Nuriye Gülmen and Semih Özakça have been protesting at the human rights monument in central Ankara since November 2016 against dismissal from their jobs by executive decree. On 23 May, academic Nuriye Gülmen and primary school teacher Semih Özakça, who have been on a prolonged hunger strike to protest against dismissal from their jobs, were remanded in Sincan prison, Ankara. There are fears for their wellbeing including that they may be forced to end their hunger strike against their will.

Amnesty International has issued an urgent action  in the case of Academic Nuriye Gülmen and primary school teacher Semih Özakça, who were remanded in Sincan prison, in Ankara, on 23 May. They are continuing a prolonged hunger strike to protest against the dismissal from their jobs. There are fears for their wellbeing including that they may be forced to end their hunger strike against their will.

In the early hours of 22 May, academic Nuriye Gülmen and primary school teacher Semih Özakça announced on social media that they were being detained from their homes before being taken into police custody. On 23 May, a court in Ankara ruled that they be remanded in Sincan prison, also in Ankara.

Nuriye Gülmen and Semih Özakça have been protesting at the human rights monument in central Ankara since November 2016 against the dismissal from their jobs by executive decree. During the first few months of their sitdown protest, they were detained by police on numerous occasions. On 9 March, Nuriye Gülmen and Semih Özakça began their ongoing hunger strike while in police custody. They were released on 14 March but they continued their hunger strike in public at the human rights monument in Ankara.

Nuriye Gülmen and Semih Özakça have been protesting at the human rights monument (pictured here) in central Ankara since November 2016 against dismissal from their jobs by executive decree. On 23 May, academic Nuriye Gülmen and primary school teacher Semih Özakça, who have been on a prolonged hunger strike to protest against dismissal from their jobs, were remanded in Sincan prison, Ankara. There are fears for their wellbeing including that they may be forced to end their hunger strike against their will.

An indictment accusing them of “membership of a terrorist organization” and “propaganda for a terrorist organization” was accepted by a court in Ankara on 2 May. On 23 May, the court ruled to remand them in prison on grounds that “despite their prosecution, they insisted on continuing their action on behalf of the terrorist group DHKP-C” (Revolutionary People’s Liberation Party-Front, a proscribed leftist armed group) and that “if they were not remanded, they would damage the course of justice”. They deny any involvement with DHKP-C.

Amnesty International is concerned that Nuriye Gülmen and Semih Özakça may be force fed. Article 82 of the law on the execution of judgments No. 5275 allows for prison authorities to feed inmates on hunger strike without their consent, on the decision of the prison doctor. Such measures may also amount to cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment.

STEPS TO TAKE

Please write immediately in Turkish or your own language:

• Urging the Turkish authorities to immediately and unconditionally release Nuriye Gülmen and Semih Özakça as they appear to be detained solely in connection to their peaceful protest;
• Calling on them to ensure that they are protected from torture and other ill-treatment and that they have access to independent medical professionals to provide health care in compliance with medical ethics, including the principles of confidentiality, autonomy and informed consent;
• Reminding them that they are engaging in a peaceful form of protest and the Turkish authorities have an obligation to respect their right to freedom of expression, including their right to protest;

PLEASE SEND APPEALS BEFORE 5 JULY 2017 TO:

Minister of Justice Mr Bekir Bozdağ
Ministry of Justice Adalet Bakanlığı
06659 Ankara, Turkey
Fax: +90 (0)312 419 33 70
Email: ozelkalem@adalet.gov.tr

Salutation: Dear Minister

And copies to:

Parliamentary Commission on Human Rights
Mustafa Yeneroğlu Commission Chairperson
TBMM İnsan Hakları İnceleme Komisyonu
Bakanlıklar, 06543 Ankara, Turkey

Fax: +90 (0)312 420 24 92

Email: insanhaklarikom@tbmm.gov.tr

Also send copies to diplomatic representatives accredited to your country. Please insert local diplomatic addresses below: Name Address 1 Address 2 Address 3 Fax Fax number Email Email address Salutation Salutation Please check with your section office if sending appeals after the above date.

UPDATE

Amnesty Turkey has created an online site for this urgent action.  You can sign their petition here [Turkish only]: http://acileylem.org.tr/eylem/nuriyesemih