Tag Archives: Kurds

Amnesty Issues Urgent Action on Injured Prisoners

Posted on August 26, 2015 by heissenstat

The conflict between Turkey and the Kurdish PKK has once again turned ugly, with significant evidence of abuses and, according to the New York Times, more than 800 killed in recent weeks.  For its part, Amnesty International has been working … Continue reading →

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Guest Blog: Surprising turn in trial Dutch journalist: good news?

Posted on April 8, 2015 by heissenstat

  April 8, 2015 | The trial of Dutch journalist Fréderike Geerdink took an unexpected turn this morning in Diyarbakır’s 6th High Criminal Court. After she delivered her statement pleading not guilty to the charge of making propaganda for a … 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

As another child dies in Eastern Turkey: “Silence equals Death”

Posted on January 14, 2015 by heissenstat

Today, I won’t be writing about Turkey’s horrid response to the Charlie Hebdo attacks and their aftermath today.  Enough ink has been spilled about the crocodile tears spilt by Prime Minister Davutoglu in Paris as he stood in defense of … Continue reading →

Posted in Charlie Hebdo, Cumhuriyet, Davutoglu, Freedom of Expression, Internet Freedom, Kurds, Nihat Kazanhan, Press Freedom, Umit Kurt | Tagged , , | Comments Off on As another child dies in Eastern Turkey: “Silence equals Death”

Where is the outrage? Another child killed in Eastern Turkey [Updated, January 13]

Posted on January 7, 2015 by heissenstat

According to press reports, January 6 witnessed another day of fatal police violence in Cizre, Turkey.  The town has seen repeated clashes between supporters of the PKK and police in recent weeks.  In the violence yesterday, several were injured and … Continue reading →

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The Trail of Impunity: Roboski and Okmeydani

Posted on March 17, 2014 by heissenstat

The protests which have shaken Turkey in the aftermath of Berkin Elvan’s death at age fifteen have generated many shocking images.  Grainy photographs from protests in Roboski/Qileban, however, struck a particular nerve with me because they highlight the extent to … 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”

European Court of Human Rights issues important verdict on 1994 Bombing

Posted on November 12, 2013 by heissenstat

  In an important ruling today that highlights the on-going failure of Turkish authorities to address abuses by security services, the European Court of Human Rights has awarded 38 applicants more than 2.3 million Euros in non-pecuniary damage for Turkey’s … Continue reading →

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More on Turkey and World Press Freedom Day

Posted on May 7, 2013 by heissenstat

World Press Freedom Day (May 3) was an opportune moment for calling attention to the sorry state of press freedoms in Turkey.  Amnesty International – Turkey did so with a protests in downtown Istanbul and flash mobs elsewhere in the … Continue reading →

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Freedom House Annual Report: Another bad year for freedom of the press in Turkey (updated)

Posted on May 2, 2013 by heissenstat

Freedom House has published in 2013 annual report on freedom of the press.  This year, yet again, Turkey came away with less than passing marks. Turkey remained a regional outlier [in the Western Europe region] with a score of 56, … Continue reading →

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