HUMAN RIGHTS

Latest News

• ECtHR rules rights of writer Zarakolu violated 

  The ECtHR has concluded that the right to liberty and security and freedom of expression of writer Ragıp Zarakolu have been violated. The writer has been standing trial as part of Kurdistan Communities Union (KCK) Istanbul Main Case.
• EUTCC criticises ECtHR president for accepting Turkish doctorate 

  The EUTCC strongly dissociated itself from the fact that the President of the European Court of Human Rights received an honorary doctorate from Turkey, a member state that largely violates human rights.
• Political prisoner from Rojhilat sentenced to death penalty 

  ​​​​​​​A Kurdish political prisoner from Urmia who was arrested in 2019 by the Iranian security forces, has been sentenced to death by the Islamic Republic judiciary.
• Lawyer Marhan says concern growing for prisoners in Covid times 

  Prisons have been pointed out as one of the places most at risk after the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic.
• Condition of ill prisoners Tikit and Özçelik worsening 

  IHD demanded the release of ill prisoners in Turkish jails.
• UN: Culture of impunity for human rights violations marks Turkey 

  UN Working Group on Enforced or Involuntary Disappearances says most of its reccomendations were ignored by Turkey where a culture of impunity prevails.
• MED TUHAD-FED: They release prisoners when on the verge of death 

  Although the Forensic Medicine Institute (ATK) repeatedly issues reports on the health status of the prisoners, saying that “they cannot remain in jail", the Ministry of Justice, the Constitutional Court and local courts ignore them.
• Prisoners' health at risk in Patnos jail 

  ÖHD, TUHAY-DER and Van Bar Association prepared a report on Patnos L Type Prison. It was stated that the prisoners' health rights were violated.
• Lawyer Şaradı says Didem Akman's condition worsening 

  Lawyer Seda Şaradı visited her client Didem Akman in hospital. Akman has been on death fast for 203 days demanding to be transferred to Sincan Prison. Her condition is getting worse.
• AI: Malta's illegal tactics mar another year of suffering 

  “Malta is stooping to ever more despicable and illegal tactics to shirk their responsibilities to people in need," said Elisa De Pieri, Regional Researcher at Amnesty International.
• Roma children receive no proper education 

  According to the statement by the Turkish Ministry of National Education, the academic year will begin on September 21 for primary, secondary and high schools.
• 'We live in a land of genocide' 

  Sixteen seasonal workers from Mardin Mazıdağı were attacked by employers in Sakarya. Sakarya Governor's Office said in a statement denied that there are racist attacks in Turkey as always.
• Turkish government supports exploitation of seasonal workers 

  The Secretary General of the agricultural and forestry workers' union Tarım Orkam-Sen, sharply criticizes the AKP regime. The government is on the side of the capital and against any organization of the workers in the question of seasonal work, he says.
• Guterres calls for closure of Libya migrant detention centers 

  “I renew my appeal to the Libyan authorities... to fulfill their obligations under international law and to close all detention centers, in close coordination with United Nations entities,” UN Secretary-General said.
• Lawyer on day 214 of death fast released from custody 

  Lawyer Aytaç Ünsal, who has been on death fast for 214 days with the demand for a fair trial, has been released for the time being after the Turkish Court of Cassation has accepted a complaint against his imprisonment.
• Two prisoners on day 198 of death fast forcibly hospitalized 

  The two prisoners refusing to eat and drink for 198 are demanding a fair trial and improvement of detention conditions.
• Greece prevents the entry of about 10,000 refugees from Turkey 

  The government in Athens has announced that it has rejected about 10,000 refugees at its sea border with Turkey. According to NGOs, these refusals constitute an illegal pushback.
• UN calls on Turkey to to release other human rights defenders 

  Ebru Timtik died on 27 August 2020 after three years in detention and a hunger strike lasting 238 days.
• Rights violation in many Central Anatolian prisons continues 

  ÖHD announced its Central Anatolia Region Prison Rights Violations Report and confirmed that there are problems in the managing of the coronavirus process as well as serious violations of rights.
• Ill prisoner Yamaç not taken to hospital 

  Mehmet Yamaç, is a political prisoner affected by COPD. He conveyed to his family that he had difficulty breathing but his request to be taken to hospital was no answered so far.
• AI report denounces abuse against detainees in Iran 

  Detainees flogged, sexually abused and given electric shocks in gruesome post-protest crackdown in Iran.
• ECtHR rejects emergency appeal for lawyer on death fast 

  Lawyer Aytaç Ünsal, who went on hunger strike in February, remains in custody. The ECtHR in Strasbourg refused to call on the Turkish government to release him in an emergency decision, arguing that there was no immediate risk.
• Lawyer says time in hospital has worn out Ünsal Aytaç 

  Lawyer Muharrem Erdoğan, who visited lawyer Aytaç Ünsal who is on the 211st day of his death fast, said that Aytaç Ünsal cannot sleep due to pain, and complains of numbness in his hands and burning in his feet.
• Peace Mothers: The key to peace is in Imrali 

  Peace Mothers in Izmir said that they wanted to welcome 1 September World Peace Day in a peaceful environment and pointed to Imralı for a solution.
• Mapuche communities denounce Covid outbreak in Lebu jail 

  The community members have denounced that the symptoms have been hidden or handled by the Gendarmerie in order to lower the profile of the prisoners’ condition.