Tag Archives: Police violence

Guest Blog: Seeking Justice for Abdullah Cömert

Posted on April 9, 2015 by heissenstat

“You killed my son on purpose!” These are the words that Hatice Cömert cries out in the courtroom as she bursts into tears while watching the footage from the scene of the crime where her 22 year-old son, Abdullah Cömert, … Continue reading →

Posted in Amnesty International, Excessive Force, Freedom of Assembly, Freedom of Expression, Gezi, Impunity, Turkey | Tagged Abdullah Comert, Amnesty International, Gezi, impunity, Police violence, Turkey | Comments Off

Amnesty International calls on South Korea: Stop tear gas shipments to Turkey!

Posted on December 15, 2014 by heissenstat

Amnesty International has issued an urgent call to South Korea to “stop the planned shipment of massive amounts of tear gas to Turkey, where the security forces have frequently abused riot control equipment amid repression of peaceful protests.”

Posted in Amnesty International, Excessive Force, Impunity | Tagged Amnesty International, excessive force, Police violence, south korea, tear gas, Turkey, turkish security forces | Comments Off

The Family of Ali Ismail Korkmaz continues its search for Justice: A First Hand Account of the Trial

Posted on October 16, 2014 by heissenstat

While protesters in Turkey are demonstrating against the perceived lack of action of the Turkish government against IS with many protesters dead after violent clashes with the police, the trial against the civilians and police officers who killed another protester … Continue reading →

Posted in Freedom of Assembly, Freedom of Expression, Impunity, Uncategorized | Tagged Ali Ismail Korkmaz, Gezi Park, impunity, Police violence | Comments Off

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 →

Posted in Excessive Force, Impunity, Taksim, Turkey | Tagged Ali Ismail Korkmaz, Andrea de Ruijter, Andrew Gardner, excessive force, Freedom of Expression, Gezi Protests, Police violence, Ruhat Sena Akşene, Turkey | Comments Off

AI Turkey Researcher Andrew Gardner blogs from Istanbul

Posted on March 13, 2014 by heissenstat

Amnesty International’s researcher on Turkey has been in Istanbul monitoring events. This morning, Amnesty his blog. He writes: All the evidence suggests that Berkin died because of injuries he sustained last 16 June, when he was hit at close range … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged #BerkinElvan, #BerkinElvanÖlümsüzdür, Amnesty International, Andrew Gardner, Berkin Elvan, Diren Gezi, DirenGezi, Erdogan, excessive force, Freedom of Assembly, Freedom of Expression, gas canisters, Gezi Park, impunity, Istanbul, Police violence, taksim square, tear gas, Turkey, water cannon | Comments Off

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 →

Posted in Amnesty International, Excessive Force, Freedom of Assembly, Freedom of Expression, Impunity, Turkey | Tagged Amnesty International, Berkin Elvan, Diren Gezi, DirenBerkin, excessive force, Gezi Park, Gezi Protests, Human Rights, Police violence, Taksim, tear gas, Turkey | Comments Off

Targeting medical personnel in Turkey [updated, January 17]

Posted on January 14, 2014 by heissenstat

One of the most shocking aspects of Turkey’s violent crackdown on peaceful protest has been the willingness of authorities to target medical personnel. Since then, not only have authorities not been held responsible, but the government has moved to increase … Continue reading →

Posted in Amnesty International, Excessive Force, Freedom of Assembly, Freedom of Expression, Impunity, Turkey, Uncategorized | Tagged Amnesty International, Ankara, Associated Press, Berza Simsek, Diren Gezi, Doctors, excessive force, Freedom of Assembly, Freedom of Expression, Gezi Park, health clinic, Human Rights, Izmir, Medical personnel, Physicians for Human Rights, Police violence, Suzan Fraser, tear gas, Turkey, United Nations, water cannon | Comments Off

Release of major report Amnesty Report on Gezi Crackdown

Posted on October 2, 2013 by heissenstat

I have worked on human rights in Turkey for well over a decade now, first volunteering at shelters for refugees and migrants as a doctoral student and, later, as Country Specialist for Amnesty International. Working with any large institutions brings … Continue reading →

Posted in Amnesty International, Excessive Force, Freedom of Assembly, Freedom of Expression, Impunity, Internet Freedom, Press Freedom, Turkey, Uncategorized, Women's Rights | Tagged Ahmet Sik, Amnesty International, Andrew Gardner, Erdogan, excessive force, Freedom of Assembly, Freedom of Expression, gas canisters, Gezi Crackdown, Gezi Park, Human Rights, Istanbul, Police violence, Report, taksim square | Comments Off

Our latest TURKRAN Message

Posted on August 2, 2013 by heissenstat

Below is the message that went out to our TURKRAN members today. To join the TURKRAN, contact Natsumi Ajiki at najiki@mac.com Dear members of Amnesty International USA Turkey Regional Action Network (AIUSA-TURKRAN), I am excited to share with you an … Continue reading →

Posted in Amnesty International, Freedom of Assembly, Freedom of Expression, Turkey | Tagged Action, AIUSA, Amnesty International, amnesty international usa, excessive force, Freedom of Expression, Human Rights, peaceful protesters, Police violence, protest campaign, Taksim, taksim square, Turkey, Turkey Regional Action Network | Comments Off

Make up your mind Minister! Terrorists or “a Vibrant Civil Society”

Posted on August 2, 2013 by cecbill

The June 29th edition of the New York Times published an opinion piece by Turkey’s EU Minister Egemen Bagis in which Bagis attempts to explain away the ugliness of this past summer. In effect, he argues, the Gezi protests … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged Egemen Bagis, Erdem Gunduz, Freedom of Assembly, New York Times, Police violence, Press Freedom, Prime Minister Erdogan, taksim square, Turkey | Comments Off