An Open Call To The Grand National Assembly Of Turkey and The Constitutional Court Of The Republic Of Turkey 09.06.2010 On 7 May 2010, the Grand National Assembly of Turkey passed a bill on Turkey’s constitutional amendments offering partial relief for the entrenched military influence over civilians that was reinforced by the army-led 1980 coup d’état. Following the Supreme Board of Elections interpretation/decision, these amendments shall be put to a public referendum on 12 September 2010.
Press Release: The Threat Against Baskın Oran Scientist and human rights defender Prof. Dr. Baskın Oran has been threatened by persons using the name of TİT (Turkish Revenge Brigade). “TİT” was also a signature used by those persons who tried to kill Akın Birdal, former president of Human Rights Association, on 12 May 1998.
International Helsinki Citizens' Assembly Co-chair Arzu Abdullayeva starts starvation action in Azerbaijan In Azerbaijan, public figures join the starvation action started by Eynulla Fatullayev, the editor in chief of the newspapers "Gundalik Azerbaijan" and "Realniy Azerbaijan" who was sentenced for 8 and half years of imprisonment for defamation. Below, you will find information provided by our friends from hCa in Azerbaijan.
Court Case Against Human Rights Defender Nalan Erkem / February 27, 2008 Nalan Erkem has been an active member of the “Torture Prevention Group” which has been established within Izmir Bar Association, but then closed down because of the changes in the administration of the Bar. She is now being tried for “misconduct in Office,” because she publicly disclosed the existence of torture and mistreatment of children held at the local Buca prison.
We were there, in front of Agos, on 19th of January We got together in front of the building of Agos newspaper, to commemorate our brother Hrant Dink, who was assasinated last year on January 19th, and to show our request for justice. Ten thousand people gathered in front of the newspaper on 19th January, 2008, who shouted out loud to underline the negligences that happened throughout the one year that passed after the assasination.
Turkish-Armenian dialogue in Paris, Saturday 26th of January 600 persons were gathered at the town hall of the Xth district of Paris to commemorate Hrant Dink together, half of them from Turkish origin and half from Armenian Diaspora. Our friends from hCa-France shared with us the details of the meeting...
We are witnesses to this case! The second hearing of Hrant Dink's murder case took place on 1 October 2007, in Istanbul 14th Heavy Penal Court in Besiktas. Police implemented heavy security while people concerned about the trial gathered in Besiktas square before the hearing, proclaiming: "We are witnesses to this case and we want justice!". The group, including many artists, writers, journalists and human rights activists listened to speeches of Hrant Dink and Rakel Dink, while waiting for the press statement to be given at 11:00 a.m.
A new book from Helsinki Citizens' Assembly: "Woman's Handbook: Our Rights in Law" Under the "Handbook of Woman Citizen" Project, implemented by associate organizations Diyarbakir Woman Center (KA-MER), İzmit Solidarity with Women Foundation, and İstanbul DİSK Textile Workers' Union; the reference book entitled "Woman's Handbook: Our Rights in Law" was published in November 2006, in Turkish and Kurdish.
40th day ceremony for Hrant Dink Our friend Hrant Dink who has been killed in front of Agos newspaper has been commemorated in İstanbul Balıklı Armenian Cemetery, Kumkapı Armenian Church and Kınalıada, by his family, relatives and friends after 40 days of his death. On March 4th, following the rite prepared for the 40th day of his death in Kumkapı Virgin Mary Armenian Church, Hrant Dink has been commemorated in front of the Balıklı Armenian Cemetery later in the afternoon.
“OFFICE OF THE CHIEF OF TURKISH GENERAL STAFF TARGETS PEACE AND DEMOCRACY DEFENDERS”
The press release which has been issued on the web site of the Office of the Chief of General Staff on June 8, 2007 is an unacceptable statement in terms of democracy, rule of law, and human rights.
Another ultimatum from the Turkish military - 8 June 2007 A little over than a month ago, about midnight of April 27, the General Staff of the Turkish Armed Forces had issued out an ultimatum, which emphasized the critical threats to the Republic: the dictated & undisputable form of secularism threatened by participation of islam-oriented actors in civil, political and social life; and by the upcoming elections. The announcement also highlighted that the military was against any debates (and thus those who debate) about the fundamental values of the Republic, that is the status quo.
Last midnight, June 7, The Chief of General Staff of the Turkish Military Forces made another official statement, which is posted on the official web site of the General Staff in Turkish. This one focuses on the Kurdish issue, on the grounds of separatist terrorist acts.
WE ARE IN DEEP GRIEF AND MOURNING We lost our brother, our friend Hrant Dink in a malicious and poor-spirited attack. Hrant Dink became the latest target of the “serial” murders of journalists, writers and intellectuals that Turkey has been witnessing throughout the previous decades. Hrant Dink had been brought to the attention of the public with the unreasonable charges that he faced, and he was frequently subject to attacks from extreme nationalist groups who claim they “love their country more than anyone else”. The murder of Hrant Dink sadly shows us that in spite of all efforts, the dark days for Turkey have in fact not ended entirely.
Freedom of Expression Campaign of Human Rights Joint Platform Human Rights Joint Platform (established by four human rights organizations in Turkey including hCa) organizes a Freedom of Expression Campaign between October 30 and December 31. You can support the campaign from the web site: http://www.ihopdusunceozgurlugu.org/
The murder of Hrant Dink was also protested in France On January 27th, a demonstration was organized in Paris in the memory of Hrant Dink. Around 1200 participants, among them Turks, Armenians, delegations of migrants' groups, representatives from leftist parties and NGOs (including Helsinki Citizens' Assembly – France) gathered to protest the assassination. At the end of the demonstration, Dink's picture was covered with flowers.
The assassination was also protested in Strasbourg with a meeting organized by a local Turkish association, ASTTU (Association de Solidarité avec les Travailleurs Turcs). Around 150 participants, including Armenians, stayed in the main square of Strasbourg for several hours.
