Turkey Regional Action Network

January 2013

1) AIUSA Blog articles on Turkey

Think Globally, Repress Locally

by Howard Eissenstat January 8, 2013

We Remember: One Year Ago Today

by Howard Eissenstat December 28, 2012 To view the victims of Uludere bombings at: http://humanrightsturkey.org/2012/12/28/w e-remember-one-year-ago-today/

The sensitive Mr. Erdogan

by Howard Eissenstat January 2, 2013

Turkey has received undeserving credit for its role in the Arab Spring and been viewed as a natural leader in a more democratic Middle East. Find out the important limitation on basic human rights in Turkey. Continue reading the article at:
http://humanrightsturkey.org/2013/01/08/t hink-globally-repress-locally/

Prmine Minister Erdogan is not the first Turkish politician to use lawsuits as a means of cowing the press. But few have used it as frequently or to as great effect. Continue reading the article at:
http://humanrightsturkey.org/2013/01/02/t he-sensitive-mr-erdogan/

An Open Letter to President Obama

by Howard Eissenstat January 10, 2013

A Dark Christmas for Armenians in Turkey

by Howard Eissenstat January 4, 2013

An open letter to President Obama, signed jointly by The Foreign Policy Initiative, Freedom House, Project on Middle East Democracy (POMED), and Reporters Without Borders. To read the letter, please go to:
http://humanrightsturkey.org/2013/01/10/a n-open-letter-to-president-obama/

On December 28, one of the oldest members of the Armenian community of Istanbul was brutally murdered in her home on December 28. Continue reading the article at:
http://humanrightsturkey.org/2013/01/04/a -dark-christmas-for-armenians-in-turkey/

A Murder in Paris
by Howard Eissenstat January 10, 2013

On the night of January 9, the bodies of Sakine Cansiz and two of her associates were found, murdered, at the Kurdistan Information Office in Paris.

The murders come at a crucial time; Turkey and the PKK (or Kurdish Workers Party) have recently begun peace negotiations aimed at ending a long and costly war. Continue reading the article at:
http://humanrightsturkey.org/2013/01/10/a -murder-in-paris/

or Western media, information on a series of attacks on Armenians in Istanbul is still extremely limited. Continue reading the article at:
http://humanrightsturkey.org/2013/01/16/u pdate-on-attacks-on-armenians-in-istanbul/

Turkish Kids in Prison Develop Psychological Problems

By William Jones January 16, 2013

And "Who Murdered Sakine Cansz?

by Howard Eissenstat January 11, 2013 http://blog.amnestyusa.org/europe/whomurdered-sakine-cansiz/

Is Darwin Being Censored Again?

by Howard Eissenstat January 14, 2013

The ban on the Darwins works on evolution by the Scientific and Technical Research Council of Turkey threatens both freedom of expression and basic science in Turkish Universities. Continue reading the article at:
http://humanrightsturkey.org/?p=391&previ ew=true

Five children, ages 14-16, who were arrested by Turkish authorities last October following a hunger strike protest, are currently in prison in Siirt. According to a recent report, the children have started cutting themselves and developed other behavioral problems during their incarceration. Continue reading the article at:
http://humanrightsturkey.org/2013/01/16/t urkish-kids-in-prison-develop-psychologicalproblems/

Less Free
by Howard Eissenstat January 16, 2013

In Freedom Houses ratings of political rights and civil liberties, Turkeys rating has declined from three to four on the key issue of civil liberties. Continue reading the article at:
http://humanrightsturkey.org/2013/01/16/le ss-free/

Update on attacks on Armenians in Istanbul

by Howard Eissenstat January 16, 2013

"In Turkey, Who Will Be Left to Defend the Victims?" by Howard Eissenstat January 18, 2013 Yet another anti-terror arrests targetted human rights lawyers who are known for defending individuals right to freedom of speech and victims of police violence. Some of those arrested had previously voiced to Amnesty their fear of arrest due to their work defending those standing trial under Turkish anti-terrorism laws. Continue reading the article at: http://blog.amnestyusa.org/europe/inturkey-who-will-be-left-to-defend-thevictims/
And

With the crimes still under investigation by Turkish authorities and little coverage in either the mainstream Turkish press 2

Human Rights Lawyers Arrested (Update)

By William Jones http://humanrightsturkey.org/2013/01/22/h uman-rights-lawyers-arrested-update/

Still no Justice for Hrant

By William Jones January 19, 2013

January 23, 2013

Hrant Dink, the chief editor of Agos, was gunned down outside his Istanbul office on January 19 2007. Six years has passed without full investigation and the attendant trial of those implicated has still not taken place. Continue reading the article at:
http://humanrightsturkey.org/2013/01/19/st ill-no-justice-for-hrant-dink/ See the photos of the march to commemorate Hrant Dink can be viewed at: http://www.demotix.com/news/1737089/m arch-commemorate-murder-hrant-dinkistanbul - media-1736943

The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) reports that more than ten journalists, in addition to fifteen human rights lawyers, were also arrested in the recent police raids. This represents a serious set back for already deteriorating Turkeys press freedom. Continue reading the article at:
http://humanrightsturkey.org/2013/01/23/c pj-eleven-more-journalists-arrested-inturkey/ An insightful piece on Turkeys press freedom can be found in BIANET at http://www.bianet.org/english/freedom-ofexpression/143423-elimination-throughdetention

ECHR: Ban on Kurdish language in election rallies illegal

by Howard Eissenstat January 22, 2013

The European Court of Human Rights has fined Turkey for its conviction of politicians who used Kurdish at political rallies. Continue reading the article at:
http://humanrightsturkey.org/2013/01/22/e chr-ban-on-kurdish-language-in-electionrallies-illegal/

Breaking News: Pinar Selek Sentenced to Life Imprisonment by Howard Eissenstat January 24, 2013 http://humanrightsturkey.org/2013/01/24/b reaking-news-selek-setenced-to-lifeimprisonment/ New attacks on Armenian women in Istanbul by Howard Eissenstat January 24, 2013

Kafka in Turkish: The Pnar Selek Trial

by Howard Eissenstat January 22, 2013

Judicial harassment of Pinar Selek continues while international groups continue to protest Seleks treatment. Continue reading the article at:
http://humanrightsturkey.org/2013/01/22/k afka-in-turkish-the-pinar-selek-trial/

Although it is still not determined whether or not recent attacks on elderly Armenian women are hate crimes, the concern that Armenians are being specifically targeted is growing. Continue reading the article at:
http://humanrightsturkey.org/2013/01/24/n ew-attacks-on-armenian-women-in-istanbul/

And Voices rise against attacks on Armenians

by Howard Eissenstat January 27, 2013 http://humanrightsturkey.org/2013/01/27/v oices-rise-against-attacks-on-armenians/

CPJ: Eleven more journalists arrested in Turkey

by Howard Eissenstat

An Academic Dean and Political Enforcer

by Howard Eissenstat January 25, 2013

2) URGENT ACTION

Protest Life Sentence Against Sociologist Pinar Selek

As we you may recall, Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch, PEN International, and other international organizations have called on Turkish authorities to end the 15-year judicial harassment of Pinar Selek. PEN International has recently opened a campaign to protest life sentence against Selek, and we encourage you and your community to take action. Pinar Selek, a writer and sociologist who has been actively defending the rights of vulnerable communities in Turkey. She currently resides in France while pursuing her doctoral studies at the University of Strasbourg. Pinar Selek was accused without proof of supporting the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) and of incriminating her of causing a bomb to explode in Istanbuls Egyptian bazaar on July 9, 1998. On the basis of these accusations, she was detained and subjected to torture and ill-treatment for two and half years and then released after a team of experts concluded that the explosion had not been caused by a bomb, but by the accidental ignition of a gas cylinder. Istanbul Heavy Penal Court No. 12 has thrice acquitted her. Nonetheless, following appeals by the Prosecutor, those acquittals have been reversed, forcing a retrial. On January 24, 2013, after just over an hour of deliberation, a court sentenced her to life in prison.

The Middle East Studies Association (MESA) has voiced its concern that the Dean of the Faculty of Communications has waged a war of intimidation and harassment against students and faculty based on their political beliefs and affiliations. Continue reading the article at:
http://humanrightsturkey.org/2013/01/25/a n-academic-dean-and-political-enforcer/ MESAs letters on Turkey can be found at: http://www.mesa.arizona.edu/committees/a cademic-freedom/intervention/lettersturkey.html

Prosecutor Targets Freedom Advocates (again)

by Howard Eissenstat January 27, 2013

Yet another investigation against PEN International board in Turkey. Their apparent crime is for Speaking out in support of Fazl Say, the world famous pianist who is being prosecuted in Turkey for twitter posts deemed insulting to religious values. Continue reading the article at:
http://humanrightsturkey.org/2013/01/27/p rosecutor-targets-freedom-advocates-again/

Voices rise against attacks on Armenians

by Howard Eissenstat January 27, 2013

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PLEASE WRITE IMMEDIATELY to the Turkish Authorities Protesting the life sentence served againt Pnar Selek on charges of which she hs already been acquitted three times Noting that experts have concluded that the explosion for which she was convicted was a tragic accident and not a terrorist act; Urging that the charges against Selek be dismissed, and that the arrest warrant against her be removed, enabling her to return to Turkey without fear of detention.

3) Public Statement Turkey: Investigate attacks against Armenian women in Istanbul

AI Index: EUR 44/002/2013 January 28, 2013

Amnesty International calls on the Turkish authorities to carry out a prompt, thorough and impartial investigation into the recent alleged hate crime in which attacks against four elderly Armenian women in Istanbul were carried out in the last two months.

Please send a letter to: Mr Sadullah Ergin Minister of Justice 06669 Kizilay Ankara Turkey Cc: Ambassador Namik Tan Embassy, Republic of Turkey 2525 Massachusetts Ave., NW Washington, DC 20008
To access the PEN Internationals Action Page on Pinar Selek, please go to: http://www.pen.org/rapidaction/2013/01/25/pen-protests-lifesentence-against-sociologist-pinar-selek

Under the European Convention of Human Rights, the Turkish authorities have an obligation to investigate any alleged racist and/or religious bias behind the perpetration of these crimes. Nevertheless, Amnesty International is concerned with the police authorities discounting of the possibility of a racist motivation to the attacks. Furthermore, Turkish legislation does not foresee any legislative and policy measures ensuring that hate motives are systematically and thoroughly investigated and duly taken into account in the prosecution and sentencing.
To read the full public statement, please go to: http://www.amnesty.org/en/library/asset/E UR44/002/2013/en/6306da6e-c747-4928a1c4-9245c2fb9939/eur440022013en.html

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4) News

France: No stone unturned in investigation into slaying of Kurdish women activists

Sakine Cansz, a founder of the armed Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK), Fidan Dogan and Leyla Sylemez were found shot dead at the Kurdistan Information Office on January 9th in Paris.
January 10, 2013

rights violations?, said Andrew Gardner, Amnesty Internationals researcher on Turkey.

Read the full news article at: http://www.amnesty.org/en/news/turkeyanti-terror-arrests-target-prominent-humanrights-lawyers-2013-01-18 Also a news article on this issue by Human Rights Watch can be found at: http://www.hrw.org/news/2013/01/22/turk ey-nine-human-rights-lawyers-imprisoned

There must be justice for these apparently political killings no stone must be left unturned in the investigation by the French authorities, said John Dalhuisen, Europe and Central Asia Programme Director.
Read the full news article at: http://www.amnesty.org/en/news/franceno-stone-unturned-investigation-slayingkurdish-women-activists-2013-01-10

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If you are interested in the issue of Human Rights in Turkey and willing to participate in Amnestys Turkey-related actions, consider joining us on our Turkey Regional Action Network on: Human Rights in Turkey Website at: http://humanrightsturkey.org/ Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Amne sty- International-USA-Turkey-RegionalAction- Network/134561963283302 Twitter at: AIUSA TURKRAN We hope you will visit often and would be grateful if you would help spread the word about this new resource to your friends and colleagues. If you have any questions, or would like to receive a monthly newsletter directly to your email box, please contact AIUSA TURKRAN coordinator: Natsumi Ajiki at najiki@mac.com.

Turkey: Anti-terror arrests target prominent human rights lawyers

January 18, 2013

Fifteen human rights lawyers, who are known for defending individuals right to freedom of speech and victims of police violence, were arrested as a result of overnight police raids in several Turkish vities. The detention of prominent human rights lawyers and the apparent illegal search of their offices add to a pattern of prosecutions apparently cracking down on dissenting voices Human rights lawyers have been just some of the victims in the widespread abuse of anti-terrorism laws in Turkey. The question to ask is: who will be left to defend the victims of alleged human 6