HUMAN RIGHTS

Latest News

• HRW denounces unfair trial of Behdinan activists in Kurdistan region 

  Ahead of the appeal verdict in the case of journalists and activists from the Behdinan region of South Kurdistan sentenced to six years in prison, Human Rights Watch has denounced the trial as "deeply flawed" and "unfair."
• Clashes between the Internal Security Forces and Difa al-Watani continue 

  The clashes between the Internal Security Forces and Difa al-Watani continue in the neighbourhoods of Tay and Hilko. The Internal Security Forces captured 2 members of Difa al-Watani.
• Hunger strikes in prison reach day 147, in Maxmur day 126 and in Greece day 109 

  The hunger strike launched in Turkish prisons against the Imrali isolation has entered its 147th day. The hunger strike launched in Maxmur has been continuing for 126 days and in Greece for 109 days.
• Şenyaşar family: Remaining silent against persecution is to stand by the oppression 

  The Şenyaşar family said: "Remaining silent and neutral against persecution is to stand by the oppression."
• Hunger strike demanding freedom for Öcalan in the Greek camp of Lavrio reaches day 107 

  The hunger strike demanding freedom for Kurdish people's leader Abdullah Öcalan in the Greek camp of Lavrio has reached day 107.
• Constitutional Court: Imrali isolation legally legitimate 

  The Turkish Constitutional Court has rejected as unfounded a complaint by Imrali prisoners against contact bans and disciplinary sanctions. The isolation in the island prison in the Sea of Marmara is legally legitimate, the court said.
• Jailed HDP MP Gergerlioğlu's Justice Vigil to continue in Kocaeli 

  HDP Kocaeli Provincial Organization took over the ‘Justice Vigil’ initiated by Ömer Faruk Gergerlioğlu, who was jailed after being expelled from parliament, on its 34th day.
• Hunger strikes in prison reach day 144, in Maxmur day 123 and in Greece day 106 

  The hunger strike launched in Turkish prisons against the Imrali isolation has entered its 144th day. The hunger strike launched in Maxmur has been continuing for 123 days and in Greece for 106 days.
• Political prisoners in Van call on people to support demands to end arbitrary prohibitions 

  Political prisoners in Van T Type Closed Prison called on people to be sensitive and support their demands to end arbitrary prohibitions.
• Şenyaşar family calls on "anyone with a conscience” to support their fight for justice 

  The Şenyaşar family visited the graves of their murdered relatives and called on “anyone with a conscience” to support their struggle.
• Condition of prisoner Şemsettin Özer worsening, says IHD  

  IHD Istanbul underlined the situation of seriously ill prisoner Şemsettin Özer, who in in Samsun Bafra T Type Prison.
• IHD calls for the immediate release of ill prisoner Devrim Ayık 

  Human Rights Association Izmir made an online statement about the coronavirus pandemic and its consequences in prisons. The IHD called for the immediate release of ill prisoner Devrim Ayık.
• Basque organisation Askapena commemorates political prisoners all over the world 

  Saturday 17 April was the international day of political prisoners. Demonstrations and online events were held everywhere around the world.
• Saturday Mothers ask about the aftermath of businessman kidnapped in Van 

  Saturday Mothers this week asked about the aftermath of Kadir Keremoğlu. The 75-year-old businessman was kidnapped in Van 26 years ago.
• Solidarity hunger strikes continue in Maxmur and Greece 

  The solidarity hunger strike launched in Maxmur has been continuing for 121st days while in Greece it has been going on for 104 days.
• Lawyer Demirel: Prisoners on 142nd day of hunger strike get constantly punished  

  The hunger strike launched in Turkish prisons against the Imrali isolation has entered its 142nd day. Lawyer Demirel said that hunger strikers are put under pressure with disciplinary penalties.
• Kurdish activist Nazdar Ecevit released from custody 

  Kurdish activist Nazdar Ecevit has been released from deportation custody in Darmstadt. The danger of deportation has been averted, the Hessian Refugee Council is now calling for the wrong decision under asylum law to be corrected.
• Abdullah Öcalan’s lawyers file new application to visit their client 

  Kurdish people's leader Abdullah Öcalan’s lawyers filed a new application demanding an "urgent visit" with their client.
• Ill prisoner Tokmak says books in Kurdish not given in Bakırköy jail 

  Ill prisoner Fatma Tokmak said that during the coronavirus pandemic, pressure and arbitrary practices increased in Bakırköy Prison. Kurdish books have not been given for one year.
• IPPNW: Nazdar Ecevit must not be deported 

  The medical peace organization IPPNW demands that the planned deportation of Nazdar Ecevit to Turkey be stopped. The Frankfurt District Court has issued a deportation order in the case of the persecuted activist.
• Lawyers Association for Freedom: Steps should be taken for hunger strikes before it's too late 

  Co-spokesperson of the Lawyers Association for Freedom (ÖHD) Prisons Commission Destina Yıldız said that a 4-minute phone call with Öcalan cannot meet the demands of the prisoners in Turkey who are on hunger strike against the Imrali isolation.
• Prisoners on hunger strike in Düzce put in isolation 

  Information came through about 15 political prisoners on hunger strike in Düzce T Type Closed Prison who have been punished with isolation.
• Emine and Ferit Şenyaşar will continue their Vigil for Justice during Ramadan 

  Emine and Ferit Şenyaşar will continue their act of resistance in front of the courthouse in Urfa during Ramadan. The family, which will have the iftar at the vigil, called for solidarity.
• Lawyer Veysi Eski: Violations of rights increasing in Turkish prisons 

  Lawyer Veysi Eski, member of the Association of Lawyers for Freedom (ÖHD) Prison Commission, said that all legal institutions should oppose the violations of rights in Turkey’s prisons.
• Police search houses in Bismil; torture on residents exposed 

  A raid was carried out on three neighborhoods in Bismil, province of Amed. A resident was tortured; his home was looted.