Turkey Weekly – 30 April – 26 April
Turkey Today – 30 April 2021
The decision regarding the expiration date of the Istanbul Convention was published in the Official Gazette. The ‘expiry date’ has been determined as of July 1.
The 4-year and 8-month prison sentence of HDP’s former Co-Chair Selahattin Demirtaş was upheld by the Supreme Court.
A 14-year-old boy was detained in Şemdinli on grounds of “insulting the President” in his social media post.
Turkish Interior Minister Süleyman Soylu has said that a total of 804 Turkish nationals who went abroad with special service passports never returned to Turkey, adding that 27 municipalities in 19 provinces are currently being probed.
Asylum applications from Turkey to EU increased by 500 pct since 2015.
Sentenced to 1 year, 3 months in prison for sharing the results of the Health Ministry’s cancer research with the public, food engineer Asst. Prof. Bülent Şık has been acquitted by the court of appeals.
Covid-19: Contradicting health minister, President Erdoğan says Turkey has enough Covid-19 vaccine supplies. Health Ministry reported 31,891 new infections and 394 deaths in the last 24 hours.
Turkey Today – 29 April 2021
Stripped of his MP status and arrested shortly afterwards, HDP’s Gergerlioğlu has been indicted over his ‘justice watch’ at the Parliament.
Military operations were launched in Şırnak and Hakkari with the participation of thousands of law enforcement officers.
MEBYA DER Representative Leyla Özalp shared the information that there were 200 unidentified bodies of HPG members who lost their lives in clashes in 3 separate cemeteries in Siirt.
Staging a sit in in front of the Urfa Court House demanding justice, Fadıl Şenyaşar is doing the sit in alone today, because his mother Emine Şenyaşar will visit his son in prison on the 52nd day of the sit in. It is the first visit in 3 month.
Police attacked the labor and democracy forces who wanted to make a statement about May 1 in Ankara, using tear gas and rubber bullets.
CHP İstanbul Chair Canan Kaftancıoğlu has been sentenced to pay 56 thousand lira in non-pecuniary damages to President and AKP Chair Erdoğan for “insulting” him with her tweets.
According to HDP Group Deputy Chairwoman Meral Danış Beştaş Turkey has been sending Covid-19 vaccines to Syrian rebels in Libya despite a serious shortage in the country.
Covid-19: 37,674 new infections and 339 deaths registered in the last 24 hours.
Turkey Today – 28 April 2021
The Human Rights Association (İHD) has filed a criminal complaint against İstanbul MP Ümit Özdağ, who threatened HDP Diyarbakır MP Garo Paylan over his remarks about the Armenian genocide.
Eighth hearing of the trial where HDP Diyarbakır Branch’s Press Consultant Vedat Dağ faces “membership in a terrorist organization” and “terror propaganda” charges was held in Diyarbakır. Court decided to have two witnesses testify in the next hearing, began official procedures to notify these individuals. Trial adjourned until October.
Trial of seven defendants whose files were separated at the end of the Gezi Trial, resumed in İstanbul. Exiled journo Can Dündar is among the defendants who all live abroad, and face various charges including “attempting to overthrow the gov‘t.” Court rules to merge this file with the Gezi Trial where a re-trial is set to begin in May.
CHP Vice Chair Gülizar Biçer-Karaca’s report on domestic workers: 3 out of every 10 women subjected to violence.
France’s Interministerial Committee for the Prevention of Crime and Radicalization (CIPDR) has accused Turkey’s state-run Anadolu Agency (AA) of being a “propaganda body spreading fake news”.
Covid-19: Health Ministry reported 40,444 new infections and 341 deaths in the last 24 hours.
Turkey Today – 27 April 2021
At the first hearing of Kobanî trial, the court board has rejected the attorneys’ request for recusal; the next hearing will be held on May 3. The summary of the indictment was read without lawyers present.
The Turkish Parliament adopted a motion condemning the recognition of the massacre of Armenians at the hands of the Ottoman Empire as genocide by US President Joe Biden last Saturday. The motion was adopted by all parties except the HDP.
Commenting on the recognition of Armenian genocide Turkey’s Parliamentary Speaker Şentop says US President Biden’s statement “reveals the US contradictions of science and international law,” and “I reject this great slander”.
According to Constitutional Court President Aslan the number of individual applications is gradually rising.
Following a ruling of right violation handed down by the Constitutional Court, a lawsuit has been filed against three police officers for “violating the freedom to work and labor” of former bianet reporter Kural.
Civil Society in the Penal System (CISST) released a statement on the rights violations against & the impact of pandemic measures on prisoner children.
▶️ 1,584 children aged 12-18 are in prisons
▶️ 1,066 of them were not released durign the pandemic despite not being convicted
Covid-19: Turkey will enforce a full lockdown from April 29 until May 17 to stem the spread of coronavirus, President Erdoğan has announced. On April 26, 37,312 new infections and 353 deaths were registered.
Turkey Today – 26 April 2021
Commenting on Kobani Trial Erdoğan’s communications director Fahrettin Altun calls HDP politicians ‘murderers’.
Many addresses were raided in the central districts of Diyarbakır early this morning. Scores of people were detained following the raids, including Peoples’ Democratic Party (HDP) executives Ramazan Karakaya, Hamit Onur, Murat Öndeş and Zeki Bağcık.
Police used violence against Mesopotamia News Agency reporters following the press release in front of the court house. Police said: “We have orders from our director. We will not allow Mesopotamia Agency (MA) to follow the hearing.”
Sixth hearing of the trial where journalist Durket Süren uren faces “aiding and abetting a terrorist organization” and “terrorist propaganda” charges based on her social media posts, phone recordings, and TV programs resumed in Diyarbakır. Court ruled to wait for the digital examination report on journalist Süren’s confiscated mobile phone and personal computer to be completed. Trial adjourned until September.
Police attacked the press release organized in İstanbul regarding the Kobané Case hearing held today in Ankara. Dozens of people were detained including Mesopotamia News Agency and Artı TV reporters.
Turkey continues military operation in Iraq’s Kurdistan region.
“There will be a reaction of different forms, kinds and degrees in the coming days and months,” says Turkey’s Presidential Spokesperson Kalın in response to US President Biden’s recognition of Armenian genocide.
Covid-19: “Istanbul saw 1,117 extra deaths in the week of April 14-20,” warns the Turkish Medical Association (TTB). The current figures have not yet been published.
Turkey Weekly – 19-25 April 2021
Turkey Today – 25 April 2021
Statement by POTUS Joe Biden on Armenian Genocide: Each year on this day, we remember the lives of all those who died in the Ottoman-era Armenian genocide and recommit ourselves to preventing such an atrocity from ever again occurring.
The Turkish Foreign Ministry said Biden’s decision to recognize the Armenian Genocide had no legal basis and would “open a deep” wound in bilateral ties, rejecting it “in the strongest terms.”
Ambassador of U.S. has been summoned to the Turkish Foreign Ministry over the recognition of Armenian Genocide by President Biden.
All of Turkey’s opposition parties except the HDP are condemning POTUS Biden’s recognition of the Armenian Genocide.
Statement by İstanbul Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu on recognition of the Armenian Genocide by POTUS Biden: I strongly condemn the US administration’s remarks on the events of 1915. This is a grave error. We repudiate such moves to incriminate the Republic of Turkey.
DEVA founder and former AKP Deputy Metin Kaşıkoğlu targets HDP for remembering Armenian genocide: I hope you become extinct too.
The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights has reported the entry of a new column comprising 30 Turkish vehicles into Syria, loaded with military & logistical equipment via Kafr Losin border crossing with the Iskenderun region, north of Idlib.
After Turkish Armed Forces have launched a operation into Northern Iraq’s Metina region on Friday night clashes are continuing.
Hunger strike in Turkish prisons against solitary confinement of Kurdish political leader Abdullah Öcalan enters day 150.
In Rize, the gendarmerie cracked down on environmentalists who were protesting with a vigil against the construction of a stone throw. 15 people were arrested.
Covid-19: 38,533 new infections and 347 deaths registered in the last 24 hours.
Turkey Today – 24 April 2021
Turkish Interior Minister Süleyman Soylu said opposition politicians were lying about the negative impact of the country’s withdrawal from a treaty to protect women last month, saying fewer had been killed since.
Şenyaşar Family’s search for justice continues on day 47. The family lost three members as a result of the attacks of AKP Deputy İbrahim Halil Yıldız and his relatives.
Some 74 percent of the students in Turkey have difficulties in accessing technology for online education and about half of the students don’t attend any online education event, according to a survey among teachers.
Covid-19: Health Ministry reported 40,596 new infections and 339 deaths in the last 24 hours.
Turkey Today – 23 April 2021
Access to Jinnews website blocked for the 24th time.
Isa Gültekin, a 67-year-old cancer patient prisoner in Mersin Tarsus No 3 T Type Closed Prison, has passed away. The family of the prisoner and the Human Rights Association (IHD) had urged the authorities to release Gültekin whose health was in critical condition.
HDP Foreign Relations Commission Co-spokespersons Feleknas Uca and Hişyar Özsoy has visited the Council of Europe Committee for the Prevention of Torture (CPT) in Strasbourg. Topics were the solitary confinement of Abdullah Öcalan and the hunger strike in Turkish prisons.
“40 percent of all cases are in İstanbul”: The Scientific Advisory Board of the İstanbul Metropolitan Municipality has recommended full lockdown amid a sharp increase in COVID-19 cases and deaths.
Covid-19: The current figures have not yet been published.
Turkey Today – 22 April 2021
The Constitutional Court rejected the appeal regarding the people burned to death in the basements in Cizre during the curfews declared back in 2015.
The Rector’s Office of Middle East Technical University (METU) has informed its students who painted the stairs at the campus in rainbow colors that an investigation will be launched against them.
Trial where 22 journalists who were taken into custody while the police was raiding the Özgür Gündem office on Aug 16, 2016 are tried on charges of “resisting a public official” resumed in İstanbul. Court rules to separate the files of defendants whose arrest warrants could not been executed yet in order to proceed with the trial. Trial adjourned until July.
Attorneys of Kurdish political leader Abdullah Öcalan applied to Bursa Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office to meet with their clients.
PACE calls on the Turkish authorities “to put an end to laws & practices that contravene democratic standards”
https://pace.coe.int/en/news/8283/pace-calls-on-turkish-authorities-to-put-an-end-to-laws-and-practices-that-contravene-democratic-standards-
Issuing a circular, the Ministry of Interior has announced that this week’s weekend curfew will also be in effect on April 23 Children’s Day, an official holiday.
Covid-19: Kurdish-majority provinces have lowest Covid vaccination rates, according to Health Ministry data. 54,791 new infections and 354 deaths registered in the last 24 hours.
Turkey Today – 21 April 2021
The Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure, in its response to the parliamentary question of HDP member Hasan Özgüneş, argued that Kurdish will not be used as an announcement language at airports since the official language is Turkish.
In the wake of a demonstration ban which will also be in effect on May Day, a group of workers came together in İstanbul’s Bakırköy to make a call for May Day. Police have detained nearly 50 workers.
Presiden Erdoğan’s attorneys have appealed against the acquittal of actors Metin Akpınar and Müjdat Gezen, who were charged with “insulting the President” over their remarks during a TV program.
Trial where since shuttered TV10’s former cameraman Kemal Demir and staffer Kemal Karagöz face “aiding and abetting a terrorist organization without being a member” charges resumed in Istanbul.Court ruled to bring witness Şükrü Yıldız to the courtroom by force for the next hearing to have him testify. Trial adjourned until September.
The European Court of Human Rights has rejected an appeal by #Turkey against a ruling that found CHP leader Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu right in his case against President Erdoğan.
President Erdoğan has issued a Presidential decision regarding some ministers: While Derya Yanık has been appointed as the Minister of Family and Vedat Bilgin as the Minister of Labor & Social Security, Minister of Trade Ruhsar Pekcan has been replaced by Mehmet Muş.
On the occasion of the Kobani Trial of 108 people, including arrested HDP former Co-Chairs Figen Yüksekdag and Selahattin Demirtas, to be held on April 26 HDP Europe calls for international solidarity actions
https://hdpeurope.eu/2021/04/call-for-international-solidarity-actions-the-kobane-trial-to-be-held-on-april-26-in-ankara/
Ambassador of Sweden Herrström has been summoned to the Justice Ministry of Turkey over the meeting between Sweden’s Defense Minister Hultqvist and Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) leader Kobani.
bianet Media Monitoring Database two-week summary:
▶️ The never-ending trials of a father and son running a local newspaper
▶️ Footage of a 2005 demonstration found on a journalist’s PC cited as crime evidence ▶️ More censorship on news portals
The administrative board of the Retired Military Officers Association of Turkey (TESUD), which “did not condemn the declaration of 104 retired admirals”, has been removed from office by the Ministry of Interior.
Covid-19: Health Ministry reported 61,967 new infections and 362 deaths in the last 24 hours.
Turkey Today – 20 April 2021
Turkey has ranked 153 out of 180 countries in the Reporters Without Borders’ 2021 World Press Freedom Index. The government controls most of the national media and uses regulatory bodies to “marginaline and eliminate critics,” says the RSF.
Mezopotamya Agency (MA) has been censored for the 31st time.
2nd hearing of the trial where Yeni Yaşam daily Managing Editor İnci Aydın faces “making terror propaganda” charges for a news report published in the paper on July 17, 2020 with the title “Is a new attack at the door?” was held in İstanbul. The journalist is acquitted.
With the unsigned information note sent to the prosecutor in the Kobanê Case in 2018, it was recommended that there was no obstacle for the interrogation, detention and arrest of the 7 HDP MPs.
UN Women study on men’s perception of child marriage in Turkey:
18 percent think there shouldn’t be a punishment for forced early marriages
10 percent think girls are ready for marriage after reaching puberty
Human Rights Association (İHD) İstanbul Branch has announced that a prematurely born baby is not given to the refugee family because they cannot meet the treatment expenses at a public hospital.
Melih Bulu, who has been appointed by Erdoğan as a rector to Boğaziçi University, is now also appointed as a dean to the Faculty of Communication, which has recently been established by a Presidential decision.
Ahead of the trial over the death of retired teacher Metin Lokumcu, the Governor’s Office of Trabzon has banned events and demonstrations in the city to “stem the spread of COVID-19” and “prevent crimes”.
Covid-19: The figures have not yet been published.
Turkey Today – 19 April 2021
HDP Kocaeli Provincial Organization took over the “Justice Watch” initiated by Ömer Faruk Gergerlioğlu, who was arrested after being stripped of from his status as MP.
Lawyers of Kurdish political leader Abdullah Öcalan applied to Bursa Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office to meet with his clients. Neither a positive nor a negative response was given to the applications made by the lawyers. The attorneys were last able to meet with their clients on 7 August 2019.
A lawsuit has been filed against 97 people for joining the protests against the appointed rector of Boğaziçi University in early February.
The Ministry of Interior launched a central investigation against the six municipalities mentioned regarding “human trafficking” with a gray passport. Malatya Yeşilyurt Municipality of AKP have sent 53 people to the Hannover city of Germany on September 2020 for a campaign called ‘Raising individuals aware of the environment’.
Covid-19: Health Ministry reported 55,149 new infections and 341 deaths in the last 24 hours.
Turkey Weekly – 12 – 19 April 2021
Turkey Today – 18 April 2021
Justice Ministry has admitted in response to a petition submitted by HDP MP Gülistan Koçyiğit that overcrowding has occasionally occurred in some of Turkey’s prisons during the COVID-19 pandemic in provinces where unpredictably large numbers of people are detained at once.
Hunger strike in Turkish prisons against solitary confinement of Kurdish political leader Abdullah Öcalan enters day 143.
In Van prison, photos sent by post are not handed over to the prisoners.
Six and a half years after protests against Turkish support for the ISIS attack on Kobanê in Rojava, several members of the Democratic Regions Party (DBP) have been sentenced to several years in prison on terror charges in the western Turkish city of Aydın.
Covid-19: 55,802 new infections and 318 deaths registered in the last 24 hours.
Turkey Today – 17 April 2021
Şenyaşar Family’s search for justice in front of Urfa Courthouse Urfa Courthouse continues on day 40. The family lost three members as a result of the attacks of AKP Deputy İbrahim Halil Yıldız and his relatives.
The resistance initiated by students and academics against president Erdoğan’s appointment of Melih Bulu as rector of Boğaziçi University is continuing on day 76.
A. Özer whom the Ministry of Interior told to be killed during a military operation is under treatment in a hospital in Diyarbakır. Photos of Özer injured and handcuffed behind his back were revealed after he was announced to be dead.
Three people who were detained in the operation in the Lice district of Diyarbakır for three days were released.
During the military operation in Lice many trees were cut.
Court blocks access to several articles and news reports about Albayrak family members.
Covid-19: Health Ministry reported 62,606 new infections and 288 deaths in the last 24 hours.
Turkey Today – 16 April 2021
Turkey’s Constitutional Court will examine the application regarding the people killed in Cizre basements on April 21.
A report was prepared against HDP Van Deputy Muazzez Orhan for sharing a post about Kemal Kurkut, a university student who was killed by the police back in 2017 during Newroz celebrations in Diyarbakır.
Fourth hearing of the trial where journalist Aziz Oruç faces “membership in a terrorist organization” and “making terrorist propaganda” charges was held at Ağrı 2nd High Criminal Court today. Court adjourned the trial until September.
OSCE has requested information about 24 journalists from Turkey.
Ferhat Acer from Balıkesir Bandırma No 2 Type F Closed Prison spoke to his family on the phone today and told that strip search was imposed on sick prisoners in his ward and they were not taken to the hospital because they rejected being strip searched.
CHP Parliamentary Group Deputy Chair Engin Altay has slammed the summaries of proceedings that seek to lift the legislative immunity of 10 MPs, including CHP Chair Kılıçdaroğlu & two HDP MPs.
Covid-19: 63,082 new infections and 289 deaths registered in the last 24 hours.
Turkey Today – 15 April 2021
A summary was prepared agains Independent MP Ahmet ŞIk for his words about the the trustee rector during Boğaziçi University protests.
During police raids in Hakkari, 6 people were arrested.
A military operation was launched in Lice/Diyarbakır. 4 people were arrested during the operation. Due to the ongoing military operation in the countryside of Lice district of Diyarbakır, it was reported that drone cameras were flown over the neighborhoods, as well as helicopters, Unmanned Aerial Vehicles and Armed Unmanned Aerial Vehicles have mobility in the region.
Second hearing of the trial where journalist CengizCandar was held at İstanbul 30th Criminal Court of First Instance today. Çandar faces a charge for a single tweet from 2017. Court lifted the arrest warrant against him and ruled to receive his defense statement from abroad via letters rogatory. The trial is adjourned until September.
Trial where Etkinhaberetha editor Semiha Şahin and reporter Pinar Gayip face “membership in a terrorist organization” and “propaganda” charges resumesd in İstanbul. Court demanded incomplete elements of the case-file to be completed and adjourned the trial until July 14, 2021.
Trial where Evrensel newspaper’s former Managing Editor Cem Şimşek faces “insulting the president” charges for a news story on German cartoonists who drew Erdoğan resumed at Bakırköy 27th Criminal Court of First Instance. Journalist and his lawyers are granted time to prepare final defense statements, trial adjourned until July.
A letter was sent to jailed journalist Nedim Türfent. It explained how the expression “We won’t look down” (in Boğaziçi protests) came up, with an article titled “A brief history of the command to look down” attached. Both the letter & the article have been found ‘objectionable.’
President Erdoğan has said that the İstanbul Convention, which he pulled the country from in March, has not brought respect for women’s rights. He argued that Turkey can create a “better and stronger” version of the treaty if there is such a need.
The Human Rights Foundation of Turkey (TİHV), Human Rights Association (İHD) and Initiative for Freedom of Expression released their March 2021 report on violations of freedom of expression and right to assembly and association in Turkey.https://m.bianet.org/english/human-rights/242493-the-act-of-advocacy-has-become-impossible-in-turkey
Covid-19: Health Ministry reported 61,400 new infections and 297 deaths in the last 24 hours.
Turkey Today – 14 April 2021
Turkey’s Court of Cassation rules for the release of writer Ahmet Altan.
The court sentenced HDP Diyarbakır Provincial Co-Chair Hülya Alökmen to 10 years and 6 months in prison for “being a member of a terrorist organization” and issued an arrest warrant against her.
Trial where journos İdris Sayılğan & Naci Kaya are charged with “trespassing a military zone” resumes in Edirne today. Journalist Sayılğan was briefly detained in Feb 2020 while reporting on the refugees crossing Turkey’s Greek border in Edirne. The court acquitted both journalists of all charges.
3rd hearing of the trial where journalist Buse Soğütlü is accused of “disclosing the identity of a public official on anti-terrorist duty, identifying them as a target” was held in İstanbul. Judge Akın Gürlek is the complainant. Court gives prosecution time to finalize the final opinion, adjourns the trial until September.
The academics of Boğaziçi University have filed a lawsuit against the appointment of Prof. Selami Kuran as a dean to the Faculty of Law, which has been established by a Presidential decision shortly after the rector appointment.
Covid-19: 62,797 new infections and 279 deaths registered in the last 24 hours.
Turkey Today – 13 April 2021
ECtHR ruled that journalist and novelistAhmetAltan’s right to personal security and liberty as well as right to freedom of expression have been violated. Turkish government will pay Altan 16000 EUR in non-pecuniary damages.
Criticizing CHP for not taking a serious attitude against his father Ömer Faruk Gergerlioğlu being stripped of his status as an MP, his son Salih Gergerlioğlu said: “We need to quit simple political affairs and unite in demanding justice and peace.”
Hunger striking prisoner Selami Keleş from Düzce Type T Closed Prison told that 15 prisoners from Düzce Prison were handed a disciplinary punishment of 11 days of solitary confinement for participating in the hunger strike action.
A lawsuit has been filed against journalist Cihan Ölmez over his statements to the press regarding the curfews in 2015-2016. The indictment has described daily Evrensel and bianet as “so-called media outlets”.
Re-trial of since shuttered Zaman daily columnists Şahin Alpay, Ali Bulaç, Mümtazer Türköne and editor Mehmet Özdemir began in İstanbul The Court of Cassation had overturned the columnists’ conviction & Özdemir’s acquittal in Sept 2020. Ruling to abide by the decision to overturn the sentences; the court decided to hear the witness testimonies of Binnaz Toprak, Ümit Erol, Zekeriya Tüzen and Hüseyin Gülerce; and issue an arrest warrant for Özdemir, who did not attend the hearing. Trial adjourned until Sep 9.
Canada cancels export permits for drone technology to Turkey.
Taken into custody over ‘Montreux declaration’, 14 retired admirals have been released on probation.
A doctor at a public hospital was detained for refusing to examine a prosecutor who didn’t have an appointment.
Covid-19: The Turkish Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases Association warns that Turkey is experiencing the stage 4 of the COVID-19 pandemic. refusing to examine a prosecutor who didn’t have an appointment. Health Ministry reported 59,187 new infections and 273 deaths in the last 24 hours.
Turkey Today – 12 April 2021
Free Women’s Movement (TJA) activist Zelal Bilgin, and Diyarbakır Metropolitan Municipality (DBB) Council Members Bahar Karakaş Uluğ and Rabia Tekas were arrested in Diyarbakır.
With their first application rejected on procedural grounds, the families who lost their loved ones in Roboski massacre have applied to Constitutional Court again: “Put the perpetrators on trial. This is our only demand”.
Şenyaşar family, who continue their sit in in front of the Urfa Courthouse on its 35th day, said that they will continue their actions until all 23 suspects identified in the investigation regarding the incidents in the hospital are arrested.
Parliamentary Speaker Şentop has returned CHP MP Tanrıkulu’s Parliamentary question on party closures on the grounds that it is among “the issues that cannot be questioned” as per the Parliamentary bylaw.
President of S&D: Tomorrow all EP group leaders will hear from von der Leyen & Charles Michel about their visit to Ankara.
Press in Arrest initiative has released its March 2021 Press Freedom Report 41 journalists are behind bars in Turkey
At least 79 journalists appeared before a judge
8 journalists were sentenced to a total of 24 years in prison
Administrative fines totaling 14 thousand 80 Turkish Lira
Covid-19: A Turkish travel agency has promoted “vaccine tourism” with packages beginning at 700 euros to those who wish to fly to Serbia for a Pfizer COVID-19 shot. Turkey’s Belgrade Embassy however released a statement saying that Serbia no longer allows people traveling from abroad to be vaccinated in the country. On April 11, 50,678 new infections and 237 deaths were registered.
Turkey Weekly 5 – 12 April 2021
Turkey Today – 11 April 2021
Hunger strike in Turkish prisons against solitary confinement of Kurdish political leader Abdullah Öcalan enters day 136.
According to family of Hamdusena Ada, It he and some other prisoners held in Diyarbakır No 1 High-Security Prison were battered by the guards.
Journalist Oktay Candemir’s book “Seer-Divisive Stories” with a humorous narrative was not given to the prisoner who are held in Van High-Security Closed Prison because it “endangered the public safety and made it difficult to achieve the goal of recuring of prisoners.”. The book itself is not banned in Turkey.
President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has likened the CHP’s criticism of the ruling AKP to a “sword of the infidel swinging” at Turkey. Erdoğan also accused the CHP of being a part of the “insidious plot” targeting the country.
Covid-19: 50,678 new infections and 237 were registered in the last 24 hours.
Turkey Today – 10 April 2021
The academics of Boğaziçi University have once again turned their back on the appointed rector in protest: “We claim our free and pluralistic campus life with its all colors in the face of all efforts to make it gray”.
A military operation was launched in Gürpinar / Van.
The families of Roboski victims have asked DEVA leader and former deputy prime minister Ali Babacan to make public who ordered the attack on 34 Kurdish villagers in 2011. The families’ remarks came after the politician called on the government to issue an apology to the families over the massacre.The ruling AKP is preparing to bring up a legal infrastructure that grants prison administrations the right to record all inmate visitations.
Interior Minister Soylu has claimed that both feminicides and incidents of male violence in the country have decreased in 2021 compared to the last year.
Covid-19: On 9 April, Health Ministry reported 55,791 new infections and 253 deaths.
Turkey Today – 9 April 2021
Roboski families appealed to the Constitutional Court for the massacre of 34 civilians as a result of the bombardment of warplanes belonging to the Turkish Armed Forces.
Fifth hearing of the trial journalist Selda Manduz faces “membership in a terrorist organization” charges was held in Kars. Testimonies of secret witnesses and Manduz’s phone conversations are presented as evidence against the journo. Court acquits the journalist of all charges.
In the trial over their attendance to a meeting on “digital security for the protection of human rights defenders” in İstanbul’s Büyükada, the Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office of the Court of Cassation has demanded that the prison sentences of Özlem Dalkıran, İdil Eser and Günal Kurşun for “aiding a terrorist organization” be overturned and that of Taner Kılıç be upheld.
Detained in Diyarbakır on Monday, six of 24 women have been arrested for “being members of an organization”, nine women released on probation, one woman placed under house arrest and the detention period of eight women has been extended.
After the Court of Cassation overturned the sentences of Progressive Lawyers Association (ÇHD) Chair Selçuk Kozağaçlı and its member Barkın Timtik, the retrial of the case started again. The court has ruled for the continuation of the arrest of both lawyers.
Covid-19: Yesterday 55,941 infections and 258 deaths were registered.
Turkey Today – 8 April 2021
Speaking at the Musa Anter, a journalist murdered in 1992, and JİTEM Main Case, attorney Selim Okçuoğlu said that the file should be separated from other files immediately; otherwise, the statute of limitations will expire. The court has rejected the request.
Prosecutor’s objection to the release of the journalists who broke the story about two villagers thrown out of a military helicopter in Van was rejected by the court.
Journalist Selda Manduz was acquitted from the law suit filed against her with the allegation of “being a member of a terrorist organization”.
Jinnews reporter Beritan Canözer who was arrested on April 5 was released today.
The Constitutional Court decided to annul the article of the law, which stipulates the closure of media organizations and the transfer of assets to the treasury, underlining that it is unconstitutional.
In the indictment prepared against journalist Oktay Candemir with the allegation of “propagandazing for a terrorist organization”, the slogans in the footage shot 16 years ago were considered as evidence of a crime. The first hearing of the trial against Candemir will be held on June 17.
Applying to the Council of State, the Education and Science Laborers Union (Eğitim-Sen) of Turkey has appealed against the Presidential decision opening two new faculties at Boğaziçi University.
The controversial arrangement of seats at the meeting of von der Leyen & Charles Michel with President Erdoğan was made in line with the EU’s requests, Foreign Minister Çavuşoğlu has said. Michel said he was “sad” because of the situation von der Leyen found herself in.
President of S&D in the European Parliament asked for a plenary debate with von der Leyen and Charles Michel to clarify what happened during the visit to Turkey and how to respect the European institutions.
English PEN has launched a campaign to send solidarity letters to imprisoned former Co-Chair of HDP Selahattin Demirtaş on his birthday on April 10.
Covid-19: Today’s figures have not yet been published. On April 7, Health Ministry reported 54,740 new infections and 276 deaths.
Turkey Today – 7 April 2021
Arrested on October 8, 2020, dismissed Kars Co-Mayor Şevin Alaca has been sentenced to 6 years, 10 months, 15 days in prison and released.
A Turkish court on Wednesday handed down a 25-month prison sentence to Assyrian priest Sefer (Aho) Bileçen in Mardin on charges of aiding a terrorist organization.
Trial where exiled artist Ferhat Tunç faces “making terrorist propaganda” charges based on eight tweets where he criticized Turkey’s “Olive Branch operation” in Afrin, Syria resumesd in İstanbul. Court ruled for the continuation of the arrest warrant issued against him, decided to wait for the execution of the warrant. Trial adjourned until October.
48 HPG members who lost their lives in clashes during the curfews imposed between 2015 and 2016 have been buried in two different cemeteries in Şırnak without being identified.
After it was reported in the press that no permission was granted to investigate the officers over the death of Edibe Özçelik after a police raid, an investigation has been launched against her son over the news, followed by a police raid.
Son of dismissed HDP MP Gergerlioğlu: Two days ago the lawyers told me that my father was handcuffed while he was in intensive care. What does it mean to handcuff a patient in ICU? Everything my father fought against all his life was done to him that evening and the day after.
President Erdoğan has accused the CHP of backing what he called a “coup threat” by retired military officers. More than 100 retired admirals issued a declaration, stating that the Montreux Convention on the status of İstanbul and Çanakkale straits shouldn’t be opened up for discussion.
Bianet Media Monitoring Database two-week summary:▶️ AKP ally MHP continues targeting journalists
▶️ Four journalists who were arrested for torture reports were released after six months
▶️ Evrensel newspaper was banned from receiving public aid for five days for referring to the police response to Boğaziçi University protesters as an “attack” in a news article published on February 3https://m.bianet.org/english/freedom-of-expression/242050-mhp-continues-targeting-journalists-no-justice-in-hrant-dink-case-after-14-years
The Association for Support of Women Candidates (Ka.Der) has analyzed the TV guests of 13 news channels from July 1, 2020 to January 1, 2021
▶️ Focusing specifically on the programs aired on prime time, Ka.Der’s report has shown that 90 percent of the guests were men.
Covid-19: The Ministry of Health has not yet published the current figures.
Turkey Today – 6 April 2021
With the decision of the Diyarbakır 1st Penal Judgeship of Peace, an access block has been imposed on three websites where JinNews was publishing news.
First hearing of the trial where journalist Melis Alphan faces “terror propaganda” charges for a picture she posted on her personal Instagram account on March 21, 2015 to celebrate Newroz was held in İstanbul. Court gave the journalist and her lawyers time to prepare their final statements and adjourned the trial until May.
Court of Cassation prosecutors seek overturn of ISIS mebers’ sentences in 2015 Ankara Massacre case.
Lawyers of Kurdish political leader Abdullah Öcalan applied to Bursa Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office to visit their client.
Women MPs of the HDP have addressed a Parliamentary question to Minister of Family, Labor and Social Services Selçuk: “As a minister and woman, with what will you protect yourself when you are subjected to violence?”
Bianet Male Violence Monitoring Report March 2021▶️ 36 women killed▶️ 68 women subjected to violence▶️ 66 women forced to sex work▶️ 9 women raped▶️ 4 children killed▶️ 25 children abused by menhttps://m.bianet.org/english/women/241948-men-kill-36-women-in-march
Interview by Reuters with former HDP Co-Chair Selahattin Demirtaş
https://www.hdp.org.tr/en/demirtas-opposition-should-unite-against-rising-oppression-and-moves-to-divide-them-including-the-court-case-to-ban-the-hdp/15299/
Report by Diyarbakır Bar Association ▶️ Taken together with the Bar Association Chair & Executive Board members on duty in the 2016-2020 period, at least 69 lawyers faced at least 78 investigations due to their institutional & professional activities in 2020.https://m.bianet.org/english/law/241957-78-lawsuits-and-investigations-against-69-lawyers-in-a-year
Covid-19: 49,584 new infections and 211 deaths registered in the last 24 hours.
Turkey Today – 5 April 2021
Jinnews reporter Beritan Canözer is under custody after police raided her Diyarbakır home early this morning. No information was provided on the reason of the arrest warrant.
Police have also raided Rosa Women’s Association and several other addresses in Diyarbakır. While the search is still ongoing at the association’s office, several people, including Peace Mother Nezahat Teke, have been detained.
10 people have been detained as part of an investigation launched into the retired admirals’ declaration on Montreux Convention.
3 HDP members have been detained during police raids in Ovacik/Dersim.
A Turkish court ruled against the release of PhD student in Canada’s Carleton University and queer activist Cihan Erdal on bail in an April 2 hearing about the Kobane indictment targeting dozens of members of the HDP.
In the lawsuit filed into the protests against dismissals by Statutory Decrees, Nazan Bozkurt has been released, while the court has ruled that the other arrested protesters Alev Şahin and Mehmet Dersulu shall remain behind bars.
Turkey’s Presidential Communications Directorate has announced that the press cards of 1,371 journalists have not been renewed.
CHP MP Mustafa Adıgüzel submitted a Parliamentary question asking for the exact number of summaries of proceedings filed against the MPs in the 27th Legislative Term
▶️ 1,276 summaries of proceedings against 186 MPs
▶️ 54 of 55 HDP MPs have been facing summaries of proceedings.
Covid-19: Health Ministry reported 42,551 new infections and 193 deaths in the last 24 hours.
Turkey Today – 4 April 2021
After withdrawing from the İstanbul Convention, the law’s paragraph 6284 on the protection of women against violence is now being targeted.
Hunger strike in Turkish prisons against solitary confinement of Kurdish political leader Abdullah Öcalan enters day 129.
Kurds in the Lavrion refugee camp have also been carrying out a hunger strike for 91 days against the isolation of Abdullah Öcalan.
HDP MP Hüda Kaya has urged Turkey’s opposition parties to speak up against the mistreatment and arrest of dismissed deputy Ömer Faruk Gergerlioğlu.
Covid-19: The current figures have not yet been published.
Turkey Today – 3 April 2021
HDP MP Gergerlioğlu who was stripped of his mandate as a member of parliament has been arrested by the police.
Lawyer Bişar Alınak: Gergerlioğlu was recently brought to the courthouse. Due to chest pain, the doctor recommended an angiography & transfer to cardiology. We don’t know which hospital he is in & what medical interventions are taking place. We are not given any information.
The son of Gergerlioğlu reports that his father was transferred to the intensive care unit after the angiography. His blood pressure is very high.
HDP deputies and the son of Gergerlioğlu were not allowed to visit him at the hospital today. It was later found that he was secretly taken to Sincan prison.
The court has ruled that Şilan Delipalta and Anıl Akyüz, who were arrested over Boğaziçi University protests in Kadıköy, shall be released. A group of deputies from the CHP and HDP were barred from entering the courtroom.
During police raids in Izmir, 7 people were arrested on terror charges. Police raids were also carried out in Adana, where 8 people were taken into custody.
Human Rights Association (İHD)
▶️ received petitions from 1,182 prisoners in 2020 in which they complained about the rights violations they were subjected to in prison
▶️ 1,605 ailing prisoners, 604 of whom are in critical condition
▶️ 489 prisoners infected with coronavirus
Covid-19: Turkish citizens who have been infected with the South African variant of the COVID-19 virus have been placed in quarantine at a student dormitory under quite inhumane conditions, said CHP MP Gamze Taşcıer. 44,756 new infections and 186 deaths registered in the last 24 hours.
Turkey Today – 2 April 2021
The detention review of 28 politicians, who were imprisoned within the scope of the Kobanê Case, started, in which 108 people, including former HDP Co-Chairs Figen Yüksekdağ and Selahattin Demirtaş were prosecuted.
The Constitutional Court announced the justification for the rejection of HDP MP Gergerlioğlu’s dismissal. In the decision published in the Official Gazette, it was stated that the Constitutional Court did not have the duty and authority to examine the case.
Trial of five journalists, four of whom were arrested for “reporting against the state” began in Van today. Cemil Uğur, Şehriban Abi, Nazan Sala and Adnan Bilen has been behind bars for 175 days and face terror charges. Court’s judge allowed only four journalists inside the courtroom to cover the hearing. The judge then ordered mobile phones and computers of all journalists to be collected or else they would be asked to leave. The court has ordered the release of the journalists.
The Plenary Session of Administrative Law Chambers of the Council of State has hindered the authority of the Presidential Communications Directorate to revoke press cards or permanent press cards of journalists.
Taken into custody during Boğaziçi protests in İstanbul yesterday, all students have been released from detention.
The academics of Boğaziçi University have turned back on the Rector’s Office for the 65th time and demanded the resignation of the appointed rector and his vice rectors.
Turkey’s Board of Judges and Prosecutors (HSK) has begun an investigation into a judge for seeking MHP leader Devlet Bahçeli testimony as the aggravated party in a case launched into a Turkish national over charges of “insulting” the politician.
Covid-19: Health Ministry reported 42,308 new infections and 179 deaths in the last 24 hours.
Turkey Today – 1 April 2021
HDP Women’s Council applied to the Council of State for the annulment of the decision to withdraw from the Istanbul Convention.
Ömer Faruk Gergerlioğlu, who has been stripped of his parliamentary mandate, has said that he will apply to the European Court of Human Rights.
The police attacked Emine Şenyaşar and her son Ferit Şenyaşar on the 24th day of the “Justice Watch” they started in front of the Urfa Courthouse. Battered by the police, Ferit Şenyaşar was hospitalized.
Turkish Foreign Ministry says the human rights report of US Department of State is “far from being objective” and contains “unfounded allegations and biased interpretations”.
Evrensel newspaper has been fined for referring to police response to Boğaziçi University protesters as an “attack” while two TV channeles have been handed four separate penalties over comments by pundits.
Trial where Medya Koridoru Editor-in-Chief Canan Kaya and 5 other company representatives are sued by Demirören Media Conglomerate with a request for reparations began in İstanbul today. Demirören claims that the report titled “Female staffer forced to resign for having her shoes on the executive floor!” tarnishes the commercial reputation of the company, constitutes an attack on personal rights while exceeding the scope of press freedom. Court dismissed reparation requests against all defendants on the merits.
Covid-19: 40,806 new infections and 176 deaths registered in the last 24 hours.