Tag Archives: Gezi Protests

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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The Gezi Anniversary

Posted on June 4, 2014 by heissenstat

Check out my new blog on the anniversary of Gezi on our main Human Rights Now page.   I write, in part: On the first anniversary of the Gezi Protests and their brutal suppression in Turkey, central Istanbul resembled nothing so … Continue reading →

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An end to Impunity: The Case of Ali Ismail Korkmaz

Posted on May 12, 2014 by heissenstat

For almost a year now, we have been calling for justice in the case of Ali Ismail Korkmaz, who was savagely beaten to death – apparently by civilian police – during the course of Gezi Protests in June, 2013.  Today, … Continue reading →

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Gezi trials target health workers

Posted on May 6, 2014 by heissenstat

(Video above: Tear gas and water cannon outside of the German Hospital in June, 2013) As we approach the first anniversary of the Gezi Protests, trials of protestors and others caught up in the Turkish government’s crackdown are picking up … Continue reading →

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PEN Report on Freedom of Expression after Gezi

Posted on March 15, 2014 by heissenstat

Pen International issued a report this week calling attention to escalating restrictions on journalists and writers in Turkey, particularly after the crackdown on the Gezi Protests last June. The excessive use of police force, as well as widespread media censorship … Continue reading →

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Berkin Elvan, 1999 – 2014

Posted on March 11, 2014 by heissenstat

I awoke this morning to the sad news that Berkin Elvan, who has been in a coma since he was struck in the head by a police officer’s tear gas canister during the Gezi Protests, passed away last night.   I … Continue reading →

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Justice for Berkin

Posted on March 10, 2014 by heissenstat

Berkin Elvan was not a looter.  He was not even a protestor. He was – and continues to be – a victim. Fourteen years old at the time, Berkin went out to get bread for his family during the Gezi … Continue reading →

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The Ethem Sarısülük Case

Posted on June 26, 2013 by heissenstat

During the course of protests in Ankara on June 1, one of the protestors, Ethem Sarısülük was shot in the head; his doctors declared him brain dead a little more than a week later. This week, the police officer accused … Continue reading →

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