmekçi, for Gezi Park protests in 2013, is accepted by Istanbul Heavy Penal Court No 30 on March 4, 2019. The first trial will be held on June 24, 2019. The indictment demands heavy life imprisonment for 16 people on the charge of ‘attempting to abolish the government of the Republic of Turkey or to prevent it from fulfilling its duties’. The indictment also demands sentence for defendants on the charges of ‘qualified damage to property’, ‘possession or exchange of hazardous substances without permission’, ‘damaging places of worship and cemeteries’, ‘qualified robbery’, ‘injury’, ‘opposition to Law on the Conservation of Cultural and Natural Property No 2863’, and ‘opposition to Law for the Firearms and Knives and Other Tools No 6136’. (03/055) Person on Trial in Diyarbakır… The final trial of the case against A.K., a student staying at Diyarbakır Municipality’s dormitory, on the grounds of committing physical violence against K.K., another student who has warned A.K. for playing “Çerxa Şoreşê”, a Kurdish anthem on the phone on January 21, 2017, is held on Diyarbakır Penal Court of First Instance No 9 on March 4, 2019. The court sentenced A.K. to 6 months and 20 days for ‘injury’ and suspended the sentence. The court also sentenced A.K. to write down “Turkish National Anthem” and “To Çanakkale Martyrs”, a poem by Mehmet Akif Ersoy, and submit the handwritings to the court. (03/056) Police Officer on Trial for ‘Sexual Assault’ in Van… The final trial of the case against police officer Zekeriya K., on the charge of sexual assault to 4 women (the shop owner and 3 employees), in a shop where he went on a notice of robbery on February 27, 2018 in Van, is held on Van Penal Court of First Instance No 3 on March 4, 2019. The court sentenced Zekeriya K. to 7 years and 6 months (4 times) for sexual assault, increasing the penalty on the grounds of ‘misuse of the influence derived from public duty’. The court then reduced the sentence to 6 years and 3 months for each assault crime on the grounds of ‘possible influence of the sentence on the defendant’s future’. The court sentenced Zekeriya K. to 7 months and 15 days for ‘failure to report robbery’ which in total makes 27 years of jail imprisonment. (03/057) Labor Killings…  Worker Health and Worker Safety Council (ISIG) revealed that at least 125 workers including 1 child, 9 women, and 3 asylum seekers died while working in February 2019. According to ISIG data at least 284 workers died due to labor killings/labor accidents within the first two months of 2019. (03/058) Detentions and Arrests in Alleged Link to Coup Attempt… 50 people including military members on active duty, for whom a detention warrant was issued through a Bursa based investigation, are detained on March 4, 2019. It is learned from the news coverage of March 4, 2019 that, according to the data of the Ministry of Justice on January 18, 2019; the number of people who were subjected to legal actions on the charge of alleged link to coup attempt is 500.650. The number of people who are still prosecuted or investigated in relation to coup attempt is 259.099; the number of people on trials in ongoing cases is 78.544. There are 30.679 people (18.679 of them are convicted) in prisons on the charge of link to coup attempt. It is also learned that 77.355 people are subjected to judicial control conditions. (03/059) Violations of Right to Assembly and Demonstration During the State of Emergency Period… It is learned from the news coverage of March 3, 2019 that Social Law Association and Sendika.org prepared a report on “freedom of assembly” during state of emergency period. According to the report, during the state of emergency period from July 21, 2016 to July 19, 2018, meetings and demonstrations in at least 50 cities are banned at least 163 times. It is also learned from the report that right to assembly was violated 905 times and police intervened meetings and demonstrations 677 times and detained 3267 people. (03/060) Report on Violations Against Media… It is learned from the news coverage of March 2, 2019 that, Barış Yarkadaş, former CHP MP, declared February data of the “Report on Violations Against Media”. According to the report, 1 journalist is arrested, 4 journalists are detained, 4 journalists are sentenced to 6 years 8 months and 15 days; 46 journalists and 21 publishing house employees were on trial in February. A case is opened against a newspaper; 1 director is sentenced and 1 journalist is sentenced to a fine of 15.000 Turkish Liras. 2 news reports and were banned to be published, 41 news reports and 2 videos were banned to be accessed and 2 books were not permitted in prisons. 3 journalists were threatened and 1 journalist is assaulted in February 2019. (03/061) German Journalists’ Accreditation is Not Extended… It is learned that the application for a new press card for 2019, of 3 German-citizen journalists (ZDF İstanbul Bureau Chief Jörg Brase and Tagesspiegel newspaper’s reporter to Turkey Thomas Seibert, and Halil Gülbeyaz, a freelance journalist for Northern German Broadcasting (NDR)) is not accepted by Presidential Office of Communication for nor reason. (03/062) Elections on March 31… It is learned that the party flags around HDP’s campaign office in Esenler district of Istanbul is removed by anonymous people on March 4, 2019. (03/063) Special Security Zone in Hakkari… Hakkari Governorate made a declaration on March 4, 2019 and announced 31 areas with given coordinates in central, Yüksekova, Çukurca, Şemdinli and Derecik districts as special security zones as of March 5 to March 19, 2019.

 

23 – 25 March Daily Human Rights Report

 

(03/324) Prisoner Killed Herself in Prison… It is learned that, Ayten Becet, a prisoner kept in Gebze Women’s Prison, hung herself to protest isolation of PKK leader Abdullah Öcalan, on March 23, 2019. It is reported that Ayten Becet’s body was taken to Istanbul Forensic Medicine Institution and then was sent to Antep by the police, where she was buried by a group of 20 people. It is also learned that a group including People’s Democratic Party (HDP) MP’s Mahmut Toğrul, Ayşe Sürücü, Ömer Öcalan, Fatma Kurtulan, Rıdvan Turan, Tülay Hatimoğulları, Saliha Aydeniz and Semra Güzel were prevented from attending the funeral by the police and gendarmerie. It is reported that Ayten Becet’s family applied to Şahinbey Municipality which is governed by Justice and Development Party (AKP) in order to use public condolence room, but was rejected by the municipality. Süleyman Soylu, the Minister of Interior made a speech at AKP’s meeting in Nevşehir and stated the following about Zülküf Gezen’s funeral to which MP’s were prevented from attending: “A terrorist died in prison the other day. They were going to get the funeral in Diyarbakır and bury. I called the Security Director. I said ‘You will not let them around the airport. You will not let anybody 1 km around the cemetery’. It is not possible for us to tolerate this.” (03/325) Prisoner Killed Herself in Prison … It is learned that, Zehra Sağlam, a prisoner kept in Erzurum Oltu T Type Prison, hung herself to protest isolation of PKK leader Abdullah Öcalan, on March 24, 2019. It is learned that Zehra Sağlam’s body was first taken to Erzurum Forensic Medicine Institution and then was taken by gendarmerie to Kayalıkale village of Muş’s Varto district.  It is learned that Muş Governorate banned to enter and to leave Kayalıkale village where the funeral will be held, and the group including HDP MP’s to attend the funeral was pretended from entering the village. Zehra Sağlam’s funeral was held by a few family members under gendarmerie’s blockade.

9

 

A group including Democratic Regions Party (DBP) co-chair Mehmet Arslan, People’s Democratic Congress (DTK) co-spokesperson and HDP Muş MP Gülistan Kılıç Koçyiğit and HDP MP’s were not allowed in the village by gendarmerie based on Muş Governorate’s interdict. (03/326) Operations and Attacks in Southeast… It is learned from the news coverage of March 22, 2019 that 1 soldier got wounded due to fire opened by HPG militants to a gendarmerie station in rural areas of Arıcak district of Elazığ. It is learned from the news coverage of March 22, 2019 that in a clash between HPG militants and security forces in rural areas of Derik district of Mardin on March 18, 2019. It is learned from the news coverage of March 24, 2019 that 1 soldier (Yavuz Uygun) died and 20 soldiers got wounded due to roll-over of an armoured military vehicle in Silopi district of Şırnak. (03/327) Person Who Was Subjected to Physical Violence of the Police in Bitlis… It is learned from the news coverage of March 22, 2019 that, Fırat Akbalık, a person who attended Newroz celebration in Tatvan district of Bitlis, was stopped by the police afterwards and was taken to nearby the police cars where he was beaten for minutes. It is reported that Fırat Akbalık was released after a while and he took a medical report evidencing the violence he was subjected to. (03/328) Person Who Was Subjected to Physical Violence of the Police in Adana… It is learned from the news coverage of March 24, 2019 that, Burhan Erol, HDP provincial Youth Assembly member, was subjected to physical violence of the police for wearing Kurdish traditional outwear (şal û şepik) during Newroz celebration in Adana on March 21, 2019. It is reported that Burhan Erol was not allowed in the celebration, on the grounds of his outwear, and then was subjected to physical violence at the security booth he was taken to. Burhan Erol was the taken to a police car, and was forced to be a police informer by the police saying “You should help us. And we will help you in turn. Does HDP has any relation with PKK? Tell us”. It is learned that Burhan Erol was kept in the car for a while and then was released. (03/329) Hunger Strike in Prison… It is learned that Selçuk Kozağaçlı, Aycan Çiçek, Behiç Aşçı, Engin Gökoğlu and Aytaç Ünsal, lawyers from Contemporary Lawyers’ Association (ÇHD) and People’s Law Office, quit the hunger strike on March 24, 2019, after 59 days. (03/330) Torture and Ill-Treatment in Prison… It is learned from the news coverage of March 24, 2019 that, lawyers from Association of Lawyers for Freedom, visited 7 prisoners (Aziz Yalçın, Özkan Kart, Ramazan Sebuktekin, Hacı Sincar, Ali Delabak, Ali Emirhani and Hikmet Çalakan) on hunger strike who were transferred from Kayseri Bünyan T Type Prison to Maraş Türkoğlu T Type Prison under coercion. It is learned that the prisoners stated during interviews that they are kept as 3 prisoners in one-prisoner wards; they were subjected to physical violence of the wardens 2 times a day for rejecting to stand in military order during roll-calls; the vitamins needed by prisoners on hunger strike were not given to them and they were not medically examined regularly. It is learned from the news coverage of March 24, 2019 that, Yeni Yaşam newspaper was not given to prisoners kept in Bakırköy Women’s Prison, on the grounds that it “causes encoded communication between prisons”. It is learned from the news coverage of March 24, 2019 that, all belongings including kettles, tea, sugar, salt and juice of 5 prisoners (Şemsettin Erdem, Mustafa Çaçur, Arif Sezgin, Özgür Çelik and Ferhat Kurt) were seized in Manisa T Type Prison. It is also reported in the news that Şemsettin Erdem, a prisoner on hunger strike was not given carbonate although prison doctor demanded so. (03/331) Censored Mail from Prison… It is learned from the news coverage of March 22, 2019 that, a letter written by journalist Nedim Türfent, who is kept in prison, was censored because of a citation from Iranian writer Daryush Shayegan’s book. It is reported that the letter was sent after the lines cited were stricken through. (03/332) Rejection to Meeting Request with Abdullah Öcalan… It is learned that the appeal made on March 22, 2019 to chief public prosecutor’s office in Bursa by PKK leader Abdullah Öcalan’s sister and brother and tutelary along with the families of Hamili Yıldırım, Ömer Hayri Konar and Veysel Aktaş in order to visit, was rejected the same day on the grounds of limitations for prisoners in accordance with the Law on the Execution of Criminal and

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Security Measures Number 5275. Abdullah Öcalan’s brother Mehmet Öcalan, visited Abdullah Öcalan on January 12, 2019, for the first time since September 11, 2016. (03/333) Lawyer Meeting Prohibition for 6 Months for Abdullah Öcalan… It is learned from the news coverage of March 23, 2019 that Bursa Office of Judge of Execution No 1 has extended prohibition from lawyer meetings applied to PKK leader Abdullah Öcalan. With the last verdict, lawyer meeting ban has been extended for the 4th time. (03/334) Police Intervention Against “I Want My Job Back” Protest in Ankara… The police intervened the press declaration of public labourers who had been dismissed by a state of emergency decree and have been struggling 866 days to regain their jobs, intended to be held in front of Human Rights Monument in Yüksel Street on March 22, 23, and 24, 2019 at 13.30 and 18.00. It was reported that during police intervention against the press declaration which was planned to be held at 13.30 on March 22, 2019, 3 people (Nazan Bozkurt, Mehmet Dersulu and Alev Şahin) and at 18.00 2 people (Mehmet Dersulu and Acun Karadağ) were detained. It was reported that during police intervention against the press declaration which was planned to be held at 13.30 on March 23, 2019, 2 people (Mehmet Dersulu and Alev Şahin) and at 18.00 3 people (Nazan Bozkurt, Mehmet Dersulu and Alev Şahin) were detained. It was reported that during police intervention against the press declaration which was planned to be held at 13.30 on March 24, 2019, 2 people (Merve Demirel and Ahmet Çakır) and at 18.00 2 people (Merve Demirel and Sinan Yanbal) were detained. It is learned that Merve Demirel was injured at hand due to police intervention on March 24, 2019. Thus in total 14 people were detained due to press declaration intended to be held in Yüksel Street on March 22, 23, and 24, 2019. It is learned that detainees were released the same day. (03/335) Police Intervention Against a Protest in Istanbul…  Türkan Albayrak, who was dismissed from her job at Sarıyer district Health Department, on the grounds of ‘personnel security investigation’ and ‘archive search’, on August 3, 2018; made a press declaration to regain her job on March 22, 2019, and attempted for a sit-in protest in front of Health Department. The police intervened into the sit-in and detained Türkan Albayrak. It is learned that Türkan Albayrak was released the same day. It is the 103rd time of detention of Türkan Albayrak. (03/336) Police Intervention Against a Protest in Ankara…  On March 23, 2019, Cemal Yıldırım, making a press declaration on Sakarya Street in Çankaya district of Ankara in order to regain his job from which he was dismissed, is detained by police intervention. (03/337) Police Intervention Against Saturday Mothers’ Protest in Istanbul… Police obstructed all the streets around Galatasaray Square in Istanbul to prevent Saturday Mothers who rally every Saturday for 23 years in the same place to gather for the 730th time on March 23, 2019. Upon police prevention, the group including People’s Democratic Party (HDP) MP Oya Ersoy, and Republican People’s Party (CHP) MP Sezgin Tanrıkulu as well as representatives of political parties, human rights defenders and artists along with families of disappeared people gather in front of Human Rights Association (IHD) Istanbul office and started to march. It is reported that the police blockaded the street of IHD Istanbul office too. (03/338) Prevention of Human Rights Defenders’ Event in Istanbul…  “F sit-in”, which is organized for the 365th time by Human Rights Association (IHD) Istanbul Branch Prison Watch Committee, to demand release of ill prisoners, on March 23, 2019, is prevented by the police. The police obstructed all the streets around Galatasaray Square. Human rights defenders made the press declaration in front of IHD Istanbul office. (03/339) Police Intervention Against a Protest in Istanbul…  The police intervened into the press declaration of HDP in front of Forensic Medicine Institution in Yenibosna district of Istanbul, about Ayten Becet’s killing herself in Gebze Women’s Prison on March 23, 2019 to protest isolation of PKK leader Abdullah Öcalan. The police intervened the group once again after they march towards Şirinevler, and detained 4 people (Muhammet Erkmen, Şiar Kesen, Çetin Demir and Marif Alparslan) by using physical violence. 4 people are released on March 24, 2019 provided that 3 of them on judicial control conditions. (03/340) Police Intervention Against a Protest in Diyarbakır…

11

 

11 people who were detained in police intervention against the silent protest of TJA (Free Women’s Movement) activists, organized in Yenişehir district of Diyarbakır on March 20, 2019, about hunger strike of Leyla Güven; are released on house confinement conditions by the court on March 24, 2019. The names of detained people are: Democratic Regions Party (DBP) provincial co-chair Rewşen Karademir, HDP Yenişehir district co-chair Demet Özkaran, Sur district co-chair Sevim Coşkun, HDP Party Assembly member Nevriye Çur, TJA activists Safiye Akdağ, Remziye Sızıcı, Ronda Bat, Halime Akyol, Leyla İnal, Ayten Aytin and Ayfer Bakır. (03/341) Detained People in Newroz Celebration in Diyarbakır… It is learned that 110 people including children were detained after Newroz celebration in Diyarbakır on March 21, 2019. The names of detainees known so far are: Tenzile İlişer, Şiyar Tam, Fidan Demir, Azize Kalkan, Aygül Kartal, Cahide Çelik, Melek Akman, Şirvan Çetinkaya, Zehra Demir, Asiye Güneyli, Nefide Yaşa, Hatice Sifçik, Çiğdem Ay, Ebru Gülen, Hatun İpek, Delal Gergin, Fadile Vural, Mahsun Dere, Rojbin Gurban, Nezihe Şam, Sevgi Yeli, Emine Taş and Gazal (unknown surname). (03/342) Detained People in Newroz Celebration in Istanbul… At least 38 people including 5 children are detained after Newroz celebration in Istanbul on March 24, 2019. The names of detainees known so far are: Fehmi Tuncer, Arif Işık, Habip Karasu, Rojda Gündüz, Ömer Sinan Yıldız, Fırat Kaya, Haziran Özdemir, Birgül Ayırkan, Hakan Adıyaman, Baran Demir, Emine Songar, Hediye Özmen, Özgül Karabaş, Fatma Sak, Ergin Tüfenci, Melike Yaman, Kader Koca, Halise Yakut, Şerif Karçık, Dilan Karabaş, Ömer Hamo, Mazlum Efetürk, Özgür Karabaş, Velide Şirin, Yusuf Söylemez, Boran Baykara, Şahabettin Özer, Zübeyde Gülsüm, İbrahim Boral, Şehmus Talay, İslam Yıldız. (03/343) Detained People in Newroz Celebration in Kocaeli… 6 people including Kerem Tekoğlu, the announcer of Newroz celebration in Kocaeli on March 24, 2019, are detained after celebration. The names of detainees are: Sezgin Güler, Süleyman Uçman, Şah İsmail Tohumcu, Kerem Tekoğlu, Yasin Yıldırım, İrfan Bozkurt. (03/344) Detained People in Newroz Celebration in Ağrı… 40 people including singer Serhat Çarneva, who were detained at Newroz celebration in Ağrı on March 21, 2019, are released after statement procedures at the police on March 22, 2019. (03/345) Detained People in Newroz Celebration in Batman… 32 people who were detained in Newroz celebration in Batman on March 21, 2019 are released by the court on March 23, 2019. (03/346) Detained People in Newroz Celebration in Yüksekova… 4 people (HDP district executive Mehmet Emin Seven, DBP executive Nurettin Atsız, Seracettin Kına and Derya Özdemir) who were detained in Yüksekova district of Hakkari on March 20, 2019, while they were hanging banners in the Newroz celebration venue, are released on March 22, 2019. (03/347) Human Rights Defender, Trade Union Manager, Association Chair and HDP Member Are Detained in Ankara… Human Rights Association (IHD) executive board former member Adnan Vural; Office Banking and Insurance Workers’ Union (BES) Ankara Branch No 1 chair İsmet Meydan; Democratic Alewi Association (DAD) Ankara Branch co-chair Mustafa Karabudak and HDP member Gülistan Tekin, who were detained in house raids in Ankara on March 19, 2019 are released by the court on March 22, 2019. (03/348) Detained HDP and DBP Executives in Mardin… It is learned that a car in which Jinnews reporter Rojda Aydın, Mezopotamya News Agency reporter Ahmet Kanbal, HDP Party Assembly member Nesrin Çeçen and DBP Party Assembly member Koçer Sason were travelling in Savur district of Mardin was stopped by the police on March 22, 2019. It is learned that the police took the car to Mardin Police Headquarters and seized technical equipment such as cameras, and a quarrel took place between journalists and police officers who afterwards committed physical violence against journalists. It is learned that technical equipment of 2 journalists were seized and they were released while Nesrin Çeçen and Koçer Sason were detained. (03/349) Detained HDP Executive in Mardin…

12

 

HDP Party Assembly member Berat Kıran is detained while leaving HDP Mardin office on March 24, 2019. Thus the number of detainees through this investigation is 27 including 3 Party Assembly members of HDP and DBP. (03/350) Detained HDP Member in Batman… 7 people including HDP Youth Assembly member Mehmet Yıldırım who were detained in house raids in Batman on March 20, 2019 are released by the court on March 23, 2019. 2 (Emine Erden and Mehmet Yıldırım) of them are released on judicial control conditions. The names of detained people were: Reşit Erden, Halil Erden, Mahsum Erden, Adil Erden, Sonya Erden, Emine Erden and Mehmet Yıldırım. (03/351) Detained People in Bursa… 12 of 28 people who were detained in house raids in Bursa on March 20, 2019 and following days, are referred to the court on March 22, 2019. 2 people (singers İzzet Gül and Denge Îzo) are arrested, 10 people (Mazlum Canlı, Suat Akbal, Tugay Ketmen, Yunus Yavuz, Mensure Dumlayıcı, Yunus Akyol, Doğan Teber, Cemal Bozkurt, Ümit Karakaya and İzzet Işık) are released. (03/352) Detained People in Sakarya… Seyfettin Çetin, 1 of 4 people who were detained in Sakarya on March 20, 2019 is arrested by the court on March 22, 2019. 3 people are released on judicial control conditions. (03/353) Detained People in Tunceli… 2 people (Doğan Can Sarıtaş and Ali Haydar Baran) who were detained in Tunceli, on March 21, 2019 are released after statement procedures at the police on March 22, 2019. 2 people were detained for not shaking hands with Tunceli mayor and trustee of Tunceli Municipality Tuncay Somel, while they were sitting in front of HDP’s campaign office at Seyit Rıza Square. (03/354) Detained HDP Executives in Bitlis… HDP Bitlis executives Maruf Kartal, Yüksel Ozan, Enver Yavuz and Muhammet Mehdi Turan who were detained in central and Tatvan districts of Bitlis on March 20, 2019, are arrested by the court on March 22, 2019. 5 people (HDP former executive Suat Altun, Mehmet Salih Türk, Cemal Türk, Fesih Gürbüz and Mehmet Şerif Aslan) who were detained through the same investigation are released.  (03/355) Detained HDP Executive in Adana… On March 22, 2019, HDP district co-chair Hazım Yalçın is detained in a house raid in Seyhan district of Adana. (03/356) Detained HDP and DBP Executives in Mardin… DBP Mardin co-chair Leyla Bozkurt and HDP Nusaybin district co-chair Samiye Demir, who were detained in Mardin are released after statement procedures on March 24, 2019. (03/357) Newspaper Employee Detained in Mardin… Mizgin Sırnaç, distributor of Yeni Yaşam newspaper, is detained in a house raid in Artuklu district of Mardin on March 24, 2019. (03/358) Arrested People in Osmaniye for Social Media Posts… 2 of 5 people who were detained in Osmaniye on March 22, 2019, for ‘making propaganda for an illegal organisation on social media’, are arrested by the court on March 24, 2019. 3 people are released on judicial control conditions. (03/359) The Cases Against Academics Who Are the Signatories of the Petition “We will not be a party to this crime!”… The case against Research Assistant Seçil Ercan from Marmara University for signing the petition “We will not be a party to this crime!” on Istanbul Heavy Penal Court No 33 for ‘making propaganda for an illegal organisation’ are held on March 15, 2019. The court adjourned the trial to July 5, 2019, in order to complete rogatory process. (03/360) Villagers Who Were Subjected to Torture and Ill-Treatment of the Police are on Trial in Van… The final trial of the case against Abdulselam Aslan, Cemal Aslan, Halil Aslan and Nejdet Beysüm, on Van Heavy Penal Court No 5, on the grounds of ‘knowingly and willingly aiding an illegal organisation’ is held on March 22, 2019. The court acquitted 4 people.

Abdulselam Aslan (32), Cemal Aslan (53), Halil Aslan (48) and Nejdet Beysüm (29), 4 villagers who were detained in Gevaş district of Van on June 9, 2017, while they were gathering mushrooms; were taken to Gevaş Security Directorate and were subjected to torture and ill-treatment there. Photographs taken at the police station which evidence the torture and ill-treatment has been covered by the press. 4 villagers were then released by the court on judicial control conditions. (03/361) The Case Against Human Rights Defender and Executives of HDP and DBP in Malatya… The case against Human Rights Association (IHD) Malatya branch chair Gönül Öztürkoğlu, People’s Democratic Party (HDP) Malatya former co-chair Özcan Ağdaş, Democratic Regions Party (DBP) Malatya co-chair Nermin Tuncel, HDP Battalgazi district co-chair Ahmet Aksu, HDP Yeşilyurt district co-chair Aziz Doğan, former HDP executive Hasan Karvar and HDP member Ahmet Turan Sertkaya, on Malatya Heavy Penal Court No 2 is held on March 22, 2019. After defence hearings the court decided to release Aziz Doğan and Gönül Öztürkoğlu on judicial control conditions and adjourned the trial. IHD Malatya branch chair Gönül Öztürkoğlu and Nermin Tuncel, Özcan Ağdaş, Aziz Doğan were detained in Malatya on November 27, 2018 and were arrested on November 30, 2018. Nermin Tuncel and Özcan Ağdaş were released on judicial control conditions on February 22, 2019. (03/362) Journalist on Trial in Bursa… The case against journalist Emrah Çaçan on Bursa Heavy Penal Court No 8 is held on March 22, 2019. The indictment demands sentence for Emrah Çaçan, for his news reports on Dicle News Agency and his social media posts. After defence hearings the court adjourned the trial to July 18, 2019. Emrah Çaçan was detained in Bursa on January 6, 2017 and was arrested by the court on January 13, 2017. Emrah Çaçan was released on September 14, 2017. (03/363) Police Officer on Trial for Mazlum Kaynak’s Death… The final trial of the case against police officer Nüfer Yılmaz, on the grounds of killing Mazlum Kaynak, is held on Sakarya Heavy Penal Court No 3 on March 22, 2019. Police officer Nüfer Yılmaz, has detained Mazlum Kaynak in Istanbul on suspicion of robbery and killed him on August 14, 2015, in front of the court house in Karasu district of Sakarya, on the grounds of alleged attempt of Kaynak to escape. The prosecutor demands sentence for the defendant police officer on the charge of ‘reckless killing’. The court sentenced Nüfer Yılmaz to 2 years and 6 months for ‘intentional killing within legitimate defence’, and reduced the sentence to 1 year 6 months and 22 days. The court then converted the jail sentence to a fine of 22.680 Turkish Liras. (03/364) Prosecution Against HDP MP’s… It is learned that İzmir Security Directorate made an official complaint against HDP MP’s Serpil Kemalbay, Feleknas Uca and Gülistan Kılıç Koçyiğit, for their speeches at Newroz celebration in Izmir on March 21, 2019. (03/365) Detentions and Arrests in Alleged Link to Coup Attempt… On March 22, 2019, a detention warrant is issued against 126 people including 108 lawyers, through an Istanbul based investigation. 60 people are detained in operations in 37 cities. On March 22, 2019, 8 former employees of HAVELSAN are detained in Ankara, and 5 people are detained in Muğla. (03/366) Elections on March, 31… 4 of 12 people including Felicity Party’s (SP) city council candidate Turan Tekgül and People’s Democratic Congress (HDK) executive board member Seher Beytaş, who were detained in Kocaeli on March 18, 2019, are arrested by the court on the charge of ‘making propaganda for an illegal organisation’ on March 22, 2019. The names of arrested people are: HDP Derince district co-chair Çetin Macak, HDP Derince district executive Burhan Yorgun, HDP members Ahmet Akboğa and Said Demirkaya. HDP Bulanık district former co-chair Cevdet Yaşar, HDP Malazgirt district former co-chair and HDP’s Malazgirt city council candidate İhsan Keklik and a person named Atilla (surname unknown) are arrested by the court on the charge of ‘making propaganda for an illegal organisation’ on March 22, 2019.

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HDP Party Assembly member İlker Murat Aydın who was detained in Mersin on March 19, 2019 while he was on electoral campaign, is released by the court on judicial control conditions on March 22, 2019. It is learned that campaign stand of HDP in Kadıköy district of Istanbul was removed by the police without any reason on March 22, 2019. It is learned that the police seized the leaflets and detained 5 members of HDP who reject them. 7 people including HDP’s Çelikhan district co-mayor candidate Hüseyin Uzun, who were detained in house raids in Pınarbaşı town of Çelikhan district in Adıyaman on March 19, 2019, are released by the court on judicial control conditions on March 23, 2019. The names of detained people were: Hüseyin Uzun, Turan Uzun, Efkan Sucu, Mehmet Öztorun, Şerif Yumrutepe, Ertan Çalışkan and Hüseyin Düz. It is learned that on March 23, 2019 in Birecik district of Urfa, a Felicity Party (SP) member, Mustafa Aslan is assaulted with arms by a person named R.K. and was injured at the leg. It is learned that R.K. then assaulted SP’s campaign office too but nobody was injured in this incident. It is learned that R.K. is detained. 3 people including singer Hozan Serwan, who were detained after opening of a campaign office of HDP in Urfa on March 17, 2019, are arrested by the court on the charge of ‘making propaganda for an illegal organisation’ on March 23, 2019. The names of arrested people are: Hozan Serwan, Mustafa Yavusus and Mehmet Tosun. It is learned from the news coverage of March 24, 2019 that, flags and banners of HDP candidates in central district of Ağrı, were removed by municipality police on the instruction of Ağrı Municipality which is governed by an appointed trustee. It is learned from the news coverage of March 24, 2019 that, flags and banners of HDP candidates in Muradiye district of Van, were removed by municipality police on the instruction of Muradiye Municipality which is governed by an appointed trustee. On March 24, 2019, unknown person or persons attacked HDP’s office in Sapanca district of Sakarya with molotov bomb. It is learned that the attack caused material damage at the office while there is nobody injured. It is learned from the news coverage of March 24, 2019 that District Election Board in Gürpınar district of Van decided to move 29 ballot boxes which covers 3643 voters to another places. It is learned from the news coverage of March 24, 2019 that District Election Board in Hani district of Diyarbakır decided to move 3 ballot boxes to another places.

30 March – 01 April Daily Human Rights Report

(04/001) Operations and Attacks in Southeast… It is learned that on March 31, 2019, 1 soldier died and 1 soldier got wounded due to an attack against security forces alleged to be committed by YPG, in Melkiye area of Azez city in Syria. It is learned that a security booth, a market and a bus station was attacked by improvised explosives by anonymous person or persons in Sur district of Diyarbakır on March 30, 2019. It is reported that there were no casualties but material damage occurred at three places. (04/002) Lawyers Prevented in Prison by Wardens… It is learned from the news coverage of March 29, 2019 that, lawyers Özgür Çağlar, Saniye Saniye Biçici, A. Celil Akın and Pınar Dokuz from Prison Watch Committee of Human Rights Association (IHD) Mersin Branch, who visited prisoners on hunger strike in Tarsus T Type Prison No 2, were forced to submit their notes to wardens. It is reported that lawyers rejected to submit their notes and were not allowed to leave the prison. After negotiations with the prosecutor, lawyers were allowed to leave the prison on the condition of submitting their notes about the visit. Lawyer Özgür Çağlar stated the following: “When we were interviewing the prisoners, the wardens were in front of the door watching us. They wanted us to give the forms when we were leaving. We stated that it was not legal and asked them to show us any legal basis to submit our notes. They prevented us to leave the prison at that time, they closed the doors. I called the chair of bar association, they took care of the issue. The prison prosecutors then arrived, they seized the forms

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and then we could leave the prison. (04/003) Torture and Ill-Treatment in Prison… It is claimed in the news coverage of March 29, 2019 that, Aziz Okay, a prisoner who was transferred from Elazığ T Type Prison to Elazığ High Security Prison No 1 was forced to sing Turkish National Anthem and was subjected to physical violence for rejecting to do so. It is learned from the news coverage of March 30, 2019 that 3 prisoners (Kemal Argış, Yahya Özmen and Vezir İbosovic) who are on hunger strike in Edirne F Type Prison, were subjected to physical violence of the wardens because they do not want to attend the trial of the case against them; and that they were forcefully taken to the courtroom. It is learned from the news coverage of March 30, 2019 that, Veysel Adıgüzel, a prisoner on hunger strike in Manisa T Type Prison since March 1, 2019, was not given vitamin B1. (04/004) Newspapers Not Allowed in Prison… It is learned from the news coverage of March 29, 2019 that, prisoners in Elazığ High Security Prison No 1 were not given Cumhuriyet, Yeni Yaşam and Evrensel newspapers. It is learned from the news coverage of March 30, 2019 that prisoners in Manisa T Type Prison were not given Yeni Yaşam newspaper since March 1, 2019. (04/005) Rejection to Meeting Request with Abdullah Öcalan… It is learned that the appeal made on March 29, 2019 to chief public prosecutor’s office in Bursa by PKK leader Abdullah Öcalan’s sister and brother and tutelary along with the families of Hamili Yıldırım, Ömer Hayri Konar and Veysel Aktaş in order to visit, was rejected the same day on the grounds of limitations for prisoners in accordance with the Law on the Execution of Criminal and Security Measures Number 5275. Abdullah Öcalan’s brother Mehmet Öcalan, visited Abdullah Öcalan on January 12, 2019, for the first time since September 11, 2016. (04/006) Rejection to Meeting Request with Abdullah Öcalan… It is learned that the appeal made on March 29, 2019 to chief public prosecutor’s office in Bursa by PKK leader Abdullah Öcalan’s lawyers in order to visit their client was rejected the same day on the grounds of limitations for prisoners in accordance with the law on the execution of sentences and security measures (law no 5275). With the last rejection, it was the 802nd time that appeals for visiting Öcalan have been rejected so far. Abdullah Öcalan has met his lawyers on July 27, 2011 for the last time. (04/007) Police Intervention Against “I Want My Job Back” Protest in Ankara… The police intervened the press declaration of public labourers who had been dismissed by a state of emergency decree and have been struggling 845 days to regain their jobs, intended to be held in front of Human Rights Monument in Yüksel Street on March 29, 30, and 31, 2019 at 13.30 and 18.00. It was reported that during police intervention against the press declaration which was planned to be held at 13.30 on March 29, 2019, 2 people (Mehmet Dersulu and Acun Karadağ) and at 18.00 3 people (Nazan Bozkurt, Alev Şahin and Mehmet Dersulu) were detained. It was reported that during police intervention against the press declaration which was planned to be held at 13.30 on March 30, 2019, 3 people (Dağhan Beşli, Nazan Bozkurt and Alev Şahin) and at 18.00 2 people (Nazan Bozkurt and Alev Şahin) were detained. It was reported that during police intervention against the press declaration which was planned to be held at 13.30 on March 31, 2019, 2 people (Mehmet Dersulu and İlker Işık) and at 18.00 2 people (Nazan Bozkurt and Acun Karadağ) were detained. Thus in total 14 people were detained due to press declaration intended to be held in Yüksel Street on March 29, 30, and 31, 2019. It is learned that detainees were released the same day. (04/008) Police Intervention Against a Protest in Ankara… The police intervened the press declaration of TAYAD in Sakarya Street of Ankara on March 30, 2019, to commemorate Mahir Çayan and his friends who died in Kızıldere on March 30, 47 years ago, and detained 2 people (Taylan Sungur and Bülent Özgül). (04/009) Police Intervention Against Saturday Mothers’ Protest in Istanbul… Police obstructed all the streets around Galatasaray Square in Istanbul to prevent Saturday Mothers who rally every Saturday for 23 years in the same place to gather for the 731st time on March 30, 2019. Upon police prevention, the group including MP’s as well as representatives of political parties,

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human rights defenders and artists along with families of disappeared people gather in front of Human Rights Association (IHD) Istanbul office and started to march. It is reported that the police blockaded the street of IHD Istanbul office too. (04/010) Prevention of Human Rights Defenders’ Event in Istanbul…  “F sit-in”, which is organized for the 366th time by Human Rights Association (IHD) Istanbul Branch Prison Watch Committee, to demand release of ill prisoners, on March 30, 2019, is prevented by the police. The police obstructed all the streets around Galatasaray Square. Human rights defenders made the press declaration in front of IHD Istanbul office. (04/011) Detained HDP Executive in Urfa… On March 30, 2019, 6 people including People’s Democratic Party (HDP) executive board member Çerxo Mimkara, are detained in house raids in Siverek district of Urfa. The names of detained people are: Çerxo Mimkara, Şehriban Mimkara, Tevbun Mimkara, Xebat Mimkara, Ahmet Mimkara and Ayşe (surname unknown). (04/012) Detained Asylum Seekers for Photographs on Their Phones in Mardin… It is learned that 2 asylum seekers (Sipan Melek and Mahsum Melek) are detained during road checks in Midyat district of Mardin on March 30, 2019, on the grounds of photographs on their phones. (04/013) Human Rights Defender on Trial in Çanakkale for Social Media Posts… It is learned from the news coverage of March 29, 2019 that, Penal Department 2 of Bursa Regional Court has declared the justification of the reverse decision on 2 years and 6 months’ sentence given by Çanakkale Heavy Penal Court No 2, to Hayrettin Pişkin, Human Rights Association (IHD) executive board member, for his social media posts. It is reported in the news that, the justification states the following: “Expression by all means of thoughts including the ones that oppose the majority, providing partners to these thoughts, realization of and convincing others to realize these thoughts are among the essentials of pluralist democratic order (…) Freedom of expression and of spreading thoughts, which is one of the primary basis of democratic society, is applied not only to ‘thoughts’ that are considered to be in favour, or harmless, or not worth to care, or insignificant but also to thoughts and news which are opposite to the state and to a section of the society, which are considered as striking for them, which bother them (…) In order to consider the act as making propaganda for a terrorist organisation, it is an obligation that the act was committed in way that it ‘legitimize or praise or promote the methods of the organisation that involves force, violence or threat’ and this obligation complies with European Convention of Human Rights (…) Struggle against terrorism is also a law regime. It is not an area where obligations that arise from international law could be neglected.” (04/014) Writer on Trial in Diyarbakır… The final trial of the case against writer Bülent Tekin, for his social media posts, is held on Diyarbakır Heavy Penal Court No 11 is held on March 29, 2019. The court sentenced Bülent Tekin to 1 year and 8 months for ‘making propaganda for an illegal organisation’ and deferred the announcement of the verdict. (04/015) Singer on Trial… The case against singer Ferhat Tunç, on the grounds of ‘inciting hatred and hostility among people’ in his social media posts, is held on Büyükçekmece Penal Court of First Instance No 4 on March 29, 2019. Ferhat Tunç did not attend the trial and the court issued a warrant for Ferhat Tunç and adjourned the trial. (04/016) Journalist and Other People on Trial in Denizli… The case against Gökhan Öner, reporter of Dicle News Agency which was closed by a state of emergency decree, and against Mehmet Diler, Erol Beler, Muhlis Kayar and Eyyüp Hansu, on the grounds of ‘being an illegal organisation member’ is held on Denizli Heavy Penal Court No 2 on March 29, 2019. After defence hearings the court adjourned the trial to April 15, 2019. Gökhan Öner was detained on April 28, 2018 in Denizli and then was arrested. He was released on judicial control conditions on the first trial of the case against him, held on July 28, 2018. (04/017) Proceedings Against Parliamentary Members… It is learned from the news coverage of March 29, 2019 that, 83 proceedings against 43 parliamentary members including HDP co-chairs Pervin Buldan and Sezai Temelli, and Republican

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People’s Party chair Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu, are submitted to the Constitution and Justice Committee of the Grand National Assembly. The names of the HDP MP’s subjected to proceedings are: Ömer Öcalan (3 proceedings), Hüseyin Kaçmaz (1 proceeding), Mehmet Rüştü Tiryaki (2 proceedings), Musa Farisoğulları (5 proceedings), Murat Sarısaç (1 proceeding), Mensur Işık (1 proceeding), Mahmut Toğrul (2 proceedings), Nuran İmir (1 proceeding), Tayip Temel (1 proceeding), Tuma Çelik (2 proceedings), Semra Güzel (5 proceedings), Abudullah Koç (1 proceeding), Berdan Öztürk (5 proceedings), Salihe Aydeniz (5 proceedings), Ayşe Acar Başaran (4 proceedings), Sait Dede (2 proceedings), Şevin Coşkun (1 proceeding), Ayşe Sürücü (4 proceedings), Remziye Tosun (5 proceedings), Feleknas Uca (1 proceeding), İmam Taşçıer (2 proceedings), Dersim Dağ (5 proceedings), Meral Danış Beştaş (1 proceeding), Pero Dündar (1 proceeding), Erdal Aydemir (2 proceedings), Pervin Buldan (2 proceedings), Kemal Bülbül (1 proceeding), Sezai Temelli (1 proceeding), Gülistan Kılıç Koçyiğit (1 proceeding), Serpil Kemalbay (1 proceeding), Selçuk Mızraklı (2 proceedings), Bedia Özgökçe Ertan (1 proceeding), Ebru Günay (1 proceeding), Hüda Kaya (1 proceeding), Fatma Kurtulan (1 proceeding), Dilan Dirayet Taşdemir (1 proceeding), Nusrettin Maçin (1 proceeding). The names of the CHP MP’s subjected to proceedings are: Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu (1 proceeding), Murat Bakan (1 proceeding), Kamil Okyay Sındır (1 proceeding). The name of the TİP MP subjected to proceedings are: Barış Atay (1 proceeding). The name of the AKP MP subjected to proceedings are: Hulusi Şentürk (1 proceeding). (04/018) Detentions and Arrests in Alleged Link to Coup Attempt… On March 29, 2019, 6 military members on active duty are detained through an Ankara based investigation against Land Forces Command staff. It is learned that 2 people for whom a detention warrant was issued are detained at Istanbul Atatürk Airport, while they were attempting to leave the country with fake passports on March 30, 2019. (04/019) Elections on March, 31… It is learned from the news coverage of March 29, 2019 that, in Cizre district of Şırnak, organisation committee of Newroz celebration and HDP’s co-mayor candidates Berivan Kutlu and Mehmet Ziriğ were asked to give official statements to District Security Directorate. It is reported that the statements were asked for speeches made at Newroz celebration. It is learned that balloons with “Her demand is our demand – Leyla Güven” expressions on, which were prepared by HDP Diyarbakır provincial organisation to use during autocade for electoral campaign on March 29, 2019 were prevented to be taken out of the provincial office by the police. On March 29, 2019, 8 of 11 people including HDP Adana provincial co-chair Gülseren Tural and Seyhan Municipal council member candidate Hüseyin Beyaz, who were detained in Adana on March 20, 2019, are arrested by the court on the charges of “leading an illegal organisation”, “being an illegal organisation member”, “committing crime, plundering and threatening on behalf of an illegal organisation”. 3 people (HDP Seyhan district co-chair Hazım Yalçın, Mehmet Ali Alak, Siraç Alak) are released on judicial control conditions. The names of arrested people are: HDP Adana provincial cochair Gülseren Tural, Seyhan Municipal council member candidate Hüseyin Beyaz, Seyhan Municipal council’s former member Enver Ökmen, provincial executives M. Sait Eren, Ali Aslan, Yaşar Demir and HDP members Ahmet Alak, Mustafa Yıldız. On March 29, 2019, 14 of 24 people who were detained in Çatak district of Van on March 26, 2019, are arrested by the court on the charge of “aiding and abetting an illegal organisation”. The names of arrested people are: Nihat Babur, Attar Ertaş, Meran Kaplan, Tajdin Balka, Özgür Örek, Celalettin Örek, Fahrettin Örek, Kasım Başkurt, Abdurrahman Semo, Mehmet Şirin Tuci, Hikmet Tomay, Cemal Tomak, İskender Tafur and İsmail Can. On March 29, 2019, 11 people including Gazal Ülük and Halil Orhan, HDP’s candidates for district council, are detained in house raids in Viranşehir district of Urfa. The names of detainees known so far are: Gazal Ülük, Halil Orhan, Eyüp Türk, Ali Elbenim, Eşref Taşkın, Haşim Erdem, Nurettin Erin. On March 29, 2019, HDP’s campaign office in Siirt is raided by the police. It is reported that the reason of the raid was “propaganda for an illegal organisation”, and that the police left the office without seizing anything. It is learned that the banner of Labour Party, “No vote for one-man power! Unite for struggle of

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work, bread and freedom… Vote for Mustafa Öcal, the independent candidate for Maltepe district council”, which was held in Maltepe district of Istanbul, was removed because of President Tayyip Erdoğan’s meeting in Maltepe. It is reported that Maltepe district police chief called Tunç Şenel, Maltepe district chair of Labour Party, and said “The President will come to Maltepe in a few hours. Remove the banner otherwise metropolitan municipality will do so”. It is reported that officials of Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality removed the banner. It is learned that Steve Sweeney, foreign news editor of Britain based Morning Star newspaper, was detained in Turkey on March 28, 2019, where he came to monitor the local elections and was deported on March 29, 2019. On March 30, 2019, 65 people including HDP’s candidates for city councils and election observers, are detained in house raids in Istanbul. The names of detainees are: Ümit Bayram, Fatih Gündüz, Mehmet Şah Akgül, Gökhan Özer, Recep Kar, Azad Kaplan, Hüseyin Kayra, Özcan Gokcur, Kadir Kaya, Sacit Tunç, Dinçer Yalın, Murat Aranır, Lokman Akıncı, Süleyman Demir, Nurettin Abukan, Mehmet Şirin Balos, Özlem Erbaş, Mizgin Akman, Turgay Türşak, Sinan Yıldız, Umut Çeçen, Serhildan Taşdemir, Azat Taşdemir, Mahsum Akpınar, Ramazan Tilbaç, Cemal Kümicen, Hülya İlbars, Enis Yiğit, Barış Piranoğlu, İrfan Kaya, Kenan Beyhan, Mahmut Doğan, Kader Kaya, Yaşan Kaya, Azat Çoban, Kemal Kaplan, Yasin Bucu, Abdulrahman Sönmez, Feryat Arslanlar, Turgut Güvener, Murat Yaşa, Hüseyin Akıntı, Nurcan Sarıca, Çiğdem Sükuti, Suzan Ejderha,  Zehra Ejderha, Kerem Ozğan, Bahar Ülük, Abdurahman Sönmez, Tayyip Özdemir, Ömer Özdemir, Mahmut Doğan, Barış Karataş, Orhan Güncan, Sinan Koparır, Muhammed Ural, Mahsun Akpınar, Mazlum Yılmaz, Sinan Koparır, Şehmus Çelik, and 5 children (S.B, M.F.Ş, S.G, M.K and M.V.). It is claimed in the news coverage of March 30, 2019 that, gendarmerie and military members going to villages and hamlets of Hazro district of Diyarbakır, threatened the local people saying “We will arrest you if you vote for HDP. There are cameras at schools, we will be seeing who you vote for, put yourself together”. 9 people who were detained on March 29, 2019 in Viranşehir district of Urfa, are released on March 30, 2019. It is learned from the news coverage of March 30, 2019 that, vice president Fuat Oktay responded to the parliamentary question of CHP MP Alpay Antmen, on broadcasting of Turkish Radio and Television (TRT) about political parties between March 16 and March 20, 2019. According to the response, TRT broadcasted 27 hours and 3 minutes in favour of Justice and Development Party (AKP) and National Movement Party (MHP); whereas 3 hours and 29 minutes in favour of CHP and İYİ Party. TRT did not broadcasted at all in favour of HDP within this period. The Supreme Electoral Council, lifted the decision issued on February 22, 2019, to remove the ballot box of Koçlar neighbourhood of Diyarbakır’s Kulp district to Aygün neighbourhood, on March 30, 2019. In a school in Bölünmez neighbourhood of Malatya’s Pütürge district, a quarrel took place between a group of voters and polling clerks, which resulted in death of 2 members (İlyas Aktaş and Hasan Aktaş) of Felicity Party (SP) by gunfire that also injured 1 person. Pütürge Court of Peace imposed a broadcast ban on the incident. 3 people died and 6 people got wounded in the armed quarrel between local headman candidates and their relatives in Şehitkamil district of Antep. 1 person died and 2 people got wounded in the armed quarrel between local headman candidates and their relatives in Şefaatli district of Yozgat. 11 people got wounded in a quarrel between local headman candidates in Çarşamba district of Samsun. It is learned from the news coverage of March 31, 2019, 6 people died and 58 people got wounded in quarrels took place during elections in Turkey. It is learned that village guards in Kayahan village of Diyarbakır’s Kulp district, committed physical violence against the committee arrived to monitor the local elections and prevented them. It is learned that Jinnews reporter Gülistan Azak, who was reporting on elections in Bağlar district of Diyarbakır was threatened by the police saying “You cannot record here. It’s not certain who you work for get out of here you are terrorist”, and was subjected to physical violence of the police. It is

also learned that HDP’s Bağlar district co-mayor candidate Zübeyde Zümrüt, who reacted the police was also subjected to physical violence of the police. Sonia Helene Rosset and Noemi Colombo, two people among the Italian committee who came to Hani district of Diyarbakır to monitor the local elections, are detained. It is learned that 2 people were kept in district security directorate for 3 hours and then were released. It is learned that Nevzat Fidan, a poll clerk on behalf of HDP who was subjected to physical violence of poll clerks of AKP in Saray district of Van, was detained and taken to Karahisar Gendarmerie Station. It is learned that a quarrel took place between village guards who came up to vote in official uniforms and poll clerks of HDP in Siirt, and that a police officer said to HDP MP Sıddık Taş “You are not our representative. You are terrorist’s representative”. It is reported that the village guards could vote after taking off their uniforms. It is learned that a local headman candidate in Ömerli district of Mardin, torn the voting paper of a voter. It is learned that the poll committee considered the vote as invalid and the voter has appealed to District Election Board. It is learned that 3 poll clerks (Hüseyin Sağlam, Azat Tekin and İdris Mesken) on behalf of HDP are detained in house raids in Yeşilli district of Mardin on March 31, 2019. It is learned that Hüseyin Sağlam was released the same day and 2 people are still under custody. It is learned that HDP MP Nuran İmir, who went to Artukoğlu Middle School in Cizre district of Şırnak to vote was forced to body search by the police officers at the school. It is learned that military members attempted to vote in uniforms although they were not on duty, in Edip Başer Elementary School in Beytüşşebap district of Şırnak, and they could vote after taking off their uniforms upon HDP’s poll clerks’ objection. It is learned that in Viranşehir district of Urfa, AKP MP Halil Özsavlı’s guards and relatives attempted to attack HDP members in Cumhuriyet neighbourhood Ulubat Middle School, with kalashnikov guns. It is learned that the police used pepper spray against HDP members. It is learned that, numerous police officers coming from Mersin to Halfeti district of Urfa on the election day, voted in Halfeti Anatolian High School without submitting the official document which enables public officers on official duty to vote in a poll other than they are registered to. Fatih Bucak, CHP’s mayor candidate for Urfa’s Siverek district, is detained on March 31, 2019, on the grounds of “battering” Nüsret Kaya, AKP’s city council member candidate. It is claimed that in Emek Celal Bayar Elementary School in Osmangazi district of Bursa, AKP members delivered supplies to voters who show they voted for AKP. It is learned that AKP members delivering supplies were taken out of the school upon objections from several voters. On March 31, 2019, footage of a high-rank military member, sitting in front of the poll and of several military members with arms wandering around the voting booth in Esendere town of Hakkari’s Yüksekova district is covered by news reports. It is learned that in Nene Hatun Anatolian School in central district of Iğdır, poll counting was performed in a closed room and HDP MP Habip Eksik who rejected this was taken out of the school upon district police chief’s instruction. It is learned that 270 prisoners in Giresun E Type Prison were prevented from voting although they were on voters list. It is learned from HDP Kocaeli MP Ömer Faruk Gergerlioğlu’s social media post that only 80 prisoners could vote. It is learned that in an around Piripaşa Elementary School in Beyoğlu district of Istanbul, some leaflets against CHP’s Beyoğlu mayor candidate Alper Taş were delivered on March 31, 2019. It is learned that the leaflets were signed by “Beyoğlu Patriotic Initiative” and had “Dear brother, if you don’t go they will come” expression along with Fetullah Gülen’s photo, PKK and YPG flags and HDP and ÖDP emblems. It is learned that the police intervened into the people gathering in front of HDP Batman office to celebrate the election results who then march towards the municipality building. It is learned that the police used pepper spray and pressurized water and many people were injured. (04/020) Ban on Events in Urfa… Urfa Governorate made a declaration on March 29, 2019 and announced that all events such as demonstrations, press declarations, meetings, opening tents and stands and so on are banned as of 08.00 on April 1, 2019 until 24.00 on April 6, 2019.

02 April Daily Human Rights Report

(04/021) Prisoner Killed Herself in Prison… It is learned that, Yonca Akıcı, a prisoner kept in İzmir Şakran Women’s Closed Prison, who attempted to kill herself on March 29, 2019, to protest isolation of PKK leader Abdullah Öcalan, died in hospital on April 1, 2019. It is learned that the autopsy of Yonca Akıcı was made at Forensic Medicine Institution and her body was sent under intense safety measures to Ağrı for funeral. In order to protest isolation of Abdullah Öcalan, Zülküf Gezen (March 17, 2019, Tekirdağ F Type Prison No 2), Ayten Becet (March 23, 2019, Gebze Women’s Prison), Zehra Sağlam (March 24, 2019, Oltu T Type Prison) and Medya Çınar (March 25, 2019, Mardin E Type Prison) killed themselves so far. (04/022) Allegation of Torture Under Custody in Urfa… It is claimed in the news coverage of April 1, 2019 that, People’s Democratic Party executive board member Çerxo Mimkara and Şehriban Mimkara, Tevbun Mimkara, Xebat Mimkara and Ahmet Mimkara, who were detained in Siverek district of Urfa on March 29, 2019, were subjected to torture and ill-treatment under custody. It is stated in the news reports that those 5 people who were detained while dining at a restaurant were subjected to police violence on the street for about 45 minutes. It is reported that 5 people were subjected to torture and ill-treatment and were forced to be police informants at Siverek District Security Directorate and Anti-Terror Department of Urfa Police Headquarters afterwards. It is learned from the news reports that 1 of those 5 people have fainted due to torture and was not taken to hospital. (04/023) HDP Member Was Forced to Be a Police Informant in Adana… It is learned from the news coverage of April 1, 2019 that, Mihriban Kılıç, a member of HDP’s Youth Assembly in Adana, was forced to be a police informant. Mihriban Kılıç stated that she was being called when she was detained since January 30, 2019, by persons who claim to be “intelligence officers” and that those people say the following: “Help us. If you don’t help us, you and your family will be harmed. We will protect you and pay you. There is a continuous detention operation. Your friends give names to us why don’t you do the same? They are using you. We will get you a better telephone, get you clothes. Go to HDP office, either put your phone on voice recording or directly call us there. Attend the meetings of youth. Tell us what is going on there. Take photos. If you don’t help us, you and your family will be harmed. Don’t spend your youth, help us and you will enjoy your life”. (04/024) Police Intervention Against “I Want My Job Back” Protest in Ankara… The police intervened the press declaration of public labourers who had been dismissed by a state of emergency decree and have been struggling 874 days to regain their jobs, intended to be held in front of Human Rights Monument in Yüksel Street on April 1, 2019 at 13.30 and 18.00. It was reported that during police intervention against the press declaration which was planned to be held at 13.30 on April 1, 2019, 2 people (Mehmet Dersulu and Acun Karadağ) and at 18.00 2 people (Nazan Bozkurt and Mehmet Dersulu) were detained. Thus in total 4 people were detained due to press declaration intended to be held in Yüksel Street on April 1, 2019. It is learned that detainees were released the same day. (04/025) Police Intervention Against a Protest in Ankara… The police intervened the protestors in front of Çankaya Public Health Directorate on April 1, 2019, who rally to regain their jobs from which they had been dismissed by state of emergency decrees, and detained 2 people (Mahmut Konuk, and 1 more person). It is learned that 2 people were released the same day. (04/026) Police Intervention Against a Protest in Istanbul… The police intervened the public employees who make a sit-in protest at Bakırköy Square on April 1, 2019, who rally to regain their jobs from which they had been dismissed by state of emergency decrees, and detained 2 people (Nursel Tanrıverdi, Selvi Polat) by using physical violence. It is learned that Nursel Tanrıverdi and Selvi Polat are arrested by the court on the same day, on the grounds of ‘opposition to Law on Meetings and Demonstrations No 2911’ and ‘violating judicial control conditions’. It is the 4th time of arrest of Nursel Tanrıverdi and Selvi Polat. (04/027) Police Intervention Against a Protest in Istanbul…  Türkan Albayrak, who was dismissed from her job at Sarıyer district Health Department, on the grounds of ‘personnel security investigation’ and ‘archive search’, on August 3, 2018; made a press declaration to regain her job on April 1, 2019, and attempted for a sit-in protest in front of Health Department. The police intervened into the sit-in and detained Türkan Albayrak. It is learned that Türkan Albayrak was released the same day. It is the 107th time of detention of Türkan Albayrak. (04/028) Detentions and Arrests in Alleged Link to Coup Attempt… On April 1, 2019, 3 people are detained in alleged attempt to illegally cross to Greece are detained in Edirne. (04/029) Elections on March, 31… It is learned that, Ali Suat Akmeşe, mayor candidate of Felicity Party for Çüngüş district of Diyarbakır, and a relative of him were attacked by anonymous and armed person or persons. It is learned that 2 people got injured and were taken to Dicle University Hospital. (04/030) Ban on Events in Muş… Muş Governorate made a declaration on April 1, 2019 and announced that all events such as demonstrations, press declarations, meetings, opening tents and stands and so on are banned for 15 days as of April 1, 2019.

 

 

[1]The reports on the human rights violations of the Documentation Center are claims unless they are certified. The claim of violation either is certified through thoroughly investigations of HRFT Documentation Center, including by judicial verdicts, and becomes a definite data or it is not included to the annual report. [2]To subscribe to the e-mail group: please write ‘daily human rights reports subscription application’ to the title of your e-mail and sent it to dokumantasyon@tihv.org.tr. [3]https://www.facebook.com/TIHV.HRFT [4] https://twitter.com/insanhaklari [5] Daily Human Rights Reports are prepared on the information gathered by the Documentation Center from its own network and the following dailies and internet portals: Vatan, Milliyet, Hürriyet, Habertürk, Evrensel, Birgün, Cumhuriyet, Fırat Haber Ajansı, Jinnews, ETHA, Mezopotamya Ajansı, Yurt, YeniYaşam, NTV, Yeni Asya, Bianet, Halkinsesi.tv, Cnnturk, Tr724, İleri Haber, Siyasi Haber, Alınteri, Kızılbayrak, Sendika.org, Yüksekova Haber, T24, Diken, Gazete Karınca, Gazete Duvar, Haber Sol, El Cezire, BBC, Deutsche Welle, Reuters, AFP.

 

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