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 Chief Editor /Rédacteur en chef: Dogan Özgüden - Responsible editor/Editrice responsable: Inci Tugsavul


Earlier bulletins / Bulletins précédents

26e Année - N°284

Avril / April 2002

Alors que son gouvernement rejette catégoriquement toute allusion
au "génocide arménien" perpétré en 1915 sous l'Empire ottoman

Ecevit accuse Israël
de "génocide palestinien"


Toutefois, il a immédiatement dû faire un recul sans précédent à cause des réactions des militaires qui sont en collaboration étroite avec l'Armée d'Israël et du lobby juif aux Etats-Unis qui a empêché jusqu'ici la reconnaissance du "génocide arménien" par Washington
LE TERRORISME DE L'ETAT / STATE TERRORISM PRESSIONS SUR LES MEDIAS / PRESSURE ON THE MEDIA QUESTION KURDE / KURDISH QUESTION POLITIQUE INTERIEURE / INTERIOR POLICY FORCES ARMEES / ARMED FORCES AFFAIRES RELIGIEUSES / RELIGIOUS AFFAIRS SOCIO-ECONOMIQUE / SOCIO-ECONOMIC RELATIONS AVEC L'OUEST / RELATIONS WITH THE WEST RELATIONS REGIONALES / REGIONAL RELATIONS


Ecevit accuse Israël de "génocide palestinien"

Le Premier ministre turc Bulent Ecevit a dressé le 4 avril un réquisitoire en règle contre Israël, l'accusant de perpétrer un "génocide" contre les Palestiniens, dans une déclaration d'une sévérité inédite venant d'un dirigeant turc pour son principal allié dans la région.

"Un génocide est perpétré contre les Palestiniens devant les yeux du monde entier", a déclaré M. Ecevit, cité par l'agence semi-officielle Anatolie, devant le groupe parlementaire de son parti de la Gauche démocratique (DSP). "Ce n'est pas seulement (le président de l'Autorité palestinienne) Yasser Arafat, mais aussi l'Etat palestinien, qui sont détruits pas à pas", Ecevit a ajouté lors de sa même intervention.

L'emploi du mot "génocide" par M. Ecevit est d'autant plus remarquable que la Turquie le manie généralement avec prudence, dès lors qu'elle le rejette catégoriquement pour qualifier les massacres perpétrés en 1915 sous l'Empire ottoman envers les Arméniens et qui ont fait 300 à 500.000 morts selon elle, 1,5 million selon les Arméniens.

D'ailleurs, on affirme souvent que les autres peuples anatoliens, notamment les Assyriens, les Grecs et les Kurdes, auraient eux aussi subi les opérations exterminatrices par les autorités turques ottomanes ou républicaines.

Toutefois, suite aux réactions des militaires qui sont en collaboration étroite avec l'Armée d'Israël et du lobby juif qui a empêché jusqu'ici la reconnaissance du "génocide arménien" par Washington, Ecevit a dû faire le 5 avril un recul sans précédent. Lors d'une conférence de presse avec son homologue danois Anders Fogh Rasmussen, Ecevit a affirmé qu'en accusant Israël de "génocide" envers les Palestiniens, il visait à exprimer le malaise de la Turquie face à l'offensive militaire israélienne. "Nous attachons une grande importance à nos relations avec Israël", a souligné Ecevit.

En effet, si le génocide arménien n'est pas encore reconnu comme un fait historique par plusieurs pays occidentaux, notamment par les Etats-Unis, c'est Grâce aux efforts du lobby juif et de l'Etat d'Israël qui oeuvraient depuis des décennies pour défendre la position négationniste d'Ankara.

Tout récemment, Israël avait réaffirmé sa position sur l'unicité de la Shoa en refusant d'employer le terme de génocide pour la "tragédie" vécu par le peuple arménien en 1915. Début février, l'Ambassadrice d'Israël en Arménie, Rivka Cohen, avait affirmé que "s'agissant de l'extermination planifiée d'une nation tout entière, l'holocauste est un événement unique et en ce sens rien ne peut lui être comparé." Tout en faisant part de la tristesse du peuple et du gouvernement israélien pour la "tragédie de 1915", l'Ambassadrice avait indiqué qu'"aucun parallèle ne pouvait être établi" entre ces événements et l'holocauste.

Qui plus est, en réponse à la réaction du ministère des affaires étrangères d'Arménie, le ministère des affaires étrangères d'Israël a confirmé la position officielle de l'Etat d'Israël: "Israël reconnaît les évènements tragiques dont furent victimes les Arméniens en 1915. Néanmoins, ces évènements ne peuvent être comparés à un génocide."

La revue arménienne Haiastan, dans son numéro de mars 2002, réagit en ces termes: "On peut croire que ce négationnisme n'est qu'une façade, et que les hommes politiques israéliens subissent, bon gré mal gré, le chantage de leurs alliés turcs. Ces déclarations insultantes d'Israël à l'égard de la mémoire collective arménienne seraient donc sans doute dictées mot par mot par l'Etat turc, toujours très habile lorsqu'il s'agit de manipulations diplomatiques."

Les médias pro-gouvernementaux ainsi que les milieux ultranationalistes turcs sont forts inquiets des impacts négatifs des déclarations d'Ecevit. Ils expriment l'inquiétude que le lobby juif aux Etats-Unis, en colère à cause des déclarations d'Ecevit, se désolidarisera d'Ankara et ne défendra plus la position négationniste, surtout pendant que l'anniversaire de la tragédie du 24 avril 1915 s'approche.

La Turquie, pays musulman mais à l'Etat laïque, est le principal allié régional d'Israël depuis 1996, date de la signature d'un accord de coopération militaire qui a soulevé la colère de la plupart des pays arabes et de l'Iran.

Ils sont liés par un accord de coopération militaire depuis 1996 dénoncé par la plupart des pays arabes et l'Iran. Depuis, les deux pays sont de plus en plus engagés dans des manoeuvres aériennes et navales et ont élargi le champs d'action de leur alliance aux domaines culturels et économiques. Ils négocient aussi un important contrat de fourniture d'eau potable à Israël.

La Turquie, avec la plus grande armée en nombre au sein de l'OTAN après celle des Etats-Unis, son plus important fournisseur d'armes et allié stratégique, entend dépenser quelque 150 milliards de dollars sur les trente prochaines années pour moderniser son système de défense.

La Turquie avait décidé le 8 mars dernier de confier la modernisation de 170 chars M-60 de fabrication américaine à la compagnie publique israélienne Israeli Military Industries (IMI) pour un montant de 668 millions de dollars, a annoncé vendredi le Premier ministre turc Bulent Ecevit. Or, en raison de difficultés économiques dues à une grave crise qui a éclaté en février 2001, elle avait repoussé sine die plusieurs projets, dont l'achat d'un millier de chars d'assaut pour un montant de quelque 7 milliards de dollars, dans lequel 4 firmes étaient en lice: Krauss-Maffei (Allemagne) General Dynamics (Etats-Unis), GIAT (France) et Ukrspetseksport (Ukraine).

Malgré les critiques des partis d'opposition, M. Ecevit a exclu l'annulation du projet de modernisation de 170 chars confié à la compagnie israélienne. Et le vice-Premier ministre turc Mesut Yilmaz a relevé le 3 avril que "la Turquie ne peut jeter ses relations et l'avenir de ses liens avec Israël à la poubelle".
 

Premier Ecevit apologizes to Jewish people

Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit apologized to the Jewish people for the third time for his statement, which described Israel's actions in Palestine as "genocide."

Turkey's Embassy in Washington issued a written statement called, "Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit's response to certain reactions in the United States." Ecevit said in the statement that he was sorry about the misunderstanding of his statement, adding that he and the Turkish government were closely monitoring the tragic developments in the Middle East. "My interest and determination in the perseverance of the peace process will continue," he added.

"I told both parties that Turkey was ready to help many times in recent days. Turkey has always been a friend to both Israel and Palestine. Turkey's balanced approach has remained unchanged for years. This approach also reflects the Turkish nation's will and the expectation for peace in the Middle East at the same time," Ecevit stressed in the statement.

Ecevit noted that a single word he had used in one of his statements had caused astonishment among Turkey's Jewish-American and Israeli friends, adding that he well understood the reactions and the feelings of the Jewish people, who had suffered greatly during World War II. "My intention was not to offend Jewish society. The extremely worrisome violence staged on innocent people from both sides made me to use that word (genocide) in order to underline the importance of the situation. I am very sorry for the misunderstanding that it caused," he added.

Jewish institutions announced that they were disappointed by Ecevit's statement, which described Israel's actions as genocide. The representatives of these institutions later visited Turkey's Ambassador in Washington, Faruk Logoglu. (Turkish Daily News, April 17, 2002)
 

2.000 Arméniens brûlent des drapeaux turcs ornés de l'étoile de David

Environ 2.000 jeunes Arméniens ont défilé mardi dans Erevan à la veille de la commémoration du génocide de 1915, brûlant des drapeaux turcs sur lesquels avaient été accrochés des étoiles de David et accusant Israël de commettre un nouveau génocide contre les Palestiniens.

Le défilé, organisé par l'organisation étudiante du parti arménien Dachnaktsoutioun, a commencé Place de la Liberté au centre d'Erevan où a été brûlé un premier drapeau turc.

Un second drapeau a été brûlé face à l'ambassade américaine, puis un troisième devant le monument aux victimes du génocide de 1915, situé sur une hauteur d'Erevan.

"Nous condamnons Israël pour sa politique menée contre le peuple palestinien", a déclaré un des organisateurs de la manifestation, Areg Savgalian.

"Le peuple israélien, qui a vécu lui-même l'holocauste, mène maintenant un génocide contre le peuple palestinien, tout en refusant de reconnaître le génocide du peuple arménien", a-t-il ajouté.

Il a également fustigé "le pouvoir turc qui est incapable de reconnaître le génocide du peuple arménien", empêchant toute normalisation des relations entre les deux pays.

Les manifestants ont également réclamé la reconnaissance du génocide par le gouvernement américain, et ont adopté un appel lancé à 30 pays pour "tirer les leçons du passé au nom de l'avenir". (AFP, 23 avril 2002)
 

8.000 Arméniens manifestent à Téhéran contre la Turquie et Israël

Quelque 8.000 Arméniens ont manifesté mercredi à Téhéran pour commémorer le génocide de 1915, scandant des slogans contre la Turquie, mais aussi contre Israël, a constaté un journaliste de l'AFP.

"Pays du monde, reconnaissez le génocide", "A bas le gouvernement fasciste turc", "Palestine vaincra, Israël sera vaincu", scandaient les manifestants, emmenés depuis la cathédrale Saint-Sarkis par l'archevèque arménien de Téhéran Mgr Sabou Sarkissian, de nombreux prêtres et des personnalités arméniennes. Le rassemblement a pris fin devant le siège de l'ONU à Téhéran.

"Ceux qui oublient le passé, sont ceux qui peuvent le rééditer", arboraient de nombreux jeunes manifestants sur leurs T-shirts.

Les manifestants, dans un communiqué, ont demandé la reconnaissance et la condamnation du "fait indéniable du génocide", notamment par le Parlement iranien. Le texte demande aussi à l'Union européenne de "rejeter" la demande d'adhésion de la Turquie.

Il condamne en outre "les tueries massives de Palestiniens par le gouvernement sioniste fasciste", et demande la protection des Palestiniens par l'ONU.

Les massacres et déportations d'Arméniens sous l'empire ottoman, de 1915 à 1917, ont fait 1,5 million de morts selon les Arméniens, entre 300 et 500.000 selon les Turcs.

La Turquie rejette catégoriquement la thèse d'un génocide, parlant d'une répression contre les Arméniens dont certains s'étaient alliés avec l'ennemi russe en pleine Première Guerre mondiale.

L'Iran compte quelque 200.000 arméniens, en majorité de rite grégorien, la plupart y étant implantés depuis des siècles, mais beaucoup étant venus aussi depuis le génocide. (AFP, 24 avril 2002)
 

L'Arménie commémore les victimes du génocide de 1915

L'Arménie a commémoré mercredi les victimes du génocide perpétré sous l'Empire Ottoman de 1915 à 1917, le président Robert Kotcharian réclamant "la condamnation de ce crime contre l'humanité" par l'ensemble de la communauté internationale.

"Le peuple arménien, vivant dans sa patrie ou éparpillé dans le monde entier, continue d'attendre la reconnaissance et la condamnation de ce crime contre l'humanité", a déclaré M. Kotcharian, selon un communiqué diffusé par la présidence arménienne.

"Il ne s'agit pas d'une vengeance, mais d'une volonté d'éviter que cela se reproduise", a ajouté M. Kotcharian qui a déposé dans la matinée une gerbe au monument érigé à la mémoire des victimes, sur la colline Tsitsernakaberd.

Par ailleurs, à 82 ans, le peintre français d'origine arménienne Jansem, de son vrai nom Jean Semerdjian, est venu à Erevan offrir mercredi au musée du Génocide 34 de ses toiles consacrées à ce sujet et peintes d'après les descriptions de ses parents. (AFP, 24 avril 2002)
 

Bush appelle la Turquie à normaliser ses relations avec l'Arménie

Le président américain George W. Bush a exprimé l'espoir mercredi que la Turquie transcende le passé et normalise ses relations avec l'Arménie, en rappelant les victimes du génocide arménien perpétré de 1915 à 1917 sous l'Empire Otoman.

Le président a, dans un communiqué, appelé le monde à tirer les leçons de cette "affreuse tragédie" que la haine se nourrit de la diabolisation de tiers.

"Transcender cette tendance empoisonnée requiert une introspection douloureuse du passé et une déterminatioon éclairée pour forcer un nouvel avenir fondé sur la vérité et la réconciliation. Dans cet esprit, j'espère que la Turquie restaurera ses liens économiques, politiques et culturels avec l'Arménie", a déclaré M. Bush dans ce communiqué publié lors d'un déplacement présidentiel à Sioux Falls, dans le Dakota du Sud (Nord).

M. Bush a par ailleurs affirmé la solidarité des Américains avec les Arméniens et rappelé l'appui apporté par le gouvernement d'Erevan aux Etats-Unis dans la guerre contre le terrorisme.

Il a affirmé que les Etats-Unis renforceraient leur coopération en matière de sécurité avec l'Arménie et ses voisins, "pour combattre la terreur et rechercher un règlement juste et durable dans le conflit du Nagorny-Karabakh qui renforcera la paix et la stabilité dans le Caucase". (AFP, 24 avril 2002)
 

Manifestation à Londres pour commémorer le génocide arménien

Près de 1.000 personnes ont manifesté samedi dans le centre de Londres pour commémorer le 87ème anniversaire du début du génocide des Arméniens sous l'Empire ottoman, a indiqué la police.

Hratche Koundarjian, responsable de la communication du groupe pour la Campagne de reconnaissance du génocide arménien (CRAG), qui participait à la commémoration, a déclaré : "Si nous marchons pendant deux heures et que nous avons mal aux pieds, nous pouvons juste commencer à nous faire une idée de ce que c'est que de marcher vers sa propre mort".

La manifestation s'est terminée devant le Cénotaphe de la capitale. (AFP, 27 avril 2002)
 

Ethnic Roots May Be at the Bottom of Hoteliers' Woes

Nestled beneath snowcapped mountains along the border with Iran, this area wrapped around a vast lake and brimming with archeological treasures is among Turkey's best-kept secrets. So why not open a hotel here for adventurous travelers, tour operator Victor Bedoian from Arizona wondered during a visit in 1998.

After several years of meticulous planning and plenty of encouragement from the Turkish government, Bedoian did just that in March 2001. Two months later, police in Van told Bedoian and his wife, Kristy, that the couple could not operate the hotel.

"There's only one reason," said Bedoian during a recent interview here. "It's because I'm an ethnic Armenian." He's probably right. Muslim Turks and Christian Armenians remain bitterly divided, much of the anger traced back to the slaughter of hundreds of thousands of Armenians in eastern Turkey around the time of World War I. Turkey denies charges of genocide and says many of the dead fell victim to starvation and exposure while fleeing wartime fighting.

The neighboring nation of Armenia's refusal to recognize its existing borders with Turkey also feeds the anger, as does Armenia's occupation of territory claimed by this nation's closest regional ally, Azerbaijan.

Here in Van, where some of history's bloodier clashes between Turks and ethnic Armenians took place, some residents still fear that Armenians who fled will one day return to reclaim their lost property.

The local branch of the Nationalist Action Party is at the forefront of a campaign to portray Bedoian as an Armenian agent whose "sinister agenda," according to local party boss Coskun Tatar, is to sow the seeds of "a greater Armenia" in Van by buying property in Van province.

Media reports have accused Kristy Bedoian of links with ethnic Kurdish rebels who long fought Turkish troops in the region.

"We are not against foreign investment; that would be really stupid," said Feyat Erdemir, a spokesman for the ultranationalist party. "But this man has different intentions, he is a mischief-maker."

Yet, when Victor Bedoian first approached Turkish officials in 1999 about the possibility of investing here--together with 10 American partners, none of them ethnic Armenians--"they promised us the moon," he said. Operating licenses, work permits, all were swiftly issued amid smiles and piping hot glasses of tea.

"Having an Armenian freely operating here would have been a great propaganda tool for Turkey," noted Kaan Soyak, co-chairman of the Turkish-Armenian Business Development Council, which is seeking to promote trade and cultural exchanges between the two ethnic groups. "They blew it."

In May 2000, the couple opened a carpet showroom in Van to "test the waters" and made national television headlines as the first foreigners to invest in the largely Kurdish-populated region. "People were really thrilled to have Americans here, they knew we would help the local economy," said Kristy Bedoian, 49.

Her husband said it was only after he bought the hotel, paying $700,000, that his troubles began.

Police began to visit the premises repeatedly, demanding to see the couple's papers and grilling Victor Bedoian about his ancestry. Employees were threatened and asked why they were "working for those Armenians." Pressures escalated last May when Bedoian was informed that his residency application had been rejected and he was no longer authorized to do business in Turkey. As a result, all of his other permits were rendered invalid.

The couple could get no further explanation from officials. Rumors were rife in Van that the provincial governor was opposed to their presence because of Bedoian's Armenian roots. Fearing official reprisal, friends began to stay away from the hotel.

Last July, police entered the hotel and kicked out a group of foreign tourists who were trying to check in. In November, while the Bedoians were in the United States, police evicted employees and sealed the hotel's doors.

When pressed for an explanation, Gov. Durmus Koc declined to comment. A senior Turkish official who requested anonymity said the Bedoians' case did not "reflect Turkey's national policy" and was a "local problem."

During an official visit to Turkey in December, Secretary of State Colin L. Powell pressed national leaders to resolve the issue. A senior U.S. official familiar with the case terms the treatment of the Bedoians "outrageous."

"All it does is scare away foreign investors and tarnish Turkey's reputation, which admittedly isn't that great anyway," said the official, who asked not to be identified.

However, further prodding from the Bush administration has yielded no results, and U.S. officials say there is little else they can do.

Bedoian disagrees.

"If America wanted to fix this problem, it could do so right now," said Bedoian, 48. "We are facing systematic persecution by the Turkish state, and the American government, our local senators and representatives have all abandoned us."

Privately, many Turkish and U.S. officials argue that the hotel's name--Vartan, the Armenian word for victory--lies at the root of Bedoian's woes.

"It's like waving a red rag at a bull," said Haydar Celik, the hotel's 26-year-old Turkish manager. "Local sensitivities have been inflamed."

Bedoian said he named the hotel after his only son and had no political agenda. "That stuff happened nearly a hundred years ago," he said of the widespread Armenian deaths. "It's time to move on, the accusations are insane."

Born in the Astoria neighborhood of Queens, New York, Bedoian is a second-generation American. His grandmother was spirited out of central Turkey during the wartime violence by Turkish neighbors after her family "disappeared," as he puts it.

Bedoian hardly fits the stereotype of the revenge-seeking nationalist. Describing himself as "an ex-bum until I discovered Christianity," he defied family pressure to marry "a nice Armenian girl" and instead chose Kristy, a Scottish American from Alaska. They opened a travel agency in Wickenburg, Ariz.

When the couple first decided to set up a business here they had no inkling of the troubles that lay ahead.

"It made perfect sense at the time," Victor Bedoian recalled. "It was a ground-level opportunity to bring in American tourists for cultural tours."

Bedoian has launched four lawsuits against the governor and government agencies over what the couple says is the illegal revocation of the hotel's licenses and denial of his residency. Hearing dates have not been set for the cases. The couple has vowed to keep returning on tourist visas until justice is done.

"The irony is that Armenians back home kept calling us traitors, warning us that it would all go horribly wrong," said Kristy Bedoian. "Sadly, they proved to be right in the end."(Amberin Zaman, Los Angeles Times, April 8, 2002)

Annulation de la fermeture pour un jour d'une radio chrétienne

Un tribunal d'Ankara a annulé la décision de suspendre pour un jour une chaîne de radio privée religieuse, estimant que les programmes pour lesquels elle était sanctionnée ne relevaient pas de la "propagation du christianisme" en Turquie, pays à 99% musulman, a indiqué jeudi à l'AFP le directeur de la radio, Ismail Serinken.

Une cour administrative d'Ankara saisi par un recours déposé par la chaîne a décidé qu'il n'y avait pas lieu de la suspendre le 25 avril comme l'avait décidé le mois dernier le Haut Conseil de l'audiovisuel turc (RTUK).

"Dans les programmes en question, il n'y pas de propagation du christianisme et pas de mention de caractère à détériorer la liberté de conscience", souligne la décision de la cour, obtenue par l'AFP.

"Nous sommes très contents, nous savions que la justice nous donnerait raison", a commenté M. Serinken.

C'est la première fois que le RTUK avait décidé de suspendre une radio privée chrétienne.

Shema radio, première radio chrétienne d'Ankara lancée en octobre dernier, dépend de l'Eglise protestante Kurtulus (le Salut en turc) qui compte quelque 500 fidèles, pour la plupart Turcs.

Elle diffuse des programmes sur la Bible et la vie du Christ mais aussi des chansons et des émissions axées sur la philosophie et l'environnement.

Depuis sa création en 1994, le RTUK, organe controversé, a déjà suspendu pendant des laps de temps divers plus de 500 chaînes de radio et de télévision, notamment islamistes et kurdes, selon les chiffres officiels. (AFP, 11 avril 2002)
 

LE TERRORISME DE L'ETAT / STATE TERRORISM

IHD Report: Human Rights Violations by the regime in 2001

The Human Rights Association of Turkey (IHD) has recently issued the following balance sheet of human rights violations in Turkey for 2001:

Violations against the right to life and security of person


Prisons
 


Violations against the working population


Violations against the freedom of thought and organisation

La 90e mort dans la résistance des prisonniers politiques

La grève de la faim contre la réforme des prisons turques a fait une 90e victime le lundi 1er avril, avec le décès à l'hôpital à Istanbul d'une prisonnière d'extrême gauche. Meryem Altun, 26 ans, est décédée au 301e jour de son jeûne.

La détenue était jugée pour appartenance au groupe clandestin de gauche Front-Parti de libération du peuple révolutionnaire (DHKP-C). Détenue à la prison de haute sécurité de Kartal, elle avait été hospitalisée pour être traitée mais n'avait pas pour autant abandonné le mouvement.

La grève a été lancée en octobre 2000 par un millier de prisonniers politiques de gauche pour protester contre l'entrée en service de prisons dites "de type F" où des cellules pour 1 ou 3 détenus remplacent le système des vastes dortoirs. Ils estiment que ce régime d'isolement les expose aux mauvais traitements et les désocialise.

La résistance des prisonniers politique s'est soldée par la mort de 50 détenus ou leurs proches décédés des suites de leur privation.

En décembre 2000, un assaut des forces de gendarmeries pour réduire le mouvement dans une vingtaine de prisons avait fait 32 victimes dont deux gendarmes, et le gouvernement avait alors ouvert quatre de ces nouvelles prisons dites "de type F".

Quatre prisonniers se sont en outre immolés par le feu en soutien aux grévistes et quatre autres personnes ont été tuées lors d'une intervention de la police en novembre dernier contre une maison d'Istanbul occupée par des grévistes.

Les grévistes de la faim ont considérablement abaissé leurs exigences pour mettre fin à leur grève et sont prêts à accepter un compromis avancé par les chefs des 4 principaux barreaux du pays. Ce compromis, résumé sous la formule, 3 clefs 3 portes, permettrait aux détenus de 3 cellules de 3 détenus (9 personnes), de pouvoir communiquer entre eux pendant huit heures par jour. Toutefois, le ministre de la justice, M. Hikmet Sami Türk, la refuse en invoquant des obstacles de nature technique et sécuritaire.

Actuellement quelque 10.000 des 55.000 détenus que compte la Turquie sont des détenus politiques accusés de terrorisme ou d'appartenance à un parti ou une organisation politiques illégaux.

Etant donné que quelque 200 prisonniers poursuivent toujours la grève de la faim, le nombre de victimes peut s'élévér dans les jours qui viennent au plus de 100.

Le premier ministre Ecevit (DSP), le chef de l'Etat-major des forces armées le général Kivrikoglu --également l'homme fort du Conseil de la Sûreté nationale (MGK)--, les vice-premiers ministres Devlet Bahçeli (MHP, néo-fasciste) et Mesut Yilmaz (ANAP, de droite) ainsi que le ministre de la Justice Hikmet Sami Türk (DSP) sont les responsables principaux de la mort des dizaines des prisonniers politiques dans ce pays au seuil de l'Union européenne.
 

17,000 signatures to stop death fasts

The Human Rights Association on Monday presented 17,000 signatures, collected in the "Three Doors, Three Locks" campaign to put an end to death fasts, to Parliamentary Human Rights Committee Chairman Huseyin Akgul.

Akgul said that the interlocutor of the issue was in fact the Justice Ministry, adding that he would transfer the signatures to them. Commenting on the continuing death fasts in the prisons, Akgul noted that they were making attempts to stop them, but added that they have so far failed to obtain an outcome.

Human Rights Association Chairman Husnu Ondul thanked Akgul for his tolerant and democratic approach and hoped that the dialogue between nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) and the State would further improve. Stressing that death fasts could only be stopped in this way, Ondul said that a total of 89 people have lost their lives during the fasts and added that 450 convicts and prisoners have developed the illness known as 'Korsakoff Syndrome", because of their actions.

Meanwhile, a group of Human Rights Association members and the relatives of some of the F-type prison convicts staged a sit-in in front of the association's Ankara branch to protest the F-type prisons.

The protesters called on the government to remove the isolation in F-type prisons in order to stop deaths. They unfolded banners reading, "The three doors and locks should be opened. Deaths should be stopped."

Hundreds of leftist prisoners and many of their supporters started the death fasts more than a year ago, protesting plans to introduce new F-type prisons with small cells. The protestors say the cells isolate prisoners and leave them open to abuse. The government says the new prisons meet European standards and refuses to negotiate with the protesters. The strikers have prolonged their protest by drinking sugared and salted water and taking vitamins to help them stay alive. (Turkish Daily News, April 2, 2002)
 

Justice Minister says no return from F-types

Justice Minister Hikmet Sami Turk said on Wednesday that Turkey would not abandon the maximum security F-type prisons.

At the opening speech of a three-day seminar entitled, "Evaluation on F-type prisons," Turk said that F-type prisons were a part of state policy.

The maximum security prisons, having one or three-inmate cells, have been causing a controversy between the state and human rights advocates.

SInce October 2000, leftists inmates have been carrying out a death fast protest against the F-types. This week, Meryem Altun starved to death, becoming the 50th death in the protest.

There are still 64 inmates on the death fast, according to the figures of the Justice Ministry.

Inmates are reacting against the policy of moving prisoners from large wards housing up to 100 people to one- or three-inmate cells.

Prisoners say that small cells leave them isolated and vulnerable to abuse by guards. The government says that the large wards were unruly and became virtual training camps for militants.

Turk on Wednesday said that a group of nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) had presented a petition titled, "Three doors three locks," asking the government to unlock the doors of cells in an effort to eliminate the isolation.

Stating that F-type prisons conform to the United Nations and the European Council prison standards, Turk said legal and physical conditions did not allow them to accept the "Three doors three locks" suggestion. (Turkish Daily News, April, 4, 2002)
 

Manifestations pour l'allègement de l'isolement en prison

Plusieurs organisations se sont rassemblées le 13 avril dans les rues d'Ankara pour réclamer l'allègement de l'isolement des prisonniers politiques d'extrême gauche, qui poursuivent leur grève de la faim depuis octobre 2000, rapporte l'agence Anatolie.

La manifestation était organisée par l'Association des Droits de l'Homme (IHD), le HADEP, la Confédération des syndicats des employés du Service public (KESK), la Confédération des syndicats des Travailleurs Révolutionnaires (DISK) et des associations des familles de détenus.

Les protestataires ont défilé pour réclamer la mise en place d'une formule "3 clefs, 3 portes" qui permettrait aux prisonniers de trois cellules de passer un peu de temps libre en commun, dit Anatolie.

Le président de l'IHD Husnu Ondul a rappelé que seule cette condition pouvait mener à la fin du mouvement de jeûne qui se poursuit dans plusieurs établissements pénitentiaires.

De grandes clefs de couleurs ont été brandies par une foule de plusieurs centaines de personnes qui s'est ensuite dispersée sans incident, après avoir fait un sit-in de 10 minutes la bouche barrée d'un bandeau noir, selon l'agence de presse.

Les détenus d'extrême gauche avaient lancé en octobre 2000 un large mouvement de grève de la faim pour s'opposer à la mise en place de prisons dites "de type F" faites de cellules d'une ou trois personnes, où ils disent être plus vulnérables aux mauvais traitements des forces de sécurité et "désocialisés".

Ce mouvement de grèves de la faim a fait sa cinquantième victime le 1er avril dernier, outre 44 autres morts (dont 4 gendarmes) lors d'interventions de maintien de l'ordre, par immolation ou dans un attentat suicide à la bombe.

Une douzaine de personnes ont été interpellées le 14 avril à Istanbul lors d'une manifestation pour réclamer un allègement de l'isolement de prisonniers politiques d'extrême gauche, a rapporté l'agence Anatolie.

La police n'a pas laissé les manifestants crier leurs slogans ou distribuer leurs tracts, selon l'agence, et 12 personnes --des proches de détenus-- ont été placées en garde à vue. (AFP, 13-14 avril 2002)
 

European Anti-Torture Committee visits Turkey

A delegation of the Council of Europeís Committee for the Prevention of Torture and Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (CPT) carried out an ad hoc visit to Turkey from 21 to 27 March 2002.

The visit was carried out by two members of the CPT: Silvia CASALE (a British criminologist and President of the CPT) and Davor STRINOVIC´ (a Croatian forensic doctor). They were assisted by Dan DERMENGIU (a Romanian forensic doctor) as well as by Trevor STEVENS (Executive Secretary) and Michael KELLETT of the CPTís Secretariat.

One of the main purposes of the visit was to examine the implementation in practice of recent legal reforms concerning custody by law enforcement agencies. The CPTís delegation also explored recent cases of resort to the provisions of Article 3(c) of Legislative Decree No. 430, under which prisoners who have to be questioned as part of the investigation of offences giving rise to the declaration of a state of emergency may be returned to the custody of law enforcement agencies. In this connection, the delegation visited Ankara Police Headquarters (Anti-Terror Department) as well as various police and gendarmerie establishments in the Diyarbak?r province. Further, prisoners were interviewed in the Diyarbak?r I and II prisons.

In addition, the CPTís delegation reviewed the development of communal activities for inmates in the new F-type prisons. For this purpose, a visit was carried out to Sincan F-type Prison.

During the visit, the CPTís delegation met Mr Hikmet Sami TÜRK, Minister for Justice, and had discussions with senior officials from the Ministries of Justice, the Interior, Foreign Affairs and Health. Other officials met included Mr Gökhan AYDEMIR, Governor of the State of Emergency Region, Mr Sait GÜRLEK, Chief Public Prosecutor of the Republic in the Diyarbak?r province, and Mr Faban ERTÜRK, Chief Public Prosecutor at the Diyarbak?r State Security Court.

The CPTís delegation also held talks with representatives of the Human Rights Association in Ankara and Diyarbak?r, as well as with representatives of the Bar Association in Diyarbakir. (CPT, 21 avril 2002)
 

Les conditions carcérales continuent de susciter des craintes

Dans une lettre adressée au ministre turc de la Justice, Hikmet Sami Turk, Amnesty International a une nouvelle fois exprimé ses préoccupations quant aux conditions de détention dans les prisons de type F, exhortant le ministre à prendre dans les plus brefs délais des mesures visant à mettre un terme au régime d'isolement cellulaire de facto appliqué à plusieurs milliers de prisonniers politiques.

Les conditions de détention dans les prisons de type F sont la cible de protestations incessantes et une grève de la faim, entamée en octobre 2000, se poursuit, ayant déjà entraîné la mort de 50 personnes et étant susceptible de laisser de graves séquelles à des centaines d'autres. Amnesty International a souligné à maintes reprises que le régime d'isolement cellulaire individuel ou en petits groupes peut nuire sérieusement à la santé mentale et physique des détenus et être constitutif de torture et de mauvais traitements.

L'organisation de défense des droits humains s'est félicitée des mesures prises par les autorités en faveur d'un droit de visite sans restriction et de l'utilisation de zones collectives mais reste préoccupée quant à leur application. Le ministre de la Justice a rejeté de récentes propositions de défenseurs des droits humains turcs qui demandaient notamment que les portes de cellules des blocs restent ouvertes pendant la journée pour permettre aux neuf prisonniers de chaque bloc de se rencontrer.

« La nouvelle disposition prise par le ministère de la Justice, qui vise à favoriser la communication entre prisonniers par groupes de dix, cinq heures par semaine, est insuffisante pour mettre fin de facto à l'isolement. Il faudrait que les détenus soient autorisés à se réunir au moins huit heures par jour. Par ailleurs, l'accès aux zones collectives ne devrait pas être soumis à des conditions telles que l'engagement des détenus à se ranger à une opinion politique ou à se soumettre à un programme de réinsertion ».

Amnesty International ajoute par ailleurs qu'un contrôle indépendant des conditions de détention par des défenseurs des droits humains, des médecins et des avocats indépendants devrait être rendu possible. La libération de dizaines de grévistes de la faim aurait été ajournée en dépit des rapports de l'Institut médico-légal ou des hôpitaux recommandant leur sortie pour raisons médicales. Amnesty International a prié instamment le ministre de réexaminer la situation de ces prisonniers dont la vie est sérieusement menacée s'ils demeurent en détention sans avoir accès aux soins médicaux que requiert leur état. (Amnesty International, 22 avril 2002)
 

Appel à la solidarité pour les prisonniers grévistes de la faim

Un collectif d'intellectuels sous l'égide de la Fondation turque des droits de l'Homme (TIHV) a appelé jeudi à la solidarité pour soigner et nourrir les anciens détenus ayant cessé leur grève de la faim, dont la détention est suspendue pour raisons de santé.

"441 personnes, dont 294 à Istanbul, ont sollicité notre aide pour subvenir aux dépenses de leur nourriture et de leur traitement médical", a indiqué la neuropsychiatre Sükran Irençin lors de la présentation à Istanbul de la campagne "Soutien urgent pour les survivants".

"Jusqu'à début avril, 200 milliards de livres turques (environ 163.000 Euros) ont été dépensées à ces fins, mais nous allons avoir des difficultés à continuer", a expliqué pour sa part Fatos Güney, l'épouse du cinéaste Yilmaz Güney qui emporta la Palme d'Or au Festival de Cannes en 1983, après avoir connu les geôles du coup d'Etat militaire de 1980.

Selon les organisateurs de cette campagne, le coût des soins pour une personne s'élève à 1.000 dollars par an et s'étalent au minimum sur deux ans, les séquelles demeurant pour l'essentiel irrémédiables. (AFP, 25 avril 2002)
 

Leading Turkish human rights activist stands trial

A leading human rights activist denied in court Thursday that she advocated a separate Kurdish state when she used the word "Kurdistan" during a speech at a women's rights conference.

Eren Keskin, a lawyer and the head of the independent Human Rights Association, faces up to three years in prison if found guilty of charges of separatist propaganda for saying that "women in Kurdistan face harassment and rape the most" during a speech she gave in November 2001.

Keskin, who defended herself in the opening hearing of her trial Thursday, said she had used the word "Kurdistan" to describe a geographic region and not to refer to a state separate from Turkey.

"I advocate Turks and Kurds living together," she told the court.

The court adjourned trial until July 4.

As head of the human rights group, Keskin is frequently in court for breaching Turkish laws that curb freedom of speech. She has some 90 cases pending against her for criticizing Turkey's human rights record and treatment of its estimated 12 million Kurds.

Turkey fought a 15-year war against Kurdish rebels demanding autonomy in the southeast and is sensitive toward the use of the word "Kurdistan" in describing Turkey's mainly Kurdish southeast region. Many see it as an expression advocating the country's breakup.

The PKK announced a unilateral cease-fire in 1999. The government rejected the cease-fire and sporadic fighting continues. About 37,000 people, mostly Kurdish rebels and civilians, have been killed in the fighting since 1984.

Earlier this year, Turkey's parliament relaxed laws limiting freedom of expression to boost the country's bid to join the European Union but left laws dealing with separatism largely unchanged.

Meanwhile, an Ankara court on Tuesday acquitted an Islamic leader who was jailed last year for claiming that an earthquake was God's revenge against Turkey for its secular policies.

The court overturned the conviction of Mehmet Kutlular after his lawyers argued that the case should be retried because of the changes to Turkey's freedom of speech laws.

Kutlular served some nine months of a two-year sentence before he was released early at the request of his lawyers, pending the new hearing.(AP, April 11, 2002)
 

Rape horror of troops and village guards

A 14-year-old girl returning to her village from picking beetroot and wild plants has been raped by 2 NCOs and three village guards.

A statement by the HADEP Womenís Sections Centre condemned the rape and demanded the prosecution of the assailants. The statement by the HADEP Womenís Sections Centre (WSC) mentioned to an article of 4 April 2002 in the local F?rnak Haber newspaper, saying: ìRape, the most horrendous crime against women, has once again been committed.î The 14-year-old girl ëEí was returning to her home in Yeni Aslan Bafak village when she was raped by 2 NCOs and 3 village guards.

The statement referred to ëEí, whose rape has been confirmed by a forensic report, and her family having been pressurised to change statements. The HADEP WSC said: ìWe condemn this horrendous attack and will strive to ensure the perpetrators are brought to justice. The State of Emergency and Village Guard system, which are the biggest obstacle to peace and democratisation in our country, should be abolished immediately.î (Ozgur Politika, April 9, 2002)
 

CPT: Chambres de torture et brutalités policières en Turquie

Chambres de tortures, brutalités policières et conditions indignes de détention pour les femmes détenues: la Turquie doit encore faire des progrès pour améliorer ses prisons et commissariats, selon le Comité anti-torture (CPT) du Conseil de l'Europe.

Les experts du CPT, qui ont visité une quarantaine de locaux de détention (gendarmeries, commissariats et prisons) du 2 au 14 septembre en Turquie, ont salué l'"amélioration graduelle" de la situation, mais réclamé des efforts sur certains points "préoccupants", dans un rapport publié mercredi à Strasbourg avec l'accord du gouvernement turc.

En particulier, les suspensions par les bras et les électrochocs "sont beaucoup moins fréquents" que par le passé, mais les plaintes pour mauvais traitements restent nombreuses, et sont, dans certains cas, attestées par des preuves physiques que les experts européens ont pu constater eux-mêmes.

Le CPT a aussi regretté que rien n'ait changé dans l'est du pays concernant l'équipement des salles servant pour les interrogatoires, conçues à dessein pour mettre le suspect en condition d'avouer.

Dans la section anti-terroriste du quartier général de la police de Van, par exemple, la salle d'interrogatoire est une pièce insonorisée, longue et étroite, et entièrement peinte en noir. Au bout, une estrade avec une table où s'installent les enquêteurs. La personne interrogée doit s'asseoir sur une chaise fixée au sol, face aux enquêteurs. Un gros projecteur est suspendu au dessus du suspect pour l'éblouir.

L'atmosphère est sinistre et un interrogatoire conduit dans ces conditions peut s'apparenter à une forme de mauvais traitement psychologique, selon les experts. En outre des détenus affirment qu'ils ont été torturés physiquement dans ces pièces, qui existent également à Agri, Elazig et Erzurum.

Le CPT dénonce aussi, dans ce rapport, l'usage durant les interrogatoires d'un bandeau destiné à empêcher les suspects de reconnaître leurs tortionnaires. "Ces pratiques d'un autre âge ne conviennent pas à une police moderne", selon le CPT.

Les conditions de détention des hommes, mais surtout de femmes détenues avec leurs enfants, sont parfois désastreuses.

Dans la prison de Sanliurfa, huit femmes et six enfants, dont un nouveau-né et deux bébés, partageaient huit lits, équipés de six matelas et de quelques draps et de couvertures. Aucune buanderie, pas assez d'eau chaude, pas de nourriture spéciale pour les femmes enceintes, les femmes allaitantes et les bébés. Dans la prison pour femmes de Van, 15 femmes vivaient dans 20 m2 dans des conditions d'hygiène également effroyables.

Les experts du CPT ont par ailleurs relevé les conditions brutales dans lesquelles plusieurs centaines d'immigrés d'origine africaine ont été expulsés, forcés de traverser une rivière dans une zone rurale, dans la région d'Ipsala. Certains se seraient noyés lors ces opérations, selon des témoignages qui n'ont pu être étayés, indique le CPT. (AFP, 23 avril 2002)
 

Le président met son veto à une loi controversée d'amnistie

Le président turc Ahmet Necdet Sezer a mis son veto samedi à une loi d'amnistie qui a suscité de vives controverses dans la mesure où des condamnés tels que Mehmet Ali Agca, qui avait ouvert le feu sur Jean Paul II en 1981, en bénéficieraient.

M. Sezer s'est opposé à l'adoption de la loi arguant de lacunes constitutionnelles et de vices de forme au cours du vote jeudi au Parlement, a indiqué un communiqué de la présidence.

La loi, qui réduit les peines de prison de dix ans pour une série de crimes, devait assurer la libération de près de 5.000 prisonniers s'ils s'engageaient à ne pas récidiver.

Elle a été vivement critiquée, plusieurs juristes estimant qu'Agca, un militant d'extrême droite qui a déjà purgé 19 ans de prison en Italie pour avoir ouvert le feu sur le Pape en 1981, verrait sa peine réduite et serait libéré.

L'Italie a extradé Mehmet Ali Agca en juin 2000 après qu'il eut été pardonné pour cette tentative d'assassinat qui avait grièvement blessé le saint père.

A son retour en Turquie, M. Agca a été condamné à dix ans de prison en liaison avec l'assassinat d'un célèbre journaliste turc, Abdi Ipecki, ainsi qu'à sept autres années de prison pour vol à main armée.

Un autre homme de main de l'extrême droite, Haluk Kirci, en prison pour le meurtre de sept militants d'extrême gauche à la fin des années 70, devait également être libéré si la loi avait été adoptée.

Cette loi étend en fait le champ d'application d'une loi d'amnistie de 1999 accusée de pratiquer une discrimination parmi les condamnés susceptibles d'en bénéficier.

Le président de la République ne peut exercer son droit de veto sur une même loi qu'une seule fois. Si le Parlement lui renvoie inchangé le texte de la loi il doit le signer ou déposer un recours en annulation auprès de la Cour constitutionnelle. (AFP, 27 avril 2002)
 

Human Rights violations in brief

Demonstration Hindered in Izmit

On 1 April the police dispersed a demonstration by staff from 20 municipalities in Kocaeli (Izmit) province, who wanted to march from Gölcük to Izmit in protest at not being paid, under force. About one thousand people were stopped after 5 kilometers. Discussion between the police and the demonstrators did not bare any results and, after the demonstrators had crossed the barricades of the police, officers used truncheons and tear gas to disperse the crowd. Reportedly two workers were injured. (Evrensel-TIHV, April 2, 2002)

Detentions and Arrests in Selcuk

In Selçuk district (Izmir) Süleyman Süer (29) was detained. Izmir Police HQ stated that he had been mentioned by suspects in Adana as a person recruiting militants for the PKK. He was sentenced to 45 monthsí imprisonment for the same offence in 1997. Nurcan Yeler, member of the parliament in Konukkuran town, Malazgirt district (Mus), and the HADEP member Sadrettin Basaçik were detained on 1 April, but released after testifying to the public prosecutor. On 1 April Adana SSC arrested the HADEP members and executives Mehmet Çakmak, Mahmut Bagriyanik, Ali Aslan and Mustafa Alkis, who had been detained during operations on 30 March, on charges of supporting the PKK. (Hürriyet-Yedinci Gündem-TIHV, April 2, 2002)

Death in Kula Prison

Rifat Özman, imprisoned on 29 March for his debts to the Ministry of Forests, totaling TL 47 million (app. $ 35), died in Kula Prison (Manisa) on 30 March. He had been convicted to a prison term of 10 days, of which he would have had to serve 5 days, since he had not made a declaration on his possession. When the gendarmes came to arrest him on 28 March he reportedly told them that he was suffering from asthma and could not stay in closed places. They refrained from arresting him, but he came to the prison the following day and the physician stated that he could stay in prison, if equipped with medicine. On 30 March he died from an asthmatic stroke. His family alleged that he had not been allowed to take his medicine. (Sabah-TIHV, April 3, 2002)

Torture Victim on Trial

On 2 April Istanbul SSC continued to hear the case of Günes Baltas, who had been arrested on 28 November 1998 and his co-defendants Mehmet Salih Adanmis, Özlem Aydemir, Sakir Ulug and Abdürrahim Ulug (not under arrest) on charges of being members of the PKK. Defense lawyer Eren Keskin stated that her client had been raped in detention and received a report certifying traumatic effect. She added that her client accepted a connection to the PKK, but rejected charges of armed activities. She asked for medical treatment. The court did not release the defendant and adjourned the hearing to a later date. Günes Baltas is charged under Article 125 TPC that requires the death penalties. The other defendants are charged under Article 169 TPC and might expect suspension of their sentences. (Evrensel-TIHV, April 3, 2002)

Investigation against Eren Keskin

Eren Keskin, chairwoman of the Istanbul branch of the Human Rights Association (IHD) testified to the prosecutor at Istanbul SSC on 2 April concerning a special edition of the monthly report on "Newroz" and a press conference by the organizing committee for the Newroz celebrations. When Eren Keskin asked why she was being prosecuted the prosecutor Halil Salihoglu replied that everybody knew that she was organizing such events and, therefore, the case had been brought against her. (Evrensel-TIHV, April 3, 2002)

Trial for Protest against "Return to Life" Operation

On 2 April Izmir Penal Court No. 18 concluded the trial against representatives of trade unions and organization of civil society, who on 21 December 2000 had protested against the "Return to Life" operation that started in various prisons on 19 December 2000. The declaration had been made under the heading of "stop the transfers". Izmir Penal Court No. 18 sentenced Haluk Tekeli, chairman of the Freedom and Democracy Party (ÖDP) for Izmir province, to 18 monthsí imprisonment and a fine of TL 91,26 million. Kazim Bozkurt, Hayri Özzeybek, Elif Bakir and Celil Orhan, representatives of the Association of Contemporary Journalist (CGD) and associations to promote Haci Bektas Veli, received sentences of six monthsí imprisonment each. (Yedinci Gündem-TIHV, April 3, 2002)

Civil Servants on Trial in Izmir

On 2 April Bornova Penal Court No. 1 acquitted 64 civil servants working for the National Directorate for Water Supplies in Izmir, who had participated in the one-day óno-work action on 1 December 2000. (Evrensel-TIHV, April 3, 2002)

Trial of Anarchists in Izmir

On 3 April Izmir SSC heard the case of Muammer Özgür Küçüktekin, Ahmet Serkan Tomar, Sabri Serkan Kazak, Onur Ayaz and Rahmi Tiril charged according to Article 7/1 of the Law to Fight Terrorism with membership of an anarchist organization. On 1 December 2001 they had distributed leaflets in Usak during an action of workers. During the hearing the defendants stated that anarchism was opposed to terrorism. Tayfun Gönül, who according to the Directorate for Security is the leader of the "Anarchist Youth Organization", testified to the effect that anarchism has no model of organizing in its philosophy. The court ordered the release of the defendants and adjourned the hearing to a later date. (Radikal-TIHV, April 4, 2002)

Detentions and Arrests in Mersin

In Mersin detentions that started after the Newroz celebrations continued during the night of 2 April. During operations in Yenipazar, Günes, Sevketsümer, Yenimahalle, Afetevler, Batikent and Egriçam quarters the police detained Sadiye Güngör, Mehmet Güngör, Necmettin Güngör, Serpil Dorak, Nizamettin Hanezay, Mazlum Vesek, Güzel Serin, Bahattin Serin, Hüsnü Özlü, Hayrettin Özlü, Abdurrahman Özlü and Sabri Ilge. In Istanbul Hakan Ince, Bahtiyar Gönen, Fatih Meclis, Mehmet Boz and Seydi Boz, who had been detained in connection with the bank robbery of a branch of the Is Bankasi in 4. Levent (Istanbul), were arrested by Istanbul SSC. Gültekin Ince, Celal Çiftçi, Zafer Sahin and Fadime Inci, accused of having assisted them, were released. Allegedly Hakan Ince was about to build a radical Islamic organization. (Yedinci Gündem-TIHV, April 4, 2002)

Trial of Akin Birdal in Diyarbakir

On 4 April Diyarbakir SSC started to hear the case of Akin Birdal on charges of supporting an illegal organization. The hearing was adjourned to 16 May to wait for the testimony of the defendant to be taken by another court. The case had been opened after a speech on a conference by the Diyarbakir branch of the Human Rights Association (IHD) on 20 March 2001 entitled "Multi-Cultural Life and Human Rights". Akin Birdal is charged under Article 169 TPC and Article 5 of the Law to Fight Terrorism. (Yedinci Gündem-TIHV, April 5, 2002)

The Bahçelievler Case

On 3 April Ankara Criminal Court No. 3 continued to hear the case of Mahmut Korkmaz (under arrest) and Kadri Kürsat Poyraz (arrest warrant issued in absentia) charged with the demand of the death penalty for their involvement in the killing of 7 juveniles from the Turkish Workersí Party (TIP) on 8 October 1978. The court adjourned the hearing to a later date rejecting demands for the release of Mahmut Korkmaz. (Evrensel-TIHV, April 5, 2002)

Lawyers on Trial in Istanbul

On 4 April Beyoglu Criminal Court No. 1 started to hear the case of the lawyers Dogan Erbas, Aysel Tugluk, Irfan Dündar and Hatice Korkut, defense lawyers of PKK leader Abdullah Öcalan. The defendants testified to the effect that the statement that appeared in the press had not been made by them and asked for acquittal. The court adjourned the hearing to 10 July for a completion of the files. The lawyers are accused of having informed the press by facsimile of statements of Abdullah Öcalan and, thereby committing a misconduct of their duties. (Yedinci Gündem-TIHV, April 5, 2002)

Politicians on Trial in Ankara

On 4 April Ankara SSC No. 1 started to hear the case of Ibrahim Güçlü, deputy chairman of the Rights and Freedoms Party (HAK PAR), Cevdet Kemal Kara and Resit Deli charged with membership of illegal "Democratic Party of Northern Kurdistan". The defendants argued that the charges dated back to a time before 1990 and contested the view by the Ministry of the Interior that the organization was an "illegal armed organization". Resit Deli said that he had been tried on similar charges before, but the cases had been dropped. Cevdet Kemal Kara alleged that his statement to the police had been extracted under torture and rejected the charges of membership. The court adjourned the hearing to 14 May. (Yedinci Gündem-TIHV, April 5, 2002)

Death in Aralik Prison

On 31 March Cumali Basaran died in Aralik Prison (Igdir province). He was serving a sentence of 4 months for illegal possession of arms and had another 17 days to serve in prison. His family alleged that they were not informed about the causes of death. (Evrensel-TIHV, April 5, 2002)

An Eritrean Refugee Drowned

On 5 April, three women from Eritrea reached the shore near Akyarlar village (Bodrum) and alleged that the Greeek authorities had imprisoned them after they reached the island of Istanköy (Kos) on 3 April. Later they had been put on a boat and thrown into the water. Miki Cheber (25), fiancée of Melina Meles (24) had drowned, but she, Chlebah Ebolette (21) and Marine Casberg (22) had reached the shore. (Milliyet-TIHV, April 7, 2002)

Incident at Ankara University

During a fight between students sympathizing with the Workersí Party (IP) and left-wing students on Cebeci Campus of Ankara University 10 people were injured. On 5 April left-wing students had prevented the followers of the IP to make a press statement. On 8 April some 80 followers of IP came to the university and beat three students. When the police arrive another fight with sticks and stones broke out in front of the Pedagogical Faculty. Some 10 students were injured. (Yedinci Gündem-TIHV, April 9, 2002)

Prisoners Beaten During Their Transfer

During a press conference at the Istanbul branch of the Human Rights Association (IHD) lawyer Ahmet Aslan alleged that prisoners on trial for membership of the radical Islamic organization IBDA/C were beaten during their transfer from Kartal to Bolu F-type Prison on 23 January and from Eskisehir Special Type to Bolu F-type Prison on 20 February. In particular Kazim Albayrak had been subjected to physical force. (Evrensel-TIHV, April 10, 2002)

Death Penalties Forwarded to The National Assembly

The files of Mehmet Fidanci and Mehmet Siddik Biçer (sentenced to death under Article 125 TPC) and Adem Kepeneklioglu, Mehmet Hakan Canpolat and Turhan Tarakçi (sentenced to death under Article 146/1 TPC) were forwarded to the President of the Grand National Assembly of Turkey (TBMM). The number of files with confirmed death penalties waiting at the Judicial Committee in the TBMM has reached 65 concerning 127 persons awaiting execution. Since October 1984 the TBMM has not made a decision on executions of death penalties. (Hürriyet-TIHV, April 10, 2002)

Detentions and Arrests in Istanbul

The names of two people, detained in Istanbul on 6 or 7 April in connection with an operation of the police in Bursa against alleged members of the "Beyit Al Imam" (Union of Imams) organization, were given as Ali Üzüm and Fatih Sultan Çalis. In Antep the police conducted an operation against the Marxist-Leninist Communist Party (MLKP) and detained Hatice Aydemir, Yüksel Bulut (working for the journal "Atilim") and the teachers Eylem Çolak and Vehpi Koç (from Nizip). Vehpi Koç was released by the prosecutor, but the other suspects were arrested. (Hürriyet-TIHV, April 10, 2002)

Trial of Akin Birdal in Ankara

Akin Birdal, former chairman of the Human Rights Association (IHD), testified today at Ankara SSC in connection with the case opened against him at Diyarbakir SSC. The next hearing will be on 16 May. Akin Birdal is charged under Article 169 TPC for a speech he made on 20 March 2001 during a conference by the Diyarbakir branch of the IHD on "Multi-Culture and Human Rights". (TIHV, April 11, 2002)

Mayor of Küçükdikili beaten by Police

The Mayor of Küçükdikili Municipality (Adana), Mehmet Yasik, filed an official complaint against a police officer by the name of Ali. The officer allegedly beat him at the airport of Adana, from where Mehmet Yasik wanted to go to a meeting in Cyprus. The officer had shown the hostile reaction, when Mr. Yasik said that he was mayor of Küçükdikili. He had torn his ID into pieces and kept him in detention for 3-4 hours. (Evrensel-TIHV, April 11, 2002)

Right-Wing attack on student in Istanbul

On 10 April three right-wingers ("idealists") attacked the student Hüseyin Camci, when he left Yildiz Technical University (Istanbul), kicked and beat him. One of them used a hatchet and injured Hüseyin Camci to his head. His friends took him to Sisli Etfal Hospital, where his wound had to be stitched. Hüseyin Camci said that he knew two of the attackers from school and accused the police not to have intervened. (Yedinci Gündem-TIHV, April 11, 2002)
 

PKK trial in Adana

On 10 April Adana SSC passed a verdict on three defendants charged with membership and support for the PKK. Mehmet Arancak was sentenced to 12.5 yearsí imprisonment, Semsettin Bilencek and Emin Ünal were sentenced to 45 monthsí imprisonment. (Evrensel-TIHV, April 11, 2002)
 

Civil Servants on Trial in Urfa

On 11 April Ceylanpinar Penal Court (Urfa) passed its verdict on 16 civil servants, who had particiapted in an action by the Confederation of Trade unions in the Public Sector (KESK) on 1 December 2001. 7 of the defendants were sentenecd to 4 monthsí imprisonment, fines of TL 91 million each and deprived of the civil servant status for three months. The sentences were commuted to a fine of TL 380 million and suspended. The other 9 defendants were acquitted. (Evrensel-TIHV, April 12, 2002)

Eren Keskin on Trial in Istanbul

On 11 April Istanbul SSC started to hear the case of Eren Keskin, chairwoman of the Istanbul branch of the Human Rights Association in connection with a speech she made during a conference on "violence against women". Being charged with dissemanting separatist propaganda Eren Keskin said that she used the word "Kurdistan", but did not mean a separate State. The hearing was adjounred to 4 July. (Yedinci Gündem-TIHV, April 12, 2002)

Death in Sincan Prison

On 11 April Halik Koçyigit committed suicide in Sincan F-type Prison. He had been imprisoned as a leading figure of a criminal organinzation and hanged himself in his cell for one person by the bedlinen. Halil Koçyigit had been put under isolation, after he had had a fight with other prisoners. (Cumhuriyet-TIHV, April 12, 2002)

Refusal to the demand of release for an ailed prisoner

During a hearing of 11 April Ankara SSC refused to release the prisoner Kemal Yarar, despite a medical report certifying that he is suffering from the Wernicke-Korsakoff disease. Kemal Yarar had been transferred to Ankara Numune Hospital on 15 September 2001 and the Forensic Institute had issued a report on 25 October 2001 recommending temporary release according to Article 399 of the Criminal Procedure Code. However, Ankara SSC refused to release the prisoner arguing that he could be treated in prison. Similarly Istanbul SSC did not release the prisoners Erkan Tepeli, Binnaz Demirbas, Samil Camekan, Serdar Güzel and Murat Basusta despite medical reports recommending a temporary release. On 14 April the police intervened in a demonstration in Beyoglu (Istanbul) staged in favor of the recommendation of the bar association for "three doors, three locks" and detained 12 people under beatings. (Cumhuriyet-Evrensel-TIHV, April 13-14-15, 2002)

Trial on Action in Umraniye Prison

On 12 April Üsküdar Criminal Court No. 1 continued to hear the case of 399 prisoners, who had been in Ümraniye Prison during the "return to life" operation of December 2000. The police intervened, when the defendants Gülten Özdemir, Asuman Özcan, Tülin Soyhan, Ergül Uzundiz and Nuriye Yesil shouted slogans on entry to the courtroom. The police also tried to remove lawyers from the courtroom, who had an argument with them. Lawyer Ömer Kavili was kicked at and prisonersí relative Saadet Yesil was detained. At the hearing the defendants stated that prisoner Alp Ata Akçaöz had been alive at the end of the operation, but was killed by soldiers. Demands of the defense to collect further evidence were rejected and the court adjourned the hearing to 17 July. (Evrensel-TIHV, April 13, 2002)

Trial against IHD in Malatya

On 12 April Malatya SSC concluded the trial against Cafer Demir, chairman of the Elazig branch of the Human Rights Association (IHD), Kenan Çetin, secretary in Elazig and Osman Baydemir, deputy chairman of the IHD, in connection with speeches during a "Solidarity Night" organized by the Elazig branch on 21 April 2001. The defendants were acquitted from charges brought under Article 312 TPC. (Evrensel-TIHV, April 13, 2002)

Environment defender Oktay Konyar Arrested

Oktay Konyar, the leading figure of the resistance against the company Normandy trying to search for gold using cyanide in Bergama district (Izmir), was arrested on 12 April. In order to get permission for a speech during a press conference of the teachersí union Egitim-Sen in Soma (Izmir) he had gone to the police headquarters in Soma. When he was told that he had to ask the prosecutor for permission a discussion arose during which Oktay Konyar allegedly said, "This country will never develop, if you remain like this". The arrest warrant was based on charges of "insulting the security forces". (Evrensel-TIHV, April 14, 2002

Demonstration Prevented

On 13 April the Confederation of Trade Unions in the Public Sector (KESK) organized demonstrations for "equal wages for equal jobs" in various towns. Except for the demonstration in Istanbul no incidents were reported. When members of the teachersí union Egitim-Sen tried to march from Saraçhane Park to Aksaray the police intervened and detained some 40 people under beatings. The police also prevented a demonstration in Unkapani and one on the Ziya Gökalp Boulevard in Ankara. (Evrensel-TIHV, April 14, 2002)

Detentions and Arrests in Istanbul

On 13 April 50 members of the Turkish Communist Party (TKP) were detained in Istanbul, when they tried to put up posters under the slogan "The People will Place its Referendum on 1 May". At Çukurova University (Adana) the students Hava Aktop and Özer Metin were detained on 11 April, reportedly in connection with petitions they presented to the rector. They were released on 12 April. Police operations continuing in Cizre, Güçlükonak and Idil district (Sirnak) for about a week many people were detained including the Mayor of Findik town, Methi Olcay. Further names were given as Hasan Özdemir, Hasan Duman, Mahmut Duman, Ömer Ecer, Ali Adabal, Sabri Sen, M. Serif Sen, M. Sefik Saka, M. Faysal Saka, A.Kadir Inedi, Halil Inedi, M. Sadik Inedi, Hasan Ertas, Sait Kayar, Nimet Yerit, Izzettin Hazar, Irfan Ike, Havil Adibelli, Ismail Malgöz, Mehmet Karavis, Abdullah Hazar, Halil Öner and Bengin Karavis. (Evrensel-Yedinci Gündem-TIHV, April 12-14, 2002)

Cases at the European Court

In answering a question by Karaman MP for the Justice and Development Party (AKP), Zeki Ünal, Justice Minister Hikmet Sami Türk provided the following information on cases against Turkey at the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR). Among some 5.000 complaints 2.250 are from Cyprus and 1.500 from the region under a state of emergency. According to the provisions of the European Convention of Human Rights applications concern the following violations: the right to life: 149; torture and ill-treatment: 328; freedom and security: 391; right to fair trial: 671; freedom of expression and religion: 281; right to private possession: 701; protection of privacy and family: 361. (Yedinci Gündem-TIHV, April 14, 2002)

The Manisa Case

On 15 April Manisa Criminal Court continued to hear the case of 10 police officers, charged with having tortured the juveniles from Manisa. During the hearing defense lawyers Hülya Ada, Roza Karkan, Maha Tekkiliç and Talat Tekkiliç declared their withdrawal from the trial. During the hearing of 25 March 9 lawyers had already withdrawn from the trial. Serhan Özbek, chairman of Manisa Bar Association, suspected that the real aim was to prolong the trial so that the defendant will benefit from the period of limitation that expires in June 2003. The hearing was adjourned to 6 May. (Radikal-TIHV, April 16, 2002)

Former party leader Güzel on Trial

Hasan Celal Güzel, former chairman of the Rebirth Party (YDP) appeared at Ankara Criminal Court No. 6 on 16 April. He is being tried for a speech he made on 10 May 2000, when he was released from Ayas Prison and said that he was imprisoned by the tyrans. The prosecutor found this to an insult to the judiciary, an offence under Article 159 TPC. (Evrensel-TIHV, April 17, 2002)

Detentions and Arrests in Istanbul

In Istanbul 14 alleged members of the "Kadiyanilik" sect, all of them from Pakistan, were detained. The center of the sect is said to be in London, its leader Mirza Tahir Ahmet (also from Pakistan) and since 1995 its members are allegedly active in Istanbul, Ankara, Amasya, Çorum, Manisa, Samsun, Antalya, Hatay and Cyprus. Soldiers conducted a raid on Alibeyusagi village in Pinarcik district (Maras) and detained Mehmet Aydogan, Haydar Renkli, Ismail Ülger, Cuma Renkli, Ahmet Menek, Ali Çiftçi, Hüseyin Güryol, Selma Gonca and Serpil Menek. The raid was reportedly conducted on suspicion that Mehmet Renkli and Ibrahim Renkli, members of an illegal organization were there. After release the villagers Hüseyin Güryol and Ali Çiftçi stated that the detainees were subjected to violence. (Evrensel-TIHV, April 17, 2002)

Right-Wingers Clash in Ankara

On 17 April a crowd of some 300 armed "idealists", led by Atilla Kaya, chairman of the "Idealistsí Union" (close to the Nationalist Movement Party - MHP) entered Gazi University in Ankara and attacked another group of "idealists" (close to the Great Unity Party ó BBP). The attack followed the change in the lead of the Idealistsí Union at Gazi University to the "Alperen Youthí Union" (idealists close to the BBP). During the attack five people were injured. The police detained 115 people and confiscated various weapons. (Cumhuriyet-TIHV, April 18, 2002)

Detentions and Arrests in Edremit

In Edremit district (Balikesir) Ilhan Kizil was detained. Being wanted for various actions in the name of the PKK he was arrested on 17 April, because of an arrest warrant issued by Diyarbakir SSC. In Istanbul Osman Seker, Kubilay Çil and Muhammed Talat Simas (from Pakistan) were arrested on charges of being members of an illegal organization. They had been among 8 people detained in connection with missionary activities of the "Kadiyani" sect. On 16 April the teacher Meliha Kahraman reportedly beat the student Ferhat Çelik from the first class at the lyceum in Hazro district (Diyarbakir), because during the break he had spoken to his classmates in Kurdish. The father Kutbettin Çelik wanted to complain to the prosecutorís office, when he saw the wounds of his son, but Mesut Kahraman, police officer and husband of the teacher stopped him on his way and allegedly detained him under beatings. (Cumhuriyet-Yedinci Gündem-TIHV, April 18, 2002)

Trial against Diyarbakir Office of TIHV

The trial against lawyer Sezgin Tanrikulu, representative of the Human Right Foundation of Turkey (TIHV) in Diyarbakir on charges of opening a health center without permission concluded at Diyarbakir Peace Penal Court No. 2 today. The court ruled that the offence described in Law 2219 on Private Hospitals had not materialized and acquitted the defendants. The court rejected responsibility on charges of "importing banned publication to the region under a state of emergency (OHAL)" and sent the file to Diyarbakir Penal Court of First Instance. Following the search of the TIHV offices in Diyarbakir on 7 September 2001 Sezgin Tanrikulu had been charged under Article 119 TPC for not paying a fine and Article 526 TPC for not obeying orders of officials. (TIHV, April 19, 2002)

Killing of Kemal Türkler

On 18 April Bakirköy Criminal Court No. 2 continued to hear the case of Ünal Osmanagaoglu, charged with the killing of former chairman of the trade union confederation DISK, Kemal Türkler, in 1979. The defence asked that one person, who had been charged for the same offence at a military court, be heart as witness and demanded the release of the defendant. Sub-plaintiff and lawyer Rasim Öz asked for the complete file, currently at Ankara Criminal Court No. 5. The court followed this demand and adjourned the hearing to 13 June. (Cumhuriyet-TIHV, April 19, 2002)

Torture allegation in Antep

Yüksel Bulut, reporter of the journal "Atilim" and Eylem Çolak, member of the teachersí union Egitim-Sen, who were arrested in Antep on 8 April, were released on 19 April on objection of their lawyers. After their release they held a press conference at the Antep branch of the Human Rights Association (IHD) and stated that during police custody they had been suspended by their arms, hosed with water under high pressure and sexually assaulted. (Evrensel-TIHV, April 21, 2002)

Students Beaten at Diyarbakir University

The students Hüseyin Uçak and Baran Ok from Dicle University in Diyarbakir complained that they had been beaten by police officers, when they came out of the canteen. The officers had taken them to the Medical Faculty and beaten them inside the building. (Evrensel-TIHV, April 22, 2002)

Trial for Comments on F-type Prison

On 19 April Bursa Penal Court No. 2 started to hear the case of Fikri Saglar, former Minister of Culture, Oral Çalislar and Ataol Behramoglu, writing for the daily "Cumhuriyet", Senay Senol and Yalçin Çakir, working for Flash TV and Akif Han, Hülya Imak, Hasan Sonkaya and Melek Altuntas, who had participated in a discussion on the F-type prisons. The defendants are charged with having insulted the government, the judiciary, the armed forces and the police. (Cumhuriyet-TIHV, April 20, 2002)

Incident at an Ankara University

On 18 April the prosecutor Ahmet Mutlu, who stated that he could also have them arrested, released some 100 students, who had been detained on 17 April, after a fight of right-wing students at Ankara Gazi University. (Radikal-TIHV, April 20, 2002)

Detentions and Arrests in Istanbul, Bitlis and Izmir

On 19 April Savas Velioglu, journalist for the daily "Evrensel" was detained in Esenler district (Istanbul), where he had gone to follow a press conference by ex-prisoner Özkan Güzel, suffering from the Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome. He was released in the evening hours. Bülent Kiliç, Turan Kara, Deniz Çetin and Günay Ayaz were detained in Bornova (Izmir), when they distributed leaflets of the Labor Party (EMEP). Istanbul SSC arrested Düzgün Akyol, working for the journal "Dayanisma" on 19 April. The arrest is reportedly based on Article 312 TPC for a speech he held during a meeting. On 19 April Celalettin Toktas, working in Bitlis State Hospital, was detained on orders of the prosecutor at Van SSC. The detention is based on allegations by the PKK repentant Sami Demirkiran. In his book "Frightening Confessions" he alleged that Celalettin Toktas provided help for PKK militants, who killed the teachers Nazif Özbagriaçik and Ergun Komut in Yolalan village (Bitlis) on 26 October 1993. The journalist Faruk Aktas, who had been detained on 18 April, was released on 19 April. In Istanbul some 40 members of the Turkish Communist Party (TKP) were detained on 19 April, when they put up posters concerning "1 May". In Sirnak 15 out of 32 people detained on charges of supporting the PKK, were arrested. Names could be established for Sabri Sen, his son M. Serif Sen, Sefik Saka, his son Faysal Saka, Havi Adibelli, Izzettin Hezer, Abdullah Hezer, Ismail Malgaz, Bengin Karavis, Mehmet Karavis and Irfan IIke. (Evrensel-Yedinci Gündem-TIHV, April 20-21, 2002)

Torture in Istanbul

Gökmen Alakus, who had been detained last week on suspicion of theft, alleged that he was tortured at Gayrettepe Police HQ. On 17 April he was apprehended in Küçükyali and taken to the local police station. Later he was taken to Gayrettepe Police HQ. His hands were tied and his eyes blindfolded. When he rejected the accusations of theft, he was allegedly stripped naked, given electric shocks to his hands and his testicles were squeezed. He screamed and fainted after 15 minutes. The police officers hosed him with water to make him conscious again. Gökmen Alakus was released after two days. He said that he would file an official complaint against the police officers. (Cumhuriyet-TIHV, April 24, 2002)

Detentions and Arrests in Istanbul

Yilmaz Meral was detained in Istanbul as an alleged member of the PKK. He was later taken to Izmir and arrested by Izmir SSC on 23 April. In Istanbul Hasan Alman and a woman with the first name of Helin, who were detained on 9 April, when they put up posters for "Freedom and Democracy Congress of Kurdistan (KAGEK), the new formation of the PKK, were arrested on 23 April. (Evrensel-TIHV, April 24, 2002)

Operation in an Istanbul Prison

On 24 April Eyüp Penal Court No. 3 continued to hear the case against 155 guardians and 1460 soldiers of the gendarmerie in connection with the operation in Bayrampasa Prison on 19 December 2000. The prisoners of that time were heard as witnesses and stated that they had been tortured. The hearing was adjourned to 18 September. (Evrensel-TIHV, April 25, 2002)

Massacre in Ulucanlar Prison

On 24 April Ankara Criminal Court No. 6 continued to hear the case of 161 members of the security forces, charged in connection with the massacre in Ulucanlar Prison, during which 10 prisoners died on 26 September 1999. Hasan Mentes was heard as witness. He stated that he had been in that prison among the common criminals. The soldiers had attacked the prisoners with their arms. Ismet Kavaklioglu had been killed right in front of their eyes. Lawyer Kazim Bayraktar asked for a confrontation for the prisoners to identify the attackers. The court adjourned the hearing to 27 June asking for the photographs of the defendants, so that the prisoners can identify them from the pictures. (Evrensel-TIHV, April 25, 2002)

Trade Unionist on Trial in Erzurum

The prosecutor at Erzurum SSC indicted Nuri Koç, chairman of the teachersí union Egitim-Sen in Erzincan, in connection with a speech he held on a congress of his union on 2 February. Allegedly he read out a statement in Kurdish and demanded education in Kurdish. The prosecution interpreted this as support for an illegal organization and indicted him under Article 169 TPC. (Evrensel-TIHV, April 25, 2002)

Ankara IHD on Trial

On 25 April Ankara SSC continued to hear the case against the Ankara branch of the Human Rights Association (IHD) with the demand of closure and sentences for "supporting illegal organizations". The hearing was adjourned to 6 June to wait for a report on the defendant Ali Riza Bektas. For the protests against the F-type prisons the former chairman Lütfi Demirkapi and the board members Ilhami Yaban, Ismail Boyraz, Erol Direkçi, Mesut Çetiner, Zeki Irmak, Riza Resat Çetinbas, as well as members of the prison commission Ali Riza Bektas, Selim Necati Ort, Saniye Simsek, Ekrem Erdin, Gökçe Otlu and Emrah Serhan Soysal are charged under Article 169 TPC. The prosecutor has also asked for closure of the branch according to Article 7/4 of the Law on Fighting Terrorism. (TIHV, April 25, 2002)

Detentions and Arrests in Ankara

On 24 April Kemal Yildiz, Nihat Bogan, Hüseyin Zeytin, Yüksel Öztürk and Fatma Tosun, board members of the Culture and Solidarity Association of People from Tunceli, were detained and taken to Ankara Police HQ. Their detention is reportedly related to speeches they held on a festival on 20 April. In Ankara the staff members of the journal "Isçi-Köylü", Betül Kiliçarslan and Erdinç Özbay, plus Hakan Hakverdi, Sevtap Kulaksiz, Hasem Atay, Ulas Atalay, Leyla Çakirca and Eren Emre Korkmaz were detained. In Istanbul Mehmet Turp, Dilek Aslan, Memis Adabas, Ibrahim Demirci and a person by the name of Murat were detained on 25 April, when they put up posters of the Party of Labour (EMEP) concerning 1 May Labour Day. In Nigde 7 of 9 students, who had been detained on 24 April in connection with a fight between left and right-wing students, were arrested on 25 April. The anti-terror squad had detained the left wing students Muhammed Okulmus, Halil Kapazan, Haydar Oguz, Irfan Çaynak, Ali Çicek, Ismail Kama, Zeki Kabalci, Rical Disibüyük and Can Tuna at their homes. The public prosecutor released Muhammed Okulmus and Halil Kapazan. The other students were sent to Nigde E-type Closed Prison. (Evrensel-Yedinci Gündem-TIHV, April 26, 2002)

Political prisoner died at hospital

On 27 April Hidir Demir died in Ankara Sanatorium Hospital, where he had been taken two weeks ago, after his health deteriorated as a result of the death fast action. He was serving a sentence of 12.5 yearsí imprisonment as member of the Turkish Communist Party/Marxist Leninist -Workersí and Peasants Liberation Army of Turkey (TKP/ML TIKKO). (Evrensel-TIHV, April 29, 2002)

Torture in Istanbul

On 28 March the woman H.T. (23) from Agri appealed to the Project for Legal Aid against Sexual Assault and Rape in Custody. She stated that she had been detained in Maltepe-Istanbul during an operation against suspected PKK militants on 8 March. She had been taken to the department to fight terrorism at Istanbul Police HQ. During the four days of her detention she had been tortured and raped by pouring water under high pressure into her vagina. She had been stripped stark naked and forced to sit on excrements. Lawyer Eren Keskin from the Project for Legal Aid stated that they had filed an official complaint to the public prosecutor in Fatih. Eren stated that, because of the treatment including assault with hands and being blindfolded with a wet cloth her client was unable to sleep and shivering. Therefore, they had asked the prosecutor to send her to the Psychological Trauma Center at Çapa Medical Faculty. (Yedinci Gündem-TIHV, April 27, 2002)

Verdict in TIKB Trial, Death Penalty

On 26 April Istanbul SSC passed its verdict on 23 defendants, 9 of them in pre-trial connection in with the killing of Nihat Uygun, chairman of the MHP in Kartal (Istanbul) and Ethem Ekin, prosecutor in Adana. Among the alleged members of the Revolutionary Communist Union of Turkey (TIKB) Tamer Tuncer and Sefa Gönültas were sentenced to death according to Article 146 TPC. Ergül Çelik, Kenan Güngör, Nuri Akalin and Turgay Ulu were sentenced to life imprisonment. Mete Tuncer and Zeynep Saral were sentenced to 18 yearsí, 4 monthsí imprisonment according to Article 168/2 TPC. The sentences of the other defendants were suspended according to the Law on Conditional Release and Suspension of Sentences. After the verdict the defendants shouted slogans and were attacked by relatives of Nihat Uygun. Outside the courtroom they bear the elderly brother of Tamer Tuncer and Mete Tuncer, Nihat Tuncer. (Evrensel-TIHV, April 27, 2002)

DHKP/C Trial, Death Penalty Demanded

On 26 April the retrial of Ercan Kartal, Fadime Bastug and Berkan Abatay, who are accused to have planned the assassination of Kenan Evren, the 7th State President of Turkey, as members of the Revolutionary Peopleís Liberation Party/Front (DHKP/C), started at Istanbul SSC No. 6. The first trial had ended on 22 April 1999. Fadime Bastug and Berkan Abatay, for whom the death penalty had been demanded, were sentenced to 12.5 yearsí imprisonment as members of the organization. Ilhan Uçar had been sentenced to 45 monthsí imprisonment for supporting the organization. Ercan Kartal, for whom the death penalty had been demanded, and Filiz Gencer, Serif Minaz and Canan Ferai Köker had been acquitted. The Court of Cassation had quashed the sentences and acquittal of Ercan Kartal, Fadime Bastug and Berkan Abatay and in a first retrial Ercan Kartal had been sentenced to death according to Article 146 /1 TPC. Fadime Bastug and Berkan Abatay had been sentenced to 15 yearsí imprisonment for membership of the organization. (Cumhuriyet-TIHV, April 27, 2002)

Diyarbakir IHD on Trial

The public prosecutor in Diyarbakir indicted Osman Baydemir, chairman of the Diyarbakir branch of the Human Rights Association (IHD) and the board members Fikret Saraçoglu, Selahattin Demirtas, Abdulkadir Aydin, Reyhan Yalçindag, Meral Danis Bestas and Piruzhan Dogrul for a violation of Article 6 of the Law on Associations providing that the distribution of brochures, leaflets and written statements has to be in Turkish. The board of Diyarbakir IHD had written "Newroz" instead of "Nevruz", when on 14 March they decided to organize a reception on 20 March. The board of the Elazig branch of the IHD was indicted for a press conference on the so-called adjustment laws on 29 January. The trial will start at Elazig Penal Court No. 2on 26 June. (Cumhuriyet-Evrensel-TIHV, April 28, 2002)

Lawyer on Trial in kirikkale

The public prosecutor in Kirikkale indicted lawyer Filiz Kalayci (from Ankara) for an article she wrote in the daily "Cumhuriyet" on the situation of some of her clients on hunger strike. The prosecutor in Kirikkale maintained that she insulted the Ministry of Justice and asked for a prison term between 1 and 6 years. The trial will start at Kirikkale Criminal Court. (Cumhuriyet-TIHV, April 29, 2002)

An Environmentalist on Trial

Oktay Konyar, chairman of the Environmental Executive Committee in Bergama, who was arrested in Soma (Izmir) on 12 April, appeared at Soma Penal Court on 26 April. He was charged with "insulting the police", when he went to the police station to ask for permission to speak during a press conference of the trade union Egitim-Sen in Soma. After the hearing Oktay Konyar was released. (Cumhuriyet-TIHV, April 27, 2002)

Teachers on Trial in Diyarbakir

In Diyarbakir 1.032 members of the teachersí union Egitim-Sen were indicted for their participation in a one-day no-work action organized by the Diyarbakir branch on 7 June 2001. The prosecution has asked for prison terms of between 1 and 3 years for 15 executives and the other defendants have to expect sentences between 4 monthsí and 1 yearís imprisonment. The trial will start at Diyarbakir Penal Court No. 4 on 6 May. (Yedinci Gündem-TIHV, April 29, 2002)

Refugees die on lorry near Istanbul

Following a tip-off the police wanted to search a lorry on a parking place of the highway near Çatalca (Istanbul). 12 persons from Bangladesh were detained, but the lorry escaped. The testimony of the detainees revealed that three persons had suffocated and thrown out of the lorry. The corpses were found near the parking place. (Milliyet-TIHV, April 30, 2002)
 

PRESSIONS SUR LES MEDIAS / PRESSURE ON THE MEDIA

Une journaliste turque bloquée à Ramallah dénonce l'armée israélienne

Une journaliste turque bloquée à Ramallah (Cisjordanie) a accusé mardi l'armée israélienne de mettre en danger la vie des reporters, dénonçant son inertie pour les faire sortir de la ville alors même qu'ils en sont bannis.

"Un responsable du service de presse de l'armée (israélienne) m'a informé qu'ils ne disposaient pas de véhicule pour nous sortir", a expliqué à l'AFP Ayse Karabat, de la télévision d'information en continu NTV, interrogée par téléphone depuis Ankara.

"Il a alors suggéré: Pourquoi ne prenez-vous pas un taxi? Je suppose qu'il était sérieux", a indiqué Mme Karabat, 30 ans, qui écrit aussi pour le quotidien turc Radikal.

La journaliste indique avoir expliqué à son interlocuteur que Ramallah a été déclaré "zone militaire fermée" et que les taxis ont été chassés de la ville. "Il m'a donné raison et m'a assuré avant de raccrocher que je n'avais pas à craindre pour ma vie", a-t-elle dit.

Mme Karabat, qui est basée à Jérusalem, s'est rendue à Ramallah jeudi dernier, la veille de l'occupation par les troupes israéliennes de la ville et du siège imposé au QG du président palestinien Yasser Arafat.

Elle est bloquée dans un appartement avec un journaliste danois et son épouse et ils manquent de vivres.

D'autres responsables israéliens lui ont suggéré d'appeler des ambulances palestiniennes pour quitter la ville.

"C'est amusant quand vous savez combien il est sûr de voyager dans des ambulances palestiniennes", ironise-t-elle en référence aux informations selon lesquelles ces véhicules auraient été bloqués par les soldats.

Les autorités turques sont à pied d'oeuvre pour évacuer la journaliste et lui ont conseillé de ne pas quitter le bâtiment tant qu'Israël n'envoie pas un véhicule blindé pour l'évacuer.

"Comme les Israéliens sont occupés à démolir Ramallah, je ne sais pas si je dois m'attendre à une telle éventualité", confie-t-elle.

A Ankara, l'Association des correspondants diplomatiques a appelé Israël à l'évacuer, estimant que sa "vie est en grand danger".

Karabat a finalement été évacuée avec l'aide de la Croix-Rouge mardi,. (AFP, 2 avril 2002)
 

Turkey Under Fire Over Censorship Trials

A New York-based press freedom watchdog Monday said it was "deeply concerned" about the criminal prosecution of a Turkish publisher who is being charged with "separatist propaganda" for publishing a book by a retired Washington Post reporter about the plight of the Kurdish people.

A statement from the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) addressed the trial of Abdullah Keskin, the head of the Istanbul-based Avesta publishing house, which is to begin Wednesday morning in an Istanbul State Security Court. Keskin is being charged under Article 8 of Turkey's anti-terror law for publishing Jonathan Randal's 1997 book, 'After Such Knowledge, What Forgiveness? - My Encounters in Kurdistan.'

The book's Turkish edition, which was published last year, was confiscated in mid-January for containing a number of references to "Kurdistan," which, according to the indictment, amounts to "separatist propaganda through publication in order to sabotage the indivisible integrity of the state and nation of the Republic of Turkey." If convicted, Keskin could face from one to three years in prison.

The case follows the resumption last week of another celebrated censorship case in which 15 writers and intellectuals are being tried in connection with their collective publication two years ago of a book entitled 'Freedom of Expression 2000,' which contains 60 articles that allegedly violate four separate laws penalizing free speech.

Hearings in the case, which concern articles on subjects ranging from Kurdish rights to government corruption, resulted in acquittals last year that were subsequently reversed on appeal.

The book is part of a general civil disobedience movement by intellectuals and writers which began in 1995 to test a number of censorship laws which have been used by the Turkish authorities to stifle dissent and public debate on key issues. The defendants contend that the censorship laws violate the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR), to which Turkey is a signatory, as well as other international covenants.

The embarrassment caused by such cases persuaded the Turkish parliament last year to pass constitutional reforms aimed at enhancing freedom of expression and amend existing laws to reduce penalties which have been imposed under anti-terror legislation and other statutes which curb free speech.

Those efforts also followed a landmark decision in September 2000 by a Turkish court to acquit a journalist charged with "insulting" Turkey's powerful military in a book of interviews with veterans of Turkey's counter-insurgency campaign against the Kurds in the country's southeastern region.

Nadire Mater, the author of 'Mehmed's Book: Soldiers Who Have Fought in the Southeast Speak Out,' and its publisher, Samih Sokmen, faced prison sentences of up to 12 years but were let go largely on the basis of an expert report that the interviews did not constitute an "insult" to the military rather than on the basis of any judicial reprieve or legislative change.

As a result, laws on censorship have remained largely intact, according to CPJ and other press watchdogs, such as Article 19 and Index on Censorship, and provided a basis for pursuing a case against Randal's book, which has been published in several countries and languages outside Turkey without incident.

The indictment cites several passages in the book which, according to the prosecutors, "speaks of a Kurdish nation and also of a Kurdish state within territories of the Turkish Republic." Moreover, according to the indictment, the book also includes a map "that contains certain districts, which are in the Turkish Republic. Hence it follows that separatist propaganda has been accomplished through this publication."

A "friends of the court" brief submitted to the court by CPJ and several other groups, argues that the prosecution violates free speech principles contained in the ECHR's Article 10 and is similar to other Turkish cases involving "separatist propaganda" that have been struck down by the European Court on Human Rights since 1999.

"The Court has held repeatedly that simply describing, explaining or providing opinions on the Kurdish situation in southeastern Turkey cannot constitute a risk substantial enough to outweigh the rights of the publisher and the public to free expression," the brief asserted. (OneWorld US, April 2, 2002)
 

Journalists and writers face harsh conditions in Turkish prisons

The following is a WiPC report on conditions in Turkish prisons:

On 5 March 1999, Suleyman Yeter, Turkish journalist and trade union activist, died while under interrogation by police. He and four other staff of his newspaper, Dayanisma, had been taken to the anti-terrorist branch of the Istanbul police headquarters where they were set upon by sixteen policemen. While under questioning, Yeter was reportedly stripped and beaten, sprayed with cold water and forced to lie on ice. Yeter's colleagues testify that throughout the night of their detention, they could hear cries from the cell next door where Yeter was held. The next morning, the prosecutor reported that he was dead. Yeter was one of several detainees who had previously reported being tortured in early 1997. His allegations were under investigation at the time of his re-arrest. His colleagues believe that he may have been singled out by police for his previous torture testimony. The trial against the sixteen policemen accused of involvement in Yeter's death is still underway.

This incident is just one illustration of the brutality that is meted out to political prisoners in Turkey, including writers. International PEN has recorded hundreds of arrests of writers, journalists, editors and publishers in recent years. Although for most their treatment was relatively humane, others, such as Yeter, did not survive and there is concern that the officers involved have escaped proper prosecution.

A prominent PEN current case is that of Asiye Güzel Zeybek, a young woman who became embroiled in left-wing politics in the mid-1990s. In February 1997, she was arrested after a demonstration protesting links between the mafia and government. Charged in connection with her editorship of the Marxist Leninist Communist Party (now defunct) newspaper Isçinin Yolu (Worker's Path), she is accused under Article 168 of the Turkish Penal Code of being a member in an "illegal organisation". Over five years later, she is still on trial and yet to be sentenced. What has brought her case to the fore has been Zeybek's testimony that she was raped by eight policemen while under interrogation. The accused policemen were brought to court in November 1998, but in November 2000 it was decided to drop the case against them. Zeybek remains defiant, having published a book in prison detailing her ordeal. As Zeybek's own case drags on without conclusion, International PEN grows increasingly concerned that she is being held in denial of her right to a speedy and fair trial. It is also calling for a review of the decision to drop proceedings against the police accused of her rape.

Zeybek was one of the prisoners who found themselves caught up in a wave of prison protests, some of which led to the killings of inmates. In December 2000, an operation was underway to transfer political prisoners to new "F-type" prisons. Prisoners were concerned that the new prisons would increase the number of isolation cells and in turn this would lead to a rise in ill-treatment by prison guards. Thus, more than 1,000 inmates nationwide staged prison protests. The result was clashes between prisoners and guards. Gunfire, gas, stun-guns and explosives were used in an attempt to quell the protests. Thirty prisoners and two officers were killed as the security services rounded up and transferred the prisoners. Many more were wounded, among them Zeybek who sustained bullet wounds to her back and legs.

Another observer of these events was Nevin Berktas, imprisoned since 1994 for her membership in an organisation accused of extremist activities, for which she was sentenced to twelve and a half years. She had previously served a prison term from 1978 to 1991 for her radical political activities. In 2001, Berktas wrote a book in prison entitled The Cells, on her experiences of the F-type prison riots. In November that year, she and her publisher, Elif Camyhar, found themselves brought before the courts under Article 169 of the Penal Code for "supporting terrorists". Statements that are seen to side with the prison protests and hunger-strikes are deemed tantamount to support for terrorism. Both were found guilty. Berktas was given 45 months in addition to her existing sentence. Camyhar was sentenced to a fine. While International PEN has no position on the reasons for Berktas' twelve and a half year sentence, it is alarmed that she is to serve an additional three years and nine months in prison only for having written her account of the events in December 2000.

The new F-type prisons were already causing concern in Turkey, well before the events of December 2000. In July 2000, photographer Mehmet Özer issued a press statement condemning the new prisons, for which he has found himself before the courts. Outraged, a group of fourteen writers and artists formed the Initiative of Intellectuals and Artists, published their own condemnation of the situation, and presented themselves for prosecution in September 2001. They were duly charged under Article 169 of the Criminal Code and their first trial hearing has been set for 8 April 2002 before the Ankara State Security Court.

In her report to the United Nations Commission on Human Rights, Special Rapporteur on Summary, Arbitrary and Extra-Judicial Killings, Asma Jahangir, describes the state of Turkey's prisons as "critical" and refers to the "callous attitude towards . those killed during the December 2000 security operation." She recommends that the issue be addressed as a matter of urgency and that an amnesty of political prisoners be granted. She refers to the impunity that the security services enjoy and urges that mechanisms for punishing those accused of human rights abuses need to be strengthened. International PEN fully endorses Ms Jahangir's recommendations and adds its voice to calls for change as a matter of urgency. (WiPC/IFEX, April 2, 2002)
 

Writer of book on the Laz people to appear in court

Writer Selma Koçiva and her publisher Muammer Akyüz will stand trial on 3 April 2002 for Koçiva's book on one of Turkey's many minority groups. International PEN considers the case against them to be in direct breach of Article 10 of the European Convention on Human Rights, which specifically protects the right to freedom of expression.

The first trial hearing against Koçiva, author of "Lazona, the Reality of the Laz People", and the book's publisher, Akyüz of the Tum Zamanlar Publishing House, is to be held on 3 April. Koçiva's book was confiscated at the end of January and charges were laid against her and Akyüz under Article 312 of the Turkish Penal Code (incitement to hatred and enmity), often used to penalise those who write on minority issues.

The Laz community is based in the Eastern corner of the Pontus, on the Turkish Black Sea coast, bordering Georgia. It has a separate identity from the Pontic community, about which the writer Omer Asan has published "The Culture of the Pontus". Asan is also threatened with prosecution for his writings.

International PEN is alarmed by the high numbers of writers on minority issues who are on trial in Turkey at present. Koçiva and Akyüz are among at least sixteen other writers who face fines and even imprisonment under the same legislation. The organisation is calling for the dropping of the charges against Koçiva and Akyüz and the discontinuance of the trials against other similarly accused writers. (WiPC/IFEX, April 2, 2002)
 

Trials of writer and publishers postponed until June

The trials against writer Selma Koçiva and her publisher Muammer Akyüz, and publisher Abdullah Keskin, whose first hearings were held on 3 April 2002, were postponed to second hearings in June. International PEN considers these trials to be in direct breach of Article 10 of the European Convention on Human Rights, which specifically protects the right to freedom of expression.

The first trial hearing against Koçiva, author of "Lazona, the Reality of the Laz People" and the book's publisher, Akyüz of the Tum Zamanlar Publishing House, was held on 3 April. Koçiva's book was confiscated at the end of January and charges were laid against her and Akyüz under Article 312 of the Turkish Penal Code (incitement to hatred and enmity). Article 312 is often used to penalise those who write on minority issues. Their trial will resume on 26 June.

The trial against Keskin also opened on 3 April under Article 8 of the Anti-Terror Law. He is accused in connection with the Turkish publication of a book by American author and former "Washington Post" correspondent Jonathan Randal entitled, "After Such Knowledge, What Forgiveness? My Encounters in Kurdistan". The book was originally published in English in 1997 and subsequently translated into Farsi, Italian and Arabic. Charges appear to relate to the author's references to "Kurdistan" in a number of passages. If convicted, Keskin could serve up to three years in prison. Randal was present at the first hearing but was not granted permission to testify in support of Keskin. This trial will resume on 7 June.

International PEN is alarmed by the high numbers of writers on minority issues who are on trial in Turkey at present. Koçiva, Akyüz and Keskin are among at least fifteen other writers who face fines and even imprisonment under the same legislation. The organisation is calling for the dropping of the charges against the three defendants and the discontinuance of the trials against other similarly accused writers. (WiPC/IFEX, April 4, 2002)
 

Le livre d'un journaliste américain jugé en Turquie pour séparatisme

Le journaliste américain Jonathan Randal, spécialiste des Kurdes, a tenté de défendre le 3 avril devant un tribunal d'Istanbul un de ses livres, interdit en Turquie et dont l'éditeur turc est poursuivi pour propagande séparatiste, sans être entendu par la Cour.

"Nous faisons notre possible pour éviter la prison à l'éditeur turc", a expliqué à l'AFP l'auteur de l'essai "After such knowledge, what forgiveness? - my encounters in Kurdistan" (Sachant cela, quel pardon? Mes rencontres au Kurdistan), déplorant que la Cour de sûreté de l'Etat n'ait pas daigné entendre son témoignage, lui-même n'étant pas poursuivi personnellement.

L'ouvrage, traduit en turc après le kurde, l'arabe et le persan, a été saisi par la police en Turquie en janvier.

L'éditeur, Abdullah Keskin, qui dirige la maison d'édition Avesta, risque jusqu'à 3 ans de prison et 3 milliards de livres turques (2.500 euros environ), a précisé à l'AFP son avocat maître Hasip Kaplan.

"Ce que j'ai entendu me laisse penser que tout cela se terminera bien, à un moment où la Turquie cherche à faire partie de l'Union européenne", a estimé Jon Randal, qui a fait le