HUMAN RIGHTS

Latest News

• UPR session on human rights in Turkey continues 

  The Universal Periodic Review (UPR) of Turkey at the United Nations (UN) Human Rights Council started today (January 28) in Geneva.
• Turkey's human rights record reviewed at UN 

  Turkey's human rights record is reviewed by the UN Human Rights Council's Universal Periodic Review (UPR) Working Group.
• Political prisoner denied treatment passes away 

  Hüseyin Polat had been in prison in Turkey for 24 years. He suffered from gastric bleeding, but he was not treated in hospital. Two days ago, he died in Tekirdağ F-type prison.
• IHD's Melet: Isolation is a crime against humanity 

  IHD Van Branch President Murat Melet said that the isolation of Abdullah Öcalan is a crime against humanity.
• Saturday Mothers remember Ayşenur Şimşek 

  Saturday Mothers in Istanbul have called for the punishment of the murderers of Ayşenur Şimşek. On 24 January 1995, the pharmacist was kidnapped, tortured and finally murdered by the counter-guerrilla. The perpetrators were not brought to justice.
• Prisoners in Elazığ are kept in isolation 

  The report investigated the violation applications made by prisoners and their relatives.
• Rally for the Day of the Endangered Lawyer in Istanbul 

  On the occasion of the International Day of the Endangered Lawyer, Istanbul lawyers' associations have drawn attention to the situation of their colleagues in Pakistan and called for protective measure.
• Prisoners in Tekirdağ say they are not given books 

  Books sent to Tekirdağ F-Type Prison No. 2 are not delivered to prisoners. In addition the prison administration forced prisoners to "buy books with their own money from bookstores".
• Lawyers apply to Constitutional Court over "Imrali regime" 

  Attention was drawn by the lawyers to the disciplinary penalties imposed systematically on Imralı.
• What is happening in Tarsus Prison? 

  Human Rights Association (IHD) Mersin Branch prepared a report on rights violations against prisoners in Tarsus Campus Prison.
• People tortured at home before being taken into custody 

  Resul Eken, who was detained during one of the political genocide operations in Amed, was tortured and had his nose broken.
• ÖHD: Prisoners' right to health should be considered a priority 

  Lawyer Gulan Çağın Kaleli said that the annotation in Law No. 6411 should be abolished and the right to health should be taken as a basis to ensure the rights of ill prisoners.
• Prisoners in Afyonkarahisar tortured 

  "We were tortured, our hands and legs were broken," said Mehmet Ali Kayan, a prisoner in Afyonkarahisar T Type prison.
• Human Rights Association co-chair: We don't accept isolation! 

  Talking about the isolation imposed on Öcalan from the law and human rights point of view, IHD co-chair Öztürk Türkdoğan said that the re-imposed isolation is illegal and that these practices are not human.
• IHD denounces abductions and attempts to recruit informers 

  The human rights association IHD has published a balance sheet on state-orchestrated kidnappings and attempts to recruit informers in 2019. 71 cases were recorded, but the organisation assumes a much higher number of unreported cases.
• Remains of prisoner Nurcan Bakir finally delivered to her family 

  The remains of Nurcan Bakir who put en end to her life in Burhaniye T Type Closed Prison to protest the repression against prisoners, were finally delivered to her family.
• Violations of rights in Van prisons increase 

  Prisoners in Van jails suffered from food poison. It was denounced that some of them were not taken to the hospital by the prison administration despite being at risk of death.
• Marriage Equality finally legal in the North of Ireland 

  After a long political battle, marriage equality has been finally introduced to the North of Ireland
• 80,000 people march for political prisoners in the Basque country 

  Around 80,000 people have joined the demonstrations in Baiona and Bilbao to demand a change in the prison policy of exception against Basque political prisoners.
• HDP MP Güzel: Consciousness and ideology isolated 

  Commenting on the isolation of the Kurdish leader Abdullah Öcalan, HDP deputy Semra Güzel says: "It is not just one person who is isolated, it is a question of consciousness, ideas and ideology.
• Ill prisoner Nebi Ilhan passes away 

  Nebi Ilhan, who was in Siirt E Type Prison, died in the hospital where he was being treated.
• Lawyers Association: Turkey must be tried for war crimes 

  The Association of Lawyers from North and East Syria demands accountability for the war crimes of the Turkish state in the occupied territories.
• Women protest against ‘child abuse amnesty’ 

  The AKP is planning a draft law that would provide for an amnesty in cases of sexual abuse of minors in the event of marriage between victim and perpetrator. In over forty cities in Turkey, women have taken to the streets against this.
• Sick prisoner Ufuk Keskin should be released immediately 

  The Human Rights Association (IHD) Istanbul Branch Prison Commission carried out the 406th "F  Sit-in" to draw attention to sick prisoners in jail. In particular this week the action was for prisoner Ufuk Keskin.
• Grup Yorum member Gökçek on death fast 

  Ibrahim Gökçek, one of the five protesting members of Grup Yorum, has went on death fast.