Category Archives: Terrorism

Amnesty: Turkey’s escalating abuses risk return to dark days of 1990s

Posted on July 5, 2016 by heissenstat

The message of Amnesty’s latest statement on abuses in Turkey’s on-going operations in south eastern Turkey could hardly have been clearer.  Things are getting much, much worse, with  “growing evidence of severe human rights violations, including torture and impunity for human … Continue reading →

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Condolence Book for Tahir Elçi

Posted on April 13, 2016 by heissenstat

Human rights lawyer/defender Tahir Elçi was shot dead in Diyarbakir on 28 November 2015. You may recall that Amnesty International organised a public meeting to pay tribute to him in January, attended by his wife, Turkan  Elçi, and one of … Continue reading →

Posted in Amnesty International, Freedom of Expression, Freedom of Press, Impunity, Kurds, Minorities, Terrorism, Turkey, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , | Comments Off on Condolence Book for Tahir Elçi

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 Ankara bombing

Posted on March 14, 2016 by heissenstat

Yesterday evening, the streets of Ankara were again shattered by a bomb in the city center.  According to the authorities, as of this morning, 37 people had been killed and over 100 people were injured.  Amnesty International today issued a … Continue reading →

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Celebrate Dündar and Gül’s release, but recognize broader attack on press freedoms

Posted on February 26, 2016 by heissenstat

With a ruling by Turkey’s Constitutional Court, journalists Can Dündar and Erdem Gül have been released from pre-trial detention in a case that potentially could have resulted in terms of life in prison.

Posted in Amnesty International, Cumhuriyet, Freedom of Expression, Freedom of Press, Internet Freedom, Kurds, Terrorism, Turkey, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , | Comments Off on Celebrate Dündar and Gül’s release, but recognize broader attack on press freedoms

Amnesty calls on Turkey to End Abusive Operations

Posted on January 20, 2016 by heissenstat

In a briefing and press release today (January 21) , Amnesty International renewed its call to Turkish authorities to “end the indefinite curfews in Kurdish neighbourhoods across east and south-east Turkey.” For several months, Amnesty International has been urging the … Continue reading →

Posted in Academic Freedom, Andrew Gardner, Anti-terrorism, Erdogan, Excessive Force, Freedom of Expression, Freedom of Press, Impunity, Kurds, PKK, Press Freedom, Terrorism, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Amnesty calls on Turkey to End Abusive Operations

Amnesty: Detention of Academics New Assault on Freedom of Expression

Posted on January 15, 2016 by heissenstat

Described in a televised speech Tuesday by President Tayyip Erdogan as “traitors”  academics who had signed a speech critical of Turkish military operations in the south-east are now the target of harassment, threats, and police investigations.    The detention of … Continue reading →

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Amnesty condemns Istanbul bombing

Posted on January 12, 2016 by heissenstat

In the wake of a horrific attack in Istanbul’s Sultanahmet district today, Amnesty International issued a public statement condemning the bombing and calling for “a prompt, impartial, and thorough investigation”: Amnesty International condemns the bombing, apparently targeting civilians in the … Continue reading →

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Amnesty issues Urgent Action on Curfews

Posted on January 11, 2016 by heissenstat

Amnesty International has issued an Urgent Action, calling attention to rights abuses in Turkey as security forces launch military operations against the armed Revolutionary Patriotic Youth Movement (YDG-H) the youth wing of the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK).  The clashes have … Continue reading →

Posted in Amnesty International, Anti-terrorism, Excessive Force, Freedom of Assembly, Freedom of Expression, Kurds, Military, Minorities, PKK, Terrorism, Turkey, Urgent Action | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Amnesty issues Urgent Action on Curfews

Amnesty condemns bombing in Ankara, calls for impartial investigation [updated 10:35 AM Eastern]

Posted on October 10, 2015 by heissenstat

Turkey: Amnesty International condemns bombing targeting demonstrators in Ankara Just after 10am this morning, twin blasts close to the central train station in Ankara exploded as people assembled for the start of a peace demonstration in the capital city. The … Continue reading →

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