Category Archives: Andrew Gardner

Amnesty issues report on displacement of hundreds of thousands in Turkey

Posted on December 5, 2016 by heissenstat

  Amnesty International has just issued an extensive and deeply researched 31 page report detailing “the desperate  plight of families forced out of the historical centre of Diyarbakir” through massive security operations and round-the-clock curfews.  “Homes in the once-bustling district have been … Continue reading →

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Amnesty: Intensified crackdown on media increases atmosphere of fear

Posted on July 28, 2016 by heissenstat

[The following is a repost of Amnesty’s press release of 28 July 2016] As Turkey enters its second week of a three month state of emergency, the ongoing crackdown on civil society and the assault on media freedom has reached … Continue reading →

Posted in Amnesty International, Andrew Gardner, Freedom of Association, Freedom of COnscience, Freedom of Expression, Freedom of Press, Umit Kurt, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Amnesty: Intensified crackdown on media increases atmosphere of fear

Amnesty calls for independent monitors as allegations of torture mount

Posted on July 24, 2016 by heissenstat

In the aftermath of a failed coup attempt, Amnesty has seen mounting evidence of human rights abuses, including a further clamp down on freedom of expression and mass arrests. The detention of human rights lawyer Orhan Kemal Cengiz and the raid … Continue reading →

Posted in Academic Freedom, Andrew Gardner, Due Process, Excessive Force, Impunity, Torture, Turkey, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , | Comments Off on Amnesty calls for independent monitors as allegations of torture mount

Amnesty on State of Emergency in Turkey

Posted on July 22, 2016 by heissenstat

Amnesty International issued a press release yesterday, July 21, on the newly declared State of Emergency in Turkey.   The text is below: President Erdogan’s announcement of the imposition of a state of emergency must not pave the way for a … Continue reading →

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Amnesty: Rights must be respected in aftermath of failed coup

Posted on July 18, 2016 by heissenstat

In response to a shocking coup attempt by elements of the military at overthrowing the elected government of Turkey, Amnesty International issued the following statement: Turkey is still reeling from a night of violence in which a coup attempt from … Continue reading →

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In Turkey, freedom of expression early casualty of “anti-terror” campaign

Posted on March 25, 2016 by heissenstat

Turkey has suffered from a series of horrendous attacks in recent months.  The security challenges it faces are very real.  Unfortunately, the rhetoric coming out of Ankara suggests that, under the umbrella of fighting terrorism, the most basic civil liberties … Continue reading →

Posted in Academic Freedom, Amnesty International, Andrew Gardner, Anti-terrorism, Cumhuriyet, Erdogan, Freedom of Assembly, Freedom of Expression, Freedom of Press, Press Freedom, Terrorism, Turkey, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on In Turkey, freedom of expression early casualty of “anti-terror” campaign

Amnesty International condemns take-over of newspaper

Posted on March 4, 2016 by heissenstat

In a sharply-worded response, Amnesty International described today’s take-over of Zaman newspaper  by court-appointed trustees as “the latest deeply troubling episode in the Turkish authorities’ ongoing onslaught on dissenting media.” “By lashing out and seeking to rein in critical voices, … Continue reading →

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Amnesty: Drastic Increase in Allegations of Excessive Force in Turkey

Posted on March 2, 2016 by heissenstat

Amnesty International highlighted a “dramatic increase” in allegations of excessive use of force by Turkish security forces in the past year.  It noted that lethal force has routinely been employed during anti-terrorism operations, but that “the absence of effective investigations … Continue reading →

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Amnesty: 2015 witnessed continued assaults on Freedom of Assembly in Turkey

Posted on February 28, 2016 by heissenstat

Amnesty International’s Annual Report detailed continued attacks on the right to peaceful assembly in Turkey this past year: The practice of arbitrary detentions at assemblies was given legal basis by legislative amendments in March in the Domestic Security Package, providing … Continue reading →

Posted in Amnesty International, Andrew Gardner, Excessive Force, Freedom of Assembly, Gezi, Gezi Park, Gezi Protest, Taksim, Teargas, Turkey, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , | Comments Off on Amnesty: 2015 witnessed continued assaults on Freedom of Assembly in Turkey

Amnesty: Freedom of Expression in Turkey Deteriorates in 2015

Posted on February 25, 2016 by heissenstat

“Countless unfair criminal prosecutions, including under criminal defamation and anti-terrorism laws, targeted political activists, journalists and others critical of public officials or government policy. Ordinary citizens were frequently brought before the courts for social media posts.”  That’s the grim portrait … Continue reading →

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