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PRESS RELEASE: The so-called coup attempt july 15 serves as a justification for the complete conversion of a country’s administrative system and persecution of hundreds of thousands in Turkey.

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The so-called coup attempt July 15 serves as a justification for the complete conversion of a country’s administrative system and persecution of hundreds of thousands in Turkey.

On July 15, 2016 Turkey witnessed an attempted but failed military coup against Erdoğan government. During this horrific uprising, hundreds of people were killed and thousands of others were injured. Right after the coup attempt, the Turkish government has taken a wave of oppressive actions against not only the alleged coup plotters but also those that are perceived as critics of the regime. With that, the country’s political spectrum has been completely changed. Amid massive crackdown on media outlets and hundreds of thousands of the dissidents, President Erdoğan further consolidated his power with a controversial referendum in 2017 that changed the country from a parliamentary democracy into one-man rule. Being seen a setback from the rule of law, the new presidential system deepened concerns on human rights.

Marking a monumental turning point in Turkey’s history, the uprising has not been thoroughly investigated. Questioning the government’s narrative has caused many to imprisonment. The leaked details fueled the suspicions on the government’s narrative thus diminished its credibility. The narrative along with the massive crackdown on the dissident groups and Erdoğan’s consolidation of power faced heavy criticism from almost all quarters of the democratic world. In fact, a former representative of the European Parliament and well-known politician Andrew Duff defined it as “quick and relentless so-called coup”. The present report of Advocates of Silenced Turkey (AST) provides an overview of controversies and dark points on the “so-called coup” along with the human right concerns during the ongoing post-coup crackdown on the Turkey’s dissident groups.

Some of the highlights from the report are:

  • A coup with no plan of action: Every coup has a certain plan of action, yet no official document has been presented so far for the July 15 coup attempt or the list of individuals involved with the Yurtta Sulh Council that has allegedly masterminded the coup.
  • A “blessing from God”: Right after the coup attempt, Erdoğan described the incident as a “blessing from God”, implying that he had finally found the opportunity to carry out the purge on his dissidents.
  • Step by step towards a presidential regime: Within less than a year, a referendum for constitutional change was held and the new Turkish-style presidential system was put into effect. Following this, Erdogan became the first president of the new regime through early elections.
  • A coup notice from TSK to MIT: Osman Karacan, a major in TSK (Turkish Armed Forces) went to the MIT (National Intelligence Organization) headquarters on July 15 at 2:20pm to give notice about the planned coup. Yet, no real precautions were taken to prevent or suppress the coup until 10.00pm.
  • Chief of MIT and Chief of Defense are still in office: Chief of the National Intelligence Organization (MIT) Hakan Fidan, Chief of Defense Hulusi Akar and 2nd Chief of Defense Yaşar Güler reportedly held a series of meetings following the notice at 2:20pm on the planned coup but did not notify President Erdoğan until 7:00pm, yet they kept their office.
  • The conflicting explanations from Erdogan regarding time of coup: When speaking to national and international media, Erdoğan stated contradicting times with regards to the time when he was informed of the planned coup.
  • The “controlled coup”: Turkey’s main opposition party (CHP) described what happened on the July 15 as “controlled coup”.
  • Planes on standby for escape: It is discovered that 4 different airplanes at 4 different locations were arranged for Erdoğan to be on standby that night, implying Erdoğan’s possible knowledge of the planned coup attempt.
  • Secret meetings a day before the coup: It is revealed that Akar, Chief of Defense, and Fidan, Chief of MIT (National Intelligence Organization), held a one-on-one confidential meeting that lasted four hours, a day before the coup.
  • “I received the orders to reinforce the Chief of Defense Forces from Zekai Aksakallı”: Colonel Fırat Akkuş stated this during the court hearing, bringing into question the role of Special Forces Commander Zekai Aksakallı in the coup.
  • Erdoğan did not allow an investigation: The Turkish Grand National Assembly’s July 15 Investigation Commission wanted to listen to the testimonies of Chief of Defense Hulusi Akar and MIT Chief Hakan Fidan. However, President Erdoğan did not allow either of the names to appear in front of the commission.
  • “Let an international commission investigate the coup and we will accept its findings”: The proposal of Fetullah Gülen who was blamed for masterminding the coup attempt is not accepted by the Turkish government.
  • Events not yet taken place written into the July 15 Official Report, how did that happen? It was revealed that the official report for July 15 prepared by Serdar Coşkun, the Constitutional Order Attorney General of the time, contained written reports of events that would take place at a later date written as though they had taken place at the time of the written record.
  • Purge lists prepared early on: Attorney General Serdar Coşkun admitted that the first cases of individuals being taken into custody and being arrested on July 16 were carried out based on the official report of the events. However, 3,000 judges and prosecutors were arrested on July 16 based on coup involvement although there is no evidence to support the allegations.
  • A project I disliked is July 15: When Binali Yıldırım, the PM of the time, was asked by a group of journalists if there were any projects that he felt a bit too demanding, his reply, in a sarcastic tone, was “Well, July 15 was a project I did not like at all.”

We urge;

  • international organizations to establish an independent commission to investigate and clarify the infamous July 15 coup attempt in Turkey,
  • international bodies to examine politically motivated coup charges in order to end the purge and grave human rights violations that are affecting millions of innocent lives justified through this controversial coup attempt,
  • the Turkish government to end arbitrary detentions, to find the perpetrators of enforced disappearances and bring them to justice, to reinstate the unlawfully dismissed public sector workers and to ensure the rule of law in Turkey.

 

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So-Called Coup Attempt, July 15th

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THE SO-CALLED COUP

THAT SERVES AS A JUSTIFICATION FOR THE COMPLETE CONVERSION OF

A COUNTRY’S ADMINISTRATIVE SYSTEM

AS WELL AS A JUSTIFICATION FOR THE VICTIMIZATION OF HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS

  1. The date of July 15, 2016, has become, without a doubt, one of the most significant turning points in the history of the Republic of Turkey and thus calls for extensive discourse and deliberation. July 15 is truly such a bizarre incident, one that has been personally described by the alleged July 15 victim (!) President and General Director of the Justice and Development (AK) Party, Mr. Recep Tayyip Erdogan, as being a “blessing from God”; one bizarre incident that has been used as justification—by way of taking  advantage of the atmosphere of coup and terror—to establish a one-man regime by seizing control of all democratic institutions including the Turkish Grand National Assembly, the government, and the judicial system; one truly bizarre incident of which the clearing of speculations surrounding it has been hindered by its “victim” (!) himself. Despite the fact that many questions wait to be answered surrounding this ominous incident that has cost hundreds of thousands of people their homes and their jobs, tens of thousands of people their freedom and hundreds of people their very lives, an incident that has been used as a justification to completely transform the administrative system of an entire country, the beginning of a period of oppression and tyranny that has continued for years on end, and the fact that these sought out answers continue to be covered up persistently, this project has been put together and presented for your consideration, bearing the thoughts that finding and presenting the contradictions and oddities that have surfaced will be beneficial in both understanding the truth behind July 15 as well as recording it as history. Hoping that the dark clouds and curtains of fog be lifted as soon as possible and that the victimizations being carried out under the excuse of July 15 finally come to an end.
    • A Coup With No Plan of Action

     

  2. Every coup has a certain plan of action, yet so far no official document has been presented as to the plan of action regarding the July 15 coup attempt or the list of individuals involved with the Yurtta Sulh (Peace in the Fatherland) Council, which has been alleged to have masterminded the coup. In order for a coup to be successful, the following needs to be specified; the plan of action, the team of individuals who will carry out the plan of action, and the chain of command by which the plan will be executed. However, in the case of July 15, none of these are present.https://stockholmcf.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/15_July_Erdogans_Coup_13.07.2017.pdf (p. 11)
    • “Blessing From God”

     

  3. On the night of July 15, after the coup attempt had been suppressed, Erdogan described the incident as a “blessing from God.” He was implying that he had found the opportunity to carry out the purge which he had been wanting to carry out but was unable to on account of the law. Through a purge operation which was initiated the very next morning, tens of thousands of people were arrested. Over 100,000 civil service employees and public servants were dismissed from their jobs.http://www.cumhuriyet.com.tr/haber/turkiye/644388/_Allah_in_buyuk_lutfu_.html
    • Step by Step Towards a Presidential Regime

     

  4. Following July 15, the Turkish-style presidential system was established. While the Turkish people had been in opposition to this system prior to the coup attempt—as indicated by public opinion polls— after July 15, things had turned around completely. Within a time period of less than a year, a referendum for constitutional change was held, and the new Turkish-style presidential system was put into effect. And two years after the coup attempt, Erdogan became the first president of the new regime through early elections. He now had consolidated all authority at the tip of his very fingers.https://www.haberturk.com/gundem/haber/1314879-kilicdaroglu-baskanlik-sistemi-15-temmuz-sehitlerine-ihanettir
    • Calling People to the Streets, Instead of Suppressing Coup Attempt

     

  5. Izmir Chief Public Prosecutor Okan Bato stated that on July 15 at 3:00 pm, he had notified Erdogan of the preparations for the coup. However, Erdogan took no action whatsoever to suppress the coup attempt. If, after being notified beforehand of the planned coup attempt, Erdogan had taken action to prevent the coup instead of calling on the people to go out into the streets, the 250 individuals (killed on that day) would be alive today.https://www.hrw.org/tr/world-report/2017/country-chapters/298690
    • Coup Notice from the TSK to the MIT

     

  6. A major (Osman Karacan) in the TSK [Turkish Armed Forces] went to the MIT [National Intelligence Organization] headquarters on July 15 at 2:20 pm to give notice about the planned coup. Yet, from that hour until nighttime around 10:00 pm, no real precautions were taken to prevent or suppress the coup.http://www.tr724.com/kurgu-kontrollu-darbe-ihbarci-binbasi-2-yildir-mite-calisiyormus-ismi-de-farkliymis/
    • Chief of MIT and Chief of Defense Are Still in Office

     

  7. Chief of the National Intelligence Organization (MIT) of Turkey Hakan Fidan, Chief of Defense Hulusi Akar and 2nd Chief of Defense Yaşar Güler, held a series of meetings at the Chief of Defense Headquarters following the notice they had received regarding the planned coup. They have stated that around 7:00 pm that evening they called Erdogan, could not reach him and thus they notified his Head Bodyguard Muhsin Köse. So far Erdogan has not removed either Hakan Fidan, Hulusi Akar, or Muhsin Köse from their positions.http://www.tr724.com/cumhurbaskanligi-koruma-muduru-zan-altinda-sefer-can/
    • Conflicting Explanations from Erdogan Regarding Time of Coup

     

  8. President Erdogan, while speaking of when he first became aware of the coup attempt, continuously made reference to different hours of the day. On the night of July 15, he said, “In the afternoon, unfortunately, there was a certain restlessness present within our armed forces.” On July 18, during an interview he gave to CNN International, he said, “I was notified that night around 8:00 pm.” On July 20, when speaking to Al-Jazeera, he used the expression, “My brother-in-law notified me around 8:00 pm.” On July 21, to Reuters, he explained, “My brother-in-law called me around 4:00–4:30 pm and said to me there’s some commotion going on around Beylerbeyi.” Whereas the starting hours of the commotion in Istanbul Beylerbeyi where the coup attempt first broke out was around 9:30 pm. And on July 30, during a joint broadcast between ATV and A Haber, he said, “We heard of something starting up that day around 9:15 pm. My brother-in-law called me up at 9:30 pm.” The fact that Erdogan gave so many conflicting explanations regarding such a specific matter raised a question mark in people’s minds.http://www.cumhuriyet.com.tr/foto/foto_galeri/575077/9/Darbe_girisimini_ne_zaman_ogrendi__Erdogan_in_sozlerindeki_saat_farkliliklari.htmlI learned about it in   the afternoon.”  July 15th.
  9. ” I was notified around 8:00 pm.”  July 18th.
  10. “My BROTHER-IN-LAW told me about it around 8:00 pm at night.” July 20th.
  11. ” My brother-in-law called around 4:00–4:30  and said ‘There’s some kind of commotion around Beylerbeyi.’ ” July 21st.
  12. “We heard of something starting up around 9:15 pm. My brother-in-law called me at 9:30 pm.” July 30th.
    • Controlled Coup

     

  13. It was discovered that Erdogan had been notified of the coup attempt before the actual execution and even though he could have taken action to prevent the coup from happening, he chose not to. In a report put together by Turkey’s main opposition party CHP in June 2017, July 15 was described as a “controlled coup.” In other words, Erdogan, rather than preventing the coup—of which he had been aware of beforehand—allowed it to be carried out in a controlled manner and, afterward, used the aftermath to his advantage.https://www.bbc.com/turkce/haberler-turkiye-39478777
    • Planes on Standby for Escape

     

  14. It was discovered that Erdogan had arranged for 4 different airplanes at 4 different locations near Marmaris to be on standby that night. In addition to the airplane in Dalaman which Erdogan was using, there were airplanes ready for use in Denizli, Izmir, and Aydin. In order for these airplanes to have been ready for a potential flight that night, they would have to have been notified at least by 5:00 pm that evening. The fact that Erdogan had made such arrangements beforehand is another indicator that he had been aware of the planned coup attempt. In that case, again, the question arises of why he did not take action to suppress the uprising within the military.http://aktifhaber.com/15-temmuz/15-temmuzda-hazir-bekleyen-dort-ucak-h98846.html
    • Chief of Defense Hulusi Akar Who Failed to Prevent the Coup Becomes Head of Ministry of Defense, How So?

     

  15. In a confidential statement given to the Ankara 14th High Criminal Court on March 17, 2017, the Special Forces Commander of the time Zekai Aksakallı said, “Inside the Turkish Armed Forces, when times of crises and states of emergency arise, as soon as any notification is received, the orders that ‘personnel cannot leave their post’ is given. Commanding officers continue their duties at their given posts. This fundamental and simple principle applied in every instance was, however, not put into practice on July 15, 2016, when the first notification was received. If it had been put into effect, the coup attempt would have come to light from the very beginning.” In other words, he advocated that the coup could have been prevented had these orders been delivered. The Chief of Defense of the time, Hulusi Akar, failed to give these orders. Despite this fact, President Erdogan called him a “hero” and had the people applaud him during an AKP rally. Not only did he not dismiss Akar from his position, but he also appointed Akar to be the Minister of Defense as part of the first presidential cabinet formed after the early elections of June 24, 2018.
  16. http://www.aljazeera.com.tr/haber/aksakalli-kural-uygulansa-darbe-girisimi-bastan-aciga-cikardi
    • Secret Meetings A Day Before the CoupIt was discovered that Akar, Chief of Defense, and Fidan, Chief of MIT (National Intelligence Organization), held a one-on-one confidential meeting that lasted four hours, a day before the coup. It was also found out that, following this long meeting, Fidan and Special Forces Commander Zekai Aksakallı also held a one-on-one confidential meeting that lasted about an hour. The fact that these three names played the most critical role during the coup that took place the very next day raises quite a bit of suspicion.
  1. https://t24.com.tr/haber/hulusi-akar-ile-hakan-fidan-darbe-girisiminden-bir-gun-once-6-saat-basbasa-gorustuiddiasi,391229
    • “I Received the Orders to Reinforce the Chief of Defense Forces From Zekai Aksakallı

     

  2. In the fourth court hearing of the trials held for the cases of the 221 defendants regarding actions taken within the Chief of Defense forces during the course of the July 15 coup attempt, Staff Colonel Fırat Alakuş, in his defense, stated that he had personally received the orders to “reinforce the Chief of Defense forces in case of any potential actions certain terrorist organizations may take” from Special Forces Commander Zekai Aksakallı. Alakuş said, “I was assigned the duty by Special Forces Commander Zekai Aksakallı himself. As for the details of the assignment, I was told that I would be receiving them from Colonel ümit Bak.”https://www.cnnturk.com/turkiye/genelkurmay-baskaninin-urkutucu-dedigi-darbeci-komutan-konustu
    • Air Forces Commander not Notified of The Ban on Flights, Could It be Related to the Secret Meeting at the Palace?

     

  3. Although Akar, Chief of Defense, put a ban on all military flights/missions throughout the country as of 7:00 pm, neither the Air Forces Commander nor the Naval Forces Commander was notified of this ban.  It was discovered that the then Air Forces Commander Abidin ünal had been secretly visiting the palace of President Erdoğan using a vehicle belonging to MIT and holding secret meetings there from the month of April prior to the coup onwards. Not only did Abidin ünal fail to take any sort of action to prevent a coup from taking place on the night of July 15, but also he did not allow any preventive measures to be carried out.http://www.shaber3.com/abidin-unal-gizlice-erdogan-a-gitti-haberi/1320819/
    • Erdoğan Did Not Allow an Investigation


    The TBMM (Turkish Grand National Assembly) July 15 Investigation Commission wanted to listen to the testimonies of Chief of Defense Hulusi Akar and MIT Chief Hakan Fidan. However, President Erdoğan did not allow either of the names to appear in front of the commission. Akar and Fidan were not able to stand in front of the commission and answer their questions.

    https://twitter.com/15temmuzgercegi/status/1018414216288407552

    • Fethullah Gulen: “Let an international commission investigate the coup, and we will accept its findings.”In multiple interviews, including the New York Times, Financial Times, Sky News, and The Guardian, Fethullah Gulen said: “If there are allegations that I directed this coup attempt, let an international commission investigate it, and we will accept its findings.”

           https://t24.com.tr/haber/fethullah-gulen-uluslararasi-bir-komisyon-darbeyiarastirsin-sonucunu-simdiden-kabul-ediyoruz,350385

      • Events Not Yet Taken Place Written into the July 15 Official Report, How Did That Happen?

       

    1. It was discovered that the official report for July 15 prepared by Serdar Coşkun, the Constitutional Order Attorney General of the time, contained written reports of events that would take place at a later date written as though they had taken place at the time of the written record. The official report had been written up at 01:00 am yet it contained the records of events such as the bombing of the TBMM (Turkish Grand National Assembly), the bombing of the Presidential Palace intersection, and the air raid at the Ankara Police Headquarters none of which at that point in time had taken place. Moreover, these incidents had not even taken place in the way in which they were described in the report. What’s, even more, is the fact that events which never even took place were recorded as though they had actually happened.http://www.tr724.com/savci-15-temmuzu-sarsacak-belgeyi-dogruladi-o-gece-olaylar-yasanmadan-tutanaklardayazilmis/
      • Binali Yıldırım (Former Prime Minister): A Project I Disliked, July 15

       

    2. When Yıldırım was asked by a group of journalists, “Were there any projects that you felt were a bit too demanding?”, his reply, in a sarcastic tone, was, ” Well, July 15 was a project I did not like at all.”
      • Purge Lists Prepared Early On


      Attorney General Serdar Coşkun admitted that the first cases of individuals being taken into custody and being arrested on July 16 were carried out based on the official report of the events. For instance, he gave orders to have approximately 3,000 judges and prosecutors to be arrested. However, on July 16 there was no evidence to support the allegations that the said 3,000 judges and prosecutors had been involved in the coup. No evidence to that effect was found later on either. The purge lists had been prepared in advance. And they were put into effect right after the coup attempt. In the morning of July 16, at 01:00 am, only three hours after the military insurrection had started, 2,745 judges and prosecutors were dismissed from their duties. The official report prepared by Attorney General Serdar Coşkun was also written up at the same time that night, 01:00 am.

      https://www.ahmetdonmez.net/iste-serdar-coskunun-skandal-tutanaktan-sonraki-ilk-talimati/

      • MIT conspiracy towards Akın Öztürk?It was discovered that MIT official and retired soldier Sadık üstün, a close friend of MIT Chief Hakan Fidan since the time they met during their time serving in the TSK (Turkish Armed Forces), had called up certain commanders and told them that the number 1 role in the coup would be General Akın Öztürk. It was discovered that at that time Akın Öztürk, who had—as later discovered—been assigned to the Akıncılar Base by Air Force Commander Abidin ünal, was still in his home. It was discovered that Sadık üstün had been working together with Air Force Commander Abidin ünal.https://www.ahmetdonmez.net/mitci-sadik-ustun-savci-serdar-coskunu-da-aradi-mi/
        • “So-called Coup” explanation from Andrew Duff


        Former European Parliament representative and well-known politician Andrew Duff made the following statements regarding the report written by July 15 public prosecutor Serdar Coşkun, “We have finally figured out how Erdoğan was able to exploit this so-called coup in such a quick and relentless manner. This report shows us that certain incidents were prepared beforehand, ERDOĞAN allowed for the insurrection to be carried out in a controlled manner and afterward put his own version of a constitutional coup into action.”

        https://www.ahmetdonmez.net/andrew-duff-savci-coskunun-tutanagi-bazi-seylerin-onceden-hazirlandigini-gosteriyor/

                           “QUICK AND RELENTLESS SO-CALLED COUP”

        • What Kind of Connection Does the Religious Affairs Council have with MIT?
          It was discovered that on the night of July 15, Moaz al-Khatib, the man Erdoğan wants to see as the leader of Syria, and the President of the Religious Affairs Council, Görmez, were also present at the MIT headquarters.

        https://odatv.com/gormezden-sonra-sira-fidan-ve-akarda-mi-2707171200.html

       

 

  • AST gives a voice to the voiceless, give your support for a cause that matters. 

  • July 15 Purge in Numbers

    249 people lost their lives

    612,347 people were interrogated

    160,000 people were arrested

    152,000 state officials were arrested

    62,669 political prisoners were charged with terrorist activity

    7,907 incidents of human rights violations

    3,502 victims were subjected to torture and ill-treatment

    686 torture incidents occurred during detention

    51 prisoners died in suspicious circumstances

    69,301 students were incarcerated (highest number of students incarcerated at any given time in the history of the country)

    2,767 teenagers, aged between 12 and 18, were incarcerated

    197 teenagers, aged between 12 and 18, were incarcerated due to the alleged involvement in terrorism

    102,000 people were jailed due to the alleged use of ByLock mobile application

    Assets valued at $11,000,000,000 were seized

    130,000 public officers were suspended from work

    80,000 citizens were arrested

    4,000+ judges or prosecutors were dismissed from work

    2,300+ private educational institutions were closed

    7,257 academics were dismissed

    1,600+ non-profit and non-governmental organizations were closed

    1,500+ public associations and foundations were closed

    200 public media companies were closed

    2,500 journalists and media workers were left unemployed

    19 unions were closed

    15 private universities were closed

    1,539 lawyers were put on trial

    580 lawyers were arrested

    103 lawyers were sentenced to long terms in prison

    5,705 academics were suspended

    8,240 armed forces employees were dismissed

    1,067 NATO-supporting members of the armed forces were dismissed

    28 individuals were abducted

    100+ members of the Gulen Movement were abducted and brought back to Turkey from 18 different countries by the National Intelligence Organization

 


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Re: Urge Turkish Authorities to stop torture and bring perpetrators to justice on INTERNATIONAL DAY IN SUPPORT OF VICTIMS OF TORTURE JUNE 26 th

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INTERNATIONAL DAY IN SUPPORT OF VICTIMS OF TORTURE, JUNE 26TH

     Gokhan Acikkollu, the 42-year-old history teacher with diabetes, was dismissed from his job, subsequently detained and tortured for 13 days under police custody in Turkey. He ultimately died from a heart attack. Two years later, after his death, authorities found him not guilty and reinstated him to his teaching post; however, no real justice has been given.

Since the failed coup attempt on July 15, 2016, democratic and fundamental human rights have been suspended in Turkey. The Turkish government has disregarded basic human rights, equality, and respect for human dignity. It has completely broken its ties with the western world, the European Union in particular. It is stated in Human Rights Watch October 2017 report that people accused of terrorism or of being linked to the July 2016 attempted coup are at risk of torture in police custody. There has been a spate of reported cases of men being abducted, some of whom were held in secret detention places, with evidence pointing to the
involvement of state authorities. 

Zeid Ra’ad Al Hussein, High Commissioner for UN Human Rights, declared that during the state of emergency period about 160,000 people were detained in Turkey; 152,000 state officials, including teachers, judges, and lawyers were arbitrarily expelled or investigated; over 200 journalists were arrested, 201 media outlets and hundreds of websites were shut down. There were many cases of torture, rape, and kidnapping, which were only partially reflected in the reports.

According to a report released by the United States Department of State on human rights practices in Turkey in 2018 between July 2016 and July 2018, Turkish Ministry of Justice reported that “investigations” were opened into 612,347 persons, the majority of whom were affiliated with the Gulen movement. Authorities prosecuted 1,519 lawyers and dismissed 7,257 academics and more than 4,000 judges and prosecutors. After the coup, the government operated prisons became filled with people who were detained and awaiting trial and began to work over capacity. 28 individuals disappeared, some kidnapped in broad daylight in front of their families.

Reports of torture, mistreatment, and abuse skyrocketed from tens in 2017 to more than 2,500 in 2018. 51 people lost their lives under suspicious circumstances in official custody.

The most recent torture incidents took place at Police Headquarters in Ankara against detained six ex-diplomats of Turkish Foreign Ministry on May 26th which were documented by the Ankara Bar Association. HDP MP Omer F. Gergerlioglu; Erinc Sagkan, President of Ankara Bar Association, and CHP MP Sezgin Tanrikulu spoke out about the allegations immediately.

We urge all the international bodies and human rights organizations along with Turkish judiciary to take all necessary steps to STOP TORTURE in TURKEY and bring all the perpetrators to justice.

Advocates of Silenced Turkey
[email protected]
www.silencedturkey.org
Twitter: @silencedturkey
Facebook: @silencedturkey

 


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Millions of Books Destroyed: Erdogan’s Regime Attacks the Culture of its Dissident Groups

Millions of Books Destroyed: Erdogan’s Regime Attacks the Culture of its Dissident Groups

Books play an important role in shaping public opinion and transmitting the culture of a society for the upcoming generations. For that, many authoritarian regimes throughout history have opposed books written in the pursuit of the opposition of those they perceived as enemies. With the goal of asserting complete control over public information and literature, the Erdogan regime has started such a war against the books and other publications of its dissident groups following the suspicious coup attempt on July 2016. In this direction, thousands of books have been outlawed and their publishers have been shut down. Therefore, copies of those books in all libraries and bookstores across the country have been confiscated. After it has been declared that possessing any copies of such books or publications may be considered the evidence for certain crimes, many people have been detained and arrested.
The current report of the Advocates of Silenced Turkey (AST) provides an overview of what has happened during Turkey’s ongoing post-coup assault on the books and the cultural institutions, with a focus on the affected groups including the Gulen movement, Kurds, leftists, and seculars.

Some of the highlights from the report are given below.

● Book disposals in public libraries: Constituting approximately 7 percent of the total books in the public libraries across the country, 135,000 books are reported to be removed from the public libraries due to their affiliations with the Gulen movement. Of those books:
– 30,000 books that are authored by Mr. Gulen have reportedly been ordered to be burned.
– The remaining nearly 100,000 books have been sent off for recycling.
● Getting rid of books with a fear of arrest: After certain books and publications have been blacklisted, many have reportedly burned or tore their books for the fear of being discovered by their neighbors or law enforcement officials.

Some reported incidents are:

– D.A., a librarian at a university during the time of the coup asserted how he had to categorize his books in his personal library that constituted nearly 2,000 books to dispose the ”dangerous ones” among them.
– In the central province of Yozgat, military police — gendarmerie — found 560 Gulen authored books near a water fountain in a village. A crime-scene was conducted hoping to find the people whom the books belong to.
– Police officers found 150 Gulen’s books, some of which were totally or partially burned in a village in Northern Cyprus.
– In another story, authorities discovered hundreds of Gulen books thrown into the waters of Ataturk Dam in Eastern Anatolia.
● Charges over possessing certain books: In some cases, people who possessed certain blacklisted books have been suspected and persecuted. Some of the reported incidents are as follows:
– Canan Badem: An associate professor at Tunceli University, who was detained in August 2016 on charges of association with the terrorist organization after the police have found a Gulen-authored book at his university office. As a well-known critic of Gulen and a professed atheist, Dr. Badem will be facing a long prison sentence if found guilty.
– A housewife, R.Y. has reportedly been detained over allegations of burning Gulen’s books at a place close to her home. She faces charges of membership in a terrorist organization and making terrorist propaganda.
– Four school officials have been reportedly detained by the gendarmerie forces after they found them burning some documents in the garden of a school in Mugla province.
– A college’s attempt to get rid of Gulen-authored books from the college’s library right after the coup attempt has sparked an investigation in the western province of Afyon.
● Banned publishers, media outlets and other incidents: Aside from the Gulen associated books, Erdogan regime’s war on cultural instruments has taken various forms during the ongoing post-coup crackdown.

Some of such drastic actions are as follows:

– With the government’s decree law as part of the post-coup crackdown, three news agencies, 16 TV channels, 23 radio stations, 14 magazines, 29 publishing houses have reportedly been shut down over alleged ties to the Gulen movement.
-Authorities have pulled off the shelves 72 books of Aram Press, one book of Tekin Press, and one unpublished book draft of Kirmizi Kedi Press.
– Istanbul Fourth Civil Court of Peace has issued a ruling to ban the distribution of the satirical weekly LeMan’s “Special Coup Issue”. This has been accompanied by trolls disseminating LeMan’s address with threats of ransacking it.
– A famous novelist, Zulfu Livaneli has also suffered from a similar ban when the ads of his latest novel has not been allowed to be displayed in public spaces by the authorities.
– Famous writers and philosophers including Albert Camus, Baruch Spinoza, Louis Althusser, Servet Tanili, and Nazim Hikmet have become suspects in the indictments prepared against the former head of now-defunct Free Journalists Association, Nevin Erdemir and in the indictment on Gezi protests in Ankara.
– Numerous physical assaults have occurred against publishers and bookstores across the country. In Diyarbakir province, for example, a warehouse of Avesta Press has been set in an arson attempt. Many branches of NT – a Gulen movement affiliated bookstore – have been destroyed and burned.
– Reports of the United Nations and other respected human rights organizations suggest that the conditions of Turkey’s prisons have been associated with already alarming records of human rights violations. One such issue is inmates’ limited access to books. While prisons do not allow book donations from outside, the prisoners have been allowed to possess 15 books at most. Furthermore, certain books that are either affiliated with the Gulen movement or in the Kurdish language have also been blocked. The number of affected inmates is reportedly more than 200,000 – including generals, diplomats, judges, academics, journalists, doctors and other people from all walks of life.
In addition to the cases that have been stated, there are officially more than half a million cases that are subjected to such terroristic crimes as reported by the minister of interior. With the pursuit to persecute individuals who attain these books, it is presumed that most of these individuals have already removed such publications from their possessions. Subjectively, if every individual was to get rid of several books, the total number of books disposed would be in the millions. This suggests that the multitude of the assault of Erdogan’s regime on the culture of its dissident groups are far more reaching than what is reported.


Download as a PDF File: https://silencedturkey.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/Erdogans-war-on-books.pdf

 


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Academic Purge and Brain Drain of Turkey by SRW

Academic Purge and Brain Drain of Turkey. It started long before Turkey’s July 15, 2016 botched coup attempt. Slowly but steadily, young professionals, entrepreneurs, engineers, academics and new graduates started leaving their home country in search of a better future.
5,882 academics and 1,372 administrative personnel have been dismissed at universities as part of the Turkish government’s post-coup crackdown.

Over 2,300 have been fired for alleged links to the July 15 coup attempt, while 15 private universities linked to the Gulen movement have been closed down.

This video was prepared by Scholars Right Watch (SRW)

 


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International Bar Association Raises Judicial Independence in Turkey to UN

09/28/2018

International Bar Association Raises Judicial Independence in Turkey to UN

In a joint submission with two other groups, the International Bar Association (IBA) raised the issue of independence of judges and judicial independence in Turkey to a special rapporteur from the United Nations.

The dismal state of rule of law and the judiciary in Turkey continues to attract attention from relevant international bodies. In cooperation with the Bar Human Rights Committee of England and Wales and the Law Society of England and Wales, the International Bar Association’s Human Rights Institute (IBAHRI) submitted a report to the United Nations Special Rapporteur on the independence of Judges and Lawyers.

The report mostly focuses on the collapse of the rights and protections regarding the legal profession in a steady way since 2010. But, according to the study, the situation concerns Turkey’s judiciary, judicial independence and other legal rights have dramatically been shredded and worsened since the failed 2016 coup. Both during and after the state of emergency, members of judiciary faced political crackdown and imprisonment en masse.

“Prior to the failed attempt, the Turkish government had been increasingly interfering with, and exercising undue influence over, the legal profession using adverse constitutional and legislative reforms together with systematic attacks against judges, prosecutors, lawyers and other legal professionals,” the study noted.

Since the failed coup, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s government has only sharpened its clampdown on its social and political opponents, as well as members of the judiciary.

Thousands of military officials, police officers, diplomats, academics, teachers, judges and prosecutors have been dismissed over coup terrorism-related charges with little evidence.

To this date, the report stated that “4,279 judges and prosecutors have been dismissed.”

“Five hundred and ninety lawyers have been arrested, 1,546 prosecuted and 181 convicted.”

Resource:
https://twitter.com/IBAHRI/status/1045312267762487297

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Academics at Risk in Turkey

The coup attempt on July 15, 2016 stands as the most ruinous mark to the legal and political grounds of the Turkish Republic and continues to do so. Due to the coup attempt many people have been stripped from their ebullience, charged with allegations in abetting the coup and serving as members of a terrorist group, been unlawfully released from their jobs or incarcerated under the articles specified by the state of emergency period. Hence after the declaration of the state of emergency laws, a “legal” basis for unlawful prosecution and illegitimate actions was formed.

Academics in Turkey after the July 15, 2016 coup attempt stands as certainly one of the most severely affected branches of civil structure if not the most. On July 23, 2016 2 days after the emergency decree-laws were established the state ordered the closure of 15 universities displacing over 60,000 students and rendering 2,808 academicians jobless according to the State of Turkish Higher Education’s report. The data published by the same report displayed an immense 8,535 academicians released from duty by December 2017 virtually quadrupling the July 2016 figure. As stated by another report compiled by BBC Turkey at least 23,427 academicians lost their jobs either due to direct dismissals or reasons pertaining to university closures.

In reality January 2016, 6 months Prior to the coup attempt, marks the inception of the witch-hunt against academicians following the “Academics for Peace” petition. The respective petition, signed by 1,128 education personnel, left the signatories with very severe and exasperating upshots ranging from criminal prosecutions, dismissals and detentions to travel restrictions. The most up-to-date consolidated numbers exhibit more than 9,200 higher education personnel subject to direct targeting alongside over 60,000 scholars, administrators, and students affected materially or incurring tangible losses ascribed to government and institutional actions.

Perhaps the pinnacle of the maltreatment of academicians did not take place during the process of prosecutions but after imprisonment. Dr. Ahmet Turan Ozcelik no doubt is an exemplar of this persecution. Dr Ozcelik was confined in Balikesir Bandirma prison for 14 months after a 21 day psychological torture inflicted prior to his transfer. During his imprisonment he developed colon cancer, notwithstanding his health issued he was denied preventive treatment. After rigorous efforts he was released, yet soon after following his release he passed away from colon cancer.


Download as a PDF File: https://silencedturkey.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/AST_6-22-18_Academics-at-Risk_P14.pdf

 


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AST Turkey’s Human Rights Violations Weekly April 2

Download as pdf: https://silencedturkey.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/AST_Turkeys-Human-Rights-Violations-Weekly_April-2.pdf

Turkey’s Human Rights Violations | 3/26/2018-4/2/2018

1-” 568 people detained over Gülen links in past week: gov’t”
https://turkeypurge.com/568-people-detained-gulen-links-past-week-govt-2

2-” [VIDEO] Businessman detained while on way to escape to Greece”
https://turkeypurge.com/video-businessman-detained-way-escape-greece

3-” Pro-gov’t journalist says jailed Gulenists should be forced to commit suicide”
https://turkeypurge.com/pro-govt-journalist-says-jailed-gulenists-forced-commit-suicide

4-” Jewelry store chain, another company in Istanbul seized over Gulen links”
https://turkeypurge.com/jewelry-store-chain-another-company-istanbul-seized-gulen-links

5-” Wife of purge-victim judge jumps to death from 9th floor”
https://turkeypurge.com/wife-purge-victim-judge-jumps-death-9th-floor

6-” 120 including on-duty soldiers and gendarmerie personnel in custody on coup charges: report”
https://turkeypurge.com/120-including-duty-soldiers-gendarmerie-personnel-custody-coup-charges-report

7-” Mother of this baby put in pre-trial detention on coup charges in İstanbul — claim”
https://turkeypurge.com/mother-baby-put-pre-trial-detention-coup-charges-claim

8-” Turkish police seize pro-Kurdish Özgürlükçü Demokrasi newspaper”
https://turkeypurge.com/pro-kurdish-ozgurlukcu-demokrasi-newspaper-publisher-seized-several-employees-detained

9-” [VIDEO] 13 women detained over Gülen links in Turkey’s Karaman”
https://turkeypurge.com/video-13-women-detained-gulen-links-turkeys-karaman

10-” Ankara man missing for 111 days as wife finds his car abandoned with deflated tire”
https://turkeypurge.com/ankara-man-missing-111-days-wife-finds-car-abandoned-deflated-tire

11-” Yet another 12 teachers detained in Turkey’s Bilecik”
https://turkeypurge.com/12-teachers-detained-turkeys-bilecik

12-” Journalist says gov’t asked to work as ‘spy’ in police custody”
https://turkeypurge.com/journalist-says-govt-asked-work-spy-police-custody

13-” Report: 580 lawyers jailed, 103 sentenced in Turkey since 2016’s failed coup”
https://turkeypurge.com/report-580-lawyers-jailed-103-sentenced-in-turkey-since-failed-coup

14-” Six Turks arrested in Kosovo over Gulen links extradited to Turkey: Anadolu”
https://www.reuters.com/article/us-turkey-security-kosovo/six-turks-arrested-in-kosovo-over-gulen-links-extradited-to-turkey-anadolu-idUSKBN1H51JL

15-” Kosovan PM’s authority in doubt amid claims state intelligence arrested Turks without his knowledge”
http://www.euronews.com/2018/03/29/kosovan-pm-s-authority-in-doubt-amid-claims-state-intelligence-arrested-turks-without-his-

16-” Kosovo investigates seizure of Turkish nationals”
https://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-kosovo-security-turkey/kosovo-investigates-seizure-of-turkish-nationals-idUKKBN1H70C8

17-” Erdogan slams Kosovo PM over sackings after Gulen-linked deportations”
http://www.euronews.com/2018/03/31/erdogan-attacks-kosovo-prime-minister-for-sacking-officials-who-sanctioned-teacher-kidnap

18-” Human Rights Foundation asks Kosovo PM to free 6 Gulenists”
https://turkeypurge.com/human-rights-foundation-asks-kosovo-pm-free-6-gulenists

19-” [VIDEO] Erdoğan praises Turkey’s abduction of Gulenists in Kosovo, signals more to come”
https://turkeypurge.com/video-erdogan-praises-turkeys-abduction-gulenist-kosovo-signals-come

20-” Teacher abducted from Malaysia subjected to beating, torture in Ankara: cellmate”
https://turkeypurge.com/teacher-abducted-malaysia-subjected-beating-torture-ankara-cellmate

21-” [VIDEO] Erdogan: Turkish spies packed up Kosovo teachers, brought them to Turkey”
https://turkeypurge.com/video-erdogan-turkish-spies-packed-kosovo-teachers-brought-turkey

22-” Teacher diagnosed with cancer after dismissal from job dies”
https://turkeypurge.com/teacher-diagnosed-cancer-dismissal-job-dies

23-” Blind journalist transferred to remote prison, held in windowless cell”
https://www.turkishminute.com/2018/03/26/blind-journalist-transferred-to-remote-prison-held-in-windowless-cell/

24-” Gov’t seizes retirement bonus of rights activist removed from civil service job”
https://www.turkishminute.com/2018/03/26/govt-seizes-retirement-bonus-of-rights-activist-removed-from-civil-service-job/

25-” HRW: Turkish gov’t has reached ‘new low’ with social media crackdown”
https://www.turkishminute.com/2018/03/27/hrw-turkish-govt-has-reached-new-low-with-social-media-crackdown/

26-” Woman jailed over Gülen links not released despite serious health risk”
https://www.turkishminute.com/2018/03/28/woman-jailed-over-gulen-links-not-released-despite-serious-health-risk/

27-” Prosecutor finds doctor who took own life after firing not a ByLock user after all”
https://www.turkishminute.com/2018/03/29/prosecutor-finds-doctor-who-took-own-life-after-firing-not-a-bylock-user-after-all/

28-” English PEN report: Freedom of expression in jeopardy in Turkey”
https://www.turkishminute.com/2018/03/29/english-pen-report-freedom-of-expression-in-jeopardy-in-turkey/

29-” 1,250 academics from around the world ask for release of Boğaziçi students”
https://www.turkishminute.com/2018/04/02/1250-academics-from-around-the-world-ask-for-release-of-bogazici-students/

Türkiye tarafından işlenenen İnsan Hakları İhlalleri | 3/26/2018-4/2/2018

1-” Görme engelli Gazeteci Cüneyt Arat’ı hayattan koparmaya çalışıyorlar..”
http://aktifhaber.com/iskence/gorme-engelli-gazeteci-cuneyt-arati-hayattan-koparmaya-calisiyorlar-h114430.html

2-” Annesiyle babası tutuklu 2 yaşındaki çocuğa 70 yaşındaki babaanne bakıyor”
http://aktifhaber.com/iskence/annesiyle-babasi-tutuklu-2-yasindaki-cocuga-70-yasindaki-babaanne-bakiyor-h114491.html

3-” 3.5 aydır tutuklu Birgül Bulut’un doktoru uyardı: Heran kalp krizi geçirebilir”
http://aktifhaber.com/iskence/35-aydir-tutuklu-birgul-bulutun-doktoru-uyardi-heran-kalp-krizi-gecirebilir-h114514.html

4-” Yüksek güvenlikli cezaevine nakledilen Celalettin Can’ı biyopsiye götürmüyorlar”
http://aktifhaber.com/iskence/yuksek-guvenlikli-cezaevine-nakledilen-celalettin-cani-biyopsiye-goturmuyorlar-h114608.html

5-” Gardiyanların tutukluyu boğarak öldürmeye çalıştığı ortaya çıktı”
http://aktifhaber.com/iskence/gardiyanlarin-tutukluyu-bogarak-oldurmeye-calistigi-ortaya-cikti-h114610.html

6-” İHD açıkladı: Erzincan Cezaevi’nde darp edilen tutuklunun kulak zarı patladı”
http://aktifhaber.com/iskence/ihd-acikladi-erzincan-cezaevinde-darp-edilen-tutuklunun-kulak-zari-patladi-h114623.html

7-” MİT Kosova’da 6 kişiyi Türkiye’ye kaçırmak için Havalimanında bekletiyor”
http://aktifhaber.com/iskence/mit-kosovada-6-kisiyi-turkiyeye-kacirmak-icin-havalimaninda-bekletiyor-h114626.html

8-” İnsan Hakları İzleme Örgütü Kosova’ya öğretmenler için mektup gönderdi”
http://aktifhaber.com/iskence/insan-haklari-izleme-orgutu-kosovaya-ogretmenler-icin-mektup-gonderdi-h114679.html

9-” Sağlam girdiği cezaevinden HİV virüsü bulaşmış şekilde çıktı!”
http://aktifhaber.com/iskence/saglam-girdigi-cezaevinden-hiv-virusu-bulasmis-sekilde-cikti-h114752.html

10-” Malezya’dan kaçırılan Alaaddin Duman’a yapılan işkenceleri anlattı”
http://aktifhaber.com/iskence/malezyadan-kacirilan-alaaddin-dumana-yapilan-iskenceleri-anlatti-h114790.html

11-” KHK ile ihraç edilenlerin emeklilik ikramiyeleri gasp ediliyor!”
https://kronoshaber.com/tr/khk-ile-ihrac-edilenlerin-emeklilik-ikramiyeleri-gasp-ediliyor/

12-” İnsan Hakları İzleme Örgütü’nden ‘sosyal medyaya baskı’ raporu”
https://kronoshaber.com/tr/insan-haklari-izleme-orgutunden-sosyal-medyaya-baski-raporu/

13-” HRW: ‘Sosyal medya gözaltıları’ Türkiye Hükümeti’nin düştüğü en dip nokta”
https://kronoshaber.com/tr/hrw-sosyal-medya-gozaltilari-turkiye-hukumetinin-dustugu-en-dip-nokta/

14-” ‘Sahibi il imamı’ gerekçesiyle kuyumcu dükkanına el konuldu”
https://kronoshaber.com/tr/sahibi-il-imami-gerekcesiyle-kuyumcu-dukkanina-el-konuldu/

15-” ‘Dersaneler sorumlusu’ suçlamasıyla aranan öğretmen yakalandı”
https://kronoshaber.com/tr/dersaneler-sorumlusu-suclamasiyla-aranan-ogretmen-yakalandi/

16-” KHK ile kapatılan dernek yöneticisi 14 kişi daha tutuklandı”
https://kronoshaber.com/tr/khk-ile-kapatilan-dernek-yoneticisi-14-kisi-daha-tutuklandi/

17-” 20 aydır tutuklu askeri ilk duruşmaya götürmeyi ‘unuttular’”
https://kronoshaber.com/tr/20-aydir-tutuklu-askeri-ilk-durusmaya-goturmeyi-unuttular/

18-” Atina: Erdoğan Varna’dan ‘askerleri takas edelim’ mesajı gönderdi”
https://kronoshaber.com/tr/yunanistan-erdogan-bize-takas-imasinda-bulundu/

19-” İhsan Eliaçık’a 7,5 yıl hapis istendi”
https://kronoshaber.com/tr/ihsan-eliacika-75-yil-hapis-istendi/

20-” Gözaltındaki gazeteciye ajanlık teklifi”
https://kronoshaber.com/tr/gozaltindaki-gazeteciye-ajanlik-teklifi/

21-” Basın örgütleri: Özgürlükçü Demokrasi’nin sesini kayyımla susturamazsınız!”
https://kronoshaber.com/tr/basin-orgutleri-ozgurlukcu-demokrasinin-sesini-kayyumla-susturamazsiniz/

22-” 15 Temmuz’da askerle çatışmayan polislere 12 yıl hapis cezası”
https://kronoshaber.com/tr/basin-orgutleri-ozgurlukcu-demokrasinin-sesini-kayyumla-susturamazsiniz/

23-” Yüksek lisans öğrencisine Bylock gözaltısı”
https://kronoshaber.com/tr/yuksek-lisans-ogrencisine-bylock-gozaltisi/

24-” 600 polis ‘bayan yapılanması’ operasyonu yaptı: 70 kadına gözaltı”
https://kronoshaber.com/tr/600-polis-bayan-yapilanmasi-operasyonu-yapti-70-kadina-gozalti/

25-” Mehmet Altan’ın tutukluluğuna itiraz bir kez daha reddedildi”
https://kronoshaber.com/tr/mehmet-altanin-tutukluluguna-itiraz-bir-kez-daha-reddedildi/

26-” Yargıtay ‘ByLock mahkumiyeti’ni bozdu: Yeterli araştırma yok”
https://kronoshaber.com/tr/yargitay-bylock-mahkumiyetini-bozdu-yeterli-arastirma-yok/

27-” ‘İşimizi geri istiyoruz’ eyleminde polis eylemcinin saçını yoldu”
https://kronoshaber.com/tr/isimizi-geri-istiyoruz-eyleminde-polis-eylemcinin-sacini-yoldu/

28-” ‘Adam kaçırma talimatı’: Kosova operasyonu ne ilktir, ne de son olacak”
https://kronoshaber.com/tr/adam-kacirma-talimati-kosava-operasyonu-ne-ilktir-ne-de-son-olacak/

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AST Turkey’s Human Rights Violations Weekly Feb 12

Download as pdf: AST_Turkey’s Human Rights Violations Weekly_Feb 12

Turkey’s Human Rights Violations | 2/5/2018-2/12/2018

1-“[VIDEO] Pro-Erdogan presenter says Cumhuriyet journalists deserve to be executed for their Afrin coverage”
https://turkeypurge.com/pro-erdogan-presenter-says-cumhuriyet-journalists-deserve-murdered-afrin-coverage

2-“Businessman caught using fake ID to survive post-coup witch-hunt”
https://turkeypurge.com/businessman-caught-using-fake-id-survive-post-coup-witch-hunt

3-“Journalist, already under over coup charges, gets 2.5-year prison sentence for insulting Erdogan”
https://turkeypurge.com/journalist-already-coup-charges-gets-2-5-year-prison-sentence-insulting-erdogan

4-“38,500 prisoners convicted over Gülen links: minister”
https://turkeypurge.com/38500-prisoners-convicted-gulen-links-minister

5-“[VIDEO] Academics, doctors detained while watching Gülen speech”
https://turkeypurge.com/video-academics-doctors-detained-watching-gulen-speech

6-“Turkey issues detention warrant for another pro-Kurdish HDP deputy”
https://turkeypurge.com/turkey-issues-detention-warrant-another-pro-kurdish-hdp-deputy

7-“Another ‘Gülenist’ dies of heart attack in prison: report”
https://turkeypurge.com/another-gulenist-dies-heart-attack-prison-report

8-“NASA scientist sentenced to 7 years in jail over coup charges”
https://turkeypurge.com/nasa-scientist-sentenced-7-years-jail-coup-charges

9-“Report shows number of rights violations increased during OHAL in Turkey”
https://turkeypurge.com/report-shows-number-rights-violations-increased-ohal-turkey

10-“US ‘deeply concerned’ by conviction of NASA scientist Serkan Golge”
https://turkeypurge.com/us-deeply-concerned-conviction-nasa-scientist-serkan-golge

11-“Warrants issued for 17 former Gazi University staffers: 11 detained”
https://turkeypurge.com/warrants-issued-17-former-gazi-university-staffers-11-detained

12-“Wives of 13 dismissed police officers under custody”
https://turkeypurge.com/wives-13-dismissed-police-officers-custody

13-“[VIDEO] Former law faculty dean detained over Gülen links”
https://turkeypurge.com/video-former-law-faculty-dean-detained-gulen-links

14-“University student jailed for insulting Erdogan two years ago”
https://turkeypurge.com/university-student-jailed-insulting-erdogan-two-years-ago

15-“European Parliament urges Turkey to end post-coup emergency rule”
https://turkeypurge.com/european-parliament-urges-turkey-end-post-coup-emergency-rule

16-“Turkey to confiscate billion-dollar holding over coup charges: report”
https://turkeypurge.com/turkey-confiscate-billion-dollar-holding-coup-charges-report

17-“Teacher couple detained after speaking out during interview by Finland’s state broadcaster”
https://turkeypurge.com/teacher-couple-detained-interview-finnish-state-broadcaster-yle

18-“Turkish prisons at 13 percent overcapacity: lawmaker”
https://turkeypurge.com/turkish-prisons-13-percent-overcapacity-lawmaker

19-“Books, magazines by anti-gov’t Furkan foundation seized as criminal evidence”
https://turkeypurge.com/books-magazines-anti-govt-furkan-foundation-seized-criminal-evidence

20-“Journalist Cem Bahtiyar jailed pending trial over terror charges”
https://turkeypurge.com/journalist-cem-bahtiyar-jailed-pending-trial-terror-charges

21-“Enes Kanter faces 4 years in jail for ‘insulting’ Turkish basketball federation head”
https://turkeypurge.com/enes-kanter-faces-4-years-jail-insulting-turkish-basketball-federation-head

22-“Erzurum tea house temporarily closed over Kurdish-language song”
https://turkeypurge.com/erzurum-tea-house-temporarily-closed-kurdish-language-song

23-“Chemistry teacher gets 10-year jail time over Gulen links”
https://turkeypurge.com/chemistry-teacher-gets-10-year-jail-time-gulen-links

24-“64 military academy students, officers sentenced to life in prison over coup charges”
https://turkeypurge.com/64-military-academy-students-officers-sentenced-life-prison-coup-charges

25-“Vision-impaired journalist, under arrest for 7 months, denied access to Braille books in prison”
https://turkeypurge.com/vision-impaired-journalist-arrest-6-months-denied-access-braille-books-prison

26-“Turkish LGBT activist goes on hunger strike in support of transgender woman jailed in Tekirdağ”
https://turkeypurge.com/turkish-lgbt-activist-goes-hunger-strike-support-transgender-woman-jailed-tekirdag

27-“Turkish activist detained in southeast Turkey: report”
https://turkeypurge.com/turkish-activist-detained-southeast-turkey-report

28-“Labour Party Bursa head put in pre-trial detention: report”
https://turkeypurge.com/labour-party-bursa-head-put-pre-trial-detention-report

29-“Video purportedly shows Turkish soldiers beat Kurdish villager in Afrin”
https://turkeypurge.com/video-purportedly-shows-turkish-soldiers-beat-kurdish-villager-afrin

30-“Dear Osman, dear Ahmet, dear Selahattin – speech in EP Plenary, Joint debate Turkey”
https://silencedturkey.org/kati-piris-speech-in-ep-plenary-joint-debate-on-turkey

31-“US Politician Margo Davidson Reflects On Her Visit To Turkish Refugees In Greece”
https://stockholmcf.org/us-politician-margo-davidson-reflects-on-her-visit-to-turkish-refugees-in-greece/

32-“Survey: 1,2 Million People Victimised By Emergency Rule In Turkey”
https://stockholmcf.org/survey-12-million-people-victimised-by-emergency-rule-in-turkey-2/

33-“US Consulate Hands Staff Member Over To Turkish Authorities”
https://stockholmcf.org/us-consulate-hands-staff-member-over-to-turkish-authorities/

34-“İstanbul’s Former Governor Mutlu Sentenced To 3 Years In Prison Over Gülen Links”
https://stockholmcf.org/istanbuls-former-governor-mutlu-sentenced-to-3-years-in-prison-over-gulen-links/

35-“Female Journalists Say Turkish Police Beat Them, Threatened Rape During Raid”
https://stockholmcf.org/female-journalists-say-turkish-police-beat-them-threatened-rape-during-raid/

36-“Religious Group Leader Critical Of Turkish Government Put In Pretrial Detention”
https://stockholmcf.org/religious-group-leader-critical-of-turkish-government-put-in-pretrial-detention/

37-“No Freedom Of Speech In Turkey Even For The Robots”
https://stockholmcf.org/no-freedom-of-speech-in-turkey-even-for-the-robots/

38-“European Parliament Strongly Condemns Human Rights Violations In Turkey”
https://stockholmcf.org/european-parliament-strongly-condemns-human-rights-violations-in-turkey/

39-“Turkish Gov’t Detains Dozens, Including Former Top Judiciary Official, Over Alleged Links To Gülen Movement”
https://stockholmcf.org/turkish-govt-detains-dozens-including-former-top-judiciary-official-over-alleged-links-to-gulen-movement/

40-“Only 1 released in trial of jailed journalists facing coup charges”
https://www.turkishminute.com/2018/02/06/only-1-released-in-trial-of-jailed-journalists-facing-coup-charges/

Türkiye tarafından işlenenen İnsan Hakları İhlalleri | 2/5/2018-2/12/2018

1-“Cezaevlerinde taciz edilen de var, banyosuna kamera yerleştirilen de”
http://aktifhaber.com/iskence/cezaevlerinde-taciz-edilen-de-var-banyosuna-kamera-yerlestirilen-de-h111981.html

2-“AKP rejimi tutuklu ‘Verem’ hastasına raporlara rağmen ilaç vermiyor”
http://aktifhaber.com/iskence/akp-rejimi-tutuklu-verem-hastasina-raporlara-ragmen-ilac-vermiyor-h111909.html

3-“Ümit Horzum ve diğer kaçırılanlara ne oldu?”
http://aktifhaber.com/iskence/umit-horzum-ve-diger-kacirilanlara-ne-oldu-h111887.html

4-“UNICEF: 2018’in ilk ayında Suriye’de en az 60 çocuk öldürüldü”
http://aktifhaber.com/iskence/unicef-2018in-ilk-ayinda-suriyede-en-az-60-cocuk-olduruldu-h111795.html

5-“AİHM’den Cizre savunması talebine AKP yönetiminden skandal cevap!”
http://aktifhaber.com/iskence/aihmden-cizre-savunmasi-talebine-akp-yonetiminden-skandal-cevap-h111772.html

6-“TEM’de bebekler ve anneler çok kötü şartlarda gözaltında tutuluyor”
http://aktifhaber.com/iskence/temde-bebekler-ve-anneler-cok-kotu-sartlarda-gozaltinda-tutuluyor-h111732.html

7-“Hak ihlalleri son 13 yılda yüzde 571 arttı”
http://aktifhaber.com/gundem/hak-ihlalleri-son-13-yilda-yuzde-571-artti-h112049.html

8-“AYM, Avukata ceza veren mahkemenin hak ihlalinde bulunduğunu açıkladı”
http://aktifhaber.com/gundem/aym-avukata-ceza-veren-mahkemenin-hak-ihlalinde-bulundugunu-acikladi-h112013.html

9-“Cep telefonunda Gülen’in videolarını izlediği gerekçesiyle gözaltı”
http://aktifhaber.com/gundem/cep-telefonunda-gulenin-videolarini-izledigi-gerekcesiyle-gozalti-h112008.html

10-“Tutuklu kadın gazeteci Hanım Büşra Erdal için destek mektubu var”
http://aktifhaber.com/gundem/tutuklu-kadin-gazeteci-hanim-busra-erdal-icin-destek-mektubu-var-h112002.html

11-“Erdoğan rejiminin yatırımları: 140 yeni hapishane yapılıyor”
http://aktifhaber.com/gundem/erdogan-rejiminin-yatirimlari-140-yeni-hapishane-yapiliyor-h111927.html

12-“Skandal karar! Polis genç kadına tecavüz etti mahkeme beraat kararı verdi”
http://aktifhaber.com/gundem/skandal-karar-polis-genc-kadina-tecavuz-etti-mahkeme-beraat-karari-verdi-h111917.html

13-“Alparslan Kuytul, adliyeye sevk edildi; binlerce gönüllü bekliyor”
http://aktifhaber.com/gundem/alparslan-kuytul-adliyeye-sevk-edildi-binlerce-gonullu-bekliyor-h111901.html

14-“Erdoğan’a hakaretten üniversite öğrencisi tutuklandı”
http://aktifhaber.com/gundem/erdogana-hakaretten-universite-ogrencisi-tutuklandi-h111875.html

15-“Oxfam açıkladı: Binlerce kişi sınırda mahsur kaldı, ÖSO haraç alıyor”
http://aktifhaber.com/gundem/oxfam-acikladi-binlerce-kisi-sinirda-mahsur-kaldi-oso-harac-aliyor-h111789.html

16-“AKP rejimi Furkan Vakfı’nın temsilciliklerini bir gecede mühürledi!”
http://aktifhaber.com/gundem/akp-rejimi-furkan-vakfinin-temsilciliklerini-bir-gecede-muhurledi-h111784.html

17-“Alperen Ocakları’nın LGBTİ’leri tehdidi ‘ifade özgürlüğü’ sayıldı”
http://www.kronos.news/tr/alperen-ocaklarinin-lgbtileri-tehdidi-ifade-ozgurlugu-sayildi/

18-“Çocuk tacizcisi polise 40 yıl hapis cezası”
http://www.kronos.news/tr/cocuk-tacizcisi-polise-40-yil-hapis-cezasi/

19-“Cezaevlerinde hak ihlalleri raporu: Ters kelepçe, cinsel taciz…”
http://www.kronos.news/tr/cezaevlerinde-hak-ihlalleri-raporu-ters-kelepce-cinsel-taciz/

20-“Cemaat’ten 40 bin, PKK’dan 10 bin, IŞİD’den bin kişi içerde”
http://aktifhaber.com/gundem/cezaevinde-kalamaz-raporuna-karsin-tahliye-edilmeyen-mahkum-yasamini-yitirdi-h111653.html

21-“NASA çalışanı ABD vatandaşı Serkan Gölge’ye 8 yıl hapis cezası”
http://www.kronos.news/tr/nasa-calisani-abd-vatandasi-golgeye-8-yil-hapis-cezasi/

22-“‘Afrin’de tüm hastaneler dolu, ilaçlar tükenmek üzere’”
http://www.kronos.news/tr/afrinde-tum-hastaneler-dolu-ilaclar-tukenmek-uzere/

23-“Firari Hukuk Fakültesi Dekanı Prof. Şen yakalandı, tutuklandı”
http://www.kronos.news/tr/firari-hukuk-fakultesi-dekani-prof-sen-yakalandi-tutuklandi/

24-“Cumhuriyet çalışanlarını ‘katletmek’ mübah mıdır?”
http://www.diken.com.tr/cumhuriyet-calisanlarini-katletmek-mubah-midir/

25-“Oxford’da öğretim üyeliği: Murat Belge ‘Risk Altındaki Akademisyenler Konseyi’ne başvurdu”
http://www.diken.com.tr/oxfordda-ogretim-uyeligi-murat-belge-risk-altindaki-akademisyenler-konseyine-basvurdu/

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Turkish government’s ‘Global Purge’ targeted opponents in at least 46 countries

Turkish government has pursued an aggressive policy to silence its perceived enemies in at least 46 countries across four continents, as part of its post-coup crackdown, a Foreign Affairs article noted Monday. The Turkish government has been hunting its opponents abroad, particularly the supporters of the Gulen movement since before and after the failed putsch on July 15, 2016, the article said adding that government’s alleged enemies were targeted at least in 46 countries.

Elaborating on the purge abroad, the magazine said: “Ankara has revoked thousands of passports, and achieved the arrest, deportation, or rendition of hundreds of Turkish citizens from at least 16 countries, including many who were under UN protection as asylum seekers. It has successfully pressured at least 20 countries to close or transfer to new owners dozens, perhaps hundreds, of Gulen movement schools.”

Turkish government accuses the movement of masterminding the 2016 failed coup while the latter denies involvement. More than 150,000 has passed through police custody while over a one-third of those were remanded in prison over Gulen links in Turkey. More than 3,000 schools, dormitories, and universities were shuttered while over 1,000 companies were seized at home.

While the article presents an in-depth insight into the chronological relations between the movement and Turkey’s governments in the recent history, it says the President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s government labeled the group as a terrorist organization before waging an all-out war against it.

Deportations

“Since the failed coup attempt, Turkey has exerted diplomatic pressure on various governments to arrest or deport hundreds of individuals from around the world. By my count, 15 countries have arrested or deported various representatives of the movement, ranging from supposed financiers to schoolteachers. Those countries include Angola, Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Bulgaria, Georgia, Indonesia, Kazakhstan, Malaysia, Morocco, Myanmar, Pakistan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Sudan, and Turkmenistan. …In at least three cases—Kazakhstan, Myanmar, and Sudan—individuals appear to have been turned over to Turkey without judicial proceedings, perhaps through the operation of a special National Intelligence Organization unit that Turkey’s state news agency says was established to track down “high-value” Gulenists. There have also been multiple cases in which those deported were apparently seeking asylum and thus had protected status at the time they were sent to Turkey: news reports say this was the case in Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Bulgaria, Malaysia, and Pakistan. Bulgarian Prime Minister Boyko Borissov admitted that the August 2016 deportation of a software engineer who had applied for asylum before the coup attempt was “on the edge of the law.” In other cases, like in Angola, Pakistan, and Qatar, there were mass deportations following the closure of Gulen schools.”

Also, pro-government commentators, such as Cem Kucuk, have talked casually about how MIT should kill members of the Gulen movement abroad, the magazine reported.

Closure of schools abroad

“The movement’s schools are under extreme pressure in the global purge,” the article highlighted before detailing the pressure on Gulenists’ overseas facilities: “Since its falling-out with the Gulenist movement in 2013, the government has been pressing other countries to shutter the schools. The Gambia closed its Gulen schools in April 2014. Turkey’s close ally Azerbaijan followed soon thereafter and Tajikistan shut down its Gulen schools in 2015. But elsewhere in the world, these schools largely remained open until the coup attempt of July 2016, after which Turkey increased the pressure. The results were quick. Schools were almost immediately closed in Jordan, Libya, and Somalia. Angola, Ethiopia, Madagascar, Morocco, and Tanzania followed suit in early 2017. Before the year was out, Afghanistan, Chad, Georgia, Mali, Nigeria, Rwanda, Sudan, and Tunisia had all closed or transferred schools.

Pressure extends beyond Gulenists

Not only the supporters of the movement have been targeted, the article said, adding that all alleged government enemies within and outside Turkey were affected.

“In fact, 31 percent of all those arrested in government operations under the state of emergency, which has been in place since October 2016, were associated with Kurdish or leftist groups, according to official figures compiled by iHop, a Turkish human rights monitoring group. Nearly 400 academics who signed a petition before the coup attempt calling for peace between the state and the PKK in January 2016 have also been fired, and some have left Turkey or remained abroad. Others who have been convicted or charged while outside the country now fear traveling because of the threat of detention due to Interpol notices.”

“The global purge has also touched Interpol. In December, the AP reported that Interpol representatives were examining up to 40,000 extradition requests, some perhaps from Turkey, for possible political abuse. The report came after a number of high-profile cases involving Turks abroad, including Dogan Akhanli, a left-wing writer with dual German and Turkish citizenship who was arrested and forced to remain in Spain for two months while Spanish authorities assessed Turkey’s extradition request.”

Sources:
https://turkeypurge.com/report-turkish-governments-global-purge-targeted-opponents-least-46-countries
https://www.foreignaffairs.com/articles/turkey/2018-01-29/remarkable-scale-turkeys-global-purge?cid=int-fls&pgtype=hpg

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