Turkey Regional Action Network

May 2013

1) AIUSA Blog articles on Turkey

State Department Report on Human Rights in Turkey by Howard Eissenstat April 21, 2013 The U.S. Department of State has released its annual country report on Human Rights in Turkey, outlining some areas of improvement and drawing attention to some major deficiencies in Turkey s record over the past year. Continue reading the article at: http://humanrightsturkey.org/2013/04/21/stat e-department-report-on-human-rights-inturkey/ An update on the Emek Theatre Protests by Howard Eissenstat April 21, 2013 Update on the incidence in which police officers used excessive force against the peaceful protesters at the forced closure of the Emek Theatre in Istanbul. Continue reading the article at: http://humanrightsturkey.org/2013/04/21/anupdate-on-the-emek-theatre-protests/ Two Minutes to Fight for Freedom in Turkey by Howard Eissenstat April 25, 2013 Turkish authorities continue to attack individuals including elderly grandmother

who has been calling for peace between Turks and Kurds, and students, publishers, scholars, and lawyers for peacefully expressing their ideas. It is urgent that we lend our voices to the call for freedom of expression in Turkey as Prime Minister Erdoan s planned visit to the Washington in mid-May. Continue reading the article at: http://humanrightsturkey.org/2013/03/17/t urkeys-war-on-its-intellectuals/

Project on Middle East Democracy panel discusses eroding freedoms in Turkey by Howard Eissenstat April 28, 2013 A round-table discussion on Turkey at the Project on Middle East Democracy (POMED) argued for greater attention to Turkey s human rights record and voiced the hope that the Obama administration will capitalize on its warm relations with the Erdoan government to push for serious reform. Continue reading the article at: http://humanrightsturkey.org/2013/04/28/p roject-on-middle-east-panel-discusseseroding-freedoms-in-turkey/ The Plight of Turkeys Syrian Refugees by William Jones April 30, 2013 While Amnesty International recognizes the considerable effort that Turkish authorities have made to accommodate the increasing

number of Syrian refugees, it also calls upon the international community to step up its support to ease the burden this crisis places on Turkey and other nations bordering Syria. Continue reading the article at:

article at: http://humanrightsturkey.org/2013/05/03/a mnesty-on-the-may-day-violence-in-turkeydenial-of-right-to-peaceful-protest-andexcessive-use-of-force-by-police/

http://humanrightsturkey.org/2013/04/3 0/the-plight-of-turkeys-syrian-refugees/
" Amnesty: Fourth Judicial Package Another Missed Opportunity by Howard Eissenstat May 1, 2013 The recent judicial reform package still gives room for the Turkish authorities to constrain freedom of expression in Turkey and arbitrary prosecute and force more political activists, journalists and human rights defenders to face jail sentences for carrying out their work. Continue reading the article at: http://humanrightsturkey.org/2013/05/01/a mnesty-fourth-judicial-package-anothermissed-opportunity/ Freedom House Annual Report: Another bad year for freedom of the press in Turkey by Howard Eissenstat May 2, 2013 According to Freedom House s Annual Report on Freedom of the Press 2013, this year, yet again, Turkey came away with less than passing marks. Continue reading the article at: http://humanrightsturkey.org/2013/05/02/fr eedom-house-annual-report-another-badyear-for-freedom-of-the-press-in-turkey/ Amnesty on the May Day Violence in Turkey: Denial of right to peaceful protest and excessive use of force by Howard Eissenstat May 3, 2013 Yet again, overwhelming force, including water cannon and tear gas, was used against peaceful demonstrators during the May Day celebration. Continue reading the

Violence against Women: Some Disturbing Recent Numbers by Howard Eissenstat May 6, 2013 A recent study by a Turkish NGO and Krkkale University found that more than a third of male survey respondents stated that violence was sometimes necessary. 28% believe that violence can be used to discipline women, while 23.4% believe it acceptable, if the woman provokes it. Continue reading the article at: http://humanrightsturkey.org/2013/05/06/w omens-violence-some-disturbing-recentnumbers/ More on Turkey and World Press Freedom Day by Howard Eissenstat May 7, 2013 Amnesty International-Turkey organized protests for World Press Freedom Day (May 3rd) in downtown Istanbul, featuring activists wearing tape over their mouths and marked with the most offensive legal restrictions on freedom of expression. Continue reading the article at: http://humanrightsturkey.org/2013/05/07/ more-of-turkey-and-world-press-freedomday/

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2) URGENT ACTIONS on Freedom of Expression in Turkey a) Join PENs Campaign!!

As Howard Eissenstat notes in his blog, PEN American has named Aye Berktay, as the recipient of its 2013 PEN/Barbara Goldsmith Freedom to Write Award. Aye Berktay, a translator, writer, and activist in Turkey, is a member of the pro-Kurdish Party for Peace and Democracy (BDP) who has been detained since September 2011 and is currently being tried for membership in an illegal organization for her proKurdish cultural advocacy. Her hearing will be held on May 27, and if she is convicted, she could face up to 15 years in prison. PEN has also initiated a campaign to protest the continued imprisonment of journalists, academics, and writers, including Aye Berktay, who have been persecuted for exercising their right to freedom of expression. We, AIUSA TURKRAN, encourage you to join PENs initiative and add your voice to the chorus calling for freedom of expression in Turkey. Also, please do not forget to ask your friends and family to sign the petition, share the campaign on facebook, twitter, and other social media! Your individual voices through the petition and social media actions all play an important role in keeping pressure on the Turkish government. To join PENs campaign, please go to: http://ifex.org/turkey/2013/05/06/free_ayse _petition/ - .UZFPrNkRYwM.facebook

b) Amnestys campaign to end the criminalization of dissent in Turkey Amnesty has now updated its petition calling for the decriminalization of dissent in Turkey in light of the Fourth Judicial Package. In English: http://takeaction.amnestyusa.org/siteapps/ advocacy/ActionItem.aspx?c=6oJCLQPAJiJU G&b=6645049&aid=519516 In Turkish: http://www.buyasaylaolmaz.org/ If you are active on Twitter, please follow us and re-tweet us AIUSA TURKRAN @AIUSA_TURKRAN. Here is a suggested tweet: .@RT_Erdogan Remove unfair restrictions to #freedomofexpression in #newconstitution #Turkey
Readings: Amnesty International report: "Turkey: Decriminalize Dissent: Time to Deliver on the Right to Freedom of Expression" (Available in English and Turkish) http://www.amnesty.org/en/library/info/EUR44/ 001/2013/en A brief version of the report: http://www.amnesty.org/en/news/turkey-timeremove-shackles-freedom-2013-03-27

Human Rights Watch World Report 2012: Turkey: http://www.hrw.org/world-report2012/world-report-2012-turkey

To read about Aye Berktay, please go to: http://www.pen.org/pressrelease/2013/04/15/top-pen-prize-honor-jailedturkish-translator-aye-berktay

Turkey peace talks positive; press freedom still in peril Committee to Protect Journalists: http://www.cpj.org/blog/2013/04/turkey-peacetalks-positive-but-press-freedom-stil.php

c) Letter Writing Campaign for Sultani Acbuca

Sultani Acbuca is a 64-year-old grandmother who was convicted of being a member of a terrorist organization for attending six peaceful demonstrations in Izmir between 2006 and 2008 and for a speech where she called for peace and an end to the conflict between the PKK and the Turkish military. This is another typical case in which Turkish authorities have long been abusing Turkeys vague anti-terrorism legislation to justify the prosecution of thousands of people who speak for the basic issues of human rights and peace. The prosecution against Sultani Acbuca was initiated in 2008. The indictment lists the following charges: being a member of a terrorist organization (Article 314 of the Penal Code); making propaganda for a terrorist organization (Article 7/2 of the AntiTerrorism Law); and praising a crime or a criminal, (Article 215 of the Penal Code). The prosecution relied on evidence that Sultani Acbuca was part of a group that shouted slogans that have been found by the European Court of Human Rights to fall within the permissible limits of the right to freedom of expression. They include long live peace, long live calan (the imprisoned leader of the banned proKurdish armed organization PKK (Kurdistan Workers Party) and Women want peace, not to fight. Additionally, prosecutors have argued that Sultani Acbuca praised criminal activities when she called for Turkish and Kurdish mothers, who lost their children in the armed struggle between the PKK and the Turkish army, to unite and call for peace. She also called on Prime Minister Erdoan to

send his son to the army, saying poor families send their sons to the army, we dont fight with them. Sultani Acbuca was ultimately only convicted of membership of a terrorist organization for which she was sentenced to six years and three months in prison. The court reached its decision to convict Sultani Acbuca for membership of a terrorist organization on the basis that: she was a member of the peace mothers, a group the court said without reference to any substantiating evidence - was developed by the PKK with the intention of making propaganda; she carried out activities for this group in the province of Izmir; she played an active role in these demonstrations and shouted slogans; she made the above described speech which amounted to terrorist propaganda; and she called out the slogans for others on the demonstration to repeat As of April 2013 the case remains pending at the Supreme Court of Appeals. Sultani Acbuca is currently not in pre-trial detention.

PLEASE WRITE IMMEDIATELY to the Turkish Authorities

That the Supreme Court of Appeals Sultani Acbucas conviction for simply making a speech protected by the right to freedom of expression must be overturned at as soon as possible. Whilst there have been some reforms in the Penal Code and Anti-Terrorism legislation, these changes do not provide sufficient protection against unfair prosecutions such as the one against Sultani Acbuca; in particular, the definition of terrorism in the Anti-

Terrorism Law does not comply with the recommended permissible limitations as outlined in the 2012 report by the Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms while countering terrorism. Related articles like Article 314 on membership are subsequently wide open to judicial abuse. Amnesty Internationals recommendations for the authorities including amending the definition of terrorism and related provisions for membership such as Article 314, the repeal of Article 215 of the Penal Code praising a crime of a criminal and further amendment of Article 7/2 of the Anti-Terrorism Law making propaganda for a terrorist organization to solely criminalize incitement to violence would go some way in improving the protection of the right to freedom of expression; If Sultani Acbuca will be imprisoned on the basis of the evidence that has been presented, Amnesty International would consider her to be a prisoner of conscience and campaign for her immediate release.

Solidarity Action
Many individuals benefit from receiving letters of support directly from activists. So we also encourage you to join solidarity action by writing to Sultani Acbuca. Suggested Message: Dear Sultani Acbuca I have written to the authorities in Turkey to protest your conviction and sentence for six years and three months. I hope that the Supreme Court of Appeals overturns this unfair conviction and lifts this burden off of your shoulders. I have also called on them to change the law (definition of terrorism and related articles) to that others do not go through what you have been through. With my regards Sevgili Sultani Acbuca Yaptgnz konusmalar nedeniyle aldgnz alt yl aylk cezay protesto etmek iin Trkiye yetkililerine mektup yazdm. Umarm Yargtay karar bu haksz cezay bozar ve zerinizdeki bu yk kalkar. Onlara, sizing yasadklarnz baskalar da yasamasn diye, ncelikle terrizmin tanm ve iliskili yasalar olmak zere yasalar degistirmeleri agrsnda bulundum Sevgiler ve sayglarmla

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

Please send a letter to:

Sultani Acbuca Rafet Paa Mahallesi 5157 Sokak No:2 Kat:2 Daire :3 amdibi / zmir Turkey

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3) Amnesty International Briefing Turkey: National Authorities and the International Community Must Act in Partnership to Meet the Needs of Syrian Refugees
EUR 44/009/2013 April 25, 2013 More than 1.3 million refugees from Syria having fled to other countries, in particular Turkey, Jordan, Lebanon and Iraq. This briefing highlights concerns regarding the situation of refugees from Syria, particularly in Turkey, as part of its ongoing campaigning in relation to policies and practices relating to refugees in the country. To read the full press release, please go to: http://www.amnesty.org/en/library/info/EU R44/009/2013/en Turkey: Istanbul May Day Celebrations: Denial of Right to Peaceful Protest and Excessive Use of Force by Police EUR 44/010/2013 May 3, 2013 Amnesty International is concerned about law enforcement authorities attempt to prevent a May Day celebration and their use of excessive force against peaceful demonstrators. Amnesty International received reports regarding scores of injuries including a 17year old girl who was in a coma for 24 hours after being hit by a tear gas canister fired by police. Amnesty International calls on the authorities to end the routine use of excessive force at demonstrations and to conduct investigations in the aftermath.

To read the full press release, please go to: http://www.amnesty.org/en/library/asset/EU R44/010/2013/en/f3ace455-070e-47648a17-2ffee49f08bf/eur440102013en.html

tvw tvwtvw tvw 4) Amnesty International News Turkey: Legal Reforms Fall Short on Freedom of Expression
April 30, 2013 Amnesty International believes the Fourth judicial package, a reform bill that was confirmed by Turkeys President and passed into law, will allow abusive prosecutions to continue, forcing still more political activists, journalists and human rights defenders to face jail sentences for carrying out their work. Yet again Turkey missed an opportunity to meet the governments stated aim of bringing Turkish laws into line with international human rights standards, including European Court of Human Rights case law on the right to freedom of expression. To read the full news article, please go to: http://www.amnesty.org/en/news/turkeylegal-reforms-fall-short-freedom-expression2013-04-30

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5) Amnesty International Public Statement Turkey: Twin Car Bombings in Syrian Border District Condemned
EUR 44/011/2013 May 13, 2013 Amnesty International condemns unreservedly the 11 May bomb attacks in Reyhanl, Hatay province which have left some 50 people dead and more than 100 injured. They city of Reyhanl is close to one of the main crossing points between the Turkey and Syria and hosts a large number of Syrian refugees. Amnesty International calls on the Turkish authorities to conduct a thorough and impartial investigation, to take all possible measures to ensure the safety and security of Syrian refugees, and to bring those responsible to justice. To read the full public release, please go to: http://www.amnesty.org/en/library/asset/E UR44/011/2013/en/37e82170-6363-403892f5-842c17a7e3b9/eur440112013en.html

conscientious objectors for their refusal to perform military performance. To read the full public release, please go to: http://www.amnesty.org/en/library/asset/E UR01/012/2013/en/ba29d2d9-a6d0-48ffaf99-b6ec0307bba7/eur010122013en.html

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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: Amnesty International USA Turkey Regional Action Network Twitter @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 have someone else receive the monthly newsletter, please contact AIUSA TURKRAN coordinator: Natsumi Ajiki at najiki@mac.com.

Turkey: Right to Conscientious Objection Still Not Guaranteed in Europe

EUR 01/012/2013 May 14, 2013 Today, May 15th, is International Conscientious Objectors Day. Amnesty International has released a solidarity message that urges Turkey, along with Azerbaijan and Armenia, to recognize the right to conscientious objection to military service immediately. Turkey has not honored the rulings of the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR), which require the authorities to prevent the repeated prosecution and imprisonment of