The Human Rights Actions Network
www.derechos.org/human-rights/actions/
ACTION REQUEST
22 May, 1997
URGENT ACTION ALERT
FOR HUMAN RIGHTS DEFENDERS IN TURKEY
Mahmut Sakar (lawyer),
Vice President of the Human Rights Association
Sinan Tanrikulu (lawyer),
Branch Secretary of the HRA in Diyarbakir
Vedat Cetin ,
Executive of the HRA's Diyarbakir Branch
Ozlem Cetin (f),
Member of the HRA in Diyarbakir
Pirozhan Dogrul,
Executive of the HRA's Diyarbakir Branch
Nebahat Akkoc(f),
Member of Central Executive Board of the HRA
Haydar Kilicoglu,
Branch Chair of the Teachers' Union (Egitim-Sen)
Yusuf Akgun
Branch Secretary of the Egitim-Sen
Ahmet M. Altindag
Accountant of the Egitim-Sen
were all detained by the Anti-Terror Branch in Diyarbakir on 22 May 1997.
Their lawyers and relatives couldn't get any information what the reasons
are and what the charges are brought against them.
On 22 May 1997, Sinan Tanrikulu , Branch Secretary of the Human Rights
Association in Diyarbakir and also a lawyer, was detained at the State
Security Court where he had been for a hearing. Soon after, Mahmut Sakar,
Vice President of the HRA and lawyer, was detained in the same way.
A crowded team of the Anti-Terror Branch raided on and searched the Human
Rights Association's office in Diyarbakir at 12:20 pm. As a result of this
searching, they seized all the documents, files, fax messages and
correspondence from various human rights organisations, reports of the
human rights abuses, every kind of books and newsletters as well as the
private computer of Vedat Cetin. After that Vedat Cetin, Ozlem Cetin and
Pirozhan Dogrul were detained and taken to the Anti-Terror Branch of the
Security Department.
According to information we were able to get, at 2:00 pm Diyarbakir Branch
of Egitim-Sen (teachers' union) was raided on and its Chair, Haydar
Kilicoglu, Branch Secretary Yusuf Akgun and Accountant Ahmet M. Altindag
were detained by the Anti-Terror Branch.
Meanwhile, Nebahat Akkoc who has been executive of the HRA for a long time
was detained when being at home.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
Human Rights Association was established in 1986 to carry efforts in the
field of Human Rights and Liberties. It investigates, identify and make
known to individuals, to the public and to the relevant authorities human
rights practices in Turkey. It carried out many discussion meetings on
human rights abuses, organised lots of campaigns against these abuses and
issued annual reports on the human rights violations comitted in Turkey.
The Human Rights Association of Turkey has been the target of the
governments since being founded. Lots of its member have been subjected to
death threats, detention, torture and even murder. Its 12 activists were
killed by the security forces. Hundreds of trails have been brought
against its executives. Some of its branches were issued closure order by
the Governors. All its activities recently have not been allowed by the
authorities.
RECOMMENDED ACTION
Please send faxes or airmail letters in English or your own language:
* expressing your concern about the detention of those who are human
rights advocates
* pointing out that all of these detainees have in no way advocated
or committed violence , and are, therefore, considered to be a prisoners
of conscience,
* calling for their immediate release,
* seeking assurances that they are being treated humanely in detention,
* asking to be informed of any charges brought against them.
APPEALS TO
President Suleyman Demirel
Office of the President Cumhurbaskanligi, 06100 Ankara Turkey
Telegrams:Cumhurbaskanligi, Ankara ,Turkey
Fax: +90-312-468 50 26
Minister of the Interior
Mrs. Meral Aksener
Icisleri Bakanligi
Ankara/Turkey
Telegrams: Interior Minister, Ankara, Turkey
Fax: +90-312-417 23 90
State of Emergency Regional Governor
Mr. Necati Bilican
Olaganustu Hal Valisi
Diyarbakir, Turkey
Telegrams: Olaganustu Hal Valisi, Diyarbakir Turkey
Fax: +90-412-224 35 72
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