Members of the EP: We shouldn't remain silent on the massacre of Kurds.

Members of the EP: We shouldn't remain silent on the massacre of Kurds. (ANF).

During yesterday's plenary session on "the situation in Southeast Turkey” at the European Parliament, MEPs called attention to the “deliberate massacre” perpetrated by the Turkish state against civilians in the Kurdish region.

Members of the EP underlined that it went contrary to EU values to connive at the Turkish state's attacks on Kurds due to the refugee deal. MEPs remarked that Turkey waged a genocidal war against the Kurdish people under the name of “anti-ISIS fight”, and strongly criticized the European Union's silence on the ongoing onslaught by Turkish state forces across North Kurdistan territory.

The first speech at the session was held by Commissioner for European Neighbourhood Policy and Enlargement Negotiations Johannes Hahn who voiced concerns over the situation in the Kurdish region, noting that they followed the developments closely. Putting emphasis on the importance of a joint effort to come up with a solution to the problems in the region, including the ISIS, Hahn said; "The situation in Southeast Turkey shouldn't have any influence on this matter. We call for a cease-fire and return to peace talks, which stands as the best way to a resolution for the present problem. PKK also should stop its attacks on Turkey and turn back to the dialogue process.”

'KURDISH PEOPLE TARGETED UNDER THE NAME OF ANTI-PKK FIGHT'

Speaking after, Renate Sommer on behalf of the Christian Democrats recalled that the extraordinary situation in Turkey's Kurdish region continued for weeks now as Turkish state forces attack civilians with heavy arms, killing women, children and elderly all alike. Sommer said; "It is not possible for people to move freely while every single living being is targeted and shot once they move. This is what is happening in a total of 17 Kurdish towns at the moment. People are deprived of food and water as well as phone and internet services, yet they do not want to leave home. The state of siege affects one million citizens but only 250 thousand of these have left their houses. The state is targeting the Kurdish people under the name of "anti-PKK fight".
Sommer stressed that it was unacceptable to remain silent on the Turkish state's atrocity against the Kurdish people due to the deals made on the matter of refugees. "We have responsibilities and we need to take action. In addition, we will face a fresh flow of Kurdish immigrants unless we intervene the situation now."
EP Rapporteur on Turkey Kati Piri warned that the situation in the Kurdish region is getting severer as the people of Silopi and Cizre are openly being forced to evacuation amid the ongoing fighting between state forces and Kurdish militia. Piri also criticized the humiliation of the local people by Turkish security forces, and death of a 16-year-old from blood loss.

'TURKEY MADE KURDISTAN A WAR ZONE'

Mark Demesmaeker on behalf of the Conservatives underlined that Turkey has made Kurdistan a war zone and blood bath for the war has spread across all Kurdish towns by now as civilian settlements are being devastated and bodies of slain people are being held on streets. Describing the current situation as a consequence of the policy pursued by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and his ruling party, Demesmaeker emphasised that Erdoğan and AKP didn't fight the ISIS but Kurds. He continued; "And we remain silent on all these, for which I feel ashamed now that the European Union doesn't support and defend the Kurdish people, the only dignified folk in the region and the only alliance of ours in the fight against ISIS."
Alexander Graf Lambsdorff for the Liberal Group said Turkey's watch for an opportunity to cease peace talks revealed itself after the murder of two policemen last year. "The AKP government made good use of this opportunity by re-escalating clashes in order to regain the votes it had lost in June election", said Lambsdorff who underlined that the resolution of the Kurdish question can be achieved only through political ways. He added that Ankara has no justification in rejecting the Kurdish people's demand for autonomy.

'WE SHOULDN'T SACRIFICE KURDS TO THE REFUGEE DEAL'

Marietje Schaake from the Liberal Group criticized the European silence on the onslaught in Kurdistan because of the refugee deal with Turkey, and put emphasis on the essentiality of warning Turkey on protection of human rights and acting on a state of law. "We need to be careful and we cannot turn a blind eye to the murder of civilians under the name of "anti-terror fight", she added.

'EU TURNS A DEAF EAR TO THE MASSACRE OF KURDS'

Josu Juaristi Abaunz for EH Bildu pointed out that EU member states turned a deaf ear to the massacre of Kurdish civilians by the Turkish state, and left the Kurdish people to their fat under an unacceptable onslaught.
Josef Wiedenholzer called on both the government and the Kurdish movement to declare truce and embark on a resolution process like the one in North Ireland.
Miltiadis Kyrkos stated that Turkish President Erdoğan deprived the Kurdish civilians of their basic rights and sentenced them to hunger under an embargo in Kurdish towns that are being devastated by heavy artillery.

Describing the onslaught of Turkish state forces as a violation of human rights, international conventions and a planned massacre, Kyrkos underlined that the European Union contradicted with its values by shutting its eyes to this situation. Greek MEP said it was essential to put economic and political pressure on Turkey.

'KURDS FACE PRESSURE FOR DEMANDING THEIR RIGHTS'

Barbara Spinelli for Confederal Group of the European United Left - Nordic Green Left said the heavy aggression on the Kurdish people constituted a violation of the Turkish constitution and international rights, stressing that the Kurds were facing a growing pressure for demanding recognition.

Javi Lopez from the Group of the Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats remarked that the Turkish state pursued a collective punishment policy against the Kurdish people, adding that the European Union must call for truce and a return to suspended negotiations for peace.

"Freedom of Movement?" - Turkish union members now need extra visa for travel abroad

"Freedom of Movement?" - Turkish union members now need extra visa for travel abroad. (RD).

The Turkish Union of Engineers’ and Architects’ Chambers (TMMOB) have been a driving force behind social movements in the last couple of years.

Starting with the Gezi Park protests, TMMOB has been well known by almost everyone in Turkey as well as many people outside of Turkey.

The AKP government has been uneasy about the union’s activities, mainly because it has been the main civil society actor in countering the unlawful attempts of the government (such as the third bridge, northern highway, third airport, Gezi Park, etc.)

Over the past two years, government has prepared several draft laws to prevent activities of TMMOB and limit civil society’s involvement in “development plans” of the country. 

The union which consists of technocrats of technical fields prepare and distribute reports on feasibility and sustainability of the plans, and criticize them openly. This being seen as a political stand by the government, has drawn attention at an even greater scale.

The government must be so worried of the union’s international visits in professional circles that they have prepared a new regulation to limit union members’ free travel rights.

Official Paper has cited a new regulation on 24th December saying that members of TMMOB and other chambers will be required to apply for exit-visa to Ministry of Environment and Urbanisation, 15 days prior to their participation in an international event.

Upon this request, the ministry will consult to other ministries and ask for opinions whether to allow citizens to travel abroad or not. If the application is not found sufficient or appropriate, the exit-visa will be denied.

On another note, all Turkish citizens are already subject to exit-visas from ministry of internal affairs, which comes as an automatic fee of 15TL ($7~) without applying beforehand, when leaving the country. Hmmmm......What's next Women asking permission to travel without their husband? Keep 'Islamist dictatorship' Turkey out of the European Union. Read the full story here.

Turkish teen accused of insulting Erdogan freed from custody.

#MehmetEmin is free. His mom: "I'm so proud of my son!" #turkey via @ilerihaber: http://t.co/S7DTrahl64 pic.twitter.com/aMpnOWaho7

— Capulcu Tonella (@diehimbeertonis) December 26, 2014

Turkish teen accused of insulting Erdogan freed from custody. (CNS).

A teenager was released from custody on Friday after his arrest for allegedly insulting Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan caused uproar in the country.

The 16-year old student, identified by his initials M.E.A, was taken away from his school on Wednesday and jailed for making a speech during a student protest in which he reportedly said Erdogan was regarded as the "thieving owner of the illegal palace."

A court in the central Turkish city of Konya agreed to free the boy from police custody on Friday, after dozens of lawyers volunteered to defend him and petitioned for his release.

Dogan news agency footage of his release showed the boy being embraced by his mother as he walked through the gates of a detention center. Dozens of his supporters sang and beat a drum in celebration.Read the full story here.

Next hearing in #AliİsmailKorkmaz trial on January 21, 9.30h. #turkey #kayseri

— Capulcu Tonella (@diehimbeertonis) December 26, 2014

Turkey: Turns out that the judge arrested teen 4 insulting Prez Erdogan has a FB page&all pages he likes are of pro-gov media &AKP officials

— NOT MY... (@Meralink) December 26, 2014

"We don't need no Freedom of the Press" - Probe launched into daily Taraf for attempting to 'cause chaos'.

"We don't need no Freedom of the Press" - Probe launched into Turkish daily Taraf for attempting to 'cause chaos'.(TZ).

A prosecutor's office launched an investigation into the Taraf daily on Tuesday on the grounds that the newspaper's articles aim to cause chaos in Turkey.

The office of the prosecutor, which is authorized to act in this matter in accordance with the Anti-terrorism Law, launched the investigation after a criminal complaint was filed by İmdat Geyve filed on behalf of a group called the Sakarya Justice Platform.

The complaint was based on the content of newspaper articles written by Yıldıray Oğur, Ali Karahasanoğlu, Alper Görmüş and Cem Küçük that are being used by the plaintiff as evidence of Taraf's "crimes."

Some of the accusations leveled against the Taraf daily, which is known for coverage critical of the government and for publishing confidential National Security Council (MGK) documents, are as follows: causing chaos in Turkey; attempting to change the constitutional order; obstructing the work of the legislative, executive and judicial branches of government; openly violating laws and encouraging the violation of laws by others; inciting people to hatred and animosity; establishing a criminal organization leading to chaos; intimidating people; causing economic and social crises; and professional misconduct.

Based on articles that appeared in Taraf between Nov. 28, 2013 and Dec. 5, 2013, such as “Decision to end [Fethullah] Gülen made in a 2004 MGK meeting,” “Religious communities critical of government profiled” and “Prime Ministry was notified of profiling,” which were written by journalists Mehmet Baransu and Emre Uslu, Taraf was accused of being connected to an “illegal entity within the police force and the judiciary.”The complaint said although these stories were false, Taraf did not publish any corrections.

Newspaper articles displayed as evidenceArticles of columnists at pro-government newspapers were displayed as proof of the allegations in the complaint.

The petition also blamed the Taraf columnists for an incident known as the Feb. 7, 2012 crisis, in which prosecutors requested but failed to bring National Intelligence Organization (MİT) spy chief Hakan Fidan to court to hear his testimony over the alleged involvement of Turkish spy agents in the terrorist Kurdistan Communities Union (KCK) organization.

The complaint also said that convicted police chief Hanefi Avcı should testify in order to shed light on the aforementioned illegal entity that is claimed to exist within the state.The complaint filed against Taraf resembles similar cases filed against authors such as Hrant Dink, Perihan Mağden, Orhan Pamuk and Elif Şafak between 2005 and 2007 by individuals who were convicted in the Ergenekon trial.

Dutch EP rapporteur Oomen-Ruijten: Erdogan's International plot claims ‘pure nonsense'

Dutch EP rapporteur Oomen-Ruijten: Erdogan's International plot claims ‘pure nonsense'.TZ-Cihan

A government corruption scandal is still dominating the Turkish political scene and European authorities continue to criticize the way the government has handled the investigations so far.

Ria Oomen-Ruijten, a member of the European Parliament and the EP rapporteur on Turkey, said the recent events have shaken the image of Turkey, not just in Europe but all around the globe, the result being “an absolute bad image.”

Calling the international conspiracy theories crafted by the government and pro-government newspapers to explain the corruption allegations “pure nonsense,” the Dutch Christian Democrat warned that people in Europe were fast losing their confidence in Turkish politicians' will to really create a modern, democratic country.

In an exclusive interview with Today's Zaman, Oomen-Ruijten said that the Turkish government should refrain from interfering in judicial proceedings and let the investigations continue. Commenting on the removal of hundreds of police chiefs and the halting of the second corruption investigation, she warned the government to respect the independence of the judiciary and the principle of the separation of powers. “These are the main articles of the Constitution and the government should abide by them,” she insisted.

Oomen-Ruijten has already completed the draft of her report on Turkey and the draft is expected to be voted on at the EP plenary at the end of February.

Reacting to Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan's characterization of Prosecutor Muammer Akkaş as a “disgrace,” the EP rapporteur noted that combating corruption was of utmost importance for the good functioning of the rule of law “whether politicians like it or not.” She said she was very concerned about interference in investigations and reiterated that the process should be carried out independently and impartially. Warning on HSYK

Reacting to government plans to change the law related to the Supreme Board of Judges and Prosecutors (HSYK) that was already amended just three years ago, Oomen-Ruijten warned both the prime minister and the minister of justice not to change it again. Noting that she had applauded amendments made back in 2010, she said, “It is not up to a prime minister or a minister of justice, now, to try to change the council that was already amended only three years ago simply because the changes gave judges and prosecutors too much independence.” She underlined that the whole point of the 2010 referendum was to make the council independent, and apparently some politicians are now complaining that it has become too independent. Oomen-Ruijten also said she had just visited the HSYK two months ago and emphasized that they are “doing a good job.”

Foolish image

Reiterating her concern about the principle of the separation of powers, she called on the government not to block investigations. “If the government does not pay attention to the principle of the separation of powers, it will be giving a foolish image to the outside world,” Oomen-Ruijten said.

When asked about the government's decision to close one of the gold mines of businessman Akın İpek, who owns the Bugün daily -- a move that raised suspicions that İpek was punished because of Bugün's critical coverage of the corruption investigation -- Oomen-Ruijten said Turkey is a candidate country to the EU, where the rule of law is the basic principle. “This does not fit at all in a full-fledged democracy. In the EU, what binds us is the rule of law; this does not fit in there. I do not know what he [the prime minister] wants to do, but all the speeches are not just for domestic consumption; they are also consumed in the outside world. This should not be forgotten,” she said.

Oomen-Ruijten also said the perception in Europe about the latest events in Turkey has been quite “bad.” She added that those who had been saying that Turkey would never be a democratic country have started to claim that the latest events have vindicated them. “I cannot even convince my good friends about what is going on in Turkey. They listen but they do not believe my arguments anymore. That is the problem. Turkey was on a good path toward democratization, but after all these events and press stories, how can I possibly convince my friends that Turkey is on the right path? Confidence is melting,” she said.

She added that the allegations of corruption would definitely be reflected in the progress report she has been drafting on Turkey and that a number of paragraphs would be rewritten.(SELÇUK GÜLTAŞLI, BRUSSELS - TZ-Cihan )

A total of 113 police chiefs sacked by Erdogan's government.

A total of 113 police chiefs sacked by Erdogan's government.(TZ).

Turkish authorities have removed another 28 police chiefs from their posts, media outlets reported on Sunday, in addition to 85 throughout last week, raising the total number of reassignments and firings to 113 in a widening a crackdown that came on the heels of a wave of arrests and detentions in a corruption investigation that Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has called a "dirty operation" against his rule.

As of Sunday, seven senior police chiefs, 13 deputy police chiefs, 79 branch chiefs and 14 heads of departments had been reassigned or removed from duty. Others are speculating that 180 more policemen will be removed from their posts soon.

On Saturday, Erdoğan accused "international groups" and "dark alliances" of being behind the graft investigations and signaled that the purge of the country's police forces would continue.

Twenty-four people have been formally arrested in the corruption investigation, including the sons of two government ministers and the general manager of state-owned Halkbank, and scores have been detained.

In response, about 70 police officers, including the powerful head of İstanbul's police force, have been sacked or reassigned since the detentions and arrests started last week.

The prime minister vowed on Saturday to “clean out” those behind the corruption investigation from the state."Those who want to establish a parallel structure alongside the state, those who have infiltrated the state institutions … we will come into your lairs and we will clean out these organizations within the state," he said in a speech in the northern city of Ordu.

One of the first moves by İstanbul's new police chief, Selami Altınok, was to ban journalists from entering police stations across the country, local media reported on Sunday.

Meanwhile, on Saturday, Deputy Prime Minister Bekir Bozdağ went to the İstanbul Police Department and stayed there for about an hour. “I came to convey my best wishes,” he said, referring to newly appointed chief Altınok.

The former İstanbul police chief, Hüseyin Çapkın, was removed from his post and reassigned last week. Given the unusual appointments and removals in the police forces, Bozdağ's visit sparked speculation of government pressure.

On Sunday, opposition Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) leader Devlet Bahçeli called the removals of General Security Directorate (EGM) police chiefs contentious, adding that they were out of line with democratic practice and the rule of law.

Dozen of people hold demonstration in front of Todays Zaman to protest Erdogan Gov. corruption coverage.

“Pick up your traitorous comrades and your prep schools, and get out of here, go to Israel, the US,” 

Dozen of people hold demonstration in front of Todays Zaman to protest Erdogan Gov. corruption coverage.(TZ).

About a dozen people gathered on Sunday in front of Zaman, Turkey's largest-circulated newspaper, to protest what they claim is critical reporting of the largest corruption scandal in Turkish history, in which senior members of the ruling Justice and Development Party (AK Party) government have been implicated.

The protest followed a series of public remarks over the weekend by Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, who attacked Zaman without mentioning it by name, urging people at rallies not to pay any attention to what was being reported by certain media organizations.

Responding to Erdoğan's call, protestors, some bearded, showed up at the Zaman building, chanting slogans like, “We are soldiers of Tayyip.” 

They also brought a money-counting machine, a reference to a police raid that found a similar machine at the home of the son of a government minister along with millions of cash and several safes.

The protestors held up a banner bearing the picture of Islamic Scholar Fethullah Gülen saying that he despises the Taliban and Osama bin Laden.
“Pick up your traitorous comrades and your prep schools, and get out of here, go to Israel, the US,” the script at the bottom of the banner said.

Gülen, who has followers in the millions in Turkey and abroad, has been living in self-imposed exile in the US since 1999.
On Dec. 17, İstanbul and Ankara police staged dawn raids and detained over 50 people as part of a major investigation into claims of corruption and bribery. Two sons of Turkish ministers, Halkbank General Director Süleyman Aslan and an Iranian businessman, Reza Zerrab, are among 24 suspects arrested as part of the investigation.The suspects are accused of rigging state tenders, accepting and facilitating the payment of bribes for major urbanization projects, obtaining construction permits for protected areas in exchange for money, helping foreigners obtain Turkish citizenship with falsified documentation, involvement in export fraud, forging documents and smuggling gold.Hmmm.......“Withholding information is the essence of tyranny. Control of the flow of information is the tool of the dictatorship.” ― Bruce Coville.

Obama's BFF Erdogan slams Turkish Media over whistleblowing :‘Not freedom but treason’

“Withholding information is the essence of tyranny. Control of the flow of information is the tool of the dictatorship.” 
― Bruce Coville

Obama's BFF Erdogan slams Turkish Media over whistleblowing :‘Not freedom but treason’(RT).

“I now see that some media groups are hand-in-hand,” PM Recep Tayyip Erdogan said in the town of Tekirdag as cited by UPI. “Exposing state secrets is not freedom but absolutely treason to the country and homeland.” 

Erdogan was speaking in reference to the leaked documents that Taraf daily published late November and earlier this month. The Turkish constitution, Erdogan reminded, strictly prohibits whistleblowing saying no one has a right to leak state secrets.

“I’m addressing those who accuse the government of profiling people. Who has leaked this intelligence information to your men, your supporters?” Erdogan asked, abruptly changing the subject.

The Turkish leader’s remarks come a day after authorities launched a probe looking into a case of Mehmet Baransu a journalist at Taraf. The filings of complaints were done by Erdogan's office and two intelligence agencies, the MGK and MİT.

The investigation is looking at charges of “obtaining documents regarding state security,” “political or military spying,” “exposing documents regarding the state’s security or political good,” and “revealing forbidden information.”

The first record Taraf published was a leaked document from Turkey's National Security Council (MGK), of a secret plot against Hizmet, a movement founded by Islamic scholar Fethullah Gulen.

The 2004 document, endorsed by a number of politicians – including Erdogan and the foreign and justice ministers at the time – asked the government to monitor Gulen's domestic and foreign activities, including private schools, student housing and foundations.

Taraf also published a series of documents leaked by journalist Mehmet Baransu implicating the PM and the National Intelligence Organization (MİT) of profiling and blacklisting citizens in connection to religious groups. The publication also said the authorities continued to track the groups between 2011 and 2013, despite government’s claims it had stopped such practices back in 2010.

Earlier in the week Omer Dincer, member of the Justice and Development (AK) Party who was Prime Ministry undersecretary in 2004, said that the government never implemented the proposal outlined in the leaked document, UPI reports. The politician said that then government of Mesut Yilmaz set up a council to monitor religious groups but the council was dissolved in 2010.

With Turkish government’s continuing crackdown on journalists, the Reporters Without Borders called Turkey the “world’s biggest prison for journalists” last year.

“With a total of 72 media personnel currently detained, of whom at least 42 journalists and four media assistants are being held in connection with their media work, Turkey is now the world’s biggest prison for journalists – a sad paradox for a country that portrays itself a regional democratic model,” Reporters Without Borders said. The independent organization also wrote that “critical and investigative journalism is often criminalized."

Ever since the police stormed Istanbul’s Gezi Park on 15 June, Reporters Without Borders have exressed deep concern about the government’s treatment of the press. The advocacy group stated that reporters “are accused of acting at the behest of ‘external actors’ or in collusion with ‘terrorist organizations’ with the aim of destabilizing the country.”

Another freedom of speech advocacy group the Committee to Protect Journalists has sent a letter to Erdogan outlining concerns over “jailing of journalists in retaliation for their work,” “heated anti-press rhetoric coming from the top echelons of power,” and an attempt to censor news coverage.

The Committee also noted government’s “official threats to restrict Turkey's social media” and the crackdown on journalists “in retaliation for their independent or pro-opposition coverage of June's anti-government rallies.”

Related: 

Publishing state documents is journalism, not treason, pundits agree

Violence against women still rampant in Islamist Turkey, 802 women have died over the last five years.

Violence against women still rampant in Islamist Turkey, 802 women have died over the last five years..(TZ).

Monday, Nov. 25, was International Day to Stop Violence Against Women, and women's groups across Turkey marked the day, but statistics indicate that violence against women remains a major issue in the country.

According to official data, 802 women have died in Turkey over the last five years as a result of domestic violence. In 2013, there were 28,000 reported cases of violence against women.

The number of women who were given state protection from abusive partners or relatives this year was 4,500. Women's groups blame government policies for the worrisome figures.

Records indicate that 171 women died in 2009 as a result of violence against women. In 2010, there were 177 such deaths, while there were 163 deaths in 2011, 155 in 2012 and 136 in the first nine months of 2013.As of January 2013, more than 50,000 women were receiving some sort of legal protection, such as restraining orders.

The highest number of preventive measures against abusive relatives or partners were issued by courts in İstanbul, Ankara and İzmir, Turkey's most populated provinces.

The provinces where the highest number of police officers were assigned to protect potential female victims of violence were Adana, İzmir and Kayseri. No protective measures were enforced in five provinces: Bilecik, Bolu, Kars, Kastamonu and Siirt.Women's groups say Turkey's latest Law on the Prevention of Violence Against Women, adopted in March 2012, has failed, but it should be noted that there has been a 5 percent decrease in the number of reported cases of violence and cases with fatalities since the law's adoption.

In 15,000 reported incidents, offenders were forced to hand over firearms they own to security forces. Panic buttons -- emergency systems to alert police authorities in danger of potential violence -- introduced as part of prevention efforts, are being tested in pilot projects in Bursa and Adana. Currently, 22 women in Bursa and 16 in Adana have been given panic buttons by the police.

Gov't responsible for violence toward women.

Dozens of women's organizations across the country held demonstrations on Sunday and Monday to mark International Day to Stop Violence Against Women. Women's rights groups were highly critical of government policies regarding women. In İstanbul on Sunday, a large group of activists from the Women's Solidarity Platform met at İskele Square in Kadıköy, marching and chanting slogans critical of the government. Some of the protesters were wearing make-up that made them look like they had black eyes and facial bruises.

In Antakya, also on Sunday, a group of about 150 members of the Antakya Women's Platform gathered at Ulus Square where they were preparing to read a press statement. However, they were prevented from doing so by police.

The women later walked to the Yunus Emre Park. In Şanlıurfa, women from the public servants' union KESK organized a march where they protested against Turkey's high rates of violence against women. In Bodrum and several other provinces, there were many demonstrations against violence against women.

Protesters in Bodrum, who gathered at Belediye Square, wore shrouds protesting deaths caused by violence against women. A group of about 100 women, supported by KESK and the Peace and Democracy Party (BDP), protested on Sunday in Elazığ carrying banners against “gender and class based exploitation” at the Hozat Garage Square.

In a statement she made on behalf of the group, Birsel Dağ, a member of the Elazığ Kadın Platform, said: “The AK Party [Justice and Development Party] government's sexist policies that generate discrimination and inequality are pushing the whole of society into a spiral of violence. Today, the patriarchal oppression that thrives on the 11-year rule of the AK Party shows its darkest face in the form of violence, assault, rape, abuse and murders committed against women.”

On Monday, the Republican People's Party (CHP) Adıyaman Women's Branch issued a similar statement, accusing the government of promoting policies that contribute to violence against women. “As long as women are not free, as long as they are not adequately represented in the decision-making mechanism, this society will not move forward,” it said.In Izmir's Urla district, the Urla City Council's Women's Commission made a public statement, supported by Urla Mayor Selçuk Karaosmanoğlu. The statement condemned violence and called for an end to the physical, sexual and psychological abuse of women.

A spokesperson for the Nevşehir Bar Association's Women Rights Commission, Sema Yurtbilir Yavuz, said International Day to Stop Violence Against Women is a day to stand in solidarity against gender inequality, discrimination, domestic abuse and the mentality that treats women as if they do not exist. The Human Rights Association's (İHD) Hakkari branch also held an event.

In Manisa, members of the We'll Stop Murders of Women Platform submitted “instructions” to Manisa Governor Abdurrahman Savaş, demanding more efforts for the prevention of violence against women in the province. “Prime Minister [Recep Tayyip] Erdoğan doesn't instruct [security forces] to prevent violence against women. Women are being killed everywhere in Turkey. Governors are not the governors of the prime minister, but of the people,” the group said and continued: “We are giving the order to protect women that Erdoğan hasn't given. We tell the governor: ‘Protect women.' You will have to confront us every time a woman is killed.”

In Didim, there was a panel discussion on Violence Directed Against Women, organized by the Didim Women's Platform. Sibel Özbudan, one of the speakers, accused the government of trying to deny the existence of women outside a “family context,” noting that inside the family is where women are abused most.

The Union of Turkish Bar Associations (TBB) in a statement to mark the day called on society to fight in solidarity against violence against women. “The public authority has enacted rules and regulations that ignore women's identity and dignity,” the association said, criticizing the government's family-oriented policies.

It also said reported acts of violence against women over the past 10 years during which the AK Party has been in power have increased by 1,400 percent.Man murders wifeIn a tragic irony, 18-year-old Mehmet Emin Ç. on Monday allegedly strangled his wife, whom he had only married in a religious ceremony, to death. The victim, Songül Malkoç, was found dead by her sister after being strangled with a headscarf. The Diyarbakır Police Department has detained Mehmet Emin Ç. as the prime suspect.Hmmm....One more reason to keep Turkey out of Europe.

Writers’ association, PEN International and Turkish publishers call on Turkey to extend freedom of expression.

Writers’ association, PEN International and Turkish publishers call on Turkey to extend freedom of expression.(HD).

Turkey holds almost one tenth of all intellectuals imprisoned for freedom of expression in the world, according to the writers’ association, PEN International.

In a meeting held on Nov. 15, the official Day of the Imprisoned Writer, the Turkish Publishers Association, the Writers' Union of Turkey and PEN International demanded the release of all intellectuals detained for their thoughts. PEN said there were 800 intellectuals being held in prisons, 73 of whom are from Turkey.

PEN Turkey Chairman Tarık Günersel said Turkey was passing through a critical period, reminding that last year he and his international colleagues had held a meeting with President Abdullah Gül and EU Minister Egemen Bağış in Ankara. However, Günersel said there had been no progress since then, despite Gül's receptivity and willingness to find solutions. “After one year we are totally disappointed, last year we had 60 writers in prison, today the number has increased and has reached 73,” Günersel said.

A number of respected writers’ unions across the world sent messages to the meeting, calling on Turkey to put an end to pressure on freedom of expression.

Every year, International PEN announces a list of “possible convictions” to keep watching, and this year one of the five names was Turkish piano virtuoso, composer and writer Fazıl Say, who is currently appealing against his recent sentence for blasphemy. The other names are Dina Meza (Honduras), Kunchok Tsephel Gopey Tsang (China), Zahra Rahnavard (Iran), and Rwodney Sieh (Liberia).

The Turkish Publishing Association Chairman Metin Celal and the President of the Writers' Union of Turkey, also took the floor during the event.

Before the meeting, Celal told the Hürriyet Daily News that he was calling on European Commissioner Stefan Füle to highlight the situation in Turkey.

“Turkey is giving red alerts and if the EU wants democracy and freedom of expression to improve in Turkey, it must open the 23th and 24th chapters before it’s too late. If these chapters are not opened it will be so late and the situation will get worse than it is now,” Celal said.

Journalist Nedim Şener, who was arrested for more than a year as part of the Oda TV case, also called on the European Union to urge Turkey to act on the issue.

“Making calls for democracy to Turkey is not enough. The EU should do more. Plenty of writers and journalists are in prison. The EU must intervene in this situation,” Şener said.

Sel Publishing House owner Irfan Sancı, who is himself facing charges for publishing an “explicit” book by French writer and poet Guillaume Apollinaire, and renowned human rights activist and publisher Ragıp Zarakolu also spoke during the meeting.

Zarakolu and his son Deniz Zarakolu are also facing charges in the Kurdistan Communities Union (KCK) case, into the alleged umbrella political organization that includes the outlawed Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK).

“We are in a time when we are running out of words,” Sancı said, while Zarakolu also stated that the situation was deteriorating fast. “Obstacles against freedom of expression know no limits now. Journalists, writers, and translators are in prison. Many journalists are facing life imprisonment,” he said.

Hmmm......“Withholding information is the essence of tyranny. Control of the flow of information is the tool of the dictatorship.” ― Bruce Coville

Protest against appointment Turkish 'torture commissioner' to chief antiterror cel.

Protest against appointment Turkish 'torture commissioner ' to chief anti - terror cel.(Hln).(GoogleTranslate).

Seven victims of the Turkish "Torture commissioner" Sedat Selim Ay ended today their hunger strike after one week  with a protest to the European Parliament in Brussels. In the presence of some thirty other activists protesting his appointment as head of the anti-terrorist unit of the police department in Istanbul.

The seven hunger strikers complain along with other European activists and victims the torture culture of the Turkish police chief and his appointment by the Turkish government. This Torturer and rapist was condemned by the European Court of Human Rights for torture.

"The Erdogan government claims they know Sedat Selim Ay as a good man, but we know him as a torturer and rapist," said one of the victims Sebahat Gündüz. "His promotion we see as a government permission to deal with torture and rape."

Further" Gündüz was in 1996 arrested by the Turkish police because she inquired about her husband, who was arrested during an action. "They took me to a separate room, a room full of instruments of torture, which was also my husband tortured.

I was completely naked hung, received electroshocks and was sexually abused," she says. "They also used psychological torture techniques." The perpetrators were released by the court, after which the woman and her family fled to Europe. Several victims responded to Ay's appointment through a letter of protest to the Turkish government and the press. News Agency published ETHA that and was subsequently sued by him self. A session of the trial will take place today.

Amnesty International: "Turkey committed gross human rights violations in Gezi Park protests".

Amnesty International: "Turkey committed gross human rights violations in Gezi Park protests".HT: AmnestyInt.

Turkish authorities committed human rights violations on a massive scale in the government’s attempts to crush the Gezi Park protests this summer said Amnesty International.

In a report published today the organization details the worst excesses of police violence, during the protests, the failure to bring these abuses to justice and the subsequent prosecution and harassment of those that took part.

“The attempt to smash the Gezi Park protest movement involved a string of human rights violations on a huge scale. They include the wholesale denial of the right to peaceful assembly and violations of the rights to life, liberty and the freedom from torture and ill-treatment,” said Andrew Gardner, Amnesty International’s expert on Turkey.

A “democratization package” announced by the Prime Minister on Monday fails to address these violations or to take any serious steps to ensure that they will not occur in the future.

Amnesty International’s report, Gezi Park protests: Brutal denial of the right to peaceful assembly in Turkey, details how the use of live ammunition, tear gas, water cannon, plastic bullets and beatings of protestors left more than 8,000 people injured at the scene of demonstrations. The deaths of at least three protestors have been linked to the abusive use of force by police. The organization monitored demonstrations in Istanbul and Ankara and interviewed scores of people in four cities across Turkey who were injured by police or who were unlawfully detained, beaten or sexually assaulted during detention.

The report documents how:

• Protesters and others were severely beaten resulting in one death and scores of injuries.

• Police frequently fired plastic bullets directly at protesters’ heads and upper bodies;

• Tear gas canisters were routinely fired directly at protestors, bystanders and sometimes into residential buildings and medical facilities, resulting in hundreds of injuries and, according to witnesses, at least one death;

• Chemical irritants were added to water cannon supply tanks;

• Women protesters were sexually abused by law enforcement officials;

• Live ammunition was used, killing one protester

“The levels of violence used by police in the course of Gezi Park protests clearly show what happens when poorly trained, poorly supervised police officers are instructed to use force - and encouraged to use it unsparingly – safe in the knowledge that they are unlikely ever to be identified or prosecuted for their abuses,“ said Andrew Gardner.

The vast majority of police abuses already look likely to go unpunished, while many of those who organised and participated in the protests have been vilified, abused and now face prosecution on unfair or inflated charges. Those who assisted protestors or reported on the protests – such as doctors, lawyers, journalists and even businesses - have faced threats and harassment.

“The determination of the Turkish authorities to end the Gezi Park protests – and discourage their recurrence is clear. Their tactics of choice have been force, threats, insults and prosecution,” said Andrew Gardner.

“Hundreds of people are facing prosecution solely for their participation in the demonstrations without evidence that they themselves participated in any violent act.”

“Many of those accused of organising of the protests are being investigated under anti-terrorism legislation.” “The Turkish government must learn to tolerate the dissenting opinions expressed through street protests and ensure that police are equipped, trained and instructed to police them lawfully.”

Amnesty International is calling on governments and suppliers of riot control equipment to impose an immediate export or transfer ban on Turkey: In particular tear gas and pepper sprays; plastic bullets and other kinetic impact projectiles.

Such a ban should remain in force until the Turkish authorities allow prompt, independent and impartial investigations into the allegations of abusive or arbitrary use of force, and demonstrate a commitment to their use in accordance with international standards.Read the full story here.

50,000 Claimes filed against Turkey at European Court of Human Rights between 2002 and 2012.

50,000 Claimes filed against Turkey at European Court of Human Rights between 2002 and 2012.  (HD).

Justice Minister Sadullah Ergin has revealed that more than 50,000 applications were filed at the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) against Turkey between 2002 and 2012.

Between May 2004 and the first half of 2012, Turkey was fined 180.94 million Turkish Liras for violations, Ergin said.

The figures were provided by Ergin in response to a written motion submitted by main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP) Istanbul deputy Sezgin Tanrıkulu.

According to Ergin’s response, the Justice Ministry paid 1.7 million euros (3.92 million liras) in compensation for violations handed down from the European court between Mar. 1, 2012 and Dec. 31, 2012.

According to the information provided by the Foreign Ministry the 3, 862 cases filed against Turkey in 2002 increased to 5, 792 in 2010; to 8, 656 in 2011 and to 9,053 in 2012. Hence, a grand total of 50, 249 applications were lodged over the period between 2002 and 2012. Hmmm.....Turkey...A League on their own.They still can't understand why Europe doesn't let them in?

“The Turkish race was… from the first black day they entered Europe, the one great anti-human specimen of humanity… as far as their dominion reached, civilisation vanished from view.“William Gladstone, British Prime Minister, “The Bulgarian Horrors and the Question of the East,” 1876

Comparing Turkey to Croatia would be like comparing apples to pears, says Turkey’s EU minister.

Comparing Turkey to Croatia would be like comparing apples to pears, says Turkey’s EU minister.(HD).

Turkish EU Minister Egemen Bağış celebrated today Croatia’s entry into the European Union but said it wouldn’t be correct to compare Turkey with the country. 

 “I celebrate once more our Croatian friends and neighbors. They really put forward an important effort in eight years,” said Bağış, who attended the official celebrations in Zagreb. Croatia became the 28th member of the bloc as of July 1. 
However, the EU minister said it wouldn’t be right to compare Croatia with Turkey. “This would be like comparing apples to pears. Croatia is a country with a population of 4.5 million. Turkey, however, is one of Europe’s most dynamic countries and fastest growing economies with its population of 76 million. It is a country that has the most powerful army in Europe,” Bağış said. Bağış said Turkey’s EU accession process was important, adding that they would continue to focus on reforms. He said he had held talks with important contacts at the ceremony, including EU Enlargement Commissioner Stefan Füle, European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso and European Parliament President Martin Schulz. “Following these talks we will find an opportunity to better guide the visa exemption matter, preparations concerning the fiscal policies chapter and opening of the 23rd and 24th chapters concerning political matters,” Bağış said. Hmmmm........Can't compare it to a Banana republic eighter?17,000 New Mosques Built In Turkey Since Obama's BFF Erdogan Took Power, Zero New Schools built.Read the full story here.

"Amnesty International" - ‘Turkey shows little progress in freedom’.

"Amnesty International" - ‘Turkey shows little progress in freedom’.(HD).

Amnesty International has criticized Turkey for lack of progress in its human rights issues in its annual report, while praising the “little progress” in freedom of expression.

“Taboo issues now are being debated. I cannot say this new situation is at the level of international freedom of expression, but its progress,” the director of AI’s Turkey branch, Murat Çekiç, told the Hürriyet Daily News yesterday.

He emphasized that investigations were still being opened into individuals who voiced challenging opinions.

Çekiç also praised Turkey’s newly adopted law on “Foreigners and International Protection,” which introduced significant changes in terms of the human rights of immigrants and foreigners.

The Turkish police use excessive force to break up peaceful demonstrations; and investigations and prosecutions into alleged human rights abuses by state officials are flawed, the human rights group said in its 2013 report that is aired today.

Allegations of torture and ill-treatment in detention places persisted, according to the report, which added that the national human rights institution lacked guarantees of independence. “Independent mechanisms promised by the government, such as a police complaints procedure, were not established,” the report stated.

Unfair trials persisted, particularly with respect to prosecutions under anti-terrorism legislation before Special Heavy Penal Courts, the report says. Secret witness statements that could not be challenged have been used in court and convictions continued to be issued in cases lacking reliable and substantive evidence.

Conscientious objectors

Meanwhile, the report also said that no reforms had been introduced to recognize the right of conscientious objection or to prevent the repeated criminal prosecution of conscientious objectors for their refusal to perform military service. “People publicly supporting the right to conscientious objection faced criminal prosecution,” it said.

The report also touched upon gay rights in Turkey. The government rejected civil society calls to include sexual orientation and gender identity as prohibited discrimination grounds in the new Constitution, the report said. “No progress was made in adopting comprehensive non-discrimination legislation.” it read.

Turkey ratified the Council of Europe Convention on preventing and combating violence against women and domestic violence, passing a law that strengthened protections and allowed for direct application of the Convention. At the end of the year there were only 103 shelters for survivors of domestic violence, far below the number required by law, the Amnesty report claimed. Hmmmm......And they want to have the 'Leadership' of the European Union?Read the full story here.

Number of leading NGO's ask Pres. Obama to press his BFF Turkish PM Erdogan on human rights.

Number of leading NGO's ask Pres. Obama to press his BFF Turkish PM Erdogan on human rights.

Letter to Obama: Support Political Rights in Turkey

POMED and other rights groups call on President Obama to support political freedoms in Turkey.
–
January 10, 2013
The Honorable Barack Obama
President of the United States of America
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
Washington, D.C. 20500
Dear Mr. President,
Turkey is a longstanding and valuable ally of the United States. On a bipartisan basis over the course of ten Presidencies, the United States has supported democratic and economic reform in Turkey, as well as the emergence of civilian control over the military and the expansion of human rights and civil liberties. In order to anchor Turkey in the West, the United States has consistently supported Turkey’s inclusion in the premier security and economic institutions of Europe—NATO and the European Union.
We are concerned, however, that in recent years Turkey’s progress has stalled and in some crucial areas regressed.
As noted in the U.S. State Department’s most recent Human Rights report on Turkey: “The arrest and prosecution of journalists, writers, and Kurdish intellectuals and political activists, coupled with condemnatory speeches by political leaders, had a chilling effect on freedom of expression.”
Since that report was issued, the situation has only gotten worse. An October 2012 report by the Committee to Protect Journalists stated that Turkey now has “the disreputable distinction of being the world’s worst jailer of the press”—an analysis shared by Reporters Without Borders. These developments have had a detrimental effect not only upon Turkey internally, but also hinder Turkey’s contribution on the world stage.
Prime Minister Erdogan has recently voiced support for anti-blasphemy laws that would further restrict freedom of speech. The government has largely abandoned efforts to protect Kurdish minority rights and to end the armed Turkish-Kurdish conflict. Hundreds of military officers, as well as various scholars and journalists, have been arrested and charged through trials dogged by allegations of fabricated evidence used by the prosecution. Many now face prison terms of twenty years or more pending appeal. Moreover, given that many of these officials have worked closely with the United States and our NATO allies over the years, these trials are also a blow to NATO’s overall collective capability. 
Finally, Turkey, once a leader in the region on the role of women in society, has alarmingly few women in high level government positions and professions, and has seen a steady decline in women’s participation in the labor force.
America’s close ties to Turkey and our considerable stake in Turkey’s future require attention to these developments. With respect, you have reportedly built a close personal relationship with Prime Minister Erdogan. We urge you to express publicly and privately America’s concerns about Turkey’s backsliding, and to direct diplomatic efforts toward ensuring that Turkey resumes a course designed to consolidate democracy and the rule of law.
Given recent developments in the Middle East, especially in Syria, but also across the region, close U.S.-Turkish relations are more important than ever. That relationship, however, needs to be based on our shared values, not just shared strategic interests. We urge you to make rule of law and political freedoms a priority in your engagements with Prime Minister Erdogan.
Sincerely,