NEWS - Bianet

NEWS

Page 317

Kurdish Politicians Harassed During Campaigns

The election campaign of the independent candidates supported by the pro-Kurdish DTP has been obstructed by police and gendarmerie. Particularly in the South-east, candidates have been prevented from putting up posters or opening election offices.

Referendum on 21 October

The Constitutional Court has rejected the appeals of president Sezer and the opposition CHP against a package changing presidential time in office, the election of the president and general elections. Thus, the package will be voted on in a referendum

AI: Torture and Killings Continue

The international human rights organisation AI has published a report on continuing torture, maltreatment and killings of civilians by law-enforcement officers. These crimes often go unpunished. AI has prepared a list of urgent steps that need to be taken

Streets Witnesses Election Campaigns

Every day, several parties are campaigning in Istanbuls main pedestrian precinct, Istiklal Street. ANAP has not joined these elections. Supporters of pro-Kurdish independent candidates have been stopped from setting up a campaign stall.

Turkey Guilty of Hindering Communication

After a prisoner in one of Turkeys notorious F-type prisons was stopped from sending a letter to the Radikal newspaper, the European Court of Human Rights has found Turkey guilty of violating the prisoners right to communication.

Campaigns Based on Security Fears

Particularly the ruling AKP and the nationalist MHP are using increasing nationalism and anger over the continuing deaths of soldiers in battles with the PKK to score points. The main parties are unanimous in their support for cross-border operations.

Controversial Job Cuts at Radikal Newspaper

The announcement that the Radikal newspaper will cut 41 jobs has been greeted with shock by its employers. Radikal is owned by the Dogan Media Group, as are Posta and Fanatik newspapers, which have already faced job losses.

5 July 2007 Tolga Korkut

Death Penalty Becomes Election Fodder

In the light of the approaching elections, political parties are competing in cheap populism, pandering to the increase in nationalism in Turkey.

Dink Lawyers Want Decisive Judiciary

The Dink family lawyers emphasise that the investigation has stopped short of finding or trying those who are really responsible for journalist Hrant Dinks murder. The court has demanded access to more video recordings and documents, as well as names.

Dink Trial: What is in the Indictment?

In the 31-page indictment there is no mention of the accusations against the police and gendarmerie officers in Trabzon and Samsun. Tuncel and Hayal are accused of incitement to murder. The prosecution demands 14-20 yearsfor suspected gunman.

Gay Pride March: Homosexuals Exist

In the fourth Gay Pride March in Istanbul on 1 July, gays, lesbians, bisexuals, transvestites and transsexuals demanded that their existence be acknowledged and that an end be put to discrimination.

Dink Murder Trial: Two Letters

As the case against suspects in the murder of journalist Hrant Dink started yesterday, two very different letters were published. One is from Rakel Dink, widow of the murdered journalist. The other is from Yasin Hayal, one of the suspects.

Turkish Press Ignores Dink Trial

While many both in Turkey and outside believe that the outcome of the trial will indicate how far Turkeys democratisation process has come, many of the mainstream newspapers in Turkey virtually ignored the start of the trial.

Rakel Dink Adresses the Court

I demand from honorable court which is the representative of the state that all the criminals receive the punishment they deserve. I feel no hatred to any of them; on the contrary I find all of them miserable and I feel pity for them.

3 July 2007 Rakel Dink

Dink Murder Investigation Deepens

The court ruled for further investigation into allegations of misconduct by security forces following the murder of Dink on January 19. The case is deferred to October 1. Around a thousand people gathered to demand justice.

Dink Murder Investigation Deepens

The court ruled for further investigation into allegations of misconduct by security forces following the murder of Dink on January 19. The case is deferred to October 1. Around a thousand people gathered to demand justice.

Dink Murder Case to Start on July 2

In the Dink murder case, in which 18 suspects are to be tried on 2 July, journalist associations will be sending committees in order to observe the proceedings.

10th Anniversary of Documentary Film Festival

The International 1001 Documentary Film Festival is taking place in Istanbul from 3-7 October under the title 10.1001. The deadline for film applications is 29 June.

A Chronology: Hrant Dinks Murder

As the first hearing in the case of Hrant Dinks murder is approaching on 2 July, a chronology of events surrounding his murder is offered. Editor-in-chief of the Armenian-Turkish Agosnewspaper, Dink was shot dead on January 19.

Letter of Concern to Prime Minster Erdogan

In a letter to Prime Minister Erdogan yesterday, the World Press Freedom Committee expressed its deep concern about the trial against Arat Dink, son of murdered journalist Hrant Dink. The committee calls for a reform of insult laws.

Same Court Same Journalist Different Decrees

After dismissing a case against journalist Bogatekin three months earlier, the same prosecutors office in Gerger, south-east of Turkey, has started a second trial against the same journalist under Article 301. His trial is to start 25 July.

27 June 2007 Erol Önderoğlu

Parliament Needs to Deal With Torture

In an interview with bianet, Akin Birdal, humanrights activist and independent candidate in Diyarbakir in the upcoming general elections, has listed the changes that Turkey needs to make in order to put an end to torture.

Rainbow Flags Over Istanbul Again

The first Gay Pride march in Istanbul happened in 2003, when homosexuals, transvestites and transsexuals marched in Beyoglu. Next week is Gay Pride Week, and several gay rights associations are marking the occasion with events.

Turkey Has Failed Its Promise to Children

Adem Arkadas of the International Childrens Centre says that Turkey has not kept its promise of creating a legal framework congruous with the Convention on the Rights of the Child. Independent candidate Bilgen calls for more work on childrens problems.

25 June 2007 A. Nilüfer Zengin Kürkçü

RSF Condemns Use of Article 301

RSF condemns the decision to prosecute Arat Dink, the son of slain Turkish-Armenian journalist Hrant Dink, and three other journalists employed by his newspaper, the weekly Agos, for insulting Turkish identity under the infamous article 301.

Semdinli Case to Continue in Civilian Court

Despite complaints by the defence, a higher tribunal in Van has decreed that the Semdinli case will continue to be heard in a civilian court. The suspects will not be freed on bail.

Turkey Closed to Refugees

Turkey does not recognise those coming from the East and from African countries as refugees or displaced persons. However, people coming from Europe are given this recognition. The UN and the EU are putting pressure on Turkey.

22 June 2007 Murat Utku

Radio Chief Coordinator Faces Life Sentence

After a police operation in September 2006, targeting the Marxist Leninist Communist Party, radio coordinator Füsun Erdogan and 22 others, among them writers and journalists, face heavy sentences. Their trial begins on 26 October.

Note the Difference in Mines!

The Initiative for a Turkey without Mines has drawn attention to the fact that there is a difference between land mines, which kill 15-20 thousand people worldwide every year and the explosives controlled by remote control that are used by the PKK.

Independent Candidates Not Waste of Votes

Prime Minister Erdogan had commented that independent candidates were a waste of votes. However, the independent candidates are there to make human rights violations visible. In the case of the DTP, they may even form a group in parliament.

21 June 2007 Tolga Korkut

Sociologist Besikci on Trial Again

Sociologist Ismail Besikci, well-known for his life-long mission of writing about Kurds, is facing yet another trial for one of his articles. Besikci had written an article for the bilingual Kurdish popular culture magazine Esmer.

ECHR Interpret Limits to Freedom of Speech

Although the European Court of Human Rightsusually decrees against court decisions in Turkey, themost recent case is an example to the contrary.Demirels sentence was found not excessive. In threeother cases, though, Turkey was condemned.