Tag Archives: Censorship

Amnesty: Indictment Rejected but Barbaros Şansal Still Held

Posted on February 8, 2017 by heissenstat

Amnesty International issued an updated urgent action in the case of  fashion designer and LGBTI activist Barbaros Şansal.   “Şansal remains in pre-trial detention since 3 January for allegedly ‘inciting the public to hatred or hostility’, despite a court rejecting the … Continue reading →

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Amnesty on Turkey’s Worsening Human Rights Record: 11 Key Issues

Posted on February 24, 2015 by heissenstat

At midnight tonight, Amnesty International issued its Annual Report, The State of the World’s Human Rights.  There is grim reading throughout.  This was a tough year for human rights worldwide. Below I’ll try to outline the main issues that Amnesty … Continue reading →

Posted in Amnesty International, Andrew Gardner, Excessive Force, Freedom of Assembly, Freedom of Expression, Gezi Park, Impunity, Internet Freedom, Press Freedom, Taksim, Teargas, Turkey, Women's Rights | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Amnesty on Turkey’s Worsening Human Rights Record: 11 Key Issues

The pernicious logic of Turkey’s petty charges against free speech

Posted on December 21, 2014 by heissenstat

If the escalating war on the Gülen Movement, dominated recent news from Turkey, it was also marked by lesser items which highlight the dire straits of Turkish human rights.  A protester in Samsun was charged with “insulting the Turkish flag” … Continue reading →

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An update on the “Twitter Trial”

Posted on April 23, 2014 by heissenstat

In a blog posted earlier today, Amnesty International’s Turkey researcher, Andrew Gardner gave an update on the “Twitter Trial” in Izmir. He writes, in part: The fact this travesty continues says a lot about the sorry state of freedom of … Continue reading →

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“Twitter Trial” in Izmir

Posted on April 17, 2014 by heissenstat

Coming in the context of repeated efforts by the Turkish government to block social media outlets, the next hearing of the Izmir “Twitter Trial” is receiving international attention.  The case involves 29 men and women on trial Twitter messages they … Continue reading →

Posted in Amnesty International, Freedom of Assembly, Freedom of Expression, Gezi Park, Internet Freedom, Taksim, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on “Twitter Trial” in Izmir

The frustrating road to justice in the Sarısülük case

Posted on April 8, 2014 by heissenstat

The case of Ethem Sarısülük, killed by a policeman’s bullet during the Gezi protests, has been one of on-going concern for Amnesty International.  Yesterday,  the trial had its fourth, inconclusive hearing and Amnesty was there to follow the case.

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Twitter ban lifted, but the dangers remain

Posted on April 3, 2014 by heissenstat

Using hashtags like #TekrarHoşgeldinTwitter (welcome back Twitter), the news that the Turkish government had finally lifted the ban on twitter came across my desktop this afternoon. I don’t think I was the only one who sighed in relief.  Though the … Continue reading →

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Clashes in Istanbul over proposed Internet restrictions

Posted on February 8, 2014 by heissenstat

News reports from Istanbul this evening describe police attempts to cordon off sections of Taksim from protestors.  The reports describe police using tear gas and water cannon to disperse the crowds. According to Reuters: Riot police advanced along Istanbul’s Istiklal … Continue reading →

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Freedom House Special Report: Corruption, Media, and Power in Turkey

Posted on February 3, 2014 by heissenstat

In a report issued this week, Freedom House as highlighted once again the worsening human rights situation in Turkey.   The report highlights tightening government control of the press in Turkey and urges the AKP government “to recognize that its efforts … Continue reading →

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Human Rights Watch: Turkey “increasingly autocratic”

Posted on January 21, 2014 by heissenstat

Human Rights Watch issued its annual report today.  The section on Turkey notes some positive steps, including a reform package, efforts at a peace process with Kurds in Turkey, and the hosting of hundreds of thousands of Syrian refugees.  Nonetheless, … Continue reading →

Posted in Amnesty International, Excessive Force, Freedom of Assembly, Freedom of Association, Freedom of Expression, Hrant Dink, Impunity, Kurds, Minorities, PKK, Press Freedom, Religious Freedom, Turkey | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Human Rights Watch: Turkey “increasingly autocratic”