Tag Archives: Freedom of Assembly

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: 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 →

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Amnesty: Pride march ban is a new low

Posted on June 30, 2015 by heissenstat

In a statement issued today, Amnesty International voiced its dismay at the unwarranted ban on the annual Pride March in Istanbul, describing it as “a new low.” The statement also noted the use of excessive force by the police in … Continue reading →

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Ahead of May Day protests in Turkey, Amnesty warns against suppression of free expression

Posted on April 30, 2015 by heissenstat

In advance of May Day, Amnesty International has issued a public statement on the suppression of free expression and free assembly in Turkey, calling on Turkish authorities to respect the rights of protestors.

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Two good court decisions. Two bad prosecutions.

Posted on April 30, 2015 by heissenstat

Yesterday, saw two positive court decisions in Turkey.   But the sad fact is that the judges made the right decision in two cases that should have never been brought to court, that represent a terrifying politicization of the criminal justice … Continue reading →

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Guest Blog: Trial of Çarsı football fans accused of attempting to overthrow the government is as farcical as it sounds.

Posted on April 15, 2015 by heissenstat

I was present on 2 April at Europe’s biggest court house, the Cağlayan Courthouse in Istanbul, to observe the second hearing in the prosecution of members of the fan club Çarşı of the Istanbul football club Beşiktaş. Thirty five people … Continue reading →

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South Korea: Suspend those Gas Shipments! Three Ways You can Help

Posted on December 30, 2014 by heissenstat

With South Korea planning to ship 550,000 teargas canisters and grenades to Turkey next month, it is time to act.  Please take action today!

Posted in Amnesty International, Excessive Force, Freedom of Assembly, Freedom of Expression, Gezi Park, South Korea, Teargas, Turkey | Tagged , , , , , | Comments Off on South Korea: Suspend those Gas Shipments! Three Ways You can Help

Second hearing Taksim Solidarity: Puppet show

Posted on November 1, 2014 by heissenstat

A guest blog from our colleague at Amnesty International – Netherlands on the most recent hearing in the Taksim Solidarity case: It was like an ironic cartoon. We were some forty people brushing up against each other in the doorframe … Continue reading →

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5/26 important hearing on Sarisuluk case

Posted on May 25, 2014 by heissenstat

There will be another hearing of in the case of Ethem Sarisuluk’s killing on Monday, May 26.  Follow live tweets on the case with Amnesty’s Andrew Gardner at @andrewegardner and Ruhat  Sena AKsener @ruhatsena  See here for a backgrounder on … Continue reading →

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Neither apology nor call for justice

Posted on March 14, 2014 by heissenstat

Many observers wondered how Turkish Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan would respond to the death of Berkin Elvan.  Berkin Elvan was a fourteen year old boy who was struck in the head by a policeman’s tear gas canister last June.  He … Continue reading →

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