Turkey Regional Action Network

November 2012

1) AIUSA Blog articles on Turkey

In Turkey: The Ivory Tower Besieged by Howard Eissenstat
Turkish scholars and students are increasingly under threat from Turkeys war on dissent. Thousands of students have been jailed. Read the full article at: http://blog.amnestyusa.org/europe/inturkey-the-ivory-tower-beseiged/ For additional information on scholars at risk in Turkey, see: http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/scholarsworry-over-academicimmunity.aspx?pageID=238&nID=35276&N ewsCatID=339

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Hunger Strike Ended; Health Risks Remain

Some 700 prisoners who had been on hunger strike have all ended their protest. Around 60 had been on hunger strike since September 12. According to media and lawyers of the prisoners, many have been transferred to hospital for follow up care. The hunger strikes were initiated in protest against the authorities longstanding refusal to allow the imprisoned Kurdistan Workers Party leader, Abdullah calan to meet with his lawyers and to demand the provision of education in the Kurdish language. The hunger strikes were called off following a message from Abdullah calan, transmitted through a member of his family who had been allowed to visit him in prison. Lawyers representing the hunger strikers told Amnesty International that some prisoners had been transferred to hospital to receive medical care. Whilst the hunger strike has ended, there are 1

Hunger Strikes in Turkey: A Quiet Crisis by Howard Eissenstat

With relatively little attention from the international press, a quiet crisis is developing in Turkey, where hundreds of prisoners are engaged in mass hunger strikes. Read the full article at: http://blog.amnestyusa.org/europe/hungerstrikes-in-turkey-a-quiet-crisis-2/

ongoing medical concerns for those who were undertaking this protest, particularly for those who were on hunger strike for the longest period. Please write immediately in Turkish or your own language: Reminding the authorities that whilst the hunger strike has ended, the need for medical care has not; Calling on the authorities to ensure that those who have been on hunger strike have adequate access to qualified medical professionals and any medical assessment, advice and treatment that they need to mitigate possible long term damage to their health following prolonged hunger strike; Calling on the authorities to ensure that no punitive measures are taken against prisoners who took part in the hunger strike.

Parliamentary Commission on Human Rights Ayhan Sefer stn Commission Chairperson TBMM nsan Haklar nceleme Komisyonu Bakanlklar 06543 Ankara, Turkey Salutation: Dear Mr stn Also send copies to: Ambassador Namik Tan Embassy, Republic of Turkey 2525 Massachusetts Ave., NW Washington, DC 20008 Additional Information: In Turkey, prison hunger strikes have been repeatedly used as a method of protest. On 20 October 2000, more than 1,200 prisoners went on hunger strike; this was in protest at plans to move them to new prisons where they were to be housed in small cells, rather than dormitories that hold up to 60 prisoners. Prisoners were concerned that they would be at greater risk of assault or torture. When raids began on 19 December, some 200 were still on hunger strike and many of them were reportedly close to death. Turkish authorities intervened by force to end the hunger strikes with the operation they termed return to life. This operation led to the deaths of 30 prisoners and two soldiers during raids into 20 prisons. The Justice Minister reportedly stated that at least 16 prisoners died, most of whom set themselves on fire. He did not say how the other prisoners had died. Hunger strikes continued in the

PLEASE SEND APPEALS BEFORE JANUARY 2, 2013 TO: Ministry of Justice Sadullah Ergin Adalet Bakan Adalet Bakanlg 06659 Ankara, Turkey Salutation: Dear Minister Minister of Health Recep Akdag Salk Bakanl Mithatpasa Caddesi No:3 06410 Shhiye Ankara Salutation: Dear Minister

following two years, claiming the lives of dozens of people some of whom were not prisoners. Amnesty International does not support hunger strikes, nor does it try to persuade hunger strikers to end such a protest. The organization opposes any punishment of hunger strikers and attempts to coerce them to end their hunger strike. Such measures violate their right to freedom of expression, and may also amount to cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment. The authorities have an obligation to ensure prisoners right to life and health and must ensure that hunger strikers, like other prisoners, have adequate access to qualified health professionals and any medical assessment, advice and any treatment that they will accept voluntarily based on this assessment.
Read the full document at: http://www.amnesty.org/en/library/info/EU R44/024/2012/en

Feleknas Uca told Amnesty International that the vitamins were intended to be given to the Diyarbakir branch of Human Rights Assocation (IHD) to prevent complications of hunger strikers in Turkish prisons. Around 700 prisoners are on hunger strike, some of them since 12 September. They have expressed their wish to take vitamins supplementing their drinking water in order to protect their health. According to information supplied by Feleknas Uca and her lawyer, she was questioned about her motivation for bringing in the vitamins, whether she was instructed by anyone to do so and accused of being a leading member of the outlawed armed Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) linked KCK. Amnesty International notes with concern that the vitamins have been seized by customs and have not been yet provided to the prisoners on hunger strike. Amnesty International is concerned that Feleknas Uca was detained and questioned in relation to alleged antiterrorism offences without and evidence other than the perfectly legitimate activity of bringing vitamins into the country for prisoners on hunger strike. Amnesty International calls on the Turkish authorities to allow the vitamins to be provided to prisoners on hunger strike via their lawyers, family members or other representatives. tvw tvwtvw tvw

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3) Response statement on the detention and deportation of Feleknas Uca, a former Member of European Parliament
Amnesty International is concerned at the detention of Feleknas Uca, a former Member of European Parliament from Germany, on November 13 at Istanbul Airport and her deportation on 16 November to Germany apparently as a result of her bringing vitamins into the country.

4) Human Rights Trends in Turkey

The following are Human Rights items of interest that have been reported in various Turkish media since our last newsletter: Erdogan Urges Restoring Death Penalty in Violation of EU: Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan said Turkey should consider lifting its ban on capital punishment, a move that may deal a further blow to its stalled European Union membership bid. EU has already voiced concerns about aspects of the rule of law in Turkey as due process and the independence of judiciary have serious problems. Amnesty International has also long urged Turkey to reform laws to bring them fully into line with Turkey's human rights obligations.
For the news story, see: http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2012-1112/erdogan-urges-restoring-death-penalty-inviolation-of-eu.html

Amnesty International has long criticized the Turkish government for its use of vaguely defined Turkeys anti-terrorism legislations to suppress peaceful political dissidents, academics, and students.
For the news story, see: http://www.bianet.org/english/education/14210 3-55-students-arrested-in-5-days

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If you are interested in the issue of Human Rights in Turkey, consider joining us on our Turkey Regional Action Network on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/pages/AmnestyInternational-USA-Turkey-Regional-ActionNetwork/134561963283302 Twitter at: AIUSA TURKRAN If you have any questions, please contact AIUSA TURKRAN coordinator: Natsumi Ajiki (najiki@mac.com).

55 Students Arrested for Supporting Hunger Strikes: The Turkish police forces reacted with excessive force against unarmed college students who gathered on their college campuses in Ayden, Arhahan, and Ankara to make a public statement against the governments stance on hunger strikes. Total 55 students were charged for propagating terrorist propaganda, assaulting police officers, and violating protest law.