HUMAN RIGHTS

Latest News

• Cihad Hesen still in the hands of Hewler authorities after 97 days 

  The Autonomous Administration Hewler representative, Cihad Hesen, has not yet been released and the authorities have given no news about him for 97 days.
• Prisoners continue hunger strike against isolation 

  The hunger strike of the political prisoners in Turkey’s prisons against the Imrali isolation marks its 290th day. The solidarity hunger strikes in Maxmur and Greece also continue.
• Health of 72 detainees on death fast in Behdinan worsening 

  The health of 72 detainees, who went on death fast in Behdinan on 6 September, was said to have worsened. Activists issued a call to the South Kurdistan authorities.
• "Children are deprived of their basic right to life" 

  In Northern Kurdistan, children are repeatedly killed by armored cars driving at high speed through residential neighborhoods. Child rights activist Meltem Akboğa believes that these are neither isolated incidents nor accidents.
• Prisoners continue hunger strike against isolation 

  The hunger strike of the political prisoners in Turkey’s prisons against the Imrali isolation marks its 289th day. The solidarity hunger strikes in Maxmur and Greece also continue.
• A year after the 'helicopter incident', lawyers fear watering down of evidence 

  Lawyer Baran Bilici said that there has been no development in the case of the citizens who were detained by the soldiers in the Çatak district and were thrown out of a military helicopter and warned that a delay could help water down evidence.
• Report says DTP's former co-chair Aysel Tuğluk "can remain in prison" 

  Istanbul ATK Presidency said DTP's former co-chair, Aysel Tuğluk, "can live on her own".
• Emine Şenyaşar testifies on the grounds of insulting minister Soylu 

  Emine Şenyaşar testified on the grounds that she "insulted" the Turkish Minister of Interior Süleyman Soylu.
• DBP Van Provincial Co-Chair: “Systematic repression in prisons” 

  Çetin Uyar, Van Provincial Co-Chair of the Democratic Regions Party (DBP), stated that the state repression of hunger-striking prisoners in Turkey has reached the level of "systematic repression."
• MP Imir: Deadly armoured vehicles must be removed from civvy streets immediately 

  According to HDP Şırnak Deputy Nuran İmir, Miraç Miroğlu's death, which was a result of being hit by an armoured vehicle, reflected the state’s Kurdish hostility on the ground.
• Hunger strike of prisoners against isolation on day 288 

  The hunger strike of the political prisoners in Turkey’s prisons against the Imrali isolation marks its 288th day. The solidarity hunger strikes in Maxmur and Greece also continue.
• Activists detained by KDP go on hunger strike 

  News is coming through about some political prisoners arrested by the KDP in Behdinan who have been on hunger strike since Tuesday. Their situation is said to be bad.
• Ill prisoner Kırtay: I am very sick. You may receive news of my death this week 

  In a phone call with his family, ill prisoner Abdulhalim Kırtay said: “I have been in the cell for two days. I am very sick. They put a lot of pressure on me. You may receive news of my death this week. Be prepared.”
• 'Justice Vigil’ of Şenyaşar family on day 185: “Sue the offenders, not us” 

  Emine and Ferit Şenyaşar, who have been protesting for justice in front of the Urfa Courthouse for the past 185 days, maintained their vigil today.
• 103 prisoners have died in Turkey’s jails in the past 6 years 

  In the last 6 years, at least 103 out of more than a thousand sick prisoners who were not even allowed to bid adieu to their relatives, lost their lives in Turkey’s prisons.
• Hunger strike of prisoners against isolation on day 287 

  The hunger strike of the political prisoners in Turkey’s prisons against the Imrali isolation marks its 287th day. The solidarity hunger strikes in Maxmur and Greece also continue.
• Cihad Hesen still in the hands of Hewler authorities after 91 days 

  The Autonomous Administration Hewler representative, Cihad Hesen, has not yet been released and the authorities have given no news about him for 91 days.
• Emine Şenyaşar: Why this cruelty against us? 

  Emine Şenyaşar, who has been on a vigil for justice for her family members who were murdered in Urfa, condemned the state persecution against them, stressing that she will not stay home until her son is released from prison.
• Mehmet Ali Çelebi laid to rest  

  Mehmet Ali Çelebi was laid to rest in Büyükçekmece Çakmaklı Cemetery on Sunday.
• HDP holds government responsible for Çelebi's death 

  Political prisoner Mehmet Ali Çelebi has been buried in Istanbul. The septuagenarian was in prison for 28 years and was only released in a terminally ill condition. The HDP holds the government responsible for his death.
• Hunger strike of prisoners against isolation on day 283 

  The hunger strike of the political prisoners in Turkey’s prisons against the Imrali isolation marks its 283rd day. The solidarity hunger strikes in Maxmur and Greece also continue.
• Saturday Mothers: We will continue to fight until justice is served 

  Asking the fate of Kenan Bilgin, Saturday Mothers said, "We will fight until we find justice."
• Lawyer Yazmacı: “The only solution of the state is deadlock” 

  Yazmacı from the IHD Prison Commission indicated that the hunger strike against isolation is still ongoing in 107 prisons, stating that the situation is threatening to become indefinite.
• Kurdistan Human Rights Association: 5 kolbars killed and 36 wounded in August 

  The Kurdistan Human Rights Association said that 5 kolbars were killed and 48 people were arrested in the month of August.
• 'What is illegal is not the hunger strike but the isolation' 

  IHD Van Branch Chairman Mehmet Karataş stated that the isolation is illegal and that the ongoing hunger strike has a valid and legitimate right.