After Yearlong Struggle, Turkey’s Crackdown Reaches Afghan Schools
Turkey’s global purge and the crackdown on Gulen-affiliated schools never show signs of abating. The latest attempt took place in Afghanistan on Sunday, with all the hallmarks of previous ones already displayed in various times in Turkey or other countries.
Early on Sunday, officials linked with Turkey’s state-run Maarif Foundation took control of two schools in Herat province of Afghanistan. In a submission to unyielding demands from Ankara, the Afghan Education Ministry already relinquished the control of a number of private Afghan-Turkish schools affiliated with the Gulen Movement to Ankara-backed Maarif Foundation earlier this year.
The decision set off a yearlong showdown between new officials and the families of students who were adamantly opposed to any takeover of the schools by Ankara.
Previous attempts to run schools hit a snag after families’ unflinching and stubborn resistance. But this Sunday, Maarif-linked officials came to the school, touching off a new episode of clashes between families and the Afghan authorities.
While Turkey’s efforts to seize Gulen-affiliated schools across the world mostly took place without much fuss, things in Afghanistan developed differently as families vowed to fight against the seizure as long as possible within their capacity.
The Sunday takeover resulted in a number of brief detentions, local media reported. Police and security forces laid a siege to all-girls and all-boys schools in Herat. A Turkish official working for
Afghan-Turkish school network divulged details of how the events transpired in schools with media.
Police blocked access to schools, assembled students to a gathering point and seized their cellphones to restrict diffusion of the news throughout media. They detained some teachers and students who attempted to resist those attempts.
When news of the crackdown filtered through social media and the local community, parents of students began to amass outside schools. The committee of student families was summoned by the provincial education bureau of the Afghan government in Herat for consultations and briefing. An official who talked to AST on the condition of anonymity claimed that the summoning served as a distraction as Afghan authorities descended on one of the schools’ principal office at the same time to finalize the management change.
They even held a symbolic ceremony for the commencement of new administrators. When police and security forces left the school, graduates, students and a group of families forced the newly installed Maarif officials out of the school after a brief scuffle.
Maarif directors took refuge in armed vehicles of Afghan security forces outside one of the schools. A melee followed thereafter as graduated schools displayed their fury against the takeover of the school.
This invited a large force of reinforcements as top education official in Herat sought new forces to break up the protest and suppress the resistance by families. The deployment of additional police forces within school sparked some clashes. The police forcefully detained many students.
As things escalated into some violent showdown, more than 400 people assembled outside the school to demand the release of detained students.
So far now, no Turkish teachers were taken into custody, something that always occurred in other countries where such school takeovers took place.
In first official remarks on the incident, Herat Governor’s Spokesman Jelani Farhad confirmed that security forces carried out a court order against Gulen-linked schools. He also acknowledged that the raid was conducted to change the school director.
But the official denied any wrongdoing and insisted that the whole takeover took place as part of an official agreement between the governments Afghanistan and Turkey.
Afghan-Turk Cag Educational (ATCE), an NGO that previously ran the schools, condemned the police raid, portraying it as a move incompatible with civil law, constitution, the criminal code of the country, not to speak of international norms.
Turkey’s yearlong efforts were repeatedly foiled by a group of determinant families. The attitude displayed by student parents and NGOs defending education rights of the Afghan people offer some form of a solace in a country where civil society barely exists. In a repudiation of the perception that civil society is just a letter on paper, devoid of any substance, in Afghanistan, the families pledged to prolong their fight against Maarif’s brazen takeover.
A large-scale demonstration is expected to take place on Monday. Afghanistan, which goes through a decades-long war between Western-backed government forces and a resurgent Taliban, suffers a shortage of teachers and education facilities. In the face of depleted sources and tremendous hardships, the last thing Kabul needs is to alienate a group of volunteers and NGOs which, for their unswerving commitment to Afghan people, did not leave the country even in the face of a protracted and deadly war. Kabul should return the favor by ignoring Turkey’s norm-defying demand for the takeover of the schools, which have become beacons of success and advanced education.
We urge everyone to take action. Express your views or send attached letter or your own letter to following addresses:
You can find a sample letter at the following link.
You can find your U.S Senator at the following link.
https://www.senate.gov/general/contact_information/senators_cfm.cfm
You can find your U.S Representatives at the link.
https://www.house.gov/representatives
1) Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe, U.S. Helsinki Commission
Phone: 202-225-1901
Fax: 202-226-4199
Email: [email protected]
Twitter: @HelsinkiComm
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/helsinkicommission/
Chairman: Senator Roger F. Wicker
Address and Contact:
555 Dirksen 555 Senate Office Building, Washington, DC 20510
Main: (202) 224-6253 |Fax: (202) 228-0378 | Twitter: @SenatorWicker
Email: [email protected]
Co-Chairman: Representative Christopher H. Smith
Washington DC Office: 2373 Rayburn House Office Building Washington, D.C. 20515
Phone: (202) 225-3765 | Fax: (202) 225-7768 | Twitter: @RepChrisSmith
https://chrissmith.house.gov/contact/zipauth.htm
2) Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission
Phone: +1 (202) 225-3599
Fax: +1 (202) 226-5887
Email: [email protected]
Twitter: @TLHumanRights
3) Congressional Afghan Caucus
Phone: +1 (202) 225-2411
Fax: +1 (202) 225-2013
Federal Caucus Member: Pete King, [email protected],
Federal Caucus Member: Bill Pascrell, [email protected]
4) United Nations Human Rights Council (UN HRC)
Phone: (+41) 22 917 9656
Email: [email protected]
Twitter: @UN_HRC
Website: www.ohchr.org/hrc
5) U.S. Department of State
Phone: (202) 647-6575
Email: https://register.state.gov/contactus/contactusform
Twitter: @StateDept
Website: https://www.state.gov/
6) Mike Pence, Vice President of the United States
Phone: 202-456-6213
Email: [email protected]
Twitter: @VP
7) Senator Cory Booker
Phone: (202) 224-3224
Fax: (202) 224-8378
Email: https://www.booker.senate.gov/?p=contact
Twitter:@SenBooker
AFGHANISTAN
1) President Ashraf Ghani
Twitter: @ashrafghani
Phone: 0202104444,
0202104445
Hamdullah Mohib, National Security Advisor (Former Afghanistan’s Ambassador to the United
States)
Twitter: @hmohib
2) Shah Hussain Murtazawi,
Acting Spokesperson for President’s Office
Phone: +93 (0) 728 998 907
Email: [email protected]
3) Salahuddin Rabbani. Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan
Address: Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Afghanistan,
Malek Asghar St. Kabul, Afghanistan
Phone: 0093 (0) 20 2100372,
0093 (0) 20 2100371
Email: [email protected]
Twitter: @mfa_afghanistan http://mfa.gov.af/en/form/contactus
4) Hamdullah Mohib, Afghanistan’s Ambassador to the United States
Address: Embassy of Afghanistan, 2341 Wyoming Ave., NW, Washington, DC 20008 Phone:
202-483-6410
Fax: 202-483-6488
[email protected]
5) Mahmoud SAIKAL, Ambassador and Permanent Representative Permanent Mission of
The Islamic Republic of Afghanistan in New York Address: 633 Third Avenue Floor 27A, New York,
NY 10017
Phone: 212-972 1212
Fax: 212-972 1216
@AfghanMissionUN
[email protected]
6) U.S. Embassy Kabul
Phone: (00 93) (0)700-10-8000
Fax: (00 93) (0)700-108-564 @USEmbassyKabul
[email protected]
7) DR. ABDULLAH ABDULLAH(CEO)
Special Assistant Ahmet Zahit Anwari
0093700291626
0093202106803
[email protected]
[email protected]
8) Chief of Staff Abdul Kahar Abed
0093744200000
0093700281980
[email protected]
9) Spoke person
Dr. Mucibur Rahman Rahimi
PH: 0093702103333
[email protected]
10) Ministry of Foreign Affairs
0093202100372
0093202100371
[email protected]
Social media posts on the raid:
"I am trying to tell the securty forces that these doings are the wrong,here is not the mountain,here is the school.but I can't find any responder. Police forces are wildly walking up to our children, to us the parents. What is this! We are so pleasant to the school. pic.twitter.com/nrpktwUSWJ
— Advocates of Silenced Turkey (@silencedturkey) November 11, 2018
#Erdogan's long arms still operate in weak countries like Afghanistan. We call the international community not to allow Afghan-Turk schools to be politicized by Turkish Government. @hrw @AfghanEmbassyDC @AlonBenMeir #DoNotPoliticizeAfghanSchools
— Advocates of Silenced Turkey (@silencedturkey) November 11, 2018
Afghan Turk School (NGO) affiliated with Gulen Movement which is in the city of Herat Afghanistan was raided by security forces illegally and was transferred mafia-like style to Maarif Foundation of Turkey for Erdogans interest @amnesty #DoNotPoliticizeAfghanSchools pic.twitter.com/g4wXRA2oPu
— Advocates of Silenced Turkey (@silencedturkey) November 11, 2018
Students: "We are the Afghan -Turks. We are protecting our school. Damn with the betrayers" @HelsinkiComm #DoNotPoliticizeAfghanSchools pic.twitter.com/qrtBvz7yXV
— Advocates of Silenced Turkey (@silencedturkey) November 11, 2018
Shouting: "they are students. don't touch them don't beat them,please they are just children, don't strike the students" @UNHumanRights Erdogans long arms in Afghanistan. #DoNotPoliticizeAfghanSchools pic.twitter.com/4IrK0qte69
— Advocates of Silenced Turkey (@silencedturkey) November 11, 2018
HASHTAG
#DoNotPoliticizeAfghanSchools
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SEND A LETTER | PURGED PUBLIC WORKERS
PURGED BEYOND RETURNS
SEND A LETTER to COUNCIL OF EUROPE, VENICE COMMISSION & MEMBER OF CABINET
“On the evening of 15 July 2016, elements within Turkey’s armed forces attempted a violent coup. The coup attempt was quickly thwarted as thousands of people took to the streets and state forces overpowered the coup plotters. Hundreds died, and thousands were injured in a night of terrible violence. The government declared a state of emergency soon afterwards on 20 July 2016 with the stated aim of countering threats to national security arising from the coup attempt. While the state of emergency was initially declared for three months, it would be renewed seven times, and its remit broadened to include combatting ‘terrorist’ organizations. The state of emergency finally ended on 18 July 2018, two years after it was first announced, having ushered in a period of tremendous upheaval in Turkish public life.
During the state of emergency, the government had the extraordinary power to issue emergency decrees with the force of law. These decrees were used to enact a wide variety of measures, affecting diverse issues from detention periods and NGO closures to snow tyre requirements. Around 130,000 public sector workers were dismissed by emergency decrees. Those dismissed include teachers, academics, doctors, police officers, media workers employed by the state broadcaster, members of the armed forces, as well as people working at all levels of local and central government. Their dismissals did not include specific evidence or details of their alleged wrongdoing. Instead, the decrees offered a generalized justification that they ‘…had links to, were part of, were connected to, or in communication with…’ proscribed groups.
The arbitrary dismissals have had a devastating impact on those who lost their jobs and their families. They did not only lose the jobs they occupied; in some cases, they were entirely cut off from access to their professions, as well as housing and healthcare benefits, leaving them and their families without livelihood opportunities.
For a long time, these dismissed public sector workers did not have any recourse against their dismissal as they had no access to ordinary administrative or legal channels in Turkey. Following considerable domestic and international pressure, the government passed an emergency decree in January 2017 setting up a ‘State of Emergency Inquiry Commission’ (hereinafter referred to as ‘the Commission’) to review decisions taken by the emergency decrees, including the appeals of purged public sector workers. Amnesty International research, which involved a review of procedures and a sample of decisions taken by this Commission and interviews with dismissed individuals and their families, reveals that the Commission – by its very design – is not set up to provide an effective remedy to the thousands of public sector workers dismissed from their jobs by emergency decrees. The combination of factors – including the lack of genuine institutional independence, lengthy review procedures, absence of necessary safeguards allowing individuals to effectively rebut allegations about their alleged illegal activity and weak evidence cited in decisions upholding dismissals – resulted in the failure of the Commission to provide a recourse against dismissals, leaving more than a hundred thousand individuals – their livelihoods on hold – without a timely and effective means of justice and reparation. The Commission does not have institutional independence from the government as its members are largely appointed by the government and may be dismissed simply by virtue of an ‘administrative investigation’ on the basis of suspicion of links to proscribed groups. Thus, the provisions for
appointments and dismissals could easily influence the decision-making process; should members fail to make decisions expected of them, the government can just as easily dispense with them.”
Purged Beyond Return Report by AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL, pp. 4-5, October 2018.
SEND A LETTER AS A DISMISSED PUBLIC WORKER OR DEFENDER
The Commission of Europe invited OHAL commission to Strasbourg in November about their political decisions and the violation of rights of the dismissed 130,000 public workers. We urge the dismissed public workers or their defenders to write letters to the commission, member of the parliament, President of the Council of EU and Secretary of Venice Commission:
In order to comply with the human rights standards that they profess to uphold, Turkish authorities should reinstate all the dismissed public sector workers and, in any cases where individuals are reasonably suspected of wrongdoing or misconduct in their employment, or of a criminal offense, any decision on their dismissal should be made solely in a regular disciplinary process with full procedural safeguards.
3 SAMPLE LETTERS FOR PUBLIC WORKERS
Below are the sample letters created for a dismissed teacher, doctor and public worker. Do not forget to include your own story by changing the related parts.
You can download TEACHERS SAMPLE LETTER here…
https://silencedturkey.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/Teacher_sample_letter.pdf
You can download DOCTORS SAMPLE LETTER here…
https://silencedturkey.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/Doctors_sample_letter.pdf
You can download PUBLIC WORKER SAMPLE LETTER here…
https://silencedturkey.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/public_servants_Sample_letter.pdf
CONTACT INFORMATION TO SEND YOUR LETTER.
1) PRESIDENT OF EUROPEAN COUNCIL
Donald TUSK
https://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/contact/general-enquiries/send-message/?IsPresident=true
2) PRESS OFFICE
[email protected]
3) PRESS CENTER
[email protected]
[email protected]
4) SECRETARY OF VENICE COMMISSION
Thomas Markert
[email protected]
4) RIAA OOMEN
Chairperson of the Committee on Political Affairs and Democracy: Bureau of the Assembly
[email protected]
5) BERNARD BRUNET
Bernard Brunet is currently Head of Unit “Thematic Support, Monitoring, and Evaluation” in the
European Commission (DG Neighbourhood and Enlargement
[email protected]
6) JOHANNES NOACK
Member of Cabinet
[email protected]
7) MEMBERS OF COMMITTEE on Political Affairs and Democracy
http://www.assembly.coe.int/nw/xml/AssemblyList/AL-XML2HTML-EN.asp?lang=en&XmlID=Committee-Pol
8) TWITTER
—-VENICE COMMISSION—-
@venicecomm
—-EUROPEAN COUNCIL—-
@EUCouncil
“PURGED BEYOND RETURN” 28 pages report released by Amnesty International about the
130,000 dismissed public workers in Turkey. You can reach the report from the link;
https://www.amnesty.org/en/documents/eur44/9210/2018/en/
NEED HELP?
If you need help to translate your story, AST volunteers in your local community will help you.
If you could not find an AST volunteer for the translation of your letter from Turkish to English to submit, you can send the Turkish letter to [email protected] until November 15. We will try to do our best to translate your letter by our volunteers and empower you to submit your letter to the relevant commissions and officials in Europe
Imagine you suddenly lost your job.
No one told you why.
You tried to file a complaint, but it didn’t help.This is the reality for tens of thousands of public sector workers in #Turkey, who are being #PurgedBeyondReturn. Read more in our report. https://t.co/8f3q6S7vJn
— Amnesty International (@amnesty) October 25, 2018
130.000’e yakın kamu çalışanın keyfi olarak ihraç edilmeleri üzerinden 2 yıl geçti. Bugün yayımladığımız “Dönüşü Olmayan İhraçlar” yaşamları mahvedilen binlerce ihraç edilmiş kamu sektörü çalışanı için hala adaletin sağlanmadığını ortaya koyuyor. https://t.co/HWbncpKqRV
— Amnesty Turkey (@aforgutu) October 25, 2018
New #Amnesty report on #Turkey Almost 130,000 arbitrarily dismissed public sector workers are failed by Commission set up to handle their appeals. Turkish authorities should reinstate all the dismissed public sector workers. #PurgedBeyondReturn pic.twitter.com/FQ6dxtfICT
— Human Rights Turkey (@HumanRightsTR) October 25, 2018
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WARNING AGAINST SENIOR TURKISH AIDE’S ABDUCTION THREATS IN US
On September 25, 2018 Erdogan’s Long Arms Aiming to Reach US Territory
Turkey Seeks to Target Erdogan Opponents on US Soil
Turkey’s long-running campaign to target and capture political opponents of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan living abroad has taken a new turn after his spokesman threatened to conduct operations in the U.S., similar to the ones which took place in Moldova, Ukraine, Kosovo, Malaysia, Gabon and a number of other countries.
Ankara’s indulgence in risky and bold operations, in clear disregard and violation of international norms, have already aroused controversy and a state of tension with its allies and the countries where such kidnappings or captures occurred. As recently as in September, the Turkish National Intelligence Organization (MIT) snatched a group of Turkish teachers critical of the Erdogan government from Moldova after collaboration with the local security agency.
Almost all incidents, without an exception, have stirred political controversy and intense partisan bickering among political parties within countries where Ankara’s long arms involved in controversial security operations to target opponents, mostly affiliated with Gulen Movement, a banned civil society group in Turkey.
Turkey’s assertive and robust push to get Gulen-linked people shows no signs of receding. And after Ibrahim Kalin, President Erdogan’s spokesman, stepped in to declare that Turkey may conduct similar operations on the U.S. soil as well, things would stumble into an uncharted territory and would inject a new layer of uncertainty into an already perilous and tense relationship between the two NATO allies.
Speaking to reporters in Ankara in late September, Kalin vowed that the Turkish government would never relent its campaign against Gulen people. “They will feel Turkey breathing down their neck,” he said.
He went on to say: “Relevant units and institutions will continue their operations in countries where Gulen Movement operates, whether in the U.S. or another country. The Turkish Republic will not let them rest.”
Turkey’s authorities describe the Gulen Movement as a terrorist organization and ascribe the blame for the abortive 2016 coup to the movement, without offering a convincing evidence.
The presence of Fethullah Gulen, the inspired leader of the movement, in the U.S. territory remains a lasting source of friction between Ankara and Washington. Turkey’s numerous attempts and endless demands for the extradition of Gulen from the U.S. have yielded no result so far today. Although Ankara sent countless boxes of documents and dossiers supposedly containing evidence to Washington, the U.S. authorities did not budge their position.
The U.S. officials say Turkey has yet to offer tangible evidence linking Gulen to the coup.
While Turkey’s relentless pursuit of Gulen people in countries with weak rule of law and corrupt governments is a well-known phenomenon, the hint from a senior aide to Erdogan about a potential attempt to snatch people linked with the movement from the U.S. soil is a first of its kind.
This evidently illustrates the zeal and ambition of the Turkish government to get their opponents from anywhere else with little regard for diplomatic ramifications. It also clearly reveals that Ankara, otherwise unanimously and collectively condemned and pressured by its Western allies, would never abate its operations to target Gulen people, even in the U.S.
Kalin’s threat comes on the heels of an ongoing dispute regarding the continuing imprisonment of a U.S. pastor in Turkey. Erdogan already unveiled his plan for a potential prisoner swap to get Gulen back to Turkey in exchange of Pastor Andrew Brunson. But his proposal was bluntly rebuffed by the U.S. officials in 2017.
Kalin’s remarks appear as no mere speculation or wishful thinking. Rather, his statement points to the existence of determination and a certain course of policy on behalf of the Turkish government to haunt Gulen sympathizers in the U.S.
In 2017, the U.S. prosecutors revealed a scheme involving Michael Flynn, former National Security Advisor of President Donald J. Trump, to spirit Gulen away from the U.S. territory. Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu, former Energy Minister Berat Albayrak, Turkish envoy to the U.S. and a former CIA chief were also present during the discussion of a plan to smuggle Gulen. Flynn also lobbied on behalf of Ankara for the extradition of Gulen.
Against this backdrop, Kalin’s threatening remarks have taken a special meaning and context. The Turkish government has already expertly versed in the business of overseas operations to capture Erdogan’s opponents. The U.S. authorities should keep an eye on this possibility and would remain alarmed in the face of threats for conducting similar operations on the U.S. soil.
We write you to emphasize our great concern about such threats and urge the U.S. authorities to seek clarification from the Turkish administration over Kalin’s threatening remarks. In this respect, the State Department may summon the Turkish Ambassador to the U.S. to demand further elaboration and elucidation of Kalin’s remarks.
Separately, we request from the U.S. law enforcement agencies to pay extra attention to the situation and keep a closer eye on any suspicious moves or acts of pro-Erdogan Turks living in the U.S. with regard to the security and wellbeing of Gulen Movement sympathizers across the U.S.
Download this statement as a word document:
https://silencedturkey.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/Warning-Against-Senior-Turkish-Aide’s-Abduction-Threats-in-US.docx
We request from the U.S. authorities to pay extra attention to this situation in the U.S. with regard to the security and wellbeing of Gulen Movement sympathizers across the U.S.
Download the sample letter for your local authorities as a word document:
https://silencedturkey.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/Senator-Letter.docx
You can find your U.S Senator from the link below.
https://www.senate.gov/general/contact_information/senators_cfm.cfm
You can find your U.S Representatives from the link below.
https://www.house.gov/representatives
We also request from the U.S. law enforcement agencies to pay extra attention to the situation and keep a closer eye on any suspicious moves or acts of pro-Erdogan Turks living in the U.S. with regard to the security and wellbeing of Gulen Movement sympathizers across the U.S.
Download the sample letter for your local Law Enforcement authorities as a word document:
https://silencedturkey.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/To-Law-Enforcement-Officials.docx
We urge everyone to take action. Express your views or send attached statement to following addresses:
1)Turkish Embassy in Washington, D.C.
Phone: +1 (202) 612-6700
Email: [email protected]
Twitter: @TurkishEmbassy
Website: http://washington.emb.mfa.gov.tr/Mission
2) United Nations Human Rights Council (UN HRC)
Phone: (+41) 22 917 9656
Email: [email protected]
Twitter: @UN_HRC
Website: www.ohchr.org/hrc
3) U.S. Department of State
Phone: (202) 647-6575
Email: https://register.state.gov/contactus/contactusform
Twitter: @StateDept
Website: https://www.state.gov/
4) Mike Pence, Vice President of the United States
Phone: 202-456-6213
Email: [email protected]
Twitter: @VP
5) Senator Cory Booker
Phone: (202) 224-3224
Fax: (202) 224-8378
Email: https://www.booker.senate.gov/?p=contact
Twitter:@SenBooker
6)Human Rights Watch U.S.
Phone: +1-212-290-4700
Email: [email protected]
Website: https://www.hrw.org/united-states
7) Dana Tyrone Rohrabacher, House of Representatives
Phone: (202) 225-2415
Twitter: @RepRohrabacher, @DanaRohrabacher
Email: https://rohrabacher.house.gov/contact
News articles on the raid:
https://dailycaller.com/2018/09/24/erdogan-operations-america/
Ibrahim Kalin’s threatening video
Ibrahim Kalin’s threatening video
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Urgent action about detainments of six Turkish educationists in Moldova
On September 6, 2018 six Turkish nationals in Moldova were detained. SIS agents of Moldova conducted the detainment of Vice Director and five educationists in Orizont Moldovan-Turkish Educational Institutions early hours in the morning. The detainees’ names were affirmed as Riza Dogan, Hasan Karacaoglu, Yasin Ozdil, Mujdat Celebi, Huseyin Bayraktar and Feridun Tufekci. The wife of Hasan Karacaoglu, the Vice director, stated that they have been living in Moldova for 20 years. Except Huseyin Bayraktar, five of the detainees are asylum seekers who are supposed to be granted by the end of September.
Additionally; the director of Orizont Schools, Turgay Sen, was detained without
any explanation in March 2018 and released in April after applying for asylum.
It is internationally known that Turkish government tracks the Gulen followers or sympathizers who have been targeted oppressively since the failed coup attempt. Abductions, detainments and deportations take place in such countries where rule of law and democracy are not applied. And Turkish government urges those countries to implement these illegal actions. Given the recent abduction cases in different countries such as Mongolia, Kosovo, Ukraine, Malaysia, Kirghizistan, Pakistan and also threats of deportation to Turkey where a fair trial is not likely nowadays and there is fear of torture; an urgent action to release these people and to provide protection for them is extremely vital.
As reported by families of detainees and local media resources, the lawyers are not allowed to communicate with them. Amnesty International Moldova Director Cristina Pereteatcu stated that a possible deportation would be taken into consideration. It was also reported that the operation was conducted by SIS Antiterror agents which means judicial authorities are not involved in the case. Whereabouts of detainees is still unknown. The Minister of Justice stated that Moldova could be exposed to penalty by ECHR because of the detainment and possible deportation of Turkish educationists.
We write you today to emphasize our great concern about the detainment and prospective extradition of these six educationists and also to request to take urgent action from the Government of Moldova to release and provide protection of human rights of them along with all other Hizmet movement affiliated people.
Sincerely,
Download sample statement as a word document:
https://silencedturkey.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/Moldova-case.docx
Download AST statement signed by AST spokesperson Hafsa Yildiz as a pdf document:
https://silencedturkey.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/Moldova-case.pdf
Download Letter of the European Parliament Members as a pdf document:
https://silencedturkey.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/letter-for-co-signature-Turkish-teachers-deported.pdf
Download Letter of the Arrested Lawyers Initiative as a pdf document:
https://silencedturkey.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/LETTER.pdf
Download Letter of the London Advocacy Group as a word document:
https://silencedturkey.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/Turkish-regime-continues-with-the-witch-hunt-in-Moldova.docx
We urge everyone to take action. Express your views or send attached statement to following addresses:
1) Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe, U.S. Helsinki Commission
Phone: 202-225-1901
Fax: 202-226-4199
Email: [email protected]
Twitter: @HelsinkiComm
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/helsinkicommission/
Chairman: Senator Roger F. Wicker
Address and Contact:
555 Dirksen 555 Senate Office Building, Washington, DC 20510
Main: (202) 224-6253 |Fax: (202) 228-0378 | Twitter: @SenatorWicker
Email: [email protected]
Co-Chairman: Representative Christopher H. Smith
Washington DC Office: 2373 Rayburn House Office Building Washington, D.C. 20515
Phone: (202) 225-3765 | Fax: (202) 225-7768 | Twitter: @RepChrisSmith
https://chrissmith.house.gov/contact/zipauth.htm
2) Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission
Phone: +1 (202) 225-3599
Fax: +1 (202) 226-5887
Email: [email protected]
Twitter: @TLHumanRights
3) United Nations Human Rights Council (UN HRC)
Phone: (+41) 22 917 9656
Email: [email protected]
Twitter: @UN_HRC
Website: www.ohchr.org/hrc
4) The European Court of Human Rights Council of Europe
F-67075 Strasbourg cedex
Phone: +33 (0)3 88 41 20 18
Fax: +33 (0)3 88 41 27 30
Mr. Günter SCHIRMER
Head of the Secretariat
Phone: +33/3 88.41.2809
Email: [email protected]
5) U.S. Department of State
Phone: (202) 647-6575
Email: https://register.state.gov/contactus/contactusform
Twitter: @StateDept
Website: https://www.state.gov/
6) Mike Pence, Vice President of the United States
Phone: 202-456-6213
Email: [email protected]
Twitter: @VP
7) Senator Cory Booker
Phone: (202) 224-3224
Fax: (202) 224-8378
Email: https://www.booker.senate.gov/?p=contact
Twitter:@SenBooker
8) Moldova Contacts
[email protected] ( Moldova President – Petitions Department )
[email protected] ( Foreign Affairs )
[email protected] (Minister of Justice )
https://gov.md/en/content/write-prime-minister ( prime minister link to e-mail )
[email protected] ( Moldova Embassy in U.S.)
9) Permanent Mission of the Republic of Moldova to the United Nations
Phone: (212) 447-1867
Fax: (212) 447-4067
E-mail: [email protected] ,
[email protected](preferred)
News articles on the raid:
https://www.nytimes.com/reuters/2018/09/06/world/europe/06reuters-moldova-turkey
http://www.tr724.com/insan-kacirma-simdi-de-moldovada
https://dtj-online.de/entfuehrung-von-bildungsaktivisten-in-moldawien-111876
http://proderechos.org/el-largo-brazo-de-erdogan-se-extiende-a-europa
https://www.al-monitor.com/pulse/en/originals/2018/09/turkish-teachers-detained-moldova-gulen
Social media posts on the raid:
Director of the Moldovan-Turkish school Orizont and five teachers, taken up by SIS officers -by the demand of Turkey’s authoritarian leader Erdogan- one of the teachers in the institution says. They might be deported to Turkey where they will face possible torture @BBC @Amnesty pic.twitter.com/ljifzam398
— Human Rights Turkey (@HumanRightsTR) September 6, 2018
Six Turkish nationals arbitrarily detained in Moldova facing extradition over links to Gülen movement https://t.co/N6zqQcn9AA via @StockholmCF pic.twitter.com/9EjHrACMG8
— SCF (@StockholmCF) September 6, 2018
#MoldovaStopExtradition Director of the Moldovan-Turkish high-school Orizont affiliated with #Gulen Movement and 5 other people, arrested by SIS officers by political reasons – one of the teachers says. They might be forced to go to #Turkey and face #torture @nateschenkkan @hrw
— Advocates of Silenced Turkey (@silencedturkey) September 6, 2018
Orizont teachers in #Moldova: I expect the #Moldovan government and all authorities to respect rule of law and all established judicial procedures.
— Johannes Hahn (@JHahnEU) September 6, 2018
Allegations at the time centered on relationship between Ankara and President Igor Dodon, who had taken a very nice Turkish vacation over the holidays, and whose presidential palace is being renovated with Turkish money. https://t.co/fCl9P73H3W
— Nate Schenkkan (@nateschenkkan) September 6, 2018
Erdogan's 'Long Arm' is trying to 'Kidnap' his “enemies” all around the world. #Erdogan #insane #ruthless #dictator https://t.co/IHq76nwonq
— AlonBenMeir (@AlonBenMeir) September 6, 2018
This is outrageous by both Turkey & Moldova. https://t.co/qOcLGcqdVS
— Matthew Scott (@Barristerblog) September 6, 2018
A photo from director Yasin's home at Orizont schools in #Moldova. SIS authorities brake down the door in the morning and detained him using force. They may face #torture in #Turkey @UNHumanRights #MoldovaStopExtradition pic.twitter.com/2y98t2LGvq
— Advocates of Silenced Turkey (@silencedturkey) September 6, 2018
I strongly support the urgent appeal by @amnesty to government of Rep of Moldova: stop the deportation of teachers to Turkey. Teaching children is not a crime. @Diplomacy_RM #MoldovaStopExtradition https://t.co/WSDfd6eYMW
— Rebecca Harms (@RebHarms) September 6, 2018
Tukish Intelligence Agecy involved in the illegal arrest of 6 suspects in #Moldova to be extradited to Turkey according to pro-government media #MoldovaStopExtradition @KenRoth @MDFoundation @PLDMoldova @USembMoldova https://t.co/yyLyeaKI8o
— Advocates of Silenced Turkey (@silencedturkey) September 6, 2018
Mr President @Tudor_Moldova, please stop these extradition: @ECHR_Press has requested defence statement from Bulgaria and Azerbaijan because of their such extradition practices concerning Turkish nationals. #MoldovaStopExtradition @Diplomacy_RM @UNMoldova https://t.co/sqmRmzTqAo
— The Arrested Lawyers (@ArrestedLawyers) September 6, 2018
Momentul retinerii unuia dintre directorii liceului Orizont. In imagini apare si un copil care este urcat cu forta intr-un microbuz – VIDEO https://t.co/82pM4BSjcH pic.twitter.com/S7w4CTW1Pc
— ProTV Chișinău (@protv_moldova) September 6, 2018
As Gulen-linked teachers are reported to be abducted in #Moldova, after recent cases in Pakistan Ukraine, Kosovo, @nateschenkkan’s article explains #Turkey's disregard of international law in pursuit of a global purge of opponents#MoldovaStopExtradition https://t.co/SsArxHyQon
— Abdülhamit Bilici (@ahamitbilici) September 6, 2018
Local police in #Moldova detained several Turkish teachers linked with Gulen movement on Erdogan's demand.
Teachers may face extradition to Turkey where they will face torture and jail. Morever, teachers are Asylum Seeker, #UN must act.#MoldovaStopExtradition— Cevheri Güven (@cevheriguven) September 6, 2018
This matters everywhere, but in Europe (Moldova, Kosovo, Bosnia, Bulgaria) it is directly in conflict with European Union (& US) goals of democratic transformation. It's an important shift in Turkish FP to undermine the basis for European integration in southeastern Europe.
— Nate Schenkkan (@nateschenkkan) September 6, 2018
Amnesty demands urgent action for Turkish educators at risk of extradition from Moldova || https://t.co/QghKkd1fWY pic.twitter.com/IybuuJCZ4R
— Turkey Purge (@TurkeyPurge) September 6, 2018
Intreaga conducere a Liceului “Orizont” din Chisinau (6 persoane), liceu apartinand de reteaua liceelor “Lumina”,…
Posted by Rares Bogdan on Thursday, September 6, 2018
Poftim! retinerea unuia din directorii liceului "Orizont", impreuna cu copilul lui.
Posted by Cristina Pereteatcu on Wednesday, September 5, 2018
La Aeroport cerem stoparea vânzărilor de oameni!
Posted by Partidul Acțiune și Solidaritate on Thursday, September 6, 2018
Videos on the abduction of Teachers in Moldova:
Moldovian Student who is in protests at the Airport
Moldovian student who was in the same car when the kidnapping happened
Set him free!! call, from Riza Dogan’s kids
Set him free!! call, from Yasin Ozdil’s daughter
Moldovian parent explain the abduction of Turkish teachers
Set him free!! call, from the daughter
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Afghan security forces raided Afghan-Turk High School at the request of Turkish government
Afghan-Turk Boys High School in Shibirghan was raided by members of the Afghan security forces under the command of Uzbek leader Abdul Rashid Dostum, controversial First Vice President of Afghanistan, early July 28,2018 morning. Afghan security forces detained Turkish teachers, dozens of students and their parents in order to seize the school at the request of the Turkish government.
Local sources indicate that the school has been surrounded and shut down by the militias of the Dostum. The school administration notes that no legal justification has been provided. Governor of Jowzjan province and the police chief joined the raid at 6:00 AM local time.
The Turkish government has pressured the government of Afghanistan to either shut down or transfer ownership of the Afghan-Turk Schools to the Maarif Foundation which is affiliated to and supported by the Turkish government. The Afghan-Turk schools were founded by Gulen inspired Turkish businessmen and teachers in 1995. Despite all the difficulties in the region, the schools have continued to maintain its services believing that education is the only way to overcome those difficulties. Gulen Movement affiliated schools in Afghanistan operated under Afghan-Turk ÇAĞ Educational NGO, have won 875 awards in international science Olympiads from 2003 through 2016 — 278 gold, 287 silver, and 310 bronze medals.
We would like to emphasize that this raid is not an isolated incident. Turkish officials and the Turkish Embassy in Kabul have continuously targeted the schools and its staff over the past few years. The unlawful and politically motivated measures taken within recent months against the Afghan-Turk Schools have been perpetuated by the Turkish government.
It is apparent that the prior abductions and human rights violations by the Turkish government would conclude with taking over the schools abroad and asking extraditions of all the Turkish teachers in these schools to Turkey.
As the Advocates of Silenced Turkey, we strongly request your assistance to remind the Afghan authorities to respect democratic values and resist the pressures from Turkey. We urge immediate and necessary action to stop the crackdown on the Afghan-Turk schools.
Download sample statement as a word document:
https://silencedturkey.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/AST_Letter_Afghan-Turk-school-raid.docx
Download AST statement signed by AST spokesperson Hafsa Yildiz as a pdf document:
https://silencedturkey.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/AST_Letter_Afghan-Turk-school-raid.pdf
We urge everyone to take action. Express your views or send attached statement to following addresses:
1) Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe, U.S. Helsinki Commission
Phone: 202-225-1901
Fax: 202-226-4199
Email: [email protected]
Twitter: @HelsinkiComm
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/helsinkicommission/
Chairman: Senator Roger F. Wicker
Address and Contact:
555 Dirksen 555 Senate Office Building, Washington, DC 20510
Main: (202) 224-6253 |Fax: (202) 228-0378 | Twitter: @SenatorWicker
Email: [email protected]
Co-Chairman: Representative Christopher H. Smith
Washington DC Office: 2373 Rayburn House Office Building Washington, D.C. 20515
Phone: (202) 225-3765 | Fax: (202) 225-7768 | Twitter: @RepChrisSmith
https://chrissmith.house.gov/contact/zipauth.htm
2) Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission
Phone: +1 (202) 225-3599
Fax: +1 (202) 226-5887
Email: [email protected]
Twitter: @TLHumanRights
3) Congressional Afghan Caucus
Phone: +1 (202) 225-2411
Fax: +1 (202) 225-2013
Federal Caucus Member: Pete King, [email protected],
Federal Caucus Member: Bill Pascrell, [email protected]
4) United Nations Human Rights Council (UN HRC)
Phone: (+41) 22 917 9656
Email: [email protected]
Twitter: @UN_HRC
Website: www.ohchr.org/hrc
5) The European Court of Human Rights Council of Europe
F-67075 Strasbourg cedex
Phone: +33 (0)3 88 41 20 18
Fax: +33 (0)3 88 41 27 30
Mr. Günter SCHIRMER
Head of the Secretariat
Phone: +33/3 88.41.2809
Email: [email protected]
6) U.S. Department of State
Phone: (202) 647-6575
Email: https://register.state.gov/contactus/contactusform
Twitter: @StateDept
Website: https://www.state.gov/
7) Mike Pence, Vice President of the United States
Phone: 202-456-6213
Email: [email protected]
Twitter: @VP
8) Senator Cory Booker
Phone: (202) 224-3224
Fax: (202) 224-8378
Email: https://www.booker.senate.gov/?p=contact
Twitter:@SenBooker
News articles on the raid:
https://dtj-online.de/afghanistan-polizei-will-hizmet-schule-einnehmen-111781
https://stockholmcf.org/afghan-security-forces-raided-afghan-turk-boys-high-school-in-shibirghan/
Social media posts on the raid:
WARNING: When we allow Erdogan to attack & destroy peaceful Gulenist schools in Afghanistan he will see that the kids are raised as Jihadists. Just like he does in Turkey. Erdogan threatens to kill our forces, allies with anyone who will kill us; Iran, ISIS & al-Qaeda. @CENTCOM https://t.co/ZvxDY5S9P7
— Tim Hogan (@TimInHonolulu) July 28, 2018
#Afghan– Turk school was raided by security forces. The protesters are being exposed to pressure water outside the school. It seems that Afghan and Turkish authorities have collaborated to take over the #Gulen movement affiliated schools. @silencedturkey @UNHumanRights pic.twitter.com/VkMcbEyzG3
— Hafza Y Girdap (@HafsayGrd) July 28, 2018
#Erdogan's long arm is at work in #Afghanistan Jowzjan province. A Gulen school, one of the best performing ones in the country, is under crackdown by local forces at the request of Turkish gov't. Boko Haram mindset is coming after long time resident Turkish teachers. pic.twitter.com/y3Yj4sY1rJ
— Abdullah Bozkurt (@abdbozkurt) July 28, 2018
Parents and locals try to prevent raid on the Afghan-Turk Boys High School in Shibirghan. The operation is reportedly coordinated by #Turkish embassy in Kabul. #Erdogan pressuring Afghan gov't in handing over these schools to his Maarif foundation that is run by a radical bunch. pic.twitter.com/IoQsdEIkLH
— Abdullah Bozkurt (@abdbozkurt) July 28, 2018
WATCH The moment when Afghan security forces raided a high school at Turkey's request. For details => https://t.co/hYfUjXyQMl pic.twitter.com/MmHAalmUZz
— Turkey Purge (@TurkeyPurge) July 28, 2018
ی جوزجان خون آلود شدن صورت یکتن از اولیای شاگردان توسط نیرو های امنیتی مربوط به والی
در یورش امروز نیرو های امنیتی مربوط به والی جوزجان به مکتب افغان-ترک شبرغان، در اثر سنگ های که از بواسطه موتر آبپاش به صورت یکتن از والدین برخورد نمود، صورت ایشان خون آلود شد.ARG – ارگAshraf GhaniDr. Abdullah Abdullahریاست عمومی دفتر مقام عالی ریاست جمهوریریاست اجراییه جمهوری اسلامی افغانستاندفتر شورای امنیت ملیوزارت امور داخله – د کورنیو چارو وزارتMohammad Haneef AtmarUNICEF Afghanistanلوی څارنوالی – AGODirectorate of NGOs ریاست انجوها وزارت اقتصادUNHCR, the UN Refugee AgencyBBC NewsThe New York TimesReutersWashington PostCNN International
Posted by QATRA TV AF on Saturday, July 28, 2018
https://www.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=441994122952060&id=101711293647013
https://www.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=441928086291997&id=101711293647013
شکستاندن دروازه مکتب افغان-ترک توسط نیرو های امنیتی مربوط به والی جوزجان
شکستاندن دروازه مکتب افغان-ترک شبرغان توسط نیرو های امنیتی مربوط به والی جوزجانARG – ارگAshraf GhaniDr. Abdullah Abdullahریاست عمومی دفتر مقام عالی ریاست جمهوریریاست اجراییه جمهوری اسلامی افغانستاندفتر شورای امنیت ملیوزارت امور داخله – د کورنیو چارو وزارتMohammad Haneef AtmarUNICEF Afghanistanلوی څارنوالی – AGODirectorate of NGOs ریاست انجوها وزارت اقتصادUNHCR, the UN Refugee AgencyBBC NewsThe New York TimesReutersWashington PostCNN International
Posted by QATRA TV AF on Saturday, July 28, 2018
Previous AST coverage on Afghan-Turk schools:
https://silencedturkey.org/turkish_teachers_afghanistan
https://silencedturkey.org/int-witch-hunt-afghan-turkish-teachers
https://silencedturkey.org/fate-of-four-afghan-turk-teachers-remains-uncertain
https://silencedturkey.org/missing-teachers-in-afghanistan
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Turkey’s MIT abducted Veysel Akçay in Mongolia
Veysel Akçay, the General Director of the schools affiliated with the Gülen movement in Mongolia who has lived in Mongolia for over 24 years, was abducted by Turkey’s notorious National Intelligence Organisation (MIT) Friday morning (7/27/18) in front of his house in the capital city Ulan Bator.
It was reported that a private jet plane is waiting at the Ulan Bator Airport to transfer Akçay to Turkey. Akçay, who has worked at the educational institutions in Mongolia for 24 years, is reportedly one of a few Turkish nationals possessing the Mongolian Friendship Medal bestowed by Mongolian State.
New York-based Journalists and Writers Foundation (JWF) said that on Friday, at 9:00 am (local time in Mongolia) Veysel Akçay left his home to his workplace at the Empathy Worldwide Educational Institution. According to eyewitnesses (and CCTV recordings), he was stopped by a minibus in front of his house and abducted by people working on behalf of Turkey’s National Intelligence Organization (MİT).
As it is known Turkish government has been taking strict measures to silence dissidents from various ideologies. Gulen/Hizmet Movement has been the main target of the government, which is a faith-based group of people engaging in different voluntary activities such as education, business and health. Alleged supporters of the Movement in Turkey have been dealing with arrest, imprisonment, torture, inhuman and degrading treatment, confiscation and passport seizure. There are many examples of abductions and physical violence incidents in several countries like Sudan, Kazakhstan, Pakistan, Georgia, Myanmar, Kosovo and Malaysia.
According to a statement made by Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu, over 100 alleged members of the Gülen movement have been abducted by MİT agents abroad and brought back to Turkey as part of the Turkish government’s global manhunt.
Around 12 AM Eastern Time (5-6 hours after abduction), Meryem Akcay announced that her husband Veysel Akcay has returned home safely. Resistance from citizens and politicians has prevented the illegal transfer to Turkey. We thank the Mongolian government and officials for resisting the illegal transfer of Veysel Akcay, showing careful attention to the situation and standing firmly for the rule of law. We urge the Mongolian government to investigate Veysel Akcay’s case, open a legal case against MIT officials and other people who engaged in this illegal act, and ensure the safety of Gulen sympathizers in Mongolia.
Download sample statement as a word document:
https://silencedturkey.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/AST_Letter-Veysel-Akcay-3.docx
We urge everyone to take action. Express your views or send attached statement to following addresses:
1) President of Mongolia, Battulga Khaltmaa
Website: https://president.mn/en/
Email Address: https://president.mn/en/contact-us/
Phone: +976 99116118
Fax: +976 51261273
Twitter handle: @BattulgaKh
2) Prime Minister of Mongolia, Ukhnaagiin Khürelsükh
Wesbite: http://zasag.mn/en/
Phone: +976 99113937
Twitter handle: @UKhurelsukh
3) Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Mongolia
Website: http://consul.mn/eng/contact.php
Email Address: [email protected]
Phone: +976-51-262282
Fax: +976-11-322127
Twitter handle: @MFA_Mongolia
4) Permanent Mission of Mongolia to the United Nations
Website: https://www.un.int/mongolia/
Email Address: [email protected]
Phone: +1 (212) 861-9460, +1 (212) 472-6517
Fax: +1 (212) 861-9464
Twitter handle: @nymongolia
5) Embassy of Mongolia to the United States
Website: http://mongolianembassy.us/contact-us/#.W1sqYNhKg_U
Email Address: [email protected]
Phone: +1 202-333-7117
Fax: +1 202-298-9227
Twitter handle: @MGLEmbassy_USA
6) The delegation of the European Union to Mongolia
Head of the Delegation: Mr. Traian Laurentiu Hristea
Email Address: [email protected]
News articles on the abduction of Veysel Akcay:
http://mongolcom.mn/read/52090
Social media posts on the abduction of Veysel Akcay:
https://www.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=2023664780986591&id=100000292673421
Мөв мөрөөрөө 20 жил Мглд хичээл заасан багшийг минь Туркээс тусгай онгоц ирээд өнөө өглөө гэрийнх нь гаднаас хулгайлчихлаа. Тусгай онгоц нь одоо Нисэх др бгаа. Туркт аваачаад шоронд хийнэ,олон жилээр сураггүй алга бно. Өөр улсуудад ч бас ингэж бгаа.Диктатур төр ийм бдаг даа.
— Bulgan Bay (@bulganbay) July 27, 2018
URGENT: Veysel Akcay, a Turkish teacher living in Mongolia for over 24 years, is abducted by some "unknown" men this morning infront of his house in Ulaan Baatar,Mongolia. He has been brought to airport and private airplane is waiting at the airport for deportation. @hrw @amnesty
— Human Rights Turkey (@HumanRightsTR) July 27, 2018
Турк Монголын хамтарсан сургуулийн гадаад захирлыг хулгайлжээ https://t.co/Fqhz6AW6dQ via @wwwolloomn
— OllooMN (@wwwolloomn) July 27, 2018
Нэмэлт мэдээлэл! Б.Ганбат: Вейсел Акчай захирлыг Туркийн тагнуулынхан хулгайлсан гэж таамаглаж байна https://t.co/atNmYytnef
— Newspress.mn (@Newspressmn) July 27, 2018
Veysel Akcay, a Turkish teacher livin in Mongolia for over 24 years, is abducted by some "unknown" men this morning in Ulaan Baatar.
Whereabouts is unknown.
Please help!@RebHarms@UNHumanRights pic.twitter.com/YHVvK6xcyd— Abdullah Sinan Çiftler (@ciftler76) July 27, 2018
The fact that Turkish teacher has been abducted and transported to Chinggis Khaan airport for deportation via a private plane by Turkish Airlines is outrageous. It offends citizens of Mongolia. We are a democratic country. And we respect human rights. pic.twitter.com/nh10fG5o9G
— Mukhit B. (@mukhit) July 27, 2018
Videos on the abduction of Veysel Akcay:
AST Spokesperson Hafsa Yildiz on the abduction of Veysel Akcay
Veysel Akcay’s wife explain the abduction
Locals explain the abduction of Veysel Akcay-1
Locals explain the abduction of Veysel Akcay-2
Locals explain the abduction of Veysel Akcay-3
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Turkish family missing in Evros river after trying to escape from Erdogan’s persecution
Victims of Erdogan’s regime are increasing every day, as there has not been an effective mechanism to prevent him. In Turkey, thousands of families and tens of thousands of people had to leave their country soon after the failed coup attempt on July, 15, 2016. 151,967 people were dismissed from their jobs, 136,995 people were detained, 77,524 were arrested.
A group of 11 people including the Akçabay family tried to escape from political persecution in Turkey on July 18, 2018. Their rubber dinghy boat crashed into something like a rock and it later overturned.
Murat Akcabay said “At the time my wife went adrift and then held on to a branch. I shouted to her, ‘Don’t let go of the branch, I will rescue you.’ While I was trying to fight the waves, I saw she wasn’t in the same place. I repeatedly shouted, but I never heard her voice again”. Murat Akcabay said his wife, Hatice Akcabay, and three sons (seven-year-old Ahmet Esat, five-year-old Mesut, and one-year-old Aras) were missing after their boat capsized in the Evros River on Wednesday night.
Early Friday, June 20, 2018, It was reported that 36 years old Hatice Akçabay and her 1-year-old Bekir Aras found dead, while search and rescue operation is still ongoing for 7-years-old Ahmet Esat, 5-years-old Mesut. Murat Akcabay had noted that 7-years-old Ahmet was wearing a life vest. Turkish villagers said that they saw a child in Greece coast. There is still hope that Ahmet and his brother Mesut may be still alive.
Turkish police also detained Yunus Akçabay, the uncle of the missing children, who was trying to find his lost nephews and their mother. No accusations against him were made by police. The Turkish police also prohibit civilians from searching for the missing two children.
Advocates of Silenced Turkey calls on all the international and non-governmental human rights organizations to raise awareness about the drowned Akcabay family and also to take immediate action as regards the problems in Turkey to prevent other families and children from suffering as such. We hope the situation in Turkey will get better for those in Turkey and abroad who are oppressed by the ruling government of Turkey.
Download sample statement as a word document:
https://silencedturkey.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/AST_Letter-Akcabay-Family..docx
We urge everyone to take action. Express your views or send attached statement to following addresses:
1) United Nations Human Rights Council (UN HRC)
Email: [email protected]
Phone: (+41) 22 917 9656
Twitter: @UN_HRC
Website: www.ohchr.org/hrc
2) Human Rights Watch
Twitter: @hrw
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HumanRightsWatch
NY Address:350 Fifth Avenue, 34th floor New York, NY 10118-3299 USA
Tel: +1-212-290-4700
Fax: +1-212-736-1300
Emma Daly, Communications Director
Tel: +1-212-216-1835
Fax: +1-212-736-1300
3) Human Rights Foundation
Twitter: @HRF
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/humanrightsfoundation/
New York Address:350 5th Ave., #4515 New York, NY, 10001
Phone Number: (212) 246-8486
4) Freedom House
Twitter: @FreedomHouseDC
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FreedomHouseDC
[email protected]
Phone: 202-296-5101
Fax: 202-293-2840
Annie Boyajian, Advocacy Manager
[email protected]
5) Amnesty International
Twitter: @amnestyusa
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/amnestyusa
[email protected]
6) International Federation for Houman Rights
Twitter: @fidh_en
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FIDH.HumanRights
FIDH AT THE UN (NEW-YORK)
110 East 42nd street, Suite 1309 NY 10017 New-York
Phone Number: 001 646 395 7103
7) International Court of Justice
Email: [email protected]
Phone: (+31) 70 302 23 23
Fax: (+31) 70 364 99 28
Twitter: @CIJ_ICJ
Website: http://www.icj-cij.org/en
News articles on Akcabay Family:
http://www.euronews.com/2018/07/20/family-missing-after-boat-capsizes-on-the-evros-river
https://turkeypurge.com/bodies-of-turkish-mother-one-year-old-son-found-in-evros-river-report
https://turkey.theglobepost.com/mother-kids-missing-evros-river/
Tweets on Akcabay Family:
Hatice Akçabay and her three sons (seven-year-old Ahmet Esat, five-year-old Mesut, and one-year-old Aras) are missing after their boat capsized in the Evros River on Wednesday night. @aforgutu @amnesty @nateschenkkan @KenRoth @esinclairwebb @Nick_Ashdown @AlonBenMeir @KatiPiri pic.twitter.com/PgUnWwhAsy
— Advocates of Silenced Turkey (@silencedturkey) July 19, 2018
Hatice Akcabay and her three children; Ahmet Esat 7-year-old, Mesut 5-year-old and Bekir Aras 1-year-old, are missing as their boat drowned in the Evros River on July 18, 2018. Survived father Murat Akcabay calls upon the authorities to take action @HumanRightsTR @gergerliogluof pic.twitter.com/sZShImW9vQ
— SetThemFree (@sethemfreetr) July 19, 2018
A woman and her three children went missing after a boat carrying several Turkish asylum seekers capsized in the Evros River along the Turkey-Greece border on July 18, Wednesday night. The father, Murat Akçabay makes an emotional plea for their rescue. @BBC @Guardian @bbcturkce pic.twitter.com/qUjIlJQ3XG
— Aktif Haber (@aktif_haber) July 19, 2018
Meriç faciası-son gelişme
Edirne'de olan diğer amca Mesut Akçabay'la da görüştüm. Vali talimatıyla 2 gün daha arama devam edecekmiş. Gözaltındaki kalp hastası diğer amca halen gözaltında, onu serbest bırakın, acılara acı katmayın.
AFAD Taşköprü civarında aramaya devam ediyor.
— Ömer Faruk Gergerlioğlu (@gergerliogluof) July 20, 2018
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