International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH)

FIDH mission in Turkey – Summary report
« Turkey must end the impunity of political violence »
Paris, February 13th 2008 – The International Federation for Human
Rights (FIDH) undertook a mission in Istanbul, Turkey, from February 9
to 11, 2008, on the occasion of the third hearing of the Hrant Dink
murder trial, the founder and editor-in-chief of the Turkish-Armenian
weekly Agos newspaper, who was shot dead in front of his office on 19
January 2007. This mission was deployed in follow-up to FIDH’s
mobilisation alongside Hrant Dink’s family and lawyers, and in support
of their struggle for Justice.
Following the third hearing, FIDH welcomes the filming of the
proceedings, as transparency is an essential element to guarantee the
fairness of the procedure. Nevertheless, FIDH Secretary General Florence
Bellivier calls the Turkish authorities « to ensure full access to the
documents related to the case to the lawyers of Dink’s family, in
particular the results of the investigation into the behaviour of State
security agents ».
In parallel to this case, FIDH wishes to express its satisfaction
following the arrest, on January 22nd, and the opening of a judicial
investigation against a group of ultra-nationalist individuals who would
belong to the illegal paramilitary group Ergenekon. Among them is Mr.
Veli Küçük, a retired general of the Turkish army.
Without prejudice to the results of the investigation, FIDH welcomes the
opening of proceedings against individuals whose names have appeared
repeatedly in a number of cases of political violence, notably the
murder of Hrant Dink, the massacre of a Christian pastor and two of his
practitioners in Malatya on April 18th 2007, and the killing of a
Catholic Priest on February 4th 2006 in Trabzon. « FIDH hopes that
these
investigations will enable the determination of higher levels of
responsibility in the instigation of these crimes, and break the cycle
of political violence » said Secretary General Florence Bellivier.
Beyond the trial, the mission was an opportunity to discuss several of
the main human rights violations that Turkey is facing today. In this
respect, FIDH wishes to highlight the following:
* The Kurdish Question.
FIDH and its member organisation the Human Rights Association (Ýnsan
Haklarý Derneði, IHD) express their deep preoccupation at the
continuous
human rights violations in the South-Eastern provinces. The
organisations are particularly preoccupied by the bombing of civilian
areas, in violation of fundamental principles of international human
rights and humanitarian law. The organisations repeat their call to the
authorities for a political and pacific settlement of the Kurdish
Question, and urge the government to open talks with Kurdish
organisations and civil society in this respect.
* Freedom of opinion and expression.
FIDH repeats its call for the abolition of Article 301 of the Penal
Code. Freedom of expression should not be criminalised and Turkey should
conform with the recommendations addressed by all UN special rapporteurs
and treaty bodies in this respect. Newspapers such as Free-Agenda
(Özgür
Gündem), documenting the situation of Kurdish or other minorities as
well as the consequences of the conflict in the South East, should be
able to publish their stories.
* Situation of human rights defenders
FIDH is worried about the continuous harassment of human rights
defenders, intellectuals and journalists who promote human rights. As
documented by the Observatory for the protection of Human Rights
defenders (FIDH-OMCT), Mr. Ethem Açikalin, the Chair of IHD’s section
in
Adana, as well as the former chair and an Administrator of the Ankara
section remain under arbitrary detention. FIDH calls for their immediate
release. FIDH further remains preoccupied at the judicial harassment
against the Vice-President of the IHD, Ms Reyhan Yalçýndað, the
pending
court case to close down the Mersin section of IHD (in South Turkey, as
well as with the prosecution of members of the National Commission on
Human rights, professors Mr. Ibrahim Kaboglu and Mr. Baskin Oran, for
having published a report on Minorities in Turkey. FIDH calls for the
suspension of all charges in these trials.
* Counter-terrorism and human Rights, use of torture.
FIDH is finally worried about information reported by its member
organisation the Human Rights Foundation of Turkey, on the broad and
vague definition of the acts defined under the Anti-terror Act, in
violation of the principle of legality of the International Covenant on
Civil and Political Rights. The organisations further deplore the
continuous use of torture in impunity or the light sentences resulting
>From the few condemnations. They call upon the Turkish authorities to
comply with the recommendations of the UN Independent Expert on
counter-terrorism and human rights, as well as the UN Special Rapporteur
on Torture.
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2008_60ème anniversaire de la DUDH
Gaël Grilhot
Responsable du service de presse
FIDH
17 passage de la main d’or
75011 Paris
France
tel : 00 33 1 43 55 90 19
fax : 00 33 1 43 55 18 80

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2008 60eme anniversaire de la DUDH
Marie Camberlin
FIDH
Chargée de programme/ Program Officer
Afrique du Nord et Moyen Orient
Middle East and North Africa

Tel.: 33(0)1 43 55 17 89
Fax: 33(0)1 43 55 18 80
17, passage de la main d’or
75011 Paris
France