Droits de l'Homme / Human Rights

"Lack of Effective Investigation and Punishment"

26 June was the "International Day in Support of Victims of Torture". The Turkish Human Rights Foundation (TİHV) and the Human Rights Association (İHD) marked the day with a press conference at the TİHV Istanbul branch on Saturday (25 June). Representatives of the human rights organizations described the problems regarding the prevention of torture and talked about their struggle against torture with special emphasis on the "statute of limitation" for cases of torture and ill-treatment.

The human rights defenders said that Turkey should sign the United Nations (UN) International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance. They furthermore called on the Turkish government to implement the International Prevention Mechanisms base on the UN Optional Protocol to the Convention against Torture (OPCAT) that was approved on 12 March this year.

The press conference was chaired by the Secretary General of TİHV, Metin Bakkalcı, the Branch President of İHD Istanbul, Abdülbaki Boğa and lawyer Gülizar Tuncer. Moreover, brief statements were made by representatives of the Istanbul Medical Chamber and the Turkish Medical Association.

İHD Branch President Bakkalcı emphasized that it was not possible to prevent torture with the enforcement of certain laws only as long as the applications have not been implemented.

"Torture is strictly forbidden by law but still applied by several governments" Bakkalcı said and reminded the incidents around anti-government demonstrations in Hopa (north-east) just prior to the parliamentary elections on 12 June. Demonstrators mostly from pre-dominantly Kurdish provinces protested against the death of demonstrator Metin Lokumcu and were exposed to ill-treatment, Bakkalcı indicated.

"Autohriy based on violence"

"Ever since the amendments in the Police Duty and Authority Law (PVSK), the violence frequently used by the police forces in police vehicles, on the street and in public became a method of punishment and suppression. This way, a kind of authority was being established" Bakkalcı criticized.

"The violence applied by the police forces in recent years and especially before the elections was dominated by the uncontrolled and intensive use of tear gas".

"In 2010, 363 people applied to the TİHV Treatment and Rehabilitation Centres because of torture. 280 people applied by 21 June 2011, 134 of whom claimed that they experienced torture".

"İHD data for 2010 revealed that 280 persons were exposed to torture in police custody and 138 in detention centres. The number of people tortured and ill-treated in prison amounted to 512".

"The struggle against impunity and the closure of torture cases by prescription are vital issues. Applying the statute of limitations to this sort of trials is irrational. Several cases related to torture have been closed by prescription in Turkey".

"Moreover, Turkey has to sign the UN OPCAT agreement that has been signed by 88 countries. After having signed OPCAT, the member states are obliged to establish International Prevention Mechanisms"

"The effective investigation and documentation of torture is one of the most important measures to prevent torture. Also the UN 'Manual on Effective Investigation and Documentation of Torture and other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment', commonly known as the Istanbul Protocol (IP) is none of the most crucial tools", Bakkalcı concluded. (BIA, Ayça SÖYLEMEZ, 27 June 2011)

ECHR convicts Turkey to pay approximately sixty-thousands Euro

European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) convicted Turkey for violation of articles on right to life, prohibition of inhuman or degrading treatment, right to respect for correspondence in prison, lack of effective investigation, right to a fair hearing within a reasonable time and protection of property.

Turkey will pay 59,800 Euros in total to the complainants as compensation.

Here are the cases resulted against Turkey as follows;

The applicants, Mr Beytullah Uğur and Mr Murat Abi, are Turkish nationals who were born in 1979 and 1986 respectively and live in Van (Turkey). Relying in particular on Article 3 (prohibition of inhuman or degrading treatment), they alleged that they had been subjected to police brutality in February 2005 on the anniversary of the arrest of Abdullah Öcalan, head of the PKK and that the State authorities had failed in their duty to conduct an effective investigation. (Mr Uğur) Violation of Article 3 (prohibition of inhuman or degrading treatment) (Mr Uğur) Violation of Article 3 (lack of effective investigation) Just satisfaction: EUR 23,500 (in respect of all damage sustained)

The applicants, Havva Dudu Albayrak, Halil Albayrak and Serhan Albayrak, are Turkish nationals who were born in 1956, 1960 and 1988 respectively and live in Mersin (Turkey). Relying in substance on Article 2 (right to life), they alleged that the Turkish authorities had failed to comply with their positive obligation to protect the life of their son and brother, who committed suicide during his compulsory military service. Violation of Article 2 (right to life)

Just satisfaction: - non-pecuniary damage: EUR 18,000 to Havva Dudu Albayrak and Halil Albayrak, jointly; and, EUR 9,000 to Serkan Albayrak - costs and expenses: EUR 1,000, jointly.

The applicant, Coşar Cingil, is a Turkish national who was born in 1958 and lives in İzmir

(Turkey). Relying on Article 6 § 1 (right to a fair hearing within a reasonable time), he complained of the excessive length of judicial proceedings concerning compensation for work-related illness. Relying on Article 1 of Protocol No. 1 (protection of property), he further complained of the amount of compensation awarded to him and the insufficient level of statutory interest in relation to the rate of inflation. Violation of Article 6 § 1 (length)

Violation of Article 1 of Protocol No. 1 Just satisfaction: EUR 7,000 (non-pecuniary damage)

The applicant, Fikret Akar, is a Turkish national who was born in 1971 and lives in Tekirdağ (Turkey). Relying on Article 8 (right to respect for correspondence), he complained of the monitoring of his correspondence while he was in prison in 2004. Violation of Article 8

Just satisfaction: EUR 300 (non-pecuniary damage) and EUR 1,000 (costs and expenses)  (DIHA, June 21, 2011)

"Human Rights Priorities for the New Government"

Kenneth Roth, the Executive Director of Human Rghts Watch, sent a letter to the old and new Prime Minister of Turkey, Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, on Monday (20 June). The international organization emphasized that the "government's third term creates an unprecedented opportunity to build on the legacy of those early reforms and demonstrate at home and abroad the central importance of human rights and the rule of law in Turkey".

Roth called on the government to improve the rights of the Kurdish people, strengthen women's rights and lift restrictive policies related to the internet including access bans to certain websites.

Regarding a new constitution, Roth suggested, "To achieve consensus, the government should consult fully with civil society and academics, as well as opposition parties".

The HRW appreciated Turkey's efforts to accommodate thousands of refugees from Syria. However, Roth urged Erdoğan and his government "to publicly support efforts in favour of a UN Security Council resolution demanding an immediate end to the Syrian government's brutal crackdown".

Furthermore, the letter touched upon the right to education in the mother tongue that also includes Kurdish children and called on the government to lift related restrictions.

"In the framework of reviving the "democratic opening," and to ensure respect for human rights, your government should take steps to end the arbitrary use of terrorism laws against those who express critical opinions, join protests or engage in non-violent political activities", Roth wrote.

Furthermore, the letter made demands on the lifting of restrictions of freedom of expression, ending unfair trials and combating police violence and impunity.

Click here to read the full letter.  (BIA, 21 June 2011)

Political Prisoners Punished for Labour Day Slogans

63 detainees and convicts from the Sincan No.1 F Type Prison in Ankara were punished for celebrating Labour Day with chanting slogans and marches just like their colleagues outside the prison did on 1 May. 57 inmates are "banned from communication" for one month, six convicts and detainees are not allowed to receive visitors for the same period of time.

The prison administration took records of the 63 political detainees and convicts from blocks A, B and C of the prison and launched an investigation after the inmates' chanting on Labour Day. As a result, the Disciplinary Board of the Ankara No.1 F Type High Security Prison Directorate decided for the punishment of the 63 detainees and convicts.

The board based its decision about 57 of the detainees and convicts on Article 42 of the "Law on the Execution of Sentences and Security Measures". Accordingly, the inmates will be barred from "sending and receiving letters, faxes and telegrams, watching television, listening to the radio, telephoning and other tools of communication for the duration of one month".

Six convicts who were handed down a punishment of "suspension of communication" before were now deprived from receiving visitors for one month. An appeal against the decision was filed with the Execution Judgeship. (BIA, Ayça SOYLEMEZ, 21 June 2011)

German Sociologist Found in Mass Grave in Van

A mass grave found in a cave in the district of Çatak (south-eastern Kurdish-majority city of Van) is supposed to contain the remains of German sociologist Andrea Wolf among a total of about 40 bodies. An investigation revealed that the people buried in the mass grave were killed with bullets.

This was the first investigation about the Çatak mass grave. Sami Görendağı, Branch Secretary of the Human Rights Association (İHD), was part of the delegation and talked to bianet about what they encountered in the cave.

Görendağ reported that the cave was situated in very difficult terrain. The investigation carried out by the delegation was the first one done in the cave.

"The family of Kamuran İnalkaç from Muş/Malazgirt made a research by means of the press and local sources into the whereabouts of their sons who joined the PKK [militant Kurdistan Workers' Party] in 1995. They found out that their sons died together with a number of other people in the course of armed conflicts in the region of Çatak and Beytuşşabap. Thereupon, they applied to the İHD".

He recalled, "The region is very isolated. It is four to five hours away from Van. The cave was made to collapse by the use of heavy weapons. The people were shot in a line with a militarist brutality. There were still pieces of clothes, hair, bones and pots and pans in the cave. Peasants from villages in the vicinity buried the bones they found scattered in the environment at the time".

Görendağ said that they were going to apply to the Çatak Public Prosecution and that they would inform the lawyers of sociologist Wolf.

ECHR convicted Turkey in Wolf case

Wolf's mother Lilo Wolf applied to the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR), claiming that her unarmed daughter had been executed and that her grave could not be found. In September 2010, the Turkish government was found guilty of a violation of Article 2 of the European Convention on Human Rights on the "Right to Life".

Human rights defender Andrea Wolf was working on a book related to the PKK. It was reported that she died in an armed conflict in the scope of a military operation. According to the accounts of eye-witnesses, Wolf was caught and died as the result of torture. (BIA, Nilay VARDAR, 17 June 2011)

15 People Taken into Police Custody in Ankara

Arrest warrants were released about 31 people in Ankara, namely members of the Freedom and Solidarity Party (ÖDP), the Community Centres Organization (HE), the Socialist Democracy Party (SDP) and the Students Collective. As of Wednesday afternoon (15 June), 15 people were taken into custody and related operations were still continuing.

Lawyer Sevinç Hocaoğulları told bianet that raids on private homes started at 6.30 am on Wednesday morning. She announced that the decision for the searches and police custody lacked an indication of the reasons for the operations. By the time bianet talked to Hocaoğulları, the operations were still being continued. CDs, books and computers were confiscated during the searches.

Mustafa Eberliköse, Manager of the Community Centres head office, said that 15 people had been taken into police custody by Wednesday afternoon. It was reported that these people had been under technical surveillance. Reportedly, some of the people were located via their cell phones.

The people in custody are Can Türkyılmaz, Kadir Aydoğan and Çağrı Yılmaz from the Community Centres organization; Uğur Tuna, Tayfun Yıldırım, Hikmet Tanıl, Can Kaya, Eylül Şam, Pelin Bayram, Uğur Uzunpınar, Nuri Özçelik and Demet Yılan from the Students Collective; SDP members Hazan Kangal and Özge Aydın and ÖDP member Hasan Kulaksız. (BIA, 16 June 2011)

TIT Sent Fourth Death Threat to Rights Defender Oran

Minority rights defender Prof. Baskın Oran received his fourth threat of the Turkish Revenge Brigade (TİT) on 2 June. The threatening message was sent by e-mail to the Armenian Agos newspaper where Oran is working as a columnist.

While the TİT threatened Oran four times in total so far, the lecturer at the Ankara University Faculty of Political Sciences received countless threats from so-called "sensitive citizens". Also after the latest threat, Oran applied to the prosecution and filed a criminal complaint.

"If the judiciary proceeds this way, the threats will go on"

In an interview with bianet Oran, fromer member of the Prime Ministry's Human Rights Advisory Board (BİHDK), held the judiciary responsible for the death threats he received because, in his opinion, the courts did not fulfil their duty accordingly.

"If the supreme Turkish judiciary proceeds this way, these people will continue threatening me", Oran stated and continued: "I will file a criminal complaint every time they are threatening me. Yet, as long as the judiciary continues not fulfilling their duty, these people will continue threatening me and this process is going to carry on that way".

Oran told bianet that he was under personal protection ever since the murder of Turkish-Armenian journalist Hrant Dink in January 2007. However, this protection does not serve its purpose while facing a judiciary that is working this way, Oran thinks.

Threatening message sent to Baskın Oran

The threatening letter contained a death list including Turkish-Armenian journalist Etyen Mahçupyan and leading Kurdish politicians Osman Baydemir, Sebahat Tuncel and Akın Birdal. The letter was signed by the TİT and read as follows:

"He leads a dishonourable life by currying favour with the Armenians. Baskın Oran, you still cannot put up with the word 'Turk' on Turkish soil. (...) Take your dogs and go to Armenia. Otherwise, death will be the inevitable end for you. (...) Your time has come to die. (...) We hereby announce as the Turkish Revenge Brigade that we will close this account. On 17 June, we will remove the bastard called Baskın Oran and we will show the power of the Turkish reputation".

The long journey of the case file

Oran received the first death threat from the TİT on 30 May 2008. He received two further threats in the same year saying "You will not gain anything by complaining about us to the state".

Oran lodged a criminal complaint to the Special Authority Ankara Prosecution about the sender of the first threatening message which was signed "What do you care what do I care". The Ankara authorities decided for "lack of jurisdiction" since the message had apparently been sent from an internet café in Istanbul. The file was transferred to Istanbul. The file was forwarded to a court in Adana when the sender of the message was determined as a person called Bilal Şekerlisoy resident in Mersin. Since the mail had been sent to a recipient in Istanbul, the file was again returned there. However, the Istanbul court decided for lack of jurisdiction because Oran lived in Ankara. So eventually, the file was sent back to Ankara.

Baskın Oran wrote in an article published on 12 June 2011 in his column in 'Radikal Iki', a supplement of the Radikal newspaper : "This carries a maximum penalty of six months, if a sentence will be handed down at all, and the pronouncement of judgement is going to be postponed. (...) Regarding two other threats, the Ankara 4th Criminal Court of First Instance and the Ankara 9th Magistrate Criminal Court decided for acquittals. The sender was determined as well as the time and the computer it was sent from. But the supreme judiciary sent the file to an expert. The report that came from there stated that 'everybody can enter somebody else's account and send a message from there'. The file is currently pending at the court of appeals". (BIA, Ekin KARACA, 15 June 2011)

People of Hopa in Fear

A delegation of six people including members of the Turkish Human Rights Foundation (TİHV), the Human Rights Association (İHD), the Turkish Medical Association (TTB) and the Confederation of Trade Unions of Public Employees (KESK) prepared a preliminary report on the incidents in Hopa regarding allegations of torture and ill-treatment.

The delegations talked to district officials and to 13 people who experienced torture and ill-treatment in custody after the anti-government demonstrations in the city on the eastern Black Sea coast on 31 May. According to the report, the people in the city suffered a significant trauma. They demand the release of the arrested protestors and the immediate withdrawal of the riot police forces from the city.

The report is based on talks held on 6 and 7 June and also includes medical findings. Furthermore, the delegation spoke to the Hopa District Governor, Abdullah Akdaş, the Mayor of Hopa, Turan Kasımoğlu, and Deputy Chief of Police Hüsrev Salmaner.

"Will they take us in as well?"

TİHV member Ümit Ünüvar evaluated the aftermath of the protest and the massive police intervention in an interview with bianet.

"The people show solidarity to each other but they are still in shock and the tension on the streets is still tangible. The people are worried because the riot police forces have not been withdrawn from the district yet. (...) They are very confused by the police attack that happened during a peaceful protest. They are insecure on and constant alert; they are afraid of being taken in as well".

"We talked to the victims, to the people who experienced torture. Subsequently, we also met the district governor and the mayor of course. But after having heard the people beforehand, the talks with the officials were not satisfying. We also talked to the family of Lokumcu [who died in the course of the incidents]. They have not taken any legal steps yet but they are thinking about opening a trial" Ünüvar summarized their visit to Hopa.

"Prime Minister owes apology to people in Hopa"

The report of the delegation listed the following complaints voiced by the people in Hopa:

* Riot police teams and plainclothes police officers from neighbouring districts filed into the city on the day of the protest. The district governor talked about 200 additional police officers, the people claimed it was thousands of policemen. Gas bombs were even thrown to the emergency unit of the state hospital and to a primary school.

* The people of Hopa criticized the injustice that was done to them. They denied allegations put forward by Prime Minister Erdoğan that Molotov cocktails had been thrown. No according proof was found. The people claimed that it was tried to put all the blame on the people of Hopa by saying in the media and in public that they threw stones and Molotov cocktails and that they were "bandits".

* The people of Hopa did not let Minister Hayati Yazıcık into their district one month ago. They feel they were punished by Prime Minister Erdoğan because they stood up for their river and streams and labourers by protesting against hydroelectric power plants. They criticized the lack of respect towards the people and the family of deceased protestor Lokumcu and underlined that the prime minister failed to express his condolences. "The prime minister owes an apology to the people of Hopa. Tension and a 'state of emergency' are still continuing although a whole week has passed", the report stated.

"Release our arrested friends"

The public voiced several demands: the release of the arrested people; a guarantee that the people "wanted" will not be arrested; the immediate withdrawal of more than a thousand riot police officers; open a trial on behalf of deceased Lokumcu.

Doctors of the TİHV and the TTB examined ten male and three females aged 20 to 45 years old. They summarized their findings as follows:

"The medical examinations were done five days after the incident. Nevertheless, marks of brute beating could be determined. Six people developed signs of psychiatric illnesses; existing symptoms increased for one person who was sick before the incident. According to the results yielded by these indicators, the symptoms of anxiety and sleep problems are closely related to the environment of ongoing fear and insecurity in Hopa". (BIA, Ayça SÖYLEMEZ, 8 June 2011

Greenpeace Activists Taken in Custody During PM's Meeting

Three Greenpeace activists were taken into police custody in the course of a meeting of Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan in Mersin on 2 June.

PM Erdoğan visited the city on the eastern tip of the Mediterranean coast as part of his campaign in the run up to the parliamentary elections on 12 June. During his speech, Saliha Öztürk (56), Perihan Pulat (69) and Hazal Akduran (20) unrolled three banners reading "Mersin does not want nuclear power".

The activists were taken into police custody by force. At around 1.00 am on Friday morning (3 June) they were released.

"You will be in trouble if you talk to the press"

20-year-old university student Hazal Akduran said in a statement made to bianet that they encountered negative reactions by women in the audience of the meeting after they had posted the banners. She said that the police initially took them to the anti-terror branch.

Akduran summarized, "As soon as I had posted the banner, a plainclothes police officer came and intervened against the banner. At the same time, women who attended the meeting intervened against me. They were about to lynch me. (...)"

"The other policemen noticed the commotion and came to the scene. They brought me to the police car. They got angry when I shouted 'Mersin does not want nuclear power'. They pulled my hair and twisted my arm on the way. They squeezed my head on the police car and searched me."

"The policemen threatened me that I would get into trouble in case I talked to the press", Akduran recalled.

"Don't know why they took me tot he anti-terror branch"

"They took me to the anti-terror branch. I assume they had not quite understood what I did. (...) They treated me better there".

After that, Akduran was taken to the Republic Police Station where she met the two other Greenpeace activists and lawyer Semra Kabasakal. Akduran had her finger prints taken and underwent an examination at the forensic medicine department. She was released subsequently.

"Policemen at the police station congratulated us"

Activist Saliha Öztürk also encountered negative reactions of the women at the meeting after she had posted her banner. She was taken to the police car by plainclothes police officers and eventually taken to the Republic Police Station. Lawyer Kabasakal arrived at the police station shortly after. Apparently, two of the policemen congratulated the Greenpeace activists and appreciated their action against nuclear power.

"I would have felt guilty if I had not done this protest"

Öztürk explained his reasons for the protest as follows: "I posted the banner against nuclear power during the meeting of the prime minister because I do not want nuclear power in Mersin. I have two grand-children and I want them to live in a cleaner world".

"I would have felt guilty if I had not done this protest action. I will continue my struggle against nuclear power". (BIA, Ekin KARACA, 6 June 2011)

Six Protestors Arrested after Unrest in Hopa

Six people were arrested on terror charges on Sunday (5 June) in the aftermath of the incidents in Hopa (Artvin, eastern Black Sea coast). A total of 31 people had been taken into police custody in the course of demonstrations before and after the visit of campaigning Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan on 31 May.

On Saturday (4 June), 16 of them were taken to the Special Authority 2nd High Criminal Court of Erzurum to give their statements. The interrogation lasted till the morning hours. Ten people were released from custody thereupon. The remaining six were arrested under allegations of "demonstrating without permission", "resistance against public officials on duty" and "harming public property".

Defence lawyer Sema Pekdaş explained, "The court dropped the terror charges imputed on the defendants. First of all, the 16 out of a group of 31 people were interrogated by the prosecutor since they had been kept in police custody for four days already. Ten of them were released, six of them were taken to court under allegations of membership in a terrorist organization".

Pekdaş continued, "The hearing lasted till the morning. As a result, the court board dropped charges of membership in a terrorist organization and arrested six persons on charges of demonstrating without permission, resistance against public officials on duty and harming public property. A further 15 people will be taken to court on Sunday afternoon".

The people arrested are Ali Aksu, Şinasi Gümüşkaya, Şafak Ustabaş, Önder Öner, İdris Akbıyık and İbrahim Aksu who has reportedly suffered a broken rib.

The Erzurum court decided to release Yavuz Yenigün, İsrafil Vayiç, Hakan Tantoğlu, Emrah Civelek, Murat Cihan, Metin Yılmaz, Erdoğan Ustabaş, Tanju Aksu, Emine Altınkaya and Hüseyin Ustabaş.

A delegation with representatives of the Human Rights Association (İHD), the Human Rights Foundation (İHV), the Turkish Medical Association (TTB) and a number of lawyers will arrive in Hopa today (6 June). The delegation is going to talk to the people in custody and detention in Erzurum and Hopa and will issue a report on the incidents subsequently. (BIA, 5 June 2011)

Human rights violation still very high in 2010

The 2010 report about human rights violations has been released by the Human Rights Association (IHD). The report notes that there hasn’t been a concrete and observable progress in the human right violations in Turkey as well as the worsening of freedom of thought, expression and press in 2010. According to the report 7,100 people were taken into custody in a year and 1,599 of them were arrested.

Considering the human rights violations in 2010, it is observed that the violations are not much different from the figures of 2009. The report said; “We regret to explain that "Police State" practices were exhibited last year, when 'democracy' was the most spoken discourse, the system became more authoritarian, the judiciary constraint gradually increased through special authority Heavy Criminal Courts, the elimination policies within the Kurdish problem increased violations, torture and ill-treatment continued, strong interventions were made on the right to protest, the freedom of expression was not recognized and frequently punished, prisoners’ rights reached the worst level.

According to the report, 22 identified murders were committed in a year, while deaths as extra-judicial executions / as a result of torture / by village guards/under detention were recorded as 100. 224 people lost their lives during clashes and 1,349 were exposed to torture and ill-treatment.

While 11 political parties and associations were closed or intended to be closed, the mass organizations, political institutions, media organs and cultural centers suffering from pressure and attack were recorded as 105 and listed as follows; “57 party representations, , 36 associations, 6 municipalities, 5 cultural centers and a foundation. Separately, 5 journals were confiscated eight times and four magazines were confiscated ten times.

The number of confiscated and banned publications; 10 posters, 8 banners, 3 books and a calendar was banned or confiscated. The display of a song was also banned by Radio and Television Supreme Council.

Demanded prison sentence (Lawsuits): During the referendum, 12 televisions were given a warning and 6 televisions were given program suspension penalty eight times. While 1596 people were sued in 2010, the number of ongoing litigations was recorded as 191 and the number of people on trial as 1961. 267 lawsuits of 1212 people ended in acquittal of 143 suspects, while 1069 people were sentenced to 3757 years 7 months and 20 days in prison and 55,260 TL pecuniary fine.

Deaths in prisons and under detention centers continue. The death of 413 prisoners in prisons, according to official data of the Ministry of Justice, has displayed the dimension of the violations. While this number was 319 the year before, the increasing death rate of prisoners due to deprivation of treatment reveals the insensitivity of the government and the special confutation policy it follows. The number of sick prisoners is still 263 and 122 of them are in a critical situation. The number of imprisoned, which was 116,340 by the end of 2009, increased to 122,404 as of January 2011 and to 124,074 by the end of April 2011.

According to data from the Ministry of Justice, while 438 suspects were accused of torture and cruelty in 2008, this number rose to 707 suspects in 2009. On the other hand, 18,859 people were sued in 2008 for resisting to security forces and this number rose to 22,195 in 2009. (ANF, 3 June 2011)

Lawyer Tanay: Torture at Istanbul Police Station

Demonstrators Emrah Kaş, Hüsnü Kaplan and Cihan Gürbey were arrested by an Istanbul Criminal Court on Duty on Wednesday (1 June). They belonged to a group of twelve people, eight of whom were under age, who were taken into police custody on Sunday (29 May) under allegations of having thrown stones to a convoy of the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) after clashes had occurred between residents of the Nurtepe district in Istanbul and MHP members.

Lawyer Taylan Tanay announced that the three individuals were severely beaten in police custody. Tanay told bianet that they lodged a criminal complaint and expected an investigation launched about the people responsible for the ill-treatment.

Kaş, Kaplan and Gürbey were taken before the Istanbul 14th High Criminal Court on Wednesday (1 June). They were arrested on charges of alleged "membership in the DHKP-C organization", the "Party and Revolutionary Front for the Liberation of the Turkish People" left-wing terrorist organization.

Lawyer Tanay stated that "photographs taken before the court session document severe torture applied in custody and on the way to the police station".

Kaş, Kaplan and Gürbey were reportedly dragged along the ground when they were taken into custody and beaten in the vehicle on the way to the police station and also at the Zeki Kaya police centre. It was announced that there was no evidence against either of them related to the incidents on 31 May.

"110 people arrested in four months"

Tanay explained that the only reason for his clients' arrest given by the court was their attendance of a press release regarding Engin Çeber and Güler Zere made in front of a courthouse.

"We were expecting them to be arrested because persons who have been visibly beaten when in police custody are usually being arrested. That way, it is not possible anymore determine torture which is easier to do outside of a prison. A total of 110 people were arrested in the scope of raids carried out in poor neighbourhoods of Istanbul within the past four months", Tanay indicated.

Tanay declared that they filed a criminal complaint to the Eyüp Public Chief Prosecution on Thursday (2 June) by reasons of beating and ill-treatment in police custody. They expect an investigation to be launched about the people who were responsible. The lawyer added that his clients were examined at the Forensic Medicine Institute but that a final report had not been issued yet. (BIA, Ayça SÖYLEMEZ, 3 June 2011)

ECHR Convicts Turkey Twice

Turkish applicant Emrullah Derman won his case before the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) regarding allegations that "he had been beaten, blindfolded, stripped naked, hosed with water and subjected to falaka (beating on the soles of the feet) when held in police custody".

Additionally, civil servant Mualla Gökçe İçen sued out a compensation at the international court because she was tried and convicted at a military court while she was employed by the Turkish Armed Forces (TSK) as a civil servant.

The ECHR held that the Turkish government was to pay compensation for both applicants.

In the case of Derman, the ECHR found the domestic courts guilty of a violation of Article 3 of the European Convention on Human Rights regarding the prohibition of inhumane and degrading treatment and torture. The Turkish government is to pay € 43,000 to 48-year-old applicant Derman including cost and expenses.

Former shop owner Derman from Istanbul was taken into police custody on suspicion of robbery in 1999. In 2002, Derman applied to the ECHR and alleged ill-treatment and torture in custody.

The ill-treatment in custody was documented by medical reports that confirmed physical injuries as well as a psychological trauma. It was announced that Derman was still receiving treatment for his psychological problems.

The police officers who exposed Derman to the ill-treatment received prison sentences of ten months each. However, the sentences were eventually suspended. The application also pointed to the fact that the punishment of the perpetrators remained ineffective.

Conviction for trying civilian before military court

The Turkish government was furthermore convicted in the context of the application submitted by Mualla Gökçe İçen in 2006. Civil servant İçen was employed by the TSK as an interpreter in 2004. After a series of quarrels, she was tried before a military court and convicted of "disobeying orders and of insulting her Superior". İçen was sentenced to imprisonment of seven months and served half of her punishment in a military prison.

In this case, Turkey was convicted of a violation of Article 6/1 of the Convention on the right to a fair hearing because applicant İçen was prosecuted as a civilian at a military criminal court.

İçen will be paid € 15,000 in compensation. (BIA, 2 June 2011)

Rightist attacks to Block candidates in Izmit and Istanbul

Two people distributing leaflets of independent candidate Emrullah Bingül were attacked with knives in the city of Izmit east of Istanbul on Monday (30 May). Bingül is running for the parliamentary elections this June as a member of the Labour, Democracy and Freedom Block.

Both individuals were taken to hospital with minor injuries. Ten people from the group of assailants were taken into police custody.

In a statement made by the Demokrat Kocaeli newspaper to bianet, it was said that supporters of independent candidate Bingül from the Labour, Democracy and Freedom Block and members of the Labour Party (EMEP) and the pro-Kurdish Peace and Democracy Party (BDP) opened an information booth in front of the Municipality Office Block. They distributed leaflets to by-passers.

Two people reportedly went to the nearby mosque to distribute their leaflets. There, they were attacked by eight to ten people who were supposed "ülkücü" ('idealists') in reference to the "Grey Wolves", an ultra-nationalist and neo fascist youth organization of the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP). They were first beaten and then attacked with knives, as announced by the Demokrat Kocaeli newspaper.

When the police came to the scene, the assailants said to their defence, "We attacked them because of the slogans they chanted".

Two people attacked with knives in Istanbul

The previous day (29 May), the convoy of Levent Tüzel, Labour, Democracy and Freedom Block candidate for Istanbul, was attacked by ülkücü members as well. The attackers demolished the vehicles and attacked two people with knives.

The large group of assailants stopped the convoy in the district of Küçükçekmece to throw stones at the vehicles and demolish them with clubs.

Also the passengers of the cars belonging to the convoy were beaten. Many people were wounded; two persons were injured with knives. They were taken to hospital. The police arrested about ten people after the attack.  (BIA, Ekin KARACA, 31 May 2011)

Criminal Enforcement Law Creates Isolation within Isolation

"Isolation within Isolation" was the title of a meeting organized by the Prison Commission of the Human Rights Association (İHD) Istanbul Branch on Sunday (29 May). The focal point of the meeting was laid on the effect of articles 16 and 25 of the Criminal Enforcement Law (CİK) on the living conditions of convicts serving an aggravated life sentence and diseased convicts.

Prof. Şebnem Korur Fincancı, Forensic Medicine Expert and President of the Turkish Human Rights Foundation (TİHV) lead through parts of the meeting as well as lawyers Fazıl Ahmet Tamer and Gülizar Tuncer, İHD Istanbul Branch Secretary Ümit Efe and Veysi Ülgen from the Society and Law Research Foundation (TOHAV).

The discoursers drew attention to the conditions of the aggravated life sentence that was installed in 2002 after the abolishment of the death penalty. Amendments made in 2005 limited the duration of fresh air for prisoners serving an aggravated life sentence to one hour per day. The right to talk to the other prisoners was denied; the permission to see three persons who were not relatives was lifted. Hence, convicts serving an aggravated life sentence are living in a single cell of eight square metres for 23 hours a day.

As the first speaker, Fincancı mentioned problems regarding the Forensic Medicine Institute being considered as an expert body. She underlined that Article 16 of the CİK rendered the possibility for a suspension of punishment for diseased convicts impossible. According to the article, the punishment may only be postponed upon a report obtained from or approved by the Forensic Medicine Institute. Fincancı declared that hundreds of seriously ill convicts are waiting for medical treatment in prison because reports are being delayed or blocked.

"Examination through barred window"

TOHAV representative Ülgen indicated that many convicts develop severe diseases like cancer or suffer from a stress disorder caused by a trauma by reason of the condition of isolation. Ülgen underlined that psychiatric examinations were being carried out through the barred window in the door without the convict's leaving the cell.

The participants agreed on the urgent demand to deprive the Forensic Medicine Institute of its status of an expert body and said that reports issued by hospitals and lawyers had to be taken into account. About 200 seriously ill convicts are currently being incarcerated in Turkish prisons, it was announced.

İHD Istanbul Branch Secretary Efe quoted the cases of convicts Osman Kezder, Abdullah Akçay, Basri Vardar and Güler Zere as examples for this application. He recalled that these convicts had been released only to die and that they had not received proper medical treatment. The convicts taken to hospital under compulsion due to the "Triple Protocol" can only be examined in the presence of a prison official and without having removed their hand-cuffs, Efe explained.

Lawyer Tuncer added that the "Istanbul Protocol" approved by the United Nations (UN) was not being applied and that disciplinary penalties given to the convicts would delay the date of their release that was defined by law.

Tuncer noted that possible measures were limited and that most of the applications submitted to execution judgeships or courts did not yield any results. The lawyer claimed that the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) was not independent of political decisions and state policies. "The duration of the sentence has expired anyways by the time these courts will have achieved a result", Tuncer criticized.

"Legal offenders serve 30 years in prison with an aggravated life sentence; for organized crimes it is 36 years. Political convicts remain in prison until the end of their life. The law prevents the right to a conditional release", Tuncer said.

The following key points were defined at the meeting to lift rights violations caused by the CİK:

- Abolishing of Articles 16 and 25 that
- order isolation cells for convicts who serve an aggravated life sentence
- allow visits by first-degree relatives only
- limit visits to once in two weeks
- restrict fresh air to one hour per day
- deny permission for the release of fatally ill prisoners
- prohibit communication with other inmates.
(BIA, Ayça SOYLEMEZ, 30 May 2011)

Pression sur les médias / Pressure on the Media

Erdogan: Some Trials Withdrawn - Some still Pending

Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan withdrew a number of trials opened prior to the parliamentary elections in the middle of June against politicians and journalists. However, the court cases against journalist and MP of the Republican People's Party (CHP) Oktay Ekşi, artist Müjdat Gezen, writer Yalçın Küçük and journalist Ergun Poyraz are still pending.

The prime minister stepped back from ten compensation claims filed against Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu, Chairman of the CHP, three claims against Devlet Bahçeli, Chairman of the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP), and one claim each made against Namık Kemal, Chairman of the Democracy Party (DP) and journalists Meriç Velidedeoğlu and Ahmet Altan.

In his first speech made after he won the parliamentary elections on 12 June, Erdoğan said that he had no hard feelings against the politicians who offended him.

Trials withdrawn

The following cases were withdrawn by PM Erdoğan:

* A TL 50,000 (€ 25,000) compensation claim against Taraf newspaper writer Altan on the grounds of his article entitled "Erdoğan and the weak bullying".

* A column written by Cumhuriyet newspaper writer Velidedeoğlu because he described the prime minister as "humanlike".

* A compensation claim worth TL 100,000 (€ 50,000) against DP leader Zeybek for saying "I call Erdoğan a fool".

* A TL 50,000 compensation claim against CHP Chair Kılıçdaroğlu for repeatedly saying, "I am not that indecent, immoral and mean" and a TL 40,000 (€ 20,000) claim for saying "You made the money run".

* A claim worth TL 100,000 against MHP Chair Bahçeli on the grounds of insult.

Pending Trials

Trials filed by PM Erdoğan that are still pending:

* A TL 100,000 compensation claim against journalist and CHP MP Ekşi for writing "They would even sell their mothers".

* A TL 50,000 compensation claim against artist Gezen by reason of "accusing the AKP electorate of being stupid".

* Trials against writer Poyraz and journalist Küçük on the grounds of the book "Musa's Children, Tayyip and Emine" and "Epileptic Public" respectively. (BIA, 20 June 2011)

RSF: "Un livre n'est pas une bombe!"

Au lendemain d’élections législatives importantes, Reporters sans frontières en appelle aux autorités turques pour qu’elles fassent la preuve de l’attachement à la liberté de la presse qu’elles ont revendiqué lors de la campagne électorale.

Alors que le sujet n’a jamais été autant soulevé dans l’agenda politique, l’organisation publie aujourd’hui un rapport d’enquête intitulé « Médias et justice en Turquie : entre méfiance et réflexes sécuritaires ». Fruit des récents déplacements de l’organisation à Istanbul et du travail accompli depuis lors, ce document rend compte du harcèlement judiciaire dont sont victimes les professionnels des médias turcs.

Malgré d’importants progrès dans le domaine de la liberté d’expression, il reste bien trop facile d’arrêter et de condamner des journalistes qui n’ont fait que leur métier ou exprimé une opinion. Saisir leurs documents, remonter à leurs sources, est monnaie courante en Turquie. Les principes journalistiques sont encore trop peu garantis par la loi, alors qu’un lourd arsenal législatif continue de tracer de strictes lignes rouges. Lorsqu’elles existent, ces maigres protections légales sont trop souvent balayées par une pratique judiciaire sécuritaire et paranoïaque. En outre, ces derniers mois, les journalistes se sont retrouvés otages de l’intense polarisation politique prévalant dans le pays, et sont devenus des victimes collatérales de la lutte féroce pour le pouvoir au sein de l’appareil d’Etat.

« Samedi, cela fera cent jours que les journalistes d’investigation Ahmet Sik et Nedim Sener sont derrière les barreaux. D’importants rassemblements s’organisent, témoignant que la liberté de la presse n’était pas seulement un thème de campagne. Par sa mobilisation sans précédent, la société civile a montré que ses attentes dans ce domaine étaient réelles et importantes. Elles appellent des réponses immédiates », a déclaré l’organisation.

« Les autorités ont été jugées politiquement responsables du harcèlement judiciaire subi par les journalistes. À l’heure où elles revendiquent pour la Turquie un rôle de modèle démocratique régional, cela ne peut que leur porter préjudice. Elles ont donc tout intérêt à nouer un dialogue franc et ouvert à ce sujet avec les journalistes et ses partenaires internationaux. »

Lors d’une conférence de presse tenue à Istanbul le 19 avril 2011, le secrétaire-général de l’organisation, Jean-François Julliard, avait identifié un certain nombre de « lignes rouges », sources de poursuites pour les journalistes qui les franchissent. Malheureusement, ce constat n’a rien perdu de son actualité, comme l’illustrent abondamment des exemples tirés des seules deux dernières semaines :

Le tabou qui a longtemps pesé sur l’armée s’est allégé, mais l’institution judiciaire et la police restent intouchables pour les journalistes. Interdit d’autant plus redoutable que celles-ci sont à la fois juges et parties. La couverture des affaires judiciaires est donc le premier motif des poursuites intentées aux journalistes, sur le fondement des articles 285 (violation du secret de l’enquête) et 288 (tentative d’influencer le résultat d’un procès) du code pénal. Le 2 juin encore, les journalistes Nedim Sener, Hasan Cakkalkurt (de Milliyet) et Aysegül Usta (de Hürriyet) comparaissaient devant la 2e chambre du Tribunal correctionnel de Bakirköy (Istanbul) pour « violation du secret de l’enquête ». Pour Nedim Sener, incarcéré depuis le 3 mars 2011 dans le cadre de l’affaire d’Etat « Ergenekon », il s’agit de la neuvième enquête en cours.

La critique du chef du gouvernement Recep Tayyip Erdogan est de moins en moins tolérée, comme en témoigne le procès d’Ahmet Altan, directeur des publications du quotidien Taraf, qui a débuté le 9 juin 2011. Le journaliste risque deux ans et huit mois de prison pour « offense à la personne du Premier ministre ». Dans deux chroniques parues en janvier, il avait critiqué la décision de M. Erdogan de faire détruire une statue inachevée qui devait symboliser le rapprochement entre la Turquie et l’Arménie, et l’avait qualifié de « personnalité sans profondeur ».

Mais la question kurde reste la plus difficile à aborder, du fait de l’obsession sécuritaire d’une justice s’appuyant sur une Loi antiterroriste rétrograde et des articles du code pénal liberticides. Le 13 juin, le seul quotidien national en langue kurde, Azadiya Welat, a de nouveau été suspendu pour quinze jours. Cette mesure, imposée pour la neuvième fois au journal, a été assortie de la confiscation de tous les exemplaires de la veille, accusés de contenir de la « propagande pour une organisation terroriste ». C’est pour ce même chef d’inculpation que l’ancien rédacteur en chef d’Azadiya Welat, Vedat Kursun, a été condamné en appel à dix ans et six mois de prison, le 9 juin. Initialement condamné à cent soixante-six ans d’emprisonnement, le journaliste est incarcéré à Diyarbakir (Sud-est) depuis près de deux ans et demi.

Le 7 juin, le journaliste de Batman Gazetesi Ercan Atay a été condamné à trente-sept jours de prison pour avoir cité dans un article la déclaration d’un représentant du PKK. La qualification de ce travail d’information d’« apologie d’un criminel » par la cour fait écho à de nombreux cas relatés dans le rapport de Reporters sans frontières.

L’organisation demande aux institutions judiciaires de considérer sans délai les listes de journalistes emprisonnés compilées par la plate-forme « Liberté aux Journalistes » (GÖP) et l’OSCE, et de libérer immédiatement et sans condition tous ceux qui ne sont emprisonnés qu’en raison de leur activité professionnelle. Reporters sans frontières a pour l’instant identifié cinq détenus dans ce cas, mais l’opacité de la justice rend les vérifications difficiles et leur nombre final est très certainement plus élevé.

La Loi antiterroriste et les articles liberticides du code pénal doivent impérativement être supprimés ou revus en profondeur, de manière à les rendre conformes aux conventions internationales ratifiées par la Turquie et garantissant la liberté d’expression. L’institution judiciaire doit changer d’approche vis-à-vis des médias, cesser de confondre journalistes et terroristes, et laisser davantage de place à l’autorégulation de la presse.

« La Turquie est à la croisée des chemins : les progrès démocratiques accomplis au cours des dix dernières années sont impressionnants, mais ils sont incomplets et fragiles. Les dernières attaques contre les journalistes montrent qu’un retour en arrière est possible à tout moment. La large victoire électorale du parti AKP au pouvoir devrait rassurer les dirigeants et leur montrer qu’ils n’ont rien à craindre de la libre expression. Le gouvernement doit maintenant prouver qu’il est toujours déterminé à mener jusqu’au bout les réformes démocratiques exigées par la société », a conclu l’organisation. (RSF, 17 juin 2011)

Writer Akhanlı Faces Life Sentence despite Lack of Evidence

The prosecutor demanded an aggravated life sentence for writer Erdoğan Akhanlı at the hearing on 15 June. Akhanlı is alleged of the "attempt to change the constitutional order by force".

The author lives in Germany and was taken into police custody upon his entry to Turkey on 10 August 2010. He remained in detention for four months.

Four months wasted in prison

Akhanlı is considered as one of the culprits involved in a robbery on an exchange bureau in Eminönü (Istanbul) on 23 October 1989. The owner of the exchange office, İbrahim Yaşar Tutum, was killed in the robbery. Akhanlı came to Turkey in August 2010 to see his critically ill father who passed away while Akhanlı was in detention at the Tekirdağ No.2 F Type Prison.

The indictment alleges Akhanlı of membership of the "Turkish People's Liberation Party - Re-Liberation Union People's Liberation Forces" based on the statements taken from Mehmet Fatih Çalışkan and Hamza Kopal. The indictment is furthermore based on the assumption that "İbrahim Yaşar Tutum [who was killed in the robbery] was probably killed by Hamza Kopal and his friends".

The sons of slain İbrahim Yaşar Tutum stated that Akhanlı was not the person who killed their father. Akhanlı was released pending trial on 8 December 2010.

Aggrevated life sentence demanded

Akhanlı, who was expelled to Germany in January 2011, did not attend the Wednesday hearing before the Istanbul 11th High Criminal Court. He was represented by his lawyer Ercan Kanar.

As reported by Radikal newspaper, Prosecutor Celal Kara claimed that the robbery and the murder were committed with the aim to overthrow the constitutional order. According to the former version of the Turkish Criminal Law (TCK), Kara demanded an aggravated life sentence for Akhanlı on the grounds of the "attempt to overthrow the constitutional order of the Turkish Republic by armed force".

"Trying to apply war law"

In a statement made to bianet, lawyer Ercan Kanar described the final speech of the prosecution as "constructed with the logic of the anti-terror branch but lacking legal evidence".

In his opinion, the indictment reflects the concept of war law. Kanar pointed to the lack of data and evidence and criticized the prosecutor's attitude of revenge against people with dissident opinions. (BIA, Ekin KARACA, 17 June 2011)

Erdoğan withdraws cases filed against politicians, columnists

In what could be seen as a concrete result of a speech he delivered after his party's election victory on Sunday, promising to embrace all segments of society and make peace with political rivals, Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan withdrew all accusations of libel and slander he had filed against certain politicians and columnists in the pre-election period.

Justice and Development Party (AK Party) Deputy Chairman Hüseyin Çelik announced Erdoğan's decision during a television program on Thursday.

Çelik said Erdoğan was withdrawing his lawsuits, adding, “This is not the time to settle accounts; we are turning over a new leaf.”

In a move to appeal to the whole country, a victorious Erdoğan said on Sunday night that “it is not time for settling accounts, but [for] making peace.” He apologized to everyone “[he] may have unwillingly hurt during the election campaign” and also called on opposition leaders to forget about pre-election tension.

Erdoğan's post-election speech, dubbed as “the balcony speech” because he delivered it from the balcony of AK Party headquarters in Ankara, came after his party received 50 percent of the nationwide vote, which brought the party to power for its third term as a single-party government.

One of the most recent cases Erdoğan filed was against writer Ahmet Altan, the editor-in-chief of the liberal Taraf daily. Erdoğan's lawyers filed the lawsuit arguing that Altan directed harsh insults at the prime minister that exceeded the limits of criticism and freedom of expression. In his column published on Jan. 15, 2011 and titled “Erdoğan and hollow bullying,” Altan accused the prime minister of becoming more Nationalist Movement Party (MHP)-like, denying the rights of Kurds, aspiring to demolish a statue in Kars and arguing with whoever warns him to return to his reformist, democratic and progressive identity.

Erdoğan had demanded TL 50,000 in compensation for the allegedly denigrating remarks. The prime minister also filed a criminal complaint against Altan with the Ankara Chief Public Prosecutor's Office. Altan last week delivered his testimony and said he had no intention of insulting the prime minister but rather was criticizing his sharp language in kind.

Erdoğan had also filed many accusations of slander against MHP leader Devlet Bahçeli, main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) leader Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu and Democrat Party leader Namık Kemal Zeybek. However, the opposition leaders have responded negatively to Erdoğan's calls to make peace.

Bahçeli had said he cannot make peace with the prime minister before settling accounts with him over “plots put into action against the MHP ahead of the elections.” The MHP leader was referring to a video blackmail scandal that rocked the MHP ahead of the elections and resulted in the resignations of 10 top MHP members.

“As the government of the Republic of Turkey, the government should reveal the masterminds of the traps set for the MHP and hand them to the judiciary so that making peace can be possible,” said Bahçeli. (TODASYZAMAN.COM, 16 June 2011)

Cyber Attack on ANF News Agency

The Fırat News Agency (ANF) was hit by a new wave of cyber attacks. The attacks started on 12 June and rendered access to the site impossible since yesterday (15 June).

According to a statement of the ANF, the source of the attack is located within Turkey.

In their statement, ANF pointed to the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP): "Just as the intolerance of the AKP government towards freedom of expression encourages attacks, we seriously suspect these attacks to be 'state-patented'. We strongly condemn these attacks on press freedom and freedom of expression. We interpret them as helpless and shameful pursuit that aims at preventing the truth to be conveyed to the public".

Access to the website of the news agency had previously been blocked by court decisions for the extensions ".com", ".eu", ".org" and ".nu". ANF is currently providing its service under www.fıratnews.ws.  (BIA, 16 June 2011)

Azadiya Welat Newspaper Banned - Again

The publication of the Azadiya Welat newspaper was suspended for the ninth time on 13 June. The daily started publishing on 15 August 2006 and is the only nation-wide newspaper published exclusively in Kurdish.

The Kurdish daily was banned for the duration of 15 days. Nine Azadiya Welat employees are still in prison. On Monday (13 June), the police raided the daily's printing house in Diyarbakır, a city in the pre-dominantly Kurdish region of south-eastern Turkey. As of Monday afternoon, the printing of the newspaper was stopped.

Reason: Propaganda

As reported by the Fırat News Agency (ANF), the Special Authority 12th High Criminal Court of Istanbul decided for the seizure of all copies of the 12th June issue and a 15-day suspension of publication upon the demand of the Istanbul Public Prosecution. The decision was based on news items published in the issue of 12th June.

The court gave several reasons for the decision; namely two articles entitled "The guerrilla will not descent from the mountains until Öcalan will have been released" and "We say it again: join us, let's be united" that supposedly conveyed the opinions of Murat Karayılan, Board Chair of the Union of Kurdistan Communities (KCK), the umbrella organization that includes the armed outlawed Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK). The court decision was furthermore based on a news item entitled "brotherhood" that disclosed the code names of deceased PKK members and allegedly spread "propaganda for an illegal organization".

The court applied Article 25/2-3 of the Press Law (confiscation and prohibition of distribution and sale) as far as the confiscation of copies the 12th June issue is concerned. The 15-day publication ban was based on Article 6/last paragraph of the Turkish Criminal Law (TCK) (committing a crime on behalf of a criminal organization). (BIA, 14 June 2011)

OSCE: Journalists Apply Auto-Censorship

The Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) sent a delegation to Turkey to observe the parliamentary elections last Sunday (12 June). The delegation announced that the elections were transparent and done in a secure environment. It was said that the elections were managed well. Even though, the delegation stated that Turkey needed to advance freedoms in the country to achieve more democracy.

The OSCE has been technically observing elections in Turkey since 1992. This time, the organization additionally sent a delegation that consisted of 34 politicians as representatives of the Parliamentary Assembly. Divided in four groups, they monitored the election process in Istanbul and Izmir in the west, Diyarbakır in the south-east and Ankara as the capital of Turkey in central Anatolia.

According to Hürriyet newspaper, the parliamentarians' visit to the Saint Michel High School that served as a poll office in Şişli/Istanbul caused minor tensions. The presiding officers were sceptic about the badges given to the European politicians by the Supreme Elections Board (YSK) that entitled them to observe the elections all over Turkey. After extensive phone calls of the officers, the delegation was eventually allowed into the poll office.

Delegation member Çoşkun Çörüz, a Dutch Christian democrat, said that this was the only problem they encountered during their visits to dozens of schools. Çörüz noted, "They probably thought there was an interference from outside because they had not been informed about our duty. There would not have been a problem if they had been informed properly. It was our only duty to write a report about transparency and a secure environment during the elections. We did not find any problems at the poll offices we visited".

"Journalists apply auto-censorship"

The international observers indicated that the elections showed pluralism but at the same time the delegation called on the Turkish government to broaden freedom of thought and to "establish a media distant of political pressure".

Pia Christmas-Moeller, head of the OSCE Monitoring Delegation, pointed out, "We encountered examples of auto-censorship in some meetings we had with journalists. Journalists apply auto-censorship when they do not consider themselves in a safe environment".

The delegation also criticized the ten-percent electoral threshold in Turkey since it prevents many parties from entering the parliament and thus reduces the parliament's ability of representation. (BIA, 14 June 2011)

32 arrestations après des cyberattaques

La police turque a arrêté 32 hackers suspectés de faire partie d'Anonymous, un groupe qui aurait participé à des attaques sur les sites du gouvernement turc pour dénoncer le filtrage de l'internet dans le pays, a rapporté mardi l'agence Anatolie.

Neuf de ces suspects qui sont mineurs, ont été relâchés, souligne l'agence.

Les hackers ont été interpellés lors de raids effectués lundi dans plusieurs villes de Turquie contre le groupe de pirates informatiques "Anonymous", révélé par des actions de défense du site WikiLeaks, ajoute l'agence.

La semaine dernière, à la veille des élections législatives organisées en Turquie, Anonymous a attaqué plusieurs sites officiels dont le site de la direction turque des télécoms (TIB), le régulateur de l'internet, qui a élaboré le plan de filtrage.

Le Parti gouvernemental de la justice et du développement (AKP, issu de la mouvance islamiste) qui a remporté haut la main les législatives, a annoncé pour le 22 août l'instauration d'un large filtre de censure visant à protéger la jeunesse, provoquant une levée de boucliers et des manifestations dans les grande villes.

L'accès à des milliers de site internet a déjà été bloqué en Turquie, souvent en raison de contenus sexuels mais aussi pour des motifs politiques, comme les insultes à Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, le fondateur de la Turquie moderne, qui a valu au site de partage de vidéos YouTube trois ans de bannissement.

La situation est dénoncée par les défenseurs de la liberté d'expression, qui s'indignent du flou de la législation en vigueur et de l'opacité des procédures conduisant à la censure de sites. (AFP, 14 juin 2011)

Magazine Seized because of "Illegal Source" - Publication Suspended

The newly published Özgür Halk ve Demokratik Modernite ('Free People and Democratic Modernity') magazine has kept the Turkish judiciary busy since the first issue was released this April.

Initially, copies of the first issue were seized and the magazine was banned right after its release. After that, the prosecutor decided to drop procedures. However, the second issue was seized again and the 6th High Criminal Court of Diyarbakır, a Kurdish-majority city in south-eastern Turkey, decided to suspend the publication of the magazine and confiscate all copies.

The magazine includes articles of intellectuals and journalists such as Milliyet newspaper writer Nuray Mert, Prof. Doğu Ergil, Labour, Democracy and Freedom Block Candidate Sırrı Süreyya Önder, Kurdish politician Aysel Tuğluk, Ayşe Candaş and Essa Moosa, lawyer of Nelson Mandela. The ban and the seizure of the magazine are based on footnotes on page 73 and 82 that quote a defence speech of Abdullah Öcalan, imprisoned leader of the militant Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK), as a source.

Lawyer Özcan Kılıç, legal attorney for the magazine, drew attention to the lack of investigation prior to the seizure. That way, it was intended to declare the magazine a prohibited publication, Kılıç said.

Kılıç noted that one or two copies of the magazine must have been investigated upon a notice before the second issue was seized. Thereupon, it was decided to seize the copies and suspend the publishing on the grounds of the elements of crime found in the issue, Kılıç indicated. He said that they appealed the court decision but their appeal was dismissed by reasons of alleged "propaganda for an illegal organization". (BIA, Çiçek TAHAOĞLU, 13 June 2011)

Journalist Convicted for News on PKK Leader

Imprisonment of one month and seven days was the verdict about journalist Ercan Atay, editorial manager of the Batman Newspaper, because he published a statement of Murat Karayılan, Head of the Steering Board of the Union of Kurdistan Communities (KCK).The court decision was reported on 8 June.

The KCK is the intent to organize Kurdish people and also includes the armed outlawed Kurdistan Workers' Party (PPK).

Atay assessed the decision as a "coup on press freedom".

The local Batman Newspaper published a statement made by Karayılan after a mine explosion in the south-eastern province of Batman that caused the death of four people. In this context, the Batman 1st Magistrate Criminal Court had opened a trial on charges of "praising crime and a criminal" that resulted in Atay's conviction.

In a written statement in the local daily, Atay underlined that Karayılan's statement had also been published by other media organs and that the Batman newspaper had refrained from commenting the statement in any way.

Atay expressed his lack of understanding about the fact that he was punished nevertheless. "The prison sentences handed down by the courts are meant to intimidate journalists who are working in this region in particular. We lodged an appeal to the Court of Appeals. If this does not yield a result, we will apply to the European Court of Human Rights [ECHR]" the journalist indicated.

Lawyer Zeki Ekmen noted that the decision was opposing the European Convention on Human Rights. He said that this issue will also be followed up by the management of the Batman Bar Association.

"Tried for journalistic activities"

The Batman Mesopotamian Havza Association of Journalists and Publishers announced that the sentence stemmed from the desire to put press freedom under reservation.

Association President Kemal Çelik emphasized in a press release that the news item subject to the punishment had been published by different publishing institutions world-wide without hesitation.

Çelik recalled that officials kept on telling that "journalists are not being tried for making news but for being involved in political activities". However, the incident in Batman showed that the opposite was the case, Çelik claimed and continued, "This sentence was excluded from a conversion into a monetary fine or from being suspended. As if the severe conditions of the press law were not enough, journalists are being sent behind bars on the grounds of Article 215 of the Turkish Criminal Law on 'praising crime and a criminal'".

Trials for news about Karayılan

On 11 March, a trial was opened against Ertuğrul Mavioğlu, news coordinator of IMC television, by reason of an interview with Karayılan held on the Qandil Mountain, the location of the PKK's base in northern Iraq. Mavioğlu stands accused of "spreading propaganda for a terrorist organization". He is facing prison terms of up to five years on the grounds of the interview that was published in Radikal newspaper between 28 and 30 October 2010.

Human rights defender Hakan Tahmaz and Birgün newspaper editorial manager İbrahim Çeşmecioğlu were convicted on 24 March on the grounds of their so-called "Qandil interview". Both defendants were sentenced for "publishing announcements of an illegal organization" because of an interview with Karayılan. Tahmaz was sentenced for leading the interview, Çeşmecioğlu for publishing it.

Prosecutor Kasım İlimoğlu claimed that the defendants carried out journalistic activities and demanded their acquittal based on previous decisions of the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR). However, the Istanbul 10th High Criminal Court decided for a one-year prison sentence for Tahmaz which was finally mitigated to ten months. Çeşmecioğlu was handed down a monetary fine of TL 16,660 (€ 8,300)

Both defendants stood accused of "publishing statements of PKK/KONGRAGEL" according to article 6/2 of the Anti-Terror Act (TMY). Reason for the prosecution was the interview entitled "Unilateral Ceasefire Amplifies the Problem". Initially, Tahmaz and Çeşmecioğlu were facing prison terms of up to three years. (BIA, Ayça SÖYLEMEZ, 9 June 2011)

Yuval Ron concert in Turkey canceled in face of pressures

A concert that was scheduled to be played Thursday night in İstanbul was canceled after a group of activists calling themselves the Mavi Marmara Volunteers protested against it, saying the event, to be performed by Israeli musicians, was an insult to the nine activists killed on a humanitarian aid ship last year in an attack by Israel.

The activists, in a message they released Thursday morning, said the concert, to be performed by the Yuval Ron Ensemble, was being organized by the Foundation of Writers and Journalists (GYV) and claimed the tickets were available at the Israeli Consulate. The statement claimed that the public was uneasy with the concert, which would have been played days after the anniversary of the “the martyrdom of nine Turkish citizens who were killed in the atrocious Israeli attack.” The statement claimed that the concert was purposefully looking to create agitation.

Mavi Marmara Volunteers, the group that made the statement, is believed to be affiliated with the Humanitarian Aid Association (İHH), which was the organizer of an aid flotilla to Gaza strip last year. Nine Turkish citizens were killed aboard the Mavi Marmara passenger ship that was part of the flotilla, during an attack by Israeli rangers in international waters.

The Intercultural Dialogue Platform (KADİP), which is part of the GYV, released a statement denying a number of claims made by the activists, including the claim that the band is from Israel. “Yuval Ron is of American origin, with members of different faiths,” it said. It also denied the activists' claims that the concert was being organized by Israel, adding that the group was to perform a large repertoire reflecting various cultures and faiths, including Muslim Hymns and soundtrack titles. However, about half an hour after this statement, KADİP announced that the event had been canceled.

KADİP officials said they canceled the concert out of concerns for safety and in anticipation of a protest by İHH supporters. They said "some segments" were trying to exploit what would normally be a concert of peace for their own propaganda, KADİP's Kudret Altındağ said, but there were also rumors that the cancellation could have been the result of a suggestion from the Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The Yuval Ron Ensemble a group of Arab, Israeli, Jewish and Christian artists, most recently gave an interview to Today's Zaman about the “Coexistanbul Peace Concert,” which would have been performed at Sultanahmet Amphitheatre. The artists told Today's Zaman that they shared a simple common endeavor: to alleviate national, racial, religious and cultural divides by fusing the music and dance of clashing cultures of the Middle East in a unique mystical and spiritual celebration.

The concert was organized by KADİP, the Greater İstanbul Municipality's cultural body Kültür A.Ş. and the Koza Iş ve Kadın Derneği, a committee with the objective of creating an international network amongst women in business.

In the interview, the ensemble's leader, Oscar-winning composer Yuval Ron had described his band's stance saying, “We do not affiliate ourselves with any movement or political party nor with any nation or country. We make music, we support peace and condemn violence and we try to spread a message of compassion, mercy, love and hope, always standing on the side of the innocent victims.” (TODAY'S ZAMAN, 9 June 2011)

TGC: Two Female Journalists Attacked

The Association of Turkish Journalists (TGC) condemned the verbal violence experienced by Milliyet newspaper writer Nuray Mert and the physical violence imposed to Cumhuriyet newspaper reporter Pelin Ünker.

The written statement of the association also underlined the fact that 65 journalists are currently being detained in Turkish prisons and that about 4,000 journalists find themselves under pressure of a court case.

The TGC criticized, "The attitude of the government rendered verbal and physical violence against journalist an ordinary issue. The journalists serve the people's right to information and their right to learn the truth. We find it rather odd that a blind eye is being turned to the fact that these journalists are deemed to deserve violence".

The announcement claimed that writer Mert was made a target by the severe accusations put forward by the Prime Minister on account of her opinion and her articles.

"Who is going to be responsible if Mert should become the subject of an attack on the grounds of these allegations? We call on the politicians to demonstrate respect towards freedom of expression and to get hold of a more responsible stance".

The association's declaration described the incident that happened to journalist Ünker on 1 June when she was covering a demonstration in Mecidiyeköy (Istanbul). She was exposed to violence even though she showed her press card which was then torn into pieces by her attackers.

"Ünker is currently not able to use her left arm. She had to obtain a sick report for five days. Ünker filed a criminal complaint against the policemen who attacked her", the TGC said.

"Reporting about injustice against the public and corruption is the most important function of journalists. We condemn the verbal violence from politicians against our colleagues and also the systematic physical violence applied by the police forces. We want the persons responsible for the assault against Ünker to be prosecuted as soon as possible". (BIA, 7 June 2011)

Letter From Journalist Necati Abay, Sentenced to 18 Years

I was subjected to a more serious conspiracy than the one that Ahmet Şık ve Nedim Şener is subjected today. In that time I was working as a writer-editor in Atilim newspaper. On the 4th of February in 2003, two months before the conspiracy, I was taken into custody with other workers of Atilim newspaper and later I was released. In the custody, one of the police officer threatened me with these statements: “You'll be in trouble if you make news about bombings in Atilim newspaper. We can have you arrested at any time.  It's we who decide the time of the arrest.” It was also a kind of censorship imposition. I replied as : “ We stand for freedom of press and we will publish any news which is worth to make news like the other information media”.

Just as on 13th April in 2003, 2 months later, I was detained with my computer in my house. They couldn't find any crime element after carrying out a house search. When I was taken to the  anti-terror department of Istanbul Police Headquarters in Vatan, “ I was charged with being the coordinator of bombing acts in Istanbul”. I rejected the charges and saying that was a fake conspiracy.

After the 4-day detention, I was handed over to the public prosecuter's office. The prosecuter's office sent me to the court of inquiry with the arrest demand. It seems that the court of inquiry didn't take 'the bombing act' seriously, so he released me. However after some hours, with the prosecuter's appeal I was arrested and put in Tekirdag F-type Prison. For a long time neither me nor my lawyer could see the case record, because they put privacy decision on the case record.

The indictment was prepared on the 27.03.2003. It was understood from the indictment that I was included in the outlawed organization operation. It was a classic state politics. The targeted journalists, writers and intellectuals were usually included in the outlawed organization operations. It's known that on 12th of March Altan Oymen was arrested with the charge of hijacking. Today Ahmet Şık and Nedim Şener are arrested with the charge of being 'members of Ergenekon terrorist organization'. Similarly, I was being accused of being the responsible of 3 cell houses who did the bombing acts.

The threaten on 4th of February in 2003“ If you make bombing news, we will have you arrested Necati Abay” became real. The actor of the police conspiracy was called Aligul Alkaya whom I had never seen and met before. He had been taken into custody four nights before me and arrested. Being tortured he was forced to sign the declaration which was prepared by the police. Later in the petition that he wrote to the prosecutorial and during the trial processes he stated that he doesn't know Necati Abay, it's impossible for him to make a statement about a person that he doesn't known and he was forced to sign the statement during the torture. In his appeal sent to State Security Court on 17th April 2003, Ali Gul Alkaya says “In the police department they gave me some pills and made me to sign the statement”. It can be seen that the police added four lines about me to the forged document under the name of Ali Gul Alkaya. All the indictment was based on this.

This is the only part about me in the 21-page indictment:

“4-NECATI ABAY:

As can be understood from the declaration given by defendant Aligul Alkaya on 12.04.2004 in police department that until being arrested there were three cell houses of MLKP organization in Istanbul; in the 1st Cell house he, Hatice Duman and Ali Riza Kaplan, in the 2nd Cell house Tahir Lacin, Gulizar Erman with Zeynep code name and Sami Ozbil with Uzun code name, in the 3rd cell house Erkan Ozdemir and Ahmet Dogan were doing activites , the responsible of these 3 cell houses in Istanbul is the defendant Necati Abay was providing touch among these three cell houses and using the code name 'Emre' in order to provide his secrecy in MLKP terrorist organization, so the defendant Necati Abay is committed to crime attempting by force to amend, change or abolish the whole or a part of the Turkish Republic Constitution,”

The part of this indictment about me which is interjected by the police to the statement written by the police again, is based on the forged document and was signed Aligul Alkaya by force during being torture. We cannot say that Aligul Alkaya aspersed me, because I don't know him and he doesn't know me. The statements of court hearing are my evidences. So, this document is the proof of the police conspiracy and the indictment was prepared basing on the forged document.

On 3rd October 2003 six months after my arrest, my court hearing was done in State Security Court. I pleaded and the court released me with the condition of pending trial. I was very happy. In spite of being tried with life sentence in solitary confinement, the judges didn't take the claims of ' being the coordinator of bombing acts'. My pending trial continued for 8 years. In the meantime, I'd like to state that as the press unions who are against the system didn't do anything about my situation, we founded the Platform for Solidarity with Imprisoned Journalists (TGDP). Since that time I have been the spokesman of TGDP. During the 8-year of my pending trial, no evidence was found against me. Because I was being charged with groundless claims and non-existing evidences cannot be found. After 8 years in the hearing of 12nd Criminal Court on 4th May  2011 I was sentenced to 18 years 9 months in prison. I was surprised with the sentence while waiting acquittals.

In the one-dentence court decision, these are written about me:

“Even if it is of the opinion that Necati Abay is the member of the order and command of outlawed MLKP organization; as it is understood that the direct relation and participating to the  crimes within the context of dossier cannot be ascertained, the defendants is within the meaning of 765 numbered, 168/1 Article of the Turkish Criminal Code...instead of life sentence, to be sentences to 18 years 9 months...”

As can be seen in the court decision that there aren’t any evidences about me, my sentence is based on the belief. There is no evidence, but just belief. So, I think the decision of special authorized High Criminal Court is not juristic, but political. This is one of the typical examples of lawlessness in High Criminal Court. Special authorized High Criminal Courts makes us long for the State Security Courts. After the decision hearing of the court, I said that this decision would be discussed a lot, so it is. In so many newspapers, journals and TVs, the decision has been the matter for discussion. In his column in Star newspaper Osman Can, Prof. Dr Dogu Ergil in his column in Bugun newspaper, Ferai Tinc in his column in Hurriyet and Aydin Engin in his column in T24 web page came up the decision for discussion.

In Cumhuriyet newspaper, it became the second heading in the first page. When I was invited to the editorial office programme of Rusen Cakir in NTV we discussed about the decision. It was also discussed in the press freedom programme of Ertugrul Mavioglu in IMC TV to which I also participated. Because of my sentence, Human Rights Association gave awarded me the Prize of Aysenur Zarakolu Freedom of Thought. On 9th of June in 2011 I was invited to the Swedish Parliament to give a speech about the freedom of thoght and expression in Turkey. Furthermore, a petition drive has been started with pioneering of Ankara Thought Freedom Initiative with the call of 42 intellectuals.

We disputed to the decision, appealing with the supreme court. I'd like to underline that even if the court decided my sentence, it didn't decide for my arrest. I hope the decision given by the 12th High Criminal Court will be annuled by the supreme court. I think this decision is a sentence to the freedom of thought and expression, people's right to receive the news, press freedom, the Atilim newspaper I was working in that time, the Platformu for Solidarity with the Imprisoned Journalists. In our country, freedom of thought and expression and freedom of press are under double pressure.  The former is the anti-terror law (TMY) which is called anti-society law by the social dissidents. Without opposing TMY and defending the lift of TMY, it won't be consistent to defend the freedom of expression and thought. The latter one, as seen in my situation, is the lawlessness of High Criminal Courts.

Necati Abay
The Platform for Solidarity with the Imprisoned Journalists
necatiabay@gmail.com
3rd June 2011

Turkish PM targets Economist magazine, journalist Nuray Mert

Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan leveled harsh criticism Friday at the British magazine the Economist for an article urging the Turkish electorate to vote for the main opposition party to improve the country’s democracy.

“If they knew a little about the Republican People’s Party [CHP], they would know that democracy and the CHP can’t come together and they haven’t come together throughout history,” Erdoğan said, addressing a huge crowd in the conservative Central Anatolian province of Konya.

“I am calling on the Economist: You are French to this country. And you are French to the CHP as well,” he said, referring to a common phrase used in Turkey when somebody does not know something or speaks out of context.

“The CHP’s new leader is not a national project but an international project. We knew that the CHP’s new leader was part of the project of gangs in Turkey, but we didn’t know that it is also the project of global gangs,” Erdoğan said at the election rally for his ruling Justice and Development Party, or AKP.

Describing the publication of the article as inconsiderate, Erdoğan said he would have displayed the same reaction if the same magazine had written in favor of the AKP.

In an article dated June 2, the Economist said Turkish voters returning to Erdoğan in the June 12 general elections would not be surprising in the light of the developments since the party came to power. The magazine, however, also described the situation as worrying.

“Mr. Erdoğan is riding sufficiently high in the polls to get quite close to the two-thirds parliamentary majority that he craves because it would allow him unilaterally to rewrite the constitution. That would be bad for Turkey. This judgment is not based on the canard that a theocracy is being built,” the article said.

“The real worry about the AK party [AKP]’s untrammeled rule concerns democracy, not religion. Ever since Mr. Erdoğan won his battles with the army and the judiciary, he has faced few checks or balances. That has freed him to indulge his natural intolerance of criticism and fed his autocratic instincts,” it read.

Noting that corruption was on the rise, press freedom was under attack and more journalists were in prison, the magazine thus called on Turks to vote for the CHP against the ruling party to promote democracy.

Without naming the journalist, Erdoğan also criticized daily Milliyet columnist Nuray Mert for her statements to media outlets of the outlawed Kurdistan Workers’ Party, or PKK, that the government constructed double highways to ease the operations against Kurds.

“How you can be so calm to the [pro-Kurdish] Peace and Democracy Party [BDP], but aggressive to the AKP? You defend the PKK, not those who burn the faces of children in Cizre,” Erdoğan said. (Hürriyet Daily News, June 3, 2011)

A total of 20 months in jail for journalist Irmak
 
Saadet Irmak, owner and chief editor of newpapers Yeni Yorum and Ülkede Yorum is sentenced to 20 months in prison and is to pay 18140 TLs in fines for news and articles on the Kurdish issue. The verdict was decided on May 26 in İstanbul 10th High Criminal Court under ATC and TPC 215, which penalizes up to 2 years those openly promoting a committed crime or the perpetrator of the crime.
 
For the pieces published around December 20-26, 2010 in Yeni Yorum on Kurdish language and democratic solutions Irmak received 10 mohths and 740 TLs. Then in another piece published in Ülkede Yorum about KCK Supreme Justice Council Meeting resolutions received another ten months.
 
Another sentence of 16 660 TLs in fines was passed for articles of November 8-14, 2010 in Ülkede Yorum for organisational propaganda. For using the words ‘Kurdish people’s leader’ Irmak also received another fine of 740TLs.
 
10 months jail for BDP Provincial Chair
 
BDP Erzurum Provincial Chair Rıza Güler is sentenced to jail. Güler said in a press announcement  on Feb. 15, 2011, at the anniversary of Abdullah Öcalan’s forceful return from Kenya that Öcalan is the official respondent of the government and has a status therefore he should be released for a sincere attempt at peace and resolution.
 
Güler was tried for PKK propaganda which he denied still the court decided for his incarceration for teh months.
 
Minimum 20 months in jail for a banner
 
The students Berna Yılmaz and Ferda Tüzer had opened a placard reading “We want free education and we will get it” on the 14th of March, 2010 at the Roman Approach meeting attended by PM Erdoğan and were arrested immediately. A suit was filed against Berna Yılmaz and Ferhat Tüzer who are kept in remand for the last 14 months, for being members of an organisation demanding upto 15 years of imprisonment. The students appeared in court on May the 24th. At the hearing where the defendants Berna Yılmaz and Ferhat Tüzer are being tried with up to 15 years for membership of a terrorist organisation, the prosecutor Kasım İlimoğlu stated that they have expressed their views as a right and should be acquitted but the judge decided for their stay in remand till the next hearing which will be in another 6 moonths. ( Freedom of Expression Weekly Bulletin - Issue 21/11, May 27, 2011)

Council of Europe envoy to look into press freedom complaints in Turkey

Council of Europe Secretary-General Thorbjorn Jagland on Monday said during a press conference that he has appointed Gérard Stoudmann as his special envoy to assess the situation of the freedom of expression in Turkey, following an invitation made by Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan in April.

“Turkey is a founding member of the Council of Europe and has played an important role in this organization for over 60 years. This mission has to be seen in the context of regular cooperation between the Council of Europe and its member states. My special envoy will visit Turkey after the general elections have taken place and will have broad contacts with all stakeholders, including civil society. He will report to me and the report will be published by the autumn and will focus on precise recommendations related to [the] implementation of Article 10 of the European Convention on Human Rights, which guarantees freedom of expression,” Jagland said.

The envoy will look into the circumstances and reasons for the arrest of several journalists in connection with an alleged plot to overthrow the Turkish government. Those arrested are allegedly linked to the ultranationalist clandestine Ergenekon group, which is charged with plotting to overthrow the democratically elected government by creating large-scale chaos in the country.

Stoudmann was, among other posts in multilateral diplomacy, director of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe's (OSCE) Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) between 1997 and 2003 and UN high representative for elections in the Ivory Coast in 2006-2007. He is currently a close adviser to the secretary-general.

The secretary-general had previously raised his concerns with Erdoğan during a telephone conversation in March, when he expressed the hope that the cases against journalists could be resolved as quickly as possible.(TODAYSZAMAN.COM, 31 May 2011)

20 Months to Jail for News on Kurdish Question

Guilty of "making propaganda for the PKK" (the militant Kurdistan Workers Party) and of "praising a criminal" was the verdict given by Istanbul 10th High Criminal Court for journalist Saadet Irmak. Irmak is the owner and editorial manager of the weekly Yeni Yorum ('New Comment') magazine and the Ülkede Yorum ('Comment on the Country') newspaper.

The final hearing was held on 26 May. Irmak's penalty was based on the Anti-Terror Law (TMY) and Article 215 of the Turkish Penal Code (TCK) on "praising an offender". Both the TMY and Article 215 TCK are reasons for systematic convictions of the Turkish government before the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR). Irmak's lawyer Özcan Kılıç reportedly filed an appeal against the decision.

The journalist was initially sentenced to imprisonment of one year on charges of "publishing statements of an illegal organization". This accusation was based on the two articles "All aspects of my life will be Kurdish" and "The last chance for a democratic solution" published in the 20-26 January 2010 issue of the Yeni Yorum magazine.

The sentence was mitigated to ten months due to a lack of criminal record, Irmak's past and the "anticipated future effects of the penalty". Irmak was handed down an additional prison sentence of one month under Article 215 TCK. This punishment was aggravated to 1.5 months because the offence had been done via the media. Eventually, the total punishment was converted into a monetary fine of TL 740 (€ 370).

Reason for Irmak's prosecution was the publishing of an article that conveyed a government-critical statement of the Executive Board of the Union of Kurdistan Communities (KCK) on the Kurdish question. In the news the KCK Steering Board was quoted as saying that "the government neither properly evaluated nor made an earnest approach towards the conditions of a unilateral ceasefire that had been announced by the KCK for a peaceful solution of the Kurdish question. Instead of taking concrete steps towards a solution, the government carried on their exploitation", the announcement continued.

Another subject of the trial was the use of the term "Leader of the Kurdish People" in reference to Abdullah Öcalan, the leader of the PKK who has been imprisoned on Imralı Island since 1999.

Additionally, Irmak received a monetary fine of TL 16,600 (€ 8,300) on charges of "spreading propaganda for an illegal organization" based on the article "Making no Mistake" published in the Ülkede Yorum newspaper issue of 8-14 November 2010.

Journalist Irmak was handed down yet another ten-month prison sentence charged with "publishing a statement of the PKK" on the grounds of an article entitled "The Kurds will establish their own courts". The article dealt with the results of a meeting of the KCK Supreme Justice Council. Irmak was furthermore convicted because of the article "The state is positive; the politicians are the obstacle" in which he again referred to imprisoned PKK leader Öcalan as the "leader of the Kurdish people". Also the latter sentence was finally converted into a monetary fine of TL 740. (BIA, Erol ÖNDEROĞLU, 30 May 2011)

 
Kurdish Question / Question kurde

BDP to hold group meetings in Diyarbakır each week

Turkey’s main pro-Kurdish party has announced plans to hold its weekly parliamentary group meetings in Diyarbakır after choosing to boycott Parliament’s opening Tuesday following the election board’s decision to quash the deputyship of a colleague.

“By organizing our group meetings in Diyarbakır every week, we will carry out a planned and organized program of struggle. We will also continue with our [decision] to not go to Parliament until new possibilities for a solution emerge,” said Gülten Kışanak, a Siirt independent deputy backed by the Peace and Democracy Party, or BDP.

The independents backed by the BDP gathered in the southeastern province of Diyarbakır as ruling Justice and Development, or AKP, and Nationalist Movement Party, or MHP, deputies were taking their oaths at a ceremony in Parliament on Tuesday.

Kışanak said the decision to strip candidate Hatip Dicle of his deputyship was unlawful and claimed that the ruling party had gained an extra deputy with votes that were seized from the people.

“This is the situation that should be discussed the most,” said Kışanak.

“We see all these developments as interference,” she said. “We got our votes from the public in order to solve the Kurdish problem by peaceful means, to make a democratic constitution and to build the democratic republic and democratic independence. With the authorization that we won from our people, we will continue with our struggle in the most active and effective way,” said Kışanak.

The Supreme Election Board, or YSK, quashed Dicle’s deputyship on June 21 for spreading “terrorist propaganda” and immediately awarded the seat to AKP deputy Oya Eronat, prompting the BDP to announce its plans for a parliamentary boycott.

Five other BDP deputies have also been prevented from joining the rest of the group after a court ruled against their release following charges of alleged membership in the Kurdish Communities Union, or KCK, the alleged urban wing of the outlawed Kurdistan Workers’ Party, or PKK.

The PKK is listed as a terrorist organization by Turkey, the United States and the European Union.

With tensions rising, five people, including İsa Gürbüz, a pro-Kurdish figure whose electoral candidacy was quashed before the June 12 polls by the YSK, were detained on Tuesday in the eastern province of Elazığ on charges of involvement in the KCK.

In addition to Kışanak, deputies Aysel Tuğluk, Emine Ayna, Ayla Akat Ata, Nursel Aydoğan, Altan Tan, Ertuğrul Kürkçü, Erol Dora, Hasip Kaplan, Sebahat Tuncel, Leyla Zana, Adil Kurt, İdris Baluken, Esat Canan, Murat Bozlak and Halil Aksoy attended Tuesday’s meeting in Diyarbakır.(Hürriyet Daily News, June 28, 2011)

Trois rebelles kurdes tués lors de combats dans l'est

Trois rebelles kurdes du PKK ont été tués lors de combats avec les forces de sécurité dans l'est de la Turquie, a rapporté mardi l'agence de presse Anatolie.

L'accrochage s'est produit près du village de Burnak, dans la province montagneuse de Tunceli, selon un communiqué du gouvernorat de Tunceli cité par Anatolie.

D'autre part, des rebelles kurdes ont attaqué un véhicule militaire dans l'est de la Turquie, tuant un soldat et en blessant trois autres, a annoncé lundi l'agence de presse Anatolie.

L'attaque a été menée par des rebelles du PKK dans une zone rurale de la province de Van, selon la même source.

Le chef emprisonné du PKK fait des offres de paix à Ankara

Le chef emprisonné des rebelles kurdes de Turquie Abdullah Öcalan a transmis à Ankara des propositions pour mettre un terme à 26 ans de conflit meurtrier, a affirmé un des leaders de la rebellion dans un entretien publié lundi par le quotidien Milliyet.

Öcalan, qui conserve son influence sur le PKK malgré sa détention, a soumis trois "protocoles" à des responsables turcs qui l'ont rencontré le mois dernier sur l'île-prison d'Imrali (nord-ouest), a déclaré Murat Karayilan, le numéro deux du PKK.

Les propositions comprennent des réformes constitutionnelles pour accorder une autonomie régionale et une éducation en langue kurde ainsi que des "conditions pour une exclusion complète de la violence et un désarmement sur la base d'un pardon mutuel", a indiqué M. Karayilan, cité par Milliyet.

Öcalan a aussi demandé une levée de son isolement --il ne peut rencontrer que sa famille et ses avocats-- "de sorte que le processus fonctionne correctement", selon le dirigeant kurde, interrogé par Milliyet dans son quartier général des monts Kandil, dans le nord de l'Irak.

"La délégation officielle qui a rencontré Öcalan le mois dernier n'a pas rejeté ces protocoles. Ils ont dit qu'ils allaient les transmettre à l'Etat et au gouvernement (...) Nous attendons une réponse", a ajouté M. Karayilan.

Ankara a accordé ces dernières années des droits culturels aux Kurdes --télévision en kurde, cours privés de kurde-- mais est hostile à une autonomie régionale de l'est et du sud-est anatolien, de peuplement kurde.

L'Etat turc a des contacts sporadiques avec Öcalan, condamné à la prison à vie en 1999.

Le PKK est considéré comme une organisation terroriste par Ankara et de nombreux pays. Le conflit kurde en Turquie a fait quelque 45.000 morts depuis le début de l'insurrection du PKK, en 1984, selon l'armée.

M. Karayilan a estimé qu'une "fenêtre d'opportunité" s'était ouverte avec les législatives du 12 juin et l'élection de 36 militants kurdes.

Il a cependant déploré comme "un coup sévère aux attentes" des Kurdes l'invalidation d'un des élus, en raison d'une condamnation pour "propagande terroriste", et le maintien en détention provisoire de cinq autres. (AFP, 28 juin 2011)

Le tribunal refuse de libérer six élus kurdes

La justice turque a rejeté les demandes de libération de six militants kurdes élus au parlement, détenus en attente de leur procès.

Selma Irmak, Faysal Sariyildiz, Kemal Aktas, Gülser Yildirim et Ibrahim Ayhan, accusés d'appartenir au Parti des travailleurs du Kurdistan (PKK), ont remporté leurs sièges de députés aux élections du 12 juin comme candidats indépendants du sud-est anatolien à majorité kurde. Quant à Hatip Dicle, une figure du mouvement kurde, il s'est déjà vu retirer son siège après avoir été reconnu coupable d'acte lié au terrorisme.

La justice a rejeté les demandes des six élus, considérant que l'accusation d'actes de terrorisme n'entrait pas dans le cadre de l'immunité parlementaire.

Le tribunal a également expliqué le rejet des demandes de Selma Irmak et Kemal Aktas du fait de leurs "exigences pressantes légalement infondées", se référant à leurs requêtes continuelles d'assurer leur défense devant la cour en langue kurde.

Au debut de la semaine, les juges ont refusé la même requête de deux intellectuels et d'un général à la retraite, qui ont été élus au parlement depuis leur prison sous l'étiquette des deux principaux partis d'opposition.

Le journaliste Mustafa Balbay, l'universitaire Mehmet Haberal et le général à la retraite Engin Alan son incarcérés, accusés d'être impliqués dans de supposés complots visant à déstabiliser et renverser le gouvernement.

La séance d'ouverture du nouveau parlement turc risque d'être tendue la semaine prochaine après qu'une trentaine de juristes kurdes eurent annoncé jeudi qu'ils boycotteraient cette législature pour protester contre l'éviction très controversée de son siège de Hatip Dicle. (AFP, 25-26 juin 2011)

Ocalan supports BDP's boycott decision

The lawyers of outlawed Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) leader Abdullah Öcalan have said their client finds a decision by pro-Kurdish independent deputies to boycott Parliament “correct.”
 
On Friday, the state-run Anatolia news agency quoted the PKK leader's lawyers, Ömer Güneş, Şakir Demir and Mizgin Irgat, who went to meet with Öcalan on İmralı Island, as stating that Öcalan considers the decision of independent candidates who are endorsed by the pro-Kurdish Peace and Democracy Party (BDP) to boycott Parliament correct.

On the other hand, Kurdish Guerrilla Leader Murat Karayılan said the ban of a pro-Kurdish independent deputy, who is now jailed on various charges, may amount to a declaration of war against the Kurdish people if the government does not rectify the mistake.
 
“If the Turkish state and government do not develop an initiative to address this grave injustice or rectify it in the upcoming days, this will officially mean a declaration of war against out people,” Karayılan threatened in an interview with the pro-PKK Fırat news agency.

Now there are fears that the deputies will be stripped of their titles as deputies, and their seats will be left vacant if they miss the oath-taking ceremony in Parliament, scheduled for June 28. According to the Turkish Constitution, by-elections shall be held when vacancies arise in Parliament. By-elections shall be held only once in every election term and cannot be held before 30 months have passed since the latest general elections, according to Article 78 of the Constitution. However, in cases where the number of vacant seats in Parliament reaches 5 percent of the total number of seats, in other words 28 deputies, by-elections shall be held within three months.

On Friday, 32 Diyarbakır civil society organizations issued a joint statement in which they said the YSK decision concerning Dicle has “opened irreparable wounds in the conscience of the society.” “The decision has added to already high tension in the [southeastern] region. The decision has shown that a blind eye has been turned to the will of the nation,” noted the statement, which was read aloud by Ömer Evsen, president of the Religious Officials' Union (Diyanet-Sen), in a press conference. According to the organizations, the YSK ruling is controversial and neither humane nor conscientious.

In addition, civil society organizations in Diyarbakır asked BDP officials to revise their decision not to enter Parliament, saying the decision would urge the Kurdish youth to seek their rights in the streets rather than on democratic platforms. “Despite the YSK ruling, it is hard to understand a BDP decision to boycott Parliament, a decision made without approval from the public. We believe that it would be best if the party revised its boycott decision for the strengthening of efforts for the solution of all problems in our country, including the Kurdish question,” the statement noted. Civil society organizations also asked all political parties to join together in drafting a new constitution.

Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) leader Devlet Bahçeli put the blame for the “Dicle tension” on the YSK and said the election board has “provided chaos seekers with the material they need to drag Turkey into unrest.” According to the MHP leader, the YSK was well aware that Dicle was not entitled to be elected a deputy but did not cancel his candidacy before the elections. Dicle was convicted of “disseminating PKK propaganda” in 2009 by the Ankara 11th High Criminal Court and the Supreme Court of Appeals upheld the decision in March of this year. However, he did not inform the YSK about his conviction when filing his application to run in the elections as a deputy candidate, and the YSK did not learn about it, probably due to a lack of the required examination of Dicle's criminal record. “The YSK decision is the precursor of a dark era that will have very bad consequences for Turkey,” Bahçeli said, calling on everyone to act with common sense and refrain from resorting to violence.  (TODAYSZAMAN.COM, 24 June 2011)

Election board's ban on Kurdish deputy draws wave of angry protests

The decision on Tuesday by the Supreme Election Board (YSK) to block a Kurdish deputy’s entry into Parliament escalated tension in the country, mostly in the predominantly Kurdish Southeast, and drew a series of angry protests.
 
Close to 10,000 people marched in a demonstration held on Thursday in Diyarbakır in protest of the YSK decision. The banned deputy, Hatip Dicle, was elected from this province with the highest number of votes. The protestors gathered in front of the Diyarbakır branch of the pro-Kurdish Peace and Democracy Party (BDP), the party which endorsed Dicle in the June 12 elections along with 35 other elected pro-Kurdish independents. They marched towards the BDP’s Kayapınar branch building, where Dicle’s election office was located, chanting slogans against the ruling Justice and Development Party (AK Party) and in favor of the outlawed Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) and its jailed leader, Abdullah Öcalan.

None of the shops were open on Thursday in Hakkari’s Yüksekova district, except bakeries and pharmacies, in protest of the decision. Incidents erupted in the district in the afternoon when police intervened as protestors blocked off roads and set fires in the Yeni Mahalle neighborhood. The protesters responded by throwing stones at the police. Police then used tear gas to disperse the crowd and have since stepped up security measures in the district.

The protests led to the injury of a police officer in Mersin. A group of nearly 400 BDP supporters who gathered in front of the BDP building on Silifke Street protested the YSK decision by chanting slogans. The group, which also included BDP Mersin Provincial Office Chairman Cihan Yılmaz, then marched towards the Mersin municipal building. Once there, Yılmaz made a statement on behalf of the group and said the YSK decision is “an attack on the nation’s will.” Illegal demonstrations followed the protest in the province in the evening. A group of protestors in the Kurdali neighborhood threw stones at a police car. The stones hit police officer Mehmet Desezen, who was taken to a hospital by his teammates.

In the western province of Manisa, protesters set a police car on fire with Molotov cocktails after police tried to prevent a group from uninstalling a Mobile Electronic Systems Integration (MOBESE) camera in the Karabekir neighborhood. The protestors also stoned the car. Police officers were able to escape unharmed, but fired warning shots in the air to disperse the protesters.

A group of nearly 5,000 people also gathered in the Cizre district of the southeastern province of Şırnak to protest the YSK decision. The group held an illegal demonstration in the Nur neighborhood and clashed with police. In Van, a group of 300 people, including BDP mayors, held a sit-in protest on Thursday. (TODAYSZAMAN.COM, 24 June 2011)

Les députés kurdes boycottent le parlement turc

Les députés kurdes élus lors des législatives du 12 juin ont annoncé jeudi à Diyarbakir, la principale ville du sud-est anatolien peuplé de Kurdes, qu'ils allaient boycotter le Parlement turc pour protester contre l'invalidation de l'élection de l'un d'entre eux.

La décision du BDP risque d'attiser les tensions entre Ankara et la communauté kurde alors que les rebelles kurdes du PKK ont présenté des conditions  pour renouveler un cessez-le-feu décrété unilatéralement en août 2010.

Un porte-parole des 35 députés kurdes a dénoncé jeudi la décision prise mardi par le Haut conseil des élections (YSK) d'invalider l'élection de Hatip Dicle, leur 36e élu, critiquant une mesure de "manoeuvre et d'obstruction" visant à empêcher une résolution pacifique du conflit kurde, qui a fait quelque 45.000 morts.

"Nous n'irons pas au Parlement tant que le gouvernement et le Parlement n'auront pas pris de mesures concrètes pour remédier à cette injustice et offrir des opportunités pour une résolution en ouvrant la voie à des politiques démocratiques", a déclaré le député Sefarettin Elçi.

M. Elçi s'adressait aux journalistes à Diyarbakir après une réunion extraordinaire du Parti pour la paix et la démocratie (BDP).

Les nouveaux élus kurdes, enregistrés comme indépendants, sont en fait des membres du BDP qui n'a pas pu les présenter sous ses propres couleurs en raison d'un seuil électoral de 10% au niveau national qui aurait empêché leur élection.

M. Elçi a appelé le Parti de la justice et du développement (AKP, issu de la mouvance islamiste) au pouvoir à "rendre immédiatement le siège volé à son propriétaire".

Le siège de M. Dicle a été attribué à une candidate de l'AKP, qui dispose désormais de 327 députés sur 550.

Le Parlement doit se réunir mardi pour une cérémonie de prestation de serment.

Le YSK a décidé mardi soir d'invalider l'élection de Hatip Dicle, élu à Diyarbakir, au motif que celui-ci n'aurait pas du participer au scrutin en raison d'une condamnation pour "propagande terroriste". (AFP, 23 juin 2011)

Provocation: le député kurde Dicle privé de son siège au Parlement

Les autorités turques ont retiré à un important militant kurde le siège qu'il avait remporté aux élections législatives du 12 juin, arguant de la confirmation d'une condamnation pour "propagande terroriste".

Hatip Dicle, qui est actuellement en détention préventive pour une autre affaire, devait sortir de prison en raison de son élection au parlement dans la circonscription de Diyarbakir (est), la plus grande ville de cette région à majorité kurde. Cette élection devait en effet lui octroyer une immunité parlementaire.

Mais le Haut conseil des élections a décidé mardi soir que M. Dicle n'était pas éligible, arguant d'une condamnation à 20 mois de prison pour des propos relevant de la loi antiterroriste.

La décision a été justifiée par le fait que la condamnation avait été maintenue par la Cour d'appel seulement quatre jours avant les élections, après la confirmation des listes de candidats pour le scrutin.

Hatip Dicle avait été condamné pour un discours qualifié de "propagande pour une organisation terroriste armée", référence au Parti des Travailleurs du Kurdistan (PKK), en lutte armée contre l'autorité centrale depuis 1984.

M. Dicle faisait partie des 36 candidats qui ont été élus en qualité d'indépendants, mais avec le soutien du parti pro-kurde BDP (Parti de la paix et de la démocratie).

Hatip Dicle, 57 ans, avait fait partie des premiers nationalistes kurdes à enlever un siège au parlement, en 1991.

Ces députés avaient été arrêtés en 1994 après l'interdiction de leur parti pour liens avec le PKK, passant 10 ans en prison. Parmi eux se trouvait Leyla Zana, la pasionaria kurde, qui a également été élue le 12 juin.

Hatip Dicle est retourné en prison en 2010, dans le cadre d'une enquête portant sur de présumées branches urbaines du PKK. (AFP, 22 juin 2011)

Provocation: Kurdish deputy Dicle banned to take his seat in Parliament

The Supreme Election Board (YSK) has added fuel to already escalating tension over jailed suspects who were elected to Parliament last Sunday as the board unanimously voted to strip off Hatip Dicle’s of his deputyship.

Hatip Dicle, an independent deputy from Diyarbakır who was endorsed by the pro-Kurdish Peace and Democracy Party (BDP), was convicted of “disseminating propaganda of the outlawed Kurdistan Workers’ Party” in 2009 by the Ankara 11th High Criminal Court, and the Supreme Court of Appeals upheld the decision in March of this year. The court sentenced Dicle to one year, eight months in prison on terrorism charges.

Dicle is also currently on trial in the 6th Diyarbakır High Criminal Court as a suspect in a separate investigation into the Kurdish Communities Union (KCK). He was detained in December 2009 as part of the KCK probe and has been in custody since. Dicle’s lawyers appealed to the 11th Ankara High Criminal Court to cut the prison term he had served as a detainee during the KCK investigation from his earlier conviction of 20 months on charges of “disseminating propaganda of the PKK.” As the Supreme Court of Appeals has only recently upheld the 2009 decision by the 11th Ankara High Criminal Court, Dicle was in custody not because of his 2009 conviction but as part of the investigation into the KCK.

Last week, the Ankara court decided to cut 453 days, the period he had served as a detainee during the KCK probe, from the sentence he originally received in 2009. “Dicle is our red line. The BDP is both a lock and key for Parliament. We have the power to lock all unfairness and unlawfulness in Parliament. We do not recognize any power to ignore the national will that elected Dicle a deputy,” Geylani added.

The BDP, whose independent candidates won 36 seats in Parliament in the latest general elections, is planning to use by-elections as a trump card if six of its deputies, who are currently under arrest as part of the KCK trial, are not released from prison and allowed to take their seats in Parliament.

In defiance of a BDP challenge for by-elections, the ruling Justice and Development Party (AK Party) has expressed its opinion that the pro-Kurdish party will not be able to press for the holding of the by-laws.

According to BDP Chairman Hamit Geylani, the situation of Dicle stands as a “red line” for the pro-Kurdish party on which the party does not plan to make any concessions. (TODAYSZAMAN.COM, 21 June 2011)

BDP will not enter Parliament unless jailed deputies freed

Ahmet Türk, an independent deputy who recently won a parliamentary seat with the support of the pro-Kurdish Peace and Democracy Party (BDP), has said 30 of the 36 BDP-backed deputies elected in the June 12 elections will not enter Parliament unless six deputies from the same bloc who are currently under arrest in the Kurdish Communities Union (KCK) trial are freed.

A total of 36 BDP-endorsed independent deputies were elected in the elections, including six jailed suspects in the ongoing KCK trial. The elected independents are expected to gather under the roof of the BDP in Parliament and form a parliamentary group. However, it is still unclear if those in prison in connection with the KCK trial will be able to acquire parliamentary immunity and enter Parliament. The courts where they are standing trial will decide whether they will be released from prison and enter Parliament or continue their incarceration and be denied the right to enter Parliament.

Türk, an independent deputy from Mardin and the co-chairman of the pro-Kurdish Democratic Society Congress (DTK), addressed BDP supporters in Batman on Monday with two other BDP-endorsed deputies, Gülten Kışanak and Ayla Akat Ata. “Our six jailed friends should be freed. Unless those friends are released, we will not enter Parliament and we will not recognize it,” he said.

The six suspects are Gülser Yıldırım, Selma Irmak, Faysal Sarıyıldız, Hatip Dicle, İbrahim Ayhan and Kemal Aktaş. They stand accused of crimes against the constitutional order, which may prevent them from enjoying parliamentary immunity even though they are elected deputies. Courts have the right to not release those who are elected to Parliament if the individuals who won seats in Parliament are on trial for terrorism-related charges. Article 14 of the Constitution clearly states that those who are on trial for crimes against the “territorial integrity of the state” cannot benefit from diplomatic, parliamentary or any other kind of immunity.

One strong reaction to Türk's statements came from Parliament Speaker Mehmet Ali Şahin, who said nobody should put pressure on the judiciary with such remarks. “I do not think that a colleague like Ahmet Türk, who has much political experience, could have made such a statement. If he did, I do not know what his purpose was. However, this issue does not concern either Parliament or the government. It directly concerns the judiciary. The only authority to make a decision on this issue is the judiciary. Nobody should threaten the judiciary and put pressure on it with such statements,” he told reporters on Monday.

When asked about Türk's remarks in which he said they will not recognize Parliament, Şahin said, “Parliament's recognition of them is important, rather than their recognition of Parliament."(TODAY’S ZAMAN, 20 June 2011)

Le PKK réclame la fin des opérations militaires pour reconduire sa trêve

Les rebelles kurdes de Turquie ont posé lundi comme condition pour reconduire leur trêve unilatérale un arrêt de opérations militaires et la reconnaissance de leur chef emprisonné, Abdullah Öcalan, comme interlocuteur pour un règlement de la question kurde.

Dans un communiqué diffusé par l'agence Firat News, considérée comme le porte-voix des rebelles, la direction du Parti des travailleurs du Kurdistan (PKK) demande que "le Premier ministre (...) annonce publiquement l'arrêt des opérations militaires et policières".

Deuxième condition du PKK pour prolonger sa trêve, qui en principe, s'est achevée le 15 juin: "Le Parlement turc doit lancer un appel au leader du peuple kurde, Abdullah Öcalan, pour qu'il joue son rôle dans la recherche d'une solution au problème kurde".

Ces conditions n'ont aucune chance d'être acceptées par les autorités turques, selon les observateurs.

"L'établissement d'une trêve durable n'aura lieu qu'avec un arrêt des hostilités de part et d'autre", ajoute le PKK, sans cependant brandir la menace d'attaques imminentes.

Le PKK avait décrété un cessez-le-feu le 13 août 2010, et il a prolongé sa trêve deux fois.

Les combats dans le sud-est anatolien, théâtre de la rébellion du PKK, ont diminué considérablement depuis le début de la trêve. Des combats sporadiques se poursuivent cependant dans les zones kurdes de la Turquie.

Le Premier ministre Recep Tayyip Erdogan avait lancé en 2009 une nouvelle initiative visant à résoudre le problème kurde, mais le projet a fait long feu.

M. Erdogan a remporté haut la main les élections législatives du 12 juin, et le conflit kurde est considéré comme l'une des questions prioritaires que son prochain gouvernement doit affronter. (AFP, 20 juin 2011)

Abdullah Ocalan extended the ceasefire

Kurdish leader Abdullah Ocalan extended the unilateral ceasefire which was declared by the PKK for an undisclosed time perod but said that the process should last within a few months.

Kurdish leader Abdullah Ocalan extended the unilateral ceasefire which was declared by the PKK for an undisclosed time perod but said that the process should last within a few months.

Ocalan had earlier stated that he will decide about the fate of the ceasefire on 15 June, three days after thr general elections in Turkey.

Ocalan anounced his decision to extend the ceasefire in a meeting with his lawyers in Imrali Island High Security Prison where he is held for 11 years.

Ocalan called the new Turkish Parliament to immidiately start to work for creation of a new constitution and a solution to the Kurdish Question. He said if the Turkish Parliament will take steps he will lead the Kurdish guerillas to withraw out of Turkish borders. Ocalan insisted that the Turkish government and parliament should give him a hand to open his way to end the 30 year old war.

Ocalan repeated his demand for establishing a direct link with the guerilla commanders saying that this step is necessary for him to convince the Kurdish leaders for a peaceful solution.

Ocalan also gave information about his recent meeting with the Turkish delegation right after the elections. He said the meeting was focused on the constitutional reform and solution of Kurdish Question.

He called the Peace and Democracy Party for actively participating in reform process. Ocalan said the BDP should work closely with other political parties and should create a draft constitution.

Ocalan also said that Kurds also should be ready for a possible armed conflict with the Turkish state. On the other hand he emphasized the importance of seizing the chance of a peaceful solution to the Kurdish Question.

Ocalan called Kurdish guerillas to avoid any clashes with the Turkish army. He said guerillas will only defend themselves if attacked.

He also criticized the use of Molotov coctails during demonstrations saying that Kurdish youth should be careful to avoid any harm to civilians and their property.

Speaking about the general elections Ocalan said the outcome showed the importance of a unified opposition which he has been defending for years. He called the democrats and socialist to form an umbrella organization which will include BDP, socialists and democrats. (ANF, 17 June 2011)

Military operations continue in Kurdish provinces

Fire broke out in many areas as a result of the Turkish army's bombardment on guerrilla-controlled Zap region, while Yuksekova countryside are reportedly bombed by cobra type helicopters.

People’s Defence Forces press office HPG-BIM reported that both of the attacks took place on June 16. According to the statement of HPG-BIM, on June 16, between 08.00-12.00 a.m., Turkish army carried out mortar and howitzer attacks on Çiyareş, Mahir Mîrzo, Xeregol hills, Şikefta Birindara area and Sernê, Basê, Nêrve, Reşmê and Horê villages in Medya Defence Territories controlled by the Kurdish guerrillas.

HPG-BIM said; "The fire started in Horê and Sernê villages due to the attack still continues."

It was stated that Satê, Zê, Geliyê Satê, Şehit Karker and “Şehit Gafur” hills in Gever/Hakkari were also dropped bombs with cobra type helicopters at about 10.00 a.m. of the same day.

TURKISH ARMY LIKE AN ENVIRONMENTAL DISASTER

In an age when global warming threatens the world even more with each passing day,the Turkish army is among the most destructive forces against the nature. Especially in 2010, Turkish army set a large number of forests and lands on fire.

According to the 2010-Human Rights Violations report of IHD Diyarbakir Branch, 98 forests in Kurdistan were set on fire in a few months. The number of fires started in 2010, which burned down tens of thousand hectares of lands, can be listed as follows; May 2010: 1, June 2010: 7, July 2010: 28, August 2010: 48, September 2010: 8, October 2010: 1, November 2010: 2, December 2010: 3.

62 fires were started between June-September in 2009. (ANF, 17 June 2011)

Agri KCK Trial: Prison Sentences of almost 92 Years

Eleven people were handed down prison sentences of 91 years and eleven months in total as the result of the trial on the "Ağrı Union of Kurdistan Communities Turkey Assembly (KCK/TM). The decision was given at the final hearing on 14 June before the Erzurum 2nd High Criminal Court.

The KCK intends to organize Kurdish people. The organization also includes the armed outlawed Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK).

As reported by FıratNews, 18 defendants were charged with "membership in an illegal organization". They were taken into custody and arrested subsequently in the course of operations carried out on 13 February 2010 in Patnos, Doğubayazıt and Diyadin as districts of Ağrı and in Van and Muş, three cities in the Kurdish-majority south-east of Turkey. Employees of the head office of the pro-Kurdish Peace and Democracy Party (BDP) were also among the defendants as well as party members and a journalist.

The Tuesday hearing was attended by detained defendants Hamit Duman, Nevzat Tekid, Gökmen Çiftçi and Şefika Bilici, all of whom were working at the BDP head office, and lawyers Baran Bilici, Cemal Demir, Şaziye Önder, Timurhan Gül and Timur Demir.

"They spoke in an unknown language"

The defendants requested to present their defence in Kurdish. The court board dismissed this request and registered that "the defendants spoke in an unknown language". Consequently, the statements of the defendants were not taken. The defence lawyers claimed that this trial was politically motivated and demanded their clients' acquittal.

However, the court board rejected this demand too and announced its decision after a brief intermission. Detained defendants Bilici, Tekid and Çiftçi were each sentenced to imprisonment of 13 years; Duman received a 16-year prison sentence.

The other defendants were handed down prison sentences of various lengths. Mustafa Akyol, Provincial Chairman of the BDP in Ağrı, and Mehmet Şirin Açık, District Chair of the BDP in Patnos, were each sentenced to seven years and six months behind bars. Mehmet Babayiğit, Deputy Mayor of Doğubayazıt, journalist Mirza Mehment Şen and Yusuf Yılmaz, Mayor of Patnos, received prison sentences of six years and three months each. All defendants were convicted of "membership in an illegal organization".

Defendants İlhan Çevik and Cesim Göktepe were tried under allegations of "making propaganda for an illegal organization" and each sentenced to ten months in jail. The court file will be forwarded to the Court of Appeals. (BIA, Ayça SOYLEMEZ, 16 June 2011)

10-Month Prison Sentence for Kurdish Politician Ayna

The Diyarbakır 5th High Criminal Court sentenced independent MP Emine Ayna to imprisonment of ten months. The conviction was based on a speech delivered by the politician at the Newroz festival in Siirt (south-eastern Turkey) in 2007.

31 un-detained defendants were tried in the scope of the same case, none of them attended the final hearing as reported on 16 June.

The prosecution said in their final plea, "It was evident that the Newroz celebration in Siirt on 21 March 2007 was turned into propaganda for the PKK [outlawed Kurdistan Workers' Party]. 24 of the defendants made propaganda for an illegal organization by carrying pieces of cloth that featured symbols of the terrorist organization and by unfolding posters that showed the leaders of the organization".

The court board handed down prison terms of ten months each to 25 defendants, including Emine Ayna, on charges of "spreading propaganda for an illegal organization" according to Article 7/2 of the Anti-Terror Law. Six defendants were acquitted. (BIA, 17 June 2011)

Batman: 20 People in Police Custody

20 people in Batman in the pre-dominantly Kurdish region of south-eastern Turkey were taken into police custody in the course of raids on their homes. The operations were carried out simultaneously in the beginning of this week. Members of the Peace and Democracy Party (BDP) Party Assembly and the BDP Batman Provincial Deputy Chairman, Mizbeh Ok, are among the people in custody, as reported on 15 June.

The people in custody were brought to the Provincial Police Directorate. The reason for the operation was not announced. Independent MPs Bengi Yıldız and Ayla Akat Ata of the Labour, Democracy and Freedom Block went to the Batman courthouse to talk to the prosecutor.

Trial on Turkish-Kurdish signboard

Meanwhile, a bilingual signboard in both Turkish and Kurdish installed on the BDP building in the district of Doğubayazıt (Ağrı) became the subject of a court case. The signboard was part of the "bilingual life" campaign launched by the BDP in co-operation with the Democratic Society Congress (DTK).

An investigation was launched about the signboard that was put up by the BDP Doğubayazıt District Organization. After that, the Doğubayazıt Public Chief Prosecution submitted the indictment to the Doğubayazıt High Criminal Court, it was announced.

According to the Dicle News Agency (DİHA), the indictment claims a "breach of the Political Parties Law constituted by the signboard in Kurdish". The indictment seeks prison terms of between six months and 20 years for former BDP District Co-Chairs Dalha Kaya and Sümeyra Salaz Demir and district executives Mustafa Özer, Talat Aktaş, Halit Oral, İbrahim Kaya and Nilüfer Kaya. (DIHA, 17 June 2011)

The KCK Awaits More Concrete Steps from Prime Minister

The Chairperson of Executive Council of the Union of Communities in Kurdistan (KCK) issued the following statement on the result of the general elections in Turkey:

The results of 12th June general elections, which were crucial in terms of democratization of Turkey and finding a solution of Kurdish question, have revealed serious political consequences. The Kurdish people and democratic forces have come out of the elections with a victory despite the election threshold, political genocide operations perpetrated by the AKP government, military assaults, and the pressures to intimidate society.  This success, attained by women and young people leading the liberation and democracy struggle of Kurdish people and powers of democracy in Turkey, is a strong declaration of the will-power for a the solution to the problems of Turkey. The victory of our people and the forces of democracy do not just belong to this period, but it is the victory of the resoluteness towards a democratic solution of the Kurdish question and democratic reconstruction of Turkey for permanent liberation and democracy. In this sense, 12th June elections led the society to focus on the solution of the Kurdish question as well as the democratization of Turkey, rather than merely being an election of power. For this reason, the election results express political and social consequences that have to be analysed in many respects.

The Labour, Liberation and Democracy Bloc have entered 12th June elections with very clear demands; First, to eliminate all the obstacles for leader Abdullah Ocalan to actively play his role in the solution of Kurdish question and making a concrete progress in the process of negotiations. Second, preparation of a new democratic constitution through the participation of all sections of society. Third, bringing a solution to the Kurdish question through the project of democratic autonomy. Fourth, the establishment of a democratic solution by the people based on their power upon the failure of democratic channels. During 12th June elections our people have said "yes" to the social project, which contains these demands, in the person of candidates of the bloc. By demanding an "immediate solution", they have demonstrated the fact that the state and government have to put the urgent action plan into practice in order to stop the bloodshed.

In spite of that, the balcony speech of Prime Minister Erdogan on the evening of 12th June did not include any clear and concrete message in answer to the demands of our people in a manner that eliminates the lack of solution and ends the policies of annihilation. His speech, which was mostly expected and general, indicated the continuity of usual policies. Despite some emphasis on the constitution, it did not give any indications as to the solution of the Kurdish question. It is obvious that the Kurdish question, which is utterly urgent as the fundamental priority of Turkey, cannot be subject to prevarication through the general language of "peace and fraternity". The information that will appear in the next few days in relation to this issue, will largely determine the direction of the process.

The Kurdish people and democratic forces that entered the elections independently through Labour, Liberation and Democracy Bloc, have largely reached their targets. However, the real success of our people  will take place with the realisation of democratic process for the solution of Kurdish question. The successful election results will be a milestone for the enforcement of democratic solution. The BDP, which increased the proportion of its seats to 70% thanks to the increase in votes, became the leading party in every province in which it claimed strength.

The level of success attained by the Labour, Liberation and Democracy Bloc has also become a phenomenon that strengthens the terrain for democratic unity of the Kurdish people, to join up with people of Turkey as a democratic nation and transform itself into a party. The message that is given with the election of female candidates is that the struggle for democratization of society and elimination of sexism will be escalated through the liberation of women. It is clear that the 36 candidates that have been elected to Parliament have historical responsibilities. The struggle of the members of Parliament for realisation of the project of democratic republic and democratic autonomy will bring priceless gains to the people of Turkey. We believe that this combination will play a role in the solution of Kurdish question and in democratization of Turkey with their knowledge and experience, and wish them every success in their meaningful and challenging struggle.

The struggle of the Kurdish people, democratic socialist forces, who worked tirelessly for the votes under unjust conditions of assaults perpetrated by the state and government, have not failed. The honourable position adopted and devotion demonstrated by our people in this process is beyond appreciation. We salute and congratulate the stance of struggle of our people, all those who participated with intense efforts, and patriots.

The kindness of our people towards the political representatives unjustly imprisoned under the KCK case is also quite a meaningful message. It is indisputable that with their determinate, devoted, conscious, organised and strong stance, our people will successfully construct the system of democratic autonomy. We are in a position to succeed in the implementation of any decision with such a people.

We vehemently condemn the assaults of AKP government, who could not digest the election victory of Kurdish people becoming a single heart and voice around leader Apo , on the night of 12th June. We hope that the patriots who were wounded in the assaults would get well soon, and send our best regards to their families and people. Everyone should know that no assault, threat or policy based on genocide will deter the Kurdish people, who are devoted to liberation, from struggle.
June 13, 2011.

An analysis by the Kurdistan National Congress (KNK)

The AKP (Justice and Development Party) has increased its votes and led the race in the election. The fact that the AKP has won the election following a campaign where it defended capital punishment is an indication of the public’s mentality in Turkey. It is evident that the chauvinist mentality of politicians has poisoned the public’s minds as well. However, despite an increase in the AKP’s votes, the true victors in the election have been the independent candidates of the Labour, Freedom and Democracy Bloc. This has meant that the official policies on the most fundamental issue, the Kurdish issue, have been defeated.

Although the AKP has increased its votes in Turkey, compared to the 2007 election, it has lost many votes in Kurdistan. It is clear that the AKP has compensated for the votes lost in Kurdistan by taking 5% from the Saadet (Prosperity) Party and Demokrat (Democrat) Party and increased its vote by 3%. Furthermore, it can be seen that the smaller parties of the 2007 election have been completely wiped out in 2011. The CHP (Republican Peoples’ Party) also increased its share from the votes of these smaller parties. Neither the CHP, nor the AKP have been able to appropriate votes from each other. Only the Democratic Nation bloc has taken a substantial amount of votes from the AKP. It has also taken a small amount of votes from the CHP and other smaller leftist parties.

This, beyond any doubt, shows that only the Labour, Freedom and Democracy Bloc can develop a possible alternative (to the AKP). This bloc has the potential to take votes from the AKP and CHP and has created excitement and hope amongst the democratic forces in Turkey. Moreover, the bloc has achieved the highest increase in its percentage of MPs. The increase was 75%. Apart from the unexpected loss in Dersim, the bloc has achieved a remarkable success. Admittedly there was also hope in Gaziantep, Adiyaman and Izmir; however, despite not winning in these areas the election has surely been a success for the bloc. There was a major difference in votes, between the bloc and the AKP, in the cities where the bloc was the outright winner and only a small margin of difference in a few cities where the AKP won.

The most fundamental problem in Turkey is the Kurdish issue and the AKP received the support of all the powers in the country by claiming, “I am most capable of manipulating the Kurds, I can eliminate the Kurdistan Freedom Movement in the best possible way.” This election has proven that the AKP does not have the ability to deceive the Kurdish people any longer. The AKP has been defeated in the place where the political struggle is most intense; Kurdistan. Despite the arrest of hundreds of politicians and political cadres, the candidates supported by the BDP (Peace and Democracy Party) have achieved a momentous victory.

Doubtless if the 10% election threshold did not exit then the number of MPs would be double the amount they are now. To enter the elections with independent candidates and organize the votes in a balanced manner is very difficult. However, despite all the suppression and interference the Kurdish people have achieved a historic victory. It is well known that there was cheating and duplicity in many places. If this wasn’t the case the Bloc would have won at least 10% of the vote. It is evident that the votes of the Bloc have been interfered with using different methods in many places, such as Dersim.

It is clear that the state resorted to many illegal methods to prevent the election of the independent candidate in Dersim. The emphasis Prime Minister Erdoğan made in his ‘balcony speech’ on the Zaza’s (also Kurds), to create a division between Kurds, is evidence of the state’s approach in places like Dersim and Bingöl and the special war implemented there.

The most important political result of this election has been the Kurdish peoples’ determination to solve the Kurdish issue based on democratic autonomy. The people are overwhelmingly calling for democratic autonomy. If Amed (Diyarbakır) is the benchmark for the demands of the Kurdish people then a 65% majority want democratic autonomy. Even though they may want to, the AKP can no longer claim that the BDP do not represent the Kurdish people. The vast majority of people who are claiming their Kurdish identity voted for the Bloc. The AKP’s use of all the state’s resources to win in certain areas does not change this fact.

The Labour, Freedom and Democracy Bloc is the only group that represents all the social forces and rich cultural groups in Turkey. Women have a 30% representation. In the case of the BDP there is a 40% representation (of women). Apart from the BDP, Socialists have not been represented in Parliament in this fashion since the time of the TIP (Turkish Workers’ Party). The representation of an Assyrian Orthodox in Parliament is a first in Turkey. When all this is taken into account it is clear that the only group that represents all of Turkey is the Bloc. Therefore it is very possible to strengthen and develop into an alternative. This is why this Bloc should be seen as the future of Turkey.

State forces have not been able to stomach the AKP’s defeat in Kurdistan. Attacks against the public in Şırnak, Batman, Van, Amed and Urfa are evidence for this. The message given to the people is this, “Do not rejoice, we will not end the repression.” Rather than showing respect towards the peoples’ decision the state has replied it with brutality, similar to after the 2009 local elections.

The Prime Minister made general remarks in his ‘balcony speech’. The most striking aspect was that it was aimed at the Middle East and Turkey’s neighbouring countries. It can be comprehended from this that the AKP will become even more bound to the US’s policies in the region. An intervention into Syria may be on the agenda in the near future.

The Prime Minister did not mention the Kurdish issue in his speech. He repeated what he had been saying during the election and said that they had brought an end to denial, rejection and assimilation. This is proof that he thinks that there is no Kurdish issue any longer. Furthermore, it means insisting on a deadlock.

The fact that the Prime Minister said that they will consult other parties while creating a new constitution means nothing. Even if they had won 400 seats in Parliament he would still have said this. To expect anything different regarding a new constitution would have been surprising. His approach however is; “we will lead the way and if the others accept what we say then we can compromise on certain issues.” There was nothing in the speech that satisfies the demands of the Kurdish people. In this respect the ‘balcony speech’ has been nothing more than show and those that have said that this speech would be important have done nothing but assisted the AKP’s propaganda machine during the election.

The new constitution is needed fundamentally to solve the Kurdish issue. A constitution that does not bring radical changes and satisfy the needs and demands of the Kurdish people will not be a new or democratic constitution with any value.

The importance of this election and what was most anticipated was the approach of the Kurdish people; this has been clarified. The Kurdish people have approved Democratic Autonomy.

Kurdistan National Congress - KNK
Rue Jean Stas 41,
1060 Brussels

Tel:  +32. 2647 3084
Fax: +32. 2647 6849
website: www.kongrakurdistan.net
e-mail: kongrakurdistan@gmail.com

Block deputies meet press in Diyarbakir

The Labor, Democracy and Freedom Block newly elected deputies have met the press in Diyarbakir today. Commenting the election results, the deputies underlined that "politicians bear a tremendous responsibility. it is not possible to respond to the demands of the people without reading the results correctly and drawing the correct conclusions. In particular the results of provinces of the region is full of lessons to be taken".

Noting that only the Block has increased its vote-rate in the Kurdish territory, the deputies underlined that the AKP has experienced an unexpected decline and decreased in the number of MPs and vote-rates. "This result table - said the deputies - has eliminated the most basic claim of the government and put an end to the discussions on representation. The Kurdish people, rejecting the hegemony of the AKP, has revealed  their will on the side of the Labor, Democracy and Freedom Block.  Therefore, the strategy of "looking for a solution by eliminating the organized structure of the Kurdish people" is now a thing of the past. Insist on this policy doesn't bring anything in but to drag the country into a chaos".

At the June 12 elections, the Labour, Democracy and Freedom Block's program has been presented to the approval of the people. "Democratic Autonomy, proposed for entire Turkey, - said the deputies - and its social basis Democratic Nation Block have been accepted by the people. The Block components and millions supporting the Block have displayed their attitude against the centralist and oligarchic state system. There is no more possibility for our 74 million citizens to be governed by the state mentality which doesn't bear any social bonds, is deprived of social morality and doesn't base on persons".

In the elections, the Kurdish people called attention to one more important reality. "Gathering under the umbrella of the Democratic Society Congress,- underlined the deputies - BDP, HAKPAR and KADEP and civil society organizations consisting of various Kurdish circles, have received an approval to their efforts for national unity. A message has been given that national liberation passes through unity. The part of Kurdish parties and civil society organizations is to turn the unity into a more permanent and organized constitution through the Kurdish National Conference".

Within a process when balance in the Middle East are upside down with the resistance of the peoples, the Block's deputies underlined that "to be a common voice of the Kurdish people will entitle both Kurds and the peoples in the region. This alliance has also opened the way for Democratic Nation Block and and showed that there is an alternative address of change in Turkey. Including intellectuals, artists the unemployed, laborer, the youth and women, the Block gave a moral support to Turkey's peoples".

The results of this election have also confirmed, stressed the deputies, "the mission of the Labor, Freedom and Democracy Block whose components have already expressed that this constitution will continue after the elections as well. We stand behind our promise. The Block, which received a great support from the people without losing time and was entitled to represent the people at the parliament, should turn into a strong movement which assembles all the democratic forces in Turkey under the same roof. Therefore, the Block components in particular, our MPs and the supporters of the Block bear a tremendous responsibility". (ANF, 14 June 2011)

"We would have hung Öcalan," Turkish PM says

The prime minster has angrily responded to claims that his ruling party is negotiating with the main pro-Kurdish party over the release of imprisoned terrorist Abdullah Öcalan. If they had been in power when the PKK chief was captured in 1999, he said, Öcalan would have been hung, or they would have quit the coalition government.

“These slanders are being made by MHP [Nationalist Movement Party] leader Devlet Bahçeli,” Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan said Thursday in an interview with Kral FM, referring to the negotiations claims.

“I replied to his assertions the other day. I say it again, I give this promise once again,” Erdoğan said, vowing to keep Öcalan locked up on İmralı Island where he is serving a life sentence.

Öcalan was arrested in Kenya in 1999 by American intelligence and was handed to Turkey on the condition that he not be hanged. Turkey abolished the death penalty in 2002, but the MHP, which was part of the coalition government at that time, voted against the move in Parliament.

Erdoğan claimed the three-party coalition signed a decree in early 2002 to postpone the execution of Öcalan and accused Bahçeli of being part of this effort. “If you had not postponed it that time, we would no longer have such an issue on the country’s agenda,” the prime minister said.

Questioned further on the issue, Erdoğan said if he had been in the government at that time, he would have pushed for Öcalan’s execution and would have withdrawn from the coalition government if his partners could not be convinced to carry out the order.

Under the current conditions, Erdoğan made it clear the AKP would not allow a change in Öcalan’s status. “As long as Tayyip is alive and his party continues ruling the country, I won’t allow this to happen,” he said.

The PKK is listed as a terrorist organization by Turkey, the United States and the European Union.

Criticisms against business world

In another interview late Wednesday with CNNTürk, Erdoğan continued his harsh criticism of businessman İnan Kıraç and the country’s largest business group.

“I have accepted some of İnan Kıraç’s invitations in the past. I will not any longer,” Erdoğan told the private broadcaster when asked what he meant by comments last week in which he said Kıraç “was taking a risk” by predicting the main opposition party would win the June 12 general elections.

“Involvement in such things is a serious risk for him, as a businessman with influence,” the prime minister told journalists after daily Cumhuriyet claimed Kıraç had bet on the Republican People’s Party, or CHP, emerging victorious in the nationwide polls.

“I would say it again. Nowhere else in the world do businessmen make such clear declarations about countries’ political activities,” Erdoğan said. “They can’t say, ‘This will happen or that will happen.’ Because they know they have to work with whoever comes to power. They don’t take such risks. And this is what I said [about Kıraç].”

Asked about the specific risk facing Kıraç, Erdoğan said that in addition to uncertainty over future contracts with the ruling party, he would not attend any events organized by the businessman.

The prime minister said he would avoid such events until Kıraç said he did not make such a bet.

Erdoğan also criticized the businessman for discussing the matter behind closed doors. “It would have been more respectful if he had come out and made his statement publicly,” he said.

As for the Turkish Industry & Business Association, or TUSİAD, Erdoğan said they were “ambiguous and unpredictable, but we know what their stance is” and criticized the group for failing to support the government’s proposed constitutional amendments, which were passed in a referendum in September. 

Bahçeli reacts to Turkish PM's claims about Öcalan

Hours after the prime minister accused the nationalist opposition party of allowing Abdullah Öcalan to avoid execution in the early 2000s, its leader called on the ruling party to hang the terrorist chief if it were able.

“If you say you want to hang him, what kept you from doing so for the last nine years of your rule?” Devlet Bahçeli asked at a Nationalist Movement Party, or MHP, election rally in Mersin, on the Mediterranean coast. “But you preferred to negotiate with him,” the MHP chief added, repeating the claims that angered Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan.

The quarrel between the MHP and Erdoğan’s ruling Justice and Development Party, or AKP, over Öcalan’s status has accelerated in recent days as the June 12 general election nears. Currently serving a life sentence in prison, Öcalan is the head of the outlawed Kurdistan Workers’ Party, or PKK, which is listed as a terrorist organization by Turkey, the United States and the European Union.

“When we first revealed the government was in talks with Öcalan, Erdoğan denied this and described us in unflattering terms. Now he confesses they have been in constant talks with the terrorist head. It is obvious Mr. Prime Minister has failed in the test of honor,” the MHP leader said. (Hürriyet Daily News, June 9, 2011)

Ocalan: Prime Minister's Speeches Like A Declaration of War

Abdullah Ocalan said that the recent speeches of the AKP and Prime Minister Erdogan can be taken as a declaration of war against Kurds, while the AK party doesn’t display a will or intention for a solution in the critical process before the elections, reported Democratic Society Congress Co-Chair and PKK leader Abdullah Ocalan’s lawyer Aysel Tugluk following the meeting with Ocalan in Imrali yesterday.

Making a press statement after the meeting with Ocalan which was also attended by the Century’s Law Office lawyers Cemal Demir, Cengiz Cicek and Cemo Tüysüz, DTK Co-Chair Aysel Tugluk said the followings;

“Within the scope of the conversations with state authorities, the expected meeting of these days hasn’t taken place yet but Mr. Ocalan expressed his expectation for a meeting in the coming days. He (Ocalan) noted that he still bears his own responsibility for the solution of the problem constitutionally and within a democratic context. He underlined that the attitude of the state will be determinant henceforwards as he has displayed his views on this issue very clearly and openly so far. He noted that he, basing on his own experiences, had already presented the way for the most realistic solution.

To the question “Has he made a new assessment about June 15?”, Tugluk gave the following answer; “Mr Ocalan remarked that there hasn’t been a meeting recently. He assesses the recent speeches of the AKP and Prime Minister Erdogan as a ‘declaration of war against Kurds’ which he says will lead Turkey into a chaos and crisis. He expressed that AKP's policies are not analytic, while the party’s attitude in the recent period targets Kurds, which is obviously observed in intense arrests. He stated that he doesn’t see a will or intention in the AKP towards a solution.” (ANF, 9 June 2011)

Conviction upheld, doors of Parliament closed to BDP candidate Hatip Dicle

The Supreme Court of Appeals has upheld an earlier decision by a local court to sentence independent deputy candidate Hatip Dicle, who has been endorsed by the pro-Kurdish Peace and Democracy Party (BDP), to one year and eight months in prison on terrorism charges, a ruling that will prevent the candidate from entering Parliament even if elected in Sunday's elections.

News reports said on Thursday that the Supreme Court of Appeals 9th Criminal Court approved the conviction in March and sent the approval decision to the local court last week. The court reportedly said the candidate cannot be elected as a deputy and sent a copy of the ruling to the Ankara Prosecutor's Office, asking the office to inform the Supreme Election Board (YSK) about Dicle's conviction.

The high court approved an earlier conviction of Dicle for “disseminating the propaganda of an armed terrorist organization” and rejected appeals filed by Dicle's lawyers. Dicle will not be able to hold office even if he is elected as a deputy in the elections since he will have a conviction on terrorism charges and has been sentenced to more than a year in prison.

A criminal case was filed against Dicle, a former member of the now defunct Democracy Party (DEP), in 2008 over his remarks in 2007, when he criticized the operations of the Turkish military against the outlawed Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) and said that “they [Kurds] would also use their right to self-defense.”

The Ankara 11th High Criminal Court convicted Dicle on Feb. 28, 2009 of disseminating PKK propaganda, sentencing him to one year and eight months in prison.

Dicle is currently on trial as a suspect in a separate investigation into the PKK's alleged secret urban branch, the Kurdish Communities Union (KCK).(TODAYSZAMAN.COM , 9 June 2011)

Les Kurdes se battent pour une meilleure représentation au parlement

Les nationalistes kurdes pourraient augmenter leur représentation au parlement turc, au terme d'une campagne active pour les élections législatives, dimanche prochain, cependant que dans les montagnes, les rebelles maintiennent la pression sur Ankara.

A Diyarbakir, la plus grande ville du sud-est du pays, où les Kurdes sont majoritaires, les chants de cette communauté résonnent dans les rues où l'on peut voir partout des affiches électorales rédigées en langue kurde.

Les jeunes ne font pas mystère de leur symptahie pour le Parti des travailleurs du Kurdistan (PKK), qu'Ankara qualifie de "terroriste".

La région a connu des changements, inspirés par l'Union européenne à laquelle la Turquie souhaite adhérer. On est loin du climat des années 1990, où le sang coulait chaque jour, et où l'expression de toute identité kurde était un crime.

Mais les militants kurdes font monter les enchères: ils veulent des négociations pour mettre fin à 26 ans de conflit, réclament une autonomie régionale, l'éducation en kurde et une amnistie pour le PKK.

"On est à un point de non retour... Notre peuple a surmonté sa peur", explique la députée Emine Ayna, candidate à sa réélection à Diyarbakir, entourée de supporteurs qui crient des slogans à la gloire du PKK.

"Nous voulons un règlement politique. Mieux, nous voulons entraîner le PKK dans l'arène politique", dit-elle, précisant qu'il faut sortir de prison le leader du mouvement, Abdullah Öcalan.

Emine Ayna fait partie des 30 candidats, qui selon les sondages, devraient entrer au parlement le 12 juin, avec le soutien du parti pro-kurde BDP (Parti de la paix et de la démocratie). Ils sont 20 actuellement.

Ces candidats kurdes se présentent en indépendants pour contourner le seuil national de 10 % imposé aux partis pour entrer au parlement.

Parmi eux, Leyla Zana, qui devrait retrouver les bancs du parlement après une première apparition qui avait fait sensation en 1991: elle avait prononcé quelques mots en kurde -un message de paix- en prêtant serment. Privée de ses droits, elle avait ensuite passé dix ans en prison.

Depuis mars, le BDP qui refuse la mainmise du gouvernement sur la religion musulmane, pratique la "désobéissance civile" et recommande les prières hors des mosquées tenues par le gouvernement. Les manifestations de rues sont souvent émaillées de violences.

Et la violence armée s'est accrue: l'armée multiplie les opérations contre le PKK, et des attaques visent la police, en dépit d'un cessez-le-feu décrété par le PKK.

Öcalan, qui reste le chef de la rébellion derrière ses barreaux, a menacé du pire si les négociations ne reprenaient pas.

Des discussions secrètes avec lui avaient démarré après l'annonce en 2009 d'une "ouverture démocratique" qui devait octroyer plus de droits aux 12 à 15 millions de Kurdes, sur 73 millions d'habitants. Un espoir était né de mettre fin à un conflit qui a fait au moins 45.000 morts.

Mais l'initiative a fait long feu, le gouvernement redoutant de se voir accusé de brader l'unité nationale. Des centaines de personnes ont été arrêtées, dont de nombreux élus. Six d'entre eux sont candidats aux législatives.

Candidat à un troisième mandat et favori des sondages, le Premier ministre Recep Tayyip Erdogan, dont le parti est issu de la mouvance islamiste, a lancé récemment qu'"il n'y a plus de problème kurde". (AFP, Sibel UTKU, 7 juin 2011)

Ocalan: I will not give another chance to the government

PKK leader Abdullah Ocalan, noted that there are three options available after June 15 and said: “If the AKP doesn’t take a concrete step, I will not ever give a second chance to them either". The three options indicated by Ocalan are: the nationalist and new nationalist discourse, the conservative nationalist discourse, the democratic discourse and tradition.

Pointing out that the discussion the government performs on the basis of religion, Ocalan said: “The Islamic concept of power is the Islamic concept created by capitalism.”

During his meeting on June 1st, PKK leader Abdullah Ocalan reportedly dealt with the possible developments after June 15.

Assessing how things will turn if negotiations fail, Ocalan said that "nobody, including me, Kandil and the BDP, will be able to stop the people. I should also be the object of severe criticism should I stop the people and their democratic rights. I am saying again that I am in favor of a democratic solution. However, I will not ever give a second chance to the AKP if they don’t open the way to a democratic solution. If they don’t give a chance to a democratic solution, if the AKP imposes its own method, the current number of detentions and arrests will increase many times more and a painful period will begin and everybody will sustain a major injury." said Ocalan.

According to Ocalan "If a democratic solution isn’t developed, the state will have to face Kandil and everyone will impose its own method and solution.” (ANF, 3 June 2011)

Council members sentenced to prison over park named after Kurdish poet

Members of the Doğubeyazıt Municipal Council in Ağrı province were given one-month, 20-day jail sentences, while the district's mayor was sentenced to six months in prison for naming a park in their district after Kurdish poet and philosopher Ehmedê Xanî.

Doğubeyazıt Municipality named a new municipal park opened four years ago after Xanî, the, writer of the epic “Mem û Zîn,” a book that was translated into Turkish and distributed by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism. Copies of the book were distributed by Culture and Tourism Minister Ertuğrul Günay in Parliament in what was a first in Turkish political history. The “X” in Xanî's name was problematic, according to a prosecutor, who took the park's name to the Doğubeyazıt Criminal Court of 1st Instance in 2008. The final verdict was given on May 3, 2011, with the court handing down the sentences to Mayor Mukaddes Kubilay and the municipal council members from the Justice and Development Party (AK Party) and the Peace and Democracy Party (BDP) for their “responsibility” in naming the park a word that has the letter “x” in it, which the court found is in violation of an earlier republican era law on the Turkish script.

The mayor and the council members were also ordered to pay a TL 3,000 each. Both the jail sentences and the monetary fines were suspended.

Xanî's “Mem û Zîn,” an epic love story, is considered as one of the most important works in Kurdish literature. Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan quoted lines from it during an election rally and the Ministry of Culture and Tourism published a Turkish translation.

Murat Roha Özbay, a lawyer for the defendants, said that the letters, x, w and q, although not included in the 29-letter Turkish alphabet, are used frequently in all public agencies with no legal consequences. He noted that the state-owned Kurdish language TRT-6 station frequently made use of the “banned letters.” He said the court ruling was hypocritical, adding, “If it is really a crime, then we will file criminal complaints against the Interior Ministry and the Ministry of Culture and Tourism. The law on the acceptation and usage of the Turkish alphabet and other laws like it have lost their meaning.” He said they will appeal the case.

He also said they were going to petition the Ankara Prosecutor's Office and the Doğubeyazıt Prosecutor's Office for an explanation of why an early republican era law that makes it compulsory to wear hats for men is not enforced in our day. (TODAY'S ZAMAN, 3 June 2011)

Writer Vedat Türkali: I want to visit Ocalan

Assessing the Kurdish problem on a television program on NTV, author Vedat Türkali said: “I want to see Ocalan. He has been jailed in Imrali for 12 years and not allowed to see anybody. I am sending my love and greetings to him.”

Vedat Türkali remarked that PKK leader Abdullah Ocalan has made all efforts for the reconciliation of Kurds and Turks and said the followings; “People are arrested for saying Dear Ocalan. I also call him Dear Ocalan. What is wrong with that now? It is of great importance to display a realistic approach. Shall I give the name ‘patriotic’ to Ocalan who demands a solution for the Kurdish problem or to those who kill seven Kurdish youngsters at mountains? Ocalan persistently agrees to take guerrillas from mountains in case of the Prime Minister’s promising. He has this power and can solve the problem and I side with solution.”

Türkali, marking that the present excluding attitudes of Turkish political leaders will be applicable to overcome in case of their displaying a will towards a solution, said; “It is true that societies have retentive memories but the problems can be solved more quickly if the leaders stage a will. During his presidency period, Süleyman Demirel had said ‘We have defeated Kurds 28 times and we can do that once again’. For god's sake, it is actually you who was defeated. Would there be 29 rebellions if you had defeated them? He didn’t solve the problem, he was defeated.”

To the question about the house arrest demand for Ocalan, Türkali answered that a true solution passes through a general amnesty. Türkali said; “My desire is a general amnesty. He has been jailed there for 12 years and not allowed to see anybody. The state officials themselves meet and talk to him but I cannot. Why is this obstruction? I am sending my love and greetings to Ocalan.”

Türkali also called attention to the ongoing judicial processes and said; “They talk about judicial process but it is not clear who judges whom. The Hrant Dink case for example. There are so many offenders…”

Remarking that Turkey has turned into a marsh and the events after 1980 should be put down on paper, Türkali said; “I am a person and a writer of this country. My last project is to write about these happenings. I have demanded to see the Diyarbakir Prison but I wasn’t allowed to see the cells. I now want to write a novel about after 1980’s which will consist of the Kurdish issue in particular and the prison truth. I want to go to the prison for this reason. And I am saying again; I also want to see Ocalan.” Türkali ended his statement expressing his wish for the brotherhood of Turks and Kurds.

ABOUT VEDAT TURKALI

Vedat Türkali was born on May 13, 1919 in Samsun.

His real name is Abdülkadir Pirhasan. After graduating from İstanbul University, Department of Turkology, he served as a literature teacher at Maltepe and Kuleli Military High Schools. He was arrested in 1951 on being accused of conducting political activities. He was sentenced to nine years in prison by the military court and was paroled seven years later.

He embarked on working on cinema in 1958 following his release from the prison. He wrote over 40 screenplays and directed three films. He wrote his screenplays under the pen name of Vedat Türkali. His efforts in filmmaking have a distinguished place in today’s Turkish cinema. It widely acknowledged that these works of him, which appalled to an extensive mass of audience, have an effectual role in the establishment and development of early Turkish cinema.

Vedat Türkali won many national and international awards with his plays, screenplays and novels. The year from May 1, 2004 to May 1, 2005 was declared the “Year of Vedat Türkali” with support of intellectuals, artists, cultural and artistic institutions and human rights activists.  (ANF, 3 June 2011)

Débat: quelle solution politique à la question kurde en Turquie?

par Amitiés kurdes de Bretagne

C’est dans la salle Lamartine de l’Assemblée nationale que s’est tenu le colloque organisé le 30 mai dernier par la Coordination nationale Solidarité Kurdistan [1] sous le haut patronage de Jean Paul Lecoq, député membre de la Commission des Affaires Étrangères.

En ouvrant la séance, le député communiste de Seine-Maritime, connu pour ses prises de position courageuses et parfois iconoclastes quant il s’agit de la défense des droits des opprimés, est entré de suite dans le vif du sujet :

Les Kurdes représentent une nation, une nation sans État, comme les Palestiniens ou les Saharaouis. Mais qu’est-ce qu’une nation ? Ce terme est très délicat à manier tant il peut être manipulé pour exclure, et non pour rassembler... Aujourd’hui, le peuple kurde rassemble tous les critères d’un État-nation. Pourtant, sa volonté de devenir un État autonome est bafouée. En Turquie plus particulièrement, cette question est présentée comme un problème d’État qui pèse sur la politique intérieure. Le conflit kurde est donc un axe majeur à résoudre, tant il influence les gouvernants.

Rappelant "l’interminable lutte entre un pouvoir étatique intransigeant et un peuple assoiffé de liberté", il déclare :

le pouvoir turc a tenté, à maintes reprises, d’assimiler les populations, mais jamais ce peuple n’a oublié ses racines, ses traditions et son histoire. Cette lutte devient alors emblématique de tous les peuples opprimés du monde, refusant d’être à la merci d’un pouvoir politique.

Dénonçant l’interdiction d’entrer à l’Assemblée Nationale de Nedim Seven, un militant kurde qui était invité à apporter son témoignage au cours de ce colloque, Jean Paul Lecoq a souligné qu’ici même, dans la maison des élus du peuple, la liberté n’est pas complète et a fait savoir qu’il adresserait une protestation indignée au Président de l’Assemblée nationale.

Quelle démocratie en Turquie ? Les clefs pour une solution politique de la question kurde ? Quelle politique conduisent, à cet égard, la France et les pays européens ? Telles sont les questions auxquelles ont répondu d’éminentes personnalités françaises et kurdes [2] , devant une assemblée attentive. Les négociations pour une paix durable, le droit à l’éducation et à l’enseignement en langue maternelle, la suppression de l’inscription du PKK sur la liste des organisations terroristes, une nouvelle constitution pour une Turquie démocratique et décentralisée, un changement de politique de l’Europe envers la question kurde, autant de sujets qui ont été exposés et débattus avec passion.

A l’issue des débats a été adoptée une déclaration finale dans laquelle les congressistes demandent avec force:

que les opérations militaires cessent et que les pourparlers qui durent depuis trois ans avec Abdullah Öcalan, leader du peuple kurde, débouchent désormais sur un processus de négociation ;

que toutes les procédures judiciaires soient annulées, que tous les détenus politiques soient libérés et que tous les combattants puissent rentrer au pays et jouir de tous leurs droits civiques et politiques ;

qu’une nouvelle constitution fondée sur les droits individuels et collectifs respecte les différences, favorise la démocratie participative et protège les différentes cultures, les différentes croyances et les différentes valeurs de la Turquie ;

que soient discutées des propositions visant à mettre en place une gouvernance basée sur une réelle décentralisation qui reconnaisse l’identité kurde dans le cadre d’une Turquie moderne et démocratique ;

que l’Union européenne, les pays européens, dont la France, appuient toute initiative en faveur de la paix et proposent en particulier un cadre de négociation pour un cessez-le-feu immédiat ;

qu’elles soient attentives à la protection des défenseurs des droits humains. (André Métayer, 3 juin 2011)

[1] La "Coordination" regroupe des associations comme Amitiés kurdes de Bretagne, Solidarité et Liberté, Mouvement de la Paix, Amitiés Corse-Kurdistan, Amis du Peuple kurde en Alsace et MRAP.

[2] Bernard DORIN, Ambassadeur de France, Yavuz ONEN, Président d’honneur de la Fondation des Droits de l’Homme de Turquie (THIV), Meral BESTAS, Vice-présidente du BDP (Parti pour la Paix et la Démocratie), Didier LE SAOUT, Maître de conférence, Joël DUTTO, Conseiller général honoraire, Conseiller municipal de Marseille, François ALFONSI, Député européen, Sevahir BAYINDIR, Députée du BDP, Michel BILLOUT, Sénateur, membre de la Commission des Affaires étrangères, Renée LE MIGNOT, Co-présidente du MRAP, Pierre Laurent, Président du Parti de la Gauche européenne, Pascal-Ange TORRE, Professeur des Universités, André METAYER, Président de l’association Amitiés kurdes de Bretagne. N’a pas été autorisé à pénétrer dans les locaux de l’Assemblée nationale : Nedim SEVEN, militant kurde.

Main opposition chief to sue Turkish PM over harsh criticism

Main opposition leader Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu announced Thursday that he would file a compensation case against Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan for describing him as “shameless and immoral.”

The Republican People’s Party, or CHP, chief also said the prime minister’s wife, Emine Erdoğan, would likely be upset over the prime minister’s manner.

“I will file a lawsuit against Erdoğan. I instructed my colleagues yesterday [Wednesday] in this respect. Such immorality is too much,” Kılıçdaroğlu told reporters after an election rally in the Black Sea province of Bartın.

“I will file a case not only over his recent remarks but also over former incidents, including his remarks suggesting [I am] a liar. Let him give an account in court,” Kılıçdaroğlu said.

In a meeting in Istanbul prior to his election rally in Diyarbakır, Erdoğan responded to comments made by Kılıçdaroğlu, saying, “I have never seen such a shameless, immoral and low-down attitude.”

“Thousands of CHP supporters are disturbed at this situation. He shouldn’t [talk like this]. We can be rivals but we can discuss [matters] as two civil people. If he has self-confidence, morality and an understanding of democratic culture, he will discuss this with me,” Kılıçdaroğlu said.

“I only said, ‘What goes around comes around,’ [in reference to the death of a protester in the Black Sea town of Hopa on Tuesday following clashes with police]. But he responded with abusive language. He should ask his wife whether he acted in the right manner. Emine [Erdoğan] is likely to be disturbed by his manner,” the CHP chief said. “He [Erdoğan] has health problems. He should undergo medical treatment.”

Speaking at his rally in Bartın, Kılıçdaroğlu also said the CHP used to be criticized for not producing projects. “But now, the CHP is the only party producing projects that touch every field of life,” he said.

Speaking at another rally in nearby Karabük, Kılıçdaroğlu criticized Erdoğan for speaking poorly of former Prime Minister Bülent Ecevit and former CHP leader İsmet İnönü and also lent support for workers wanting to become members of a union.

Meanwhile on Thursday, CHP Şırnak Provincial Chairman Çınar Ökten visited the pro-Kurdish Peace and Democracy Party, or BDP’s, democratic solution tent set up in front of the BDP’s building in the southeastern province’s Silopi district. (Hürriyet Daily News, June 2, 2011)

BDP criticizes Turkish PM for 'terrorist' remarks

The local head of the pro-Kurdish Peace and Democracy Party, or BDP, in Diyarbakır has criticized the prime minister for referring to the party as a “terror organization” during an election rally in the province on Wednesday.

“The AKP [Justice and Development Party] has been targeting the nationalist votes more than the MHP [Nationalist Movement Party],” Ali Aydın, the provincial head of the BDP, told reporters in Diyarbakır on Thursday.

“Yesterday, the prime minister declared our party a terrorist organization. What kind of a prime minister is that? Would any sane prime minister say that?” he said.

Şerafettin Elçi, an independent parliamentary candidate in Diyarbakır supported by the pro-Kurdish party, said Kurds of all political views had come together for the elections and added that “the enemies are afraid of this alliance.”

“All Kurds are together now, and I call out to the village guards,” he said. “You are the children of Kurds, come join us.” (DHA, June 3, 2011)

Polemics between AKP and CHP on the Kurdish Question

In his speech, Erdoğan invited Kurdish citizens to unity and brotherhood by highlighting religious unity instead of ethnic identity.

The main opposition and the country’s largest pro-Kurdish party are the biggest barriers before a solution to the Kurdish issue, the prime minister told a huge crowd Wednesday in Diyarbakır in a speech laced with religious messages.

“The patent of the Kurdish problem belongs to the CHP [Republican People’s Party] while the issue is exploited by the BDP [Peace and Democracy Party]. My Kurdish brother escaped from the CHP’s oppression but is now captured by the cruelty of the BDP,” Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan said during his 11th visit to the Southeast Anatolian city.

In his speech, Erdoğan invited Kurdish citizens to unity and brotherhood by highlighting religious unity instead of ethnic identity.

“Some say the Kurdish people’s religion is Zoroastrianism and Islam was imposed forcefully. This is not true,” Erdoğan said during the election rally for his ruling Justice and Development Party, or AKP.

“You must know that the community in Istanbul’s Süleymaniye Mosque turns [their faces] to the same qibla as the community here in Ulu Mosque turns. Our qibla is same. Is there any difference? No,” Erdoğan said.

He added that the “prophet” of Turkey’s pro-Kurdish BDP was the Abdullah Öcalan, the imprisoned leader of the outlawed Kurdistan Workers’ Party, or PKK. Criticizing the BDP for dividing the country with support from the PKK, Erdoğan referred to the BDP as a “terror organization” for the first time.

He also said the BDP protected the CHP in Diyarbakır as it did in Hakkari, where shopkeepers closed their doors ahead of a rally by the prime minister.

Erdoğan spoke in Diyarbakır a day after a CHP rally in the city, addressing more than 10,000 people in Diyarbakır amid extraordinary security measures following violent clashes in the northeastern town of Hopa on Tuesday.

CHP ‘denied Kurdish problem’

The CHP didn’t visit Diyarbakır for nine years and CHP leader Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu denied the Kurdish problem in Parliament but remembered the issue with just two weeks left until the June 12 general election, Erdoğan said.

“They are forced democrats. They are democrats for the ballot,” Erdoğan said. “They banned tapes in the Kurdish language. They rejected the culture of Kurdish people. I know the denial policies and the assimilation policies. But the objection policy is not applied here any longer. The denial policies have ended. Assimilation has now ended.” (Hürriyet Daily News, June 1, 2011)

Declaration of the 11th Congress of the KNK

The Kurdistan National Congress (KNK) presents the conclusions following the successful completion of its annual Congress on 28th-29th May 2011. Common agreement was reached to distribute the conclusions in Kurdistan, the Middle East and rest of the world and these are listed as:

1.    The geographical name of the region where Kurds live is Kurdistan. The KNK refuses any other name that has been used by occupiers in alternative to Kurdistan. Also, it calls on the Kurdish nation to use the name Kurdistan.

2.    The Kurdish nation has right to find a solution to their own homeland and territory. In addition, Kurds have the right to rule their own land as a necessity.

3.    Turkish, Iranian, Syrian and the previous Baath regime of Iraq, changed the name of many Kurdish areas to Turkish, Persian and Arabic names. Particularly in the North, East and southwest as well as in some parts of South Kurdistan that separated from the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG). The aim of those changes was to assimilate the Kurds. Therefore, the KNK calls on Kurds to repudiate these foreign names and change all the Kurdish towns and villages to their original Kurdish names and use Kurdish names at all times.

4.    The Kurdish nation will not accept any retreat or shrinking of the Kurdish territory in South Kurdistan. Kirkuk as well as all the separated Kurdish areas from the KRG will be supported and protected.

5.    The Kurds have the right to call their children in Kurdish names in Turkey, Iran and Syria. In addition, they have the right to change their Turkish, Persian and Arabic surnames to Kurdish surnames.

6.    Kurds need to use the Kurdish language in their daily life. Also they need to ask for more training and education in their mother tongue (Kurdish) and ask for a guarantee for use of the Kurdish language in every government publication and media.

7.    Kurds have the right to use the national Kurdish flag and national Kurdish symbols and the wearing of Kurdish clothes when they are required to attend national occasions.

8.    Kurdish businesspersons as well as trades people need to do all the transactions and business in the Kurdish language. Also buyers need to communicate in Kurdish regarding business deals.

9.    Kurdish people discuss their religious affiliations and beliefs locally. Also their religious affiliations should be from own religious perspective and they should refuse any other religion and belief that comes from government rule such as Turkey, Iran, Syria in their own interest.

10.  Kurds should distinguish their cultural differences within government rules and policies such as Turkey, Iran, and Syria. Also, they should present themselves in any Kurdish event in line with their own cultural, traditional and national Kurdish customs.

11. Kurds from all parts of Kurdistan as well as Kurds in the Diaspora must increase their national solidarity and support against any plans from the governments of Turkey, Iran and Syria that will not be in the interest of the Kurdish nation. Kurds should with greater unity support each other in the national interest.

12. Kurds will work closer with national and international communities especially within democratic and progressive nations to win more support and also to cooperate.

13. Kurds do more to accept and struggle and support the freedom of Kurdish leader Abdullah Ocalan and support other political prisoners from the colonial regime in the world.

14. Kurds will give more support more the Kurdish political and military (created to support and protect the Kurdish nation as part of the Kurdish movement). Also young Kurdish men will refuse to join the drafted army in Turkey, Iran and Syria.

15. Kurds will abolish the unequal law where the man dominates against the woman. Also they recognize and support the feminist cause and women’s rights. Women’s right should be held in high esteem.

website: www.kongrakurdistan.net, e-mail: kongrakurdistan@gmail.com

Minorités / Minorities

No Prosecution of "Trabzon Police" for Dink Murder

The High Criminal Court of Rize (eastern Black Sea coast) dismissed the appeal against the decision to drop procedures related to the assassination of Turkish-Armenian journalist Hrant Dink. The joint attorneys of the family of the slain journalists had filed an appeal with the Rize Court against the decision given by the Trabzon High Criminal Court.

Accordingly, Faruk Sarı and Engin Dinç, on duty for the Chief of the Trabzon Police Intelligence Branch; the two former Chiefs of the Trabzon Police, Ramazan Akyürek and Reşat Altay; Muhettin Zenit who was responsible for the communication with assistant  intelligence staff member Erhan Tuncel; Özkan Mumcu, Mehmet Ayhan and Onur Karakaya, Department Chief Inspector Ercan Demir and the Chief of the Trabzon Anti-Terror Branch, Yahya Öztürk, will not be prosecuted in the context of the Dink murder.

The Dink family lawyers demanded the investigation of the above mentioned persons and later on appealed the decision for the closing of procedures. Both their petition and the appeal put forward that the officials of the Trabzon police at the time were responsible for the killing of Hrant Dink, then editor-in-chief of the Armenian Agos newspaper.

Petition came a long way

Hrant Dink, founder of the Armenian Agos newspaper, was killed in front of his office in Istanbul on 19 January 2007.

In February 2010, the Dink family submitted a petition to the Istanbul 14th High Criminal Court that handles the Dink murder case. The plaintiff lawyers petitioned for an investigation about the officials at the Trabzon Police on duty at the time of the murder.

The Istanbul 14th High Criminal Court forwarded the petition to the Istanbul Public Chief Prosecution. On 28 May 2010, the Istanbul Prosecution decided to drop procedures and allocated the investigation to the Trabzon Public Chief Prosecution.

The Trabzon prosecution announced their decision one month later, saying that there was "no need for a prosecution".

On 16 September 2010, the Dink family lawyers appealed the decision with the Rize High Criminal Court. They requested to lift the decision of the Trabzon Public Chief Prosecution regarding the abatement of action.

The plaintiff lawyers requested to launch a trial against the Trabzon police officers by taking into account the "new evidence" that emerged from the statements given by Emin Arslan, Levent Yarımel and Reşat Altay. Yet, The Rize High Criminal Court dismissed their appeal despite the additional information.

It was stated in the court decision that the Istanbul Police Directorate and the Intelligence Department Presidency of the Police General Directorate had been informed by the Trabzon Police about the murder on 15 February 2006 and about the concrete assassination plot on 17 February 2006.

With the latest decision of the Rize High Criminal Court, domestic remedies have been exhausted.(BIA, 17 June 2011)

Un chrétien syriaque élu au Parlement turc, une première depuis 50 ans

Un chrétien syriaque, Erol Dora (47 ans), a été élu député aux législatives de dimanche en Turquie, pays à écrasante majorité musulmane, où un tel événement électoral n'avait pas été enregistré depuis une cinquantaine d'années, ont rapporté lundi les médias.

Cet avocat membre de l'Eglise syriaque orthodoxe est membre de la petite communauté, appelés aussi Assyriens, dont Mardin (sud-est) en est le foyer.

L'élu qui s'est présenté en tant qu'indépendant, a néanmoins obtenu le soutien du Parti pour la Paix et la Démocratie (BDP), principale force pro-kurde.

Le nouveau et seul député chrétien du Parlement qui sera une nouvelle fois dominée par le parti au pouvoir de la Justice et du développement (AKP, issu de la mouvance islamiste), s'est engagé à être le porte-parole des chrétiens de Turquie.

Lundi, après été élu, il a appelé l'Union européenne à faire entrer la Turquie dans l'UE. Il a aussi montré, selon l'agence Cihan, qu'il ne représentait pas "un club chrétien".

Outre la commuanuté syriaque, la Turquie compte aussi des minorités chrétiennes Arménienne et Orthodoxe grecque.

Ces dernières années ont été marquées par plusieurs attaques violentes et pour certaines meurtrières à l'encontre de la communauté chrétienne en Turquie. (AFP, 13 juin 2011)

Non-Muslims demand equal citizenship rights in new constitution

The new constitution of Turkey should embrace all of its citizens and elevate individual rights and freedoms equally for all as opposed to the 1982 Constitution, which reinforced state and military authority and introduced substantial restrictions to the exercise of individual rights and freedoms, non-Muslim Turkish citizens indicate.
 
When asked by Sunday's Zaman if Turkey needed a new constitution, most of the non-Muslim “minority” citizens of Turkey were no different than the majority of the voices in Turkey in their demands for a new, democratic and civilian constitution, and they always made references to the 1982 Constitution, which was drafted in the aftermath of the Sept. 12, 1980 military takeover.

“Instead of the 1982 Constitution, which blesses and protects the state and also says that rights can be restricted, a new constitution should be made to put emphasis on human rights, provide social justice and give people rights to live in accordance with their identity,” said Arus Yumul, a professor of sociology and a Turkish citizen of Armenian origin.

Laki Vingas, representative of several minority foundations and a Turkish citizen of Greek origin shares the same opinion. “Making a new constitution is important for every Turkish citizen. It is utterly disturbing that we still have the constitution of the 1980 military coup,” Vingas says.

Researcher and writer Nail Güleryüz, a Turkish citizen of Jewish background, is of the same opinion, and Zeki Basatemir, a member of the board of directors of the Syriac Catholic Church Foundation in Turkey, added that Turkish citizens of Syriac origin also demand a constitution which would emphasize individual rights and freedoms.

The Sept. 12 coup d’état was the third coup in Turkey’s history which came after a period of ideological armed conflict on Turkey’s streets during the second half of the 1970s. An estimated 5,000 people were killed during the political violence. Some 600,000 were reportedly detained, more than 200,000 were tried, over 10,000 were stripped of their citizenship and 50 people were executed while hundreds of thousands were tortured and went missing during the military coup administration.

But should a new constitution have special provisions for non-Muslims in Turkey, where they are supposed to have safeguards under the “Protection of Minorities” clause of the 1923 Treaty of Lausanne? According to Güleryüz, a constitution should “justly embrace” all individuals of the country and should not give special privileges, even positive discrimination, to any individuals or institutions. “Therefore, there should not be special clauses for Turkish citizens of Jewish origin,” he said. “It would be adequate for Turkey’s Jewish people -- even though they can be considered a ‘minority numerically’ from the perspective of religion -- to have equal rights and responsibilities.”

He also recalled that the chief rabbi and the Jewish community leaders of the 1920s relinquished many special privileges provided to minorities by the Treaty of Lausanne.

Vingas regards the special clauses of the Lausanne Treaty regarding minorities as a thing of the past. “I don’t want to tell my children who will be born in 2020 that they are bound by the rules of 1923,” he said. “I am a normal citizen in this country, not separate or apart.”

The number of Turkish citizens of Jewish and Syriac origin has been estimated to be around 25,000 each, while this number is around 3,000 for the Turkish citizens of Greek origin. The Turkish-Armenian community is the largest of the minority groups in Turkey with a population of approximately 60,000, mostly in İstanbul. Despite protections, non-Muslims faced injustices in Turkey, a fact which has been recently stated by a government official. Ruling Justice and Development Party’s (AK Party) Deputy Chairman Hüseyin Çelik had told Sunday’s Zaman that “the deep state” and the “pro-single-party spirit of the Republican People’s Party [CHP]” lies behind the injustices that were done to non-Muslims in Turkey. The single-party period of Turkey begins with the CHP being the only party after the founding of the republic on Oct. 29, 1923 and ends in 1946 with the establishment of the National Development Party (MKP).

“Serious injustices were done to all these groups during the single-party era in Turkey; however, the injustices done to the non-Muslims were more severe. The wealth tax was a disgrace. The closure of the Greek seminary was a great shame. The Sept. 6-7 incidents were an inhumane conspiracy that humiliated Turkey in the eyes of the world,” Çelik said.

He was referring to the tax which was levied on the wealthy citizens of Turkey in 1942, with the stated aim of raising funds for the country’s defense in the event of eventual entry into World War II. Those who suffered most severely from this tax were non-Muslims: Jews, Greeks, Armenians and Levantines. Established on Oct. 1, 1844, on Heybeli Island -- or Halki in Greek -- in the Marmara Sea, the Halki Seminary was the main school of theology for the Eastern Orthodox Church’s patriarchate in İstanbul until its closure by Turkish authorities in 1971. The unfortunate events of Sept. 6-7, 1955 started after a newspaper headline said the home of the nation’s founder, Atatürk, in Greece had been bombed by Greek militants. Fired up by the media, mobs killed and harassed non-Muslims and non-Turkish minorities in a massive campaign.

“Republican governments always wanted to destroy minorities,” said Turkish-Armenian journalist Pakrat Estukyan, adding that a good portion of non-Muslims still do not trust the state because of what happened in the past.

“Since 1923, even Lausanne has been subject to being run over,” he said. “We are in the process of democratization but there is not a consensus in society about how a more democratic constitution should be.”

Like most people in society, non-Muslims also stress the need for a wide-ranging consensus in society for making the new constitution, and that a new constitution should be made by the new Parliament, but not only by the ruling party even if it garners enough votes on June 12.

“Unions, civil society groups, institutions and businesses should agree on the principles. Even parties which remained out of Parliament as a result of the election should be consulted in the process of making a new constitution,” Vingas said, pointing out the 10 percent election threshold.

“For the constitution not to be an arena of power-sharing among the powerful, citizens’ participation into the process is essential, especially in societies that have a tendency to resort to violence,” Yumul said, adding that no matter how well-written, no constitution would provide equal citizenship for non-Muslims if it doesn’t go hand-in-hand with a general understanding for the meaning of equal citizenship.

In that regard, Basatemir stressed that non-Muslims will feel their “equality” if de facto practices disappear.

“Although there are not written rules, I am not allowed to have a career in the police, military and in high levels of the bureaucracy because I am a Christian,” he said. “We appreciate recent reforms in Turkey but we should have an understanding that non-Muslims are Turkish citizens, too.” In addition, Güleryüz emphasized the prevention of the hate crimes.

Some civil society groups have been raising their voices against hate speech and hate crimes, which are serious problems in the country, and emphasizing that there is a need for legislation to combat them. The cases they give include the 2007 murder of journalist Hrant Dink, who was the editor-in-chief of the Turkish-Armenian weekly Agos; in Malatya, the Zirve murders of 2007 when three people who had sold Christian literature were brutally killed; and the murder of Catholic priest Father Andrea Santoro in Trabzon. (todayszaman.com, YONCA POYRAZ DOĞAN, 5 June 2011)

Six soldats condamnés en lien avec le meurtre de Hrant Dink

Un tribunal turc a condamné jeudi six soldats à des peines allant de quatre à six mois de prison pour négligence en lien avec le meurtre en 2007 du journaliste d'origine arménienne Hrant Dink.

Il s'agit de la première condamnation d'agents publics dans cette affaire qui a secoué la Turquie, notamment lorsqu'il est apparu que la police comme la gedarmerie avaient connaissance d'un complot visant à tuer Dink mais avaient omis d'agir.

Un colonel et cinq autres soldats qui occupaient des postes-clés au sein de la gendarmerie à Trabzon, un port du nord-est de la Turquie d'où provient le groupe de jeunes nationalistes accusés d'avoir assassiné Dink, ont été condamné par un tribunal de la ville, a rapporté l'agence Anatolie.

Deux autres soldats ont été acquittés, selon Anatolie.

Les peines étaient les plus élevées que la juridiction puisse prononcer, et les avocats de la famille Dink ont exprimé leur frustration face à ce verdict.

"Le procès aurait du avoir lieu devant une cour chargée des crimes graves. Mais malheureusement, cela n'a pas eu lieu en dépit de nos efforts", a déclaré Me Fethiye Cetin à l'AFP.

Les condamnés restent en liberté dans l'attente de l'épuisement de leurs voies d'appel, a ajouté l'avocate.

Figure de proue de la minorité arménienne de Turquie, Hrant Dink a été abattu le 19 janvier 2007 devant les locaux de l'hebdomadaire bilingue turco-arménien Agos, qu'il dirigeait, dans le centre d'Istanbul.

Les procureurs affirment que la police avait connaissance dès 2006 d'un complot visant à tuer le journaliste, orchestré depuis Trabzon, ville d'origine du tireur avoué, âgé de 17 ans au moment du meurtre, et de 18 complices présumés, qui sont toujours jugés à Istanbul.

Dink oeuvrait pour la réconciliation entre les Turcs et les Arméniens au regard de leur passé sanglant, mais les nationalistes lui en voulaient d'avoir employé pour le massacre des Armémiens sous l'Empire ottoman le terme de génocide, qu'Ankara rejette farouchement.

En septembre, la Cour européenne des droits de l'Homme (CEDH) a estimé que les autorités turques n'étaient pas parvenues à prendre les mesures appropriées pour protéger Dink. (AFP, 2 juin 2011)

4 Years Later: Court Considers Additional Suspect

At the hearing on Monday (30 May), four and a half years after the start of the trial, the Istanbul 14th High Criminal Court made a move towards investigating who else was involved in the murder of Turkish-Armenian journalist Hrant Dink. Ever since the beginning of the trial in 2007, allegations were made that at least one other person besides triggerman suspect Ogün Samast had been involved.

Hrant Dink, a journalist of Armenian origin and founder of the Armenian Agos newspaper, was lethally shot close to his office in central Istanbul on 19 January 2007.

In accordance with the request of lawyer Fethiye Çetin, one of the joint attorneys of the Dink family, the court decided to have full lengths body shots taken from the front and the side of Osman Hayal plus biometric photographs. Hayal is the brother of suspect Yasin Hayal and was allegedly in the vicinity of the scene of crime on 19 January 2007.

Osman Hayal was previously arrested and released later on. The court was of the opinion that there was no need "for now" to arrest Hayal again under the same allegations. Once the photographs are ready, an expert is going to determine whether the person on the video records is Osman Hayal or not. The request to arrest Hayal will be evaluated accordingly thereupon.

Additionally, the identity of a suspect who talked via a cell phone from two different points close to the scene of crime at the day of the murder shall be determined. The court requested the Telecommunication Communication Presidency (TİB) and three different GSM operators announce all telephone conversations of this person made between 11.10 and 11.25 am and between 2.45 and 3.00 pm at the scene of crime.

The court dismissed the demand to release alleged instigator Yasin Hayal and police informant Erhan Tucel pending trial. The trial was postponed to 29 July.

Upon a previous request of the Dink family lawyers, the Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkey (TÜBİTAK) had been asked about the footage of the camera installed at the Akbank branch since the murder happened right in front of the bank. TÜBİTAK was asked whether the records had been deleted and if it would be possible to restore them. The council initially replied that they had no records. TÜBİTAK was asked to review the findings but the new digital forensic analysis came to the same result. According to the report, the footage was erased and cannot be restored.

Also before the 18th hearing of the trial, about 300 "Friends of Hrant" gathered in Beşiktaş (Istanbul) and reiterated their demand for justice in a walk to the Beşiktaş Courthouse.

The group called for the prosecution of Muammer Güler, the former Istanbul Chief of Police, and Cemil Çiçek, former government spokesman and current Deputy Prime Minister. Banners carried by the group members read, "We will not forget", "For Hrant, for Justice" or "The fascists strike, the AKP protects". (BIA, Erol ÖNDEROĞLU, 31 May 2011)

Politique intérieure/Interior Politics

Confusion après le boycott du Parlement par l'opposition

La confusion a gagné l'arène politique turque avec l'annonce mardi par le principal parti d'opposition que ses députés élus lors des législatives du 12 juin refusent de prêter serment au Parlement, en solidarité avec deux d'entre eux, maintenus en détention provisoire.

Les 135 députés du Parti républicain du peuple (CHP, social-démocrate) emboitent le pas de 35 élus kurdes qui avaient déjà annoncé la semaine dernière leur boycott du Parlement pour protester contre l'invalidation de l'élection d'un militant kurde en raison d'une condamnation pour "propagande terroriste".

"Tant que nos camarades députés seront empêchés de prêter serment, nous, les élus du CHP, ne prêteront pas serment non plus", a déclaré mardi le président du CHP, Kemal Kiliçdaroglu, une heure avant la cérémonie de prestation de serment des nouveaux élus.

"Nous (...) ne soutiendrons pas des pratiques antidémocratiques et illégales qui empêchent que des députés élus par le peuple prêtent serment", a affirmé M. Kiliçdaroglu au terme d'une réunion avec les élus de son parti.

Prenant la jurisprudence à contrepied, un tribunal stambouliote a rejeté jeudi les demandes de libération du journaliste Mustafa Balbay et de l'universitaire Mehmet Haberal, élus respectivement à Izmir (ouest) et Zonguldak (nord-ouest) sur des listes du CHP.

Les deux hommes ont été élus alors qu'ils étaient en détention provisoire pour appartenance supposée au réseau putschiste Ergenekon, qui visait selon l'acte d'accusation à créer, en multipliant les violences, un contexte favorable à un coup d'Etat militaire contre le gouvernement.

Sept autres candidats (six militants kurdes et un membre d'un parti nationaliste MHP) ont été élus alors qu'ils étaient en détention provisoire. Leurs demandes de libération ont toutes été rejetées.

M. Kiliçdaroglu a accusé le Parti de la justice et du développement (AKP, issu de la mouvance islamiste) au pouvoir d'avoir fait pression sur les juges pour empêcher la libération des élus détenus.

"Nous nous battrons sur tous les terrains contre cette tendance vers une dictature civile et contre le parti au pouvoir qui en est responsable", a-t-il dit, assurant que son parti ne demandait ni l'amnistie ni l'application de l'immunité parlementaire pour Balbay et Haberal, seulement leur libération.

La décision du CHP vient renforcer la confusion créée par le boycott décrété par les 35 députés kurdes la semaine dernière après l'invalidation de leur 36e élu, Hatip Dicle, déclaré inéligible par le Haut Conseil des élections (YSK) en raison d'une condamnation à 20 mois de prison confirmée en appel peu avant les élections.

Rassemblés mardi à Diyarbakir, la principale ville du sud-est anatolien peuplé en majorité de Kurdes, les députés kurdes ont indiqué qu'ils réuniraient désormais chaque semaine leur groupe parlementaire dans cette ville, à moins qu'une solution soit trouvée.

A 15H00 (12H00 GMT), la cérémonie de prestation de serment a ainsi débuté en présence des seuls députés de l'AKP et du MHP, forts respectivement de 327 et 53 sièges sur 550.

L'AKP a largement remporté les dernières élections avec 50% des voix, lui permettant d'entamer un troisième mandat consécutif au pouvoir.

Interrogé par des journalistes, le Premier ministre Recep Tayyip Erdogan a appelé le CHP à faire des propositions.

"Qu'ils commencent par faire des propositions et ensuite nous nous exprimerons", a-t-il dit, cité par l'agence de presse Anatolie, qui indique que le vice-Premier ministre Cemil Ciçek aura mercredi un entretien avec M. Kiliçdaroglu. (AFP, 28 juin 2011)

La justice turque refuse de libérer deux nouveaux élus au Parlement

Un tribunal stambouliote a rejeté jeudi les demandes de libération de deux prévenus en détention provisoire pour leur implication supposée dans un complot contre le gouvernement mais qui ont été élus députés lors des législatives du 12 juin, a rapporté l'agence Anatolie.

La 13e cour d'assises d'Istanbul a rejeté les demandes du journaliste Mustafa Balbay et de l'universitaire Mehmet Haberal, élus respectivement à Izmir (ouest) et Zonguldak (nord-ouest) sur des listes du Parti républicain du peuple (CHP, opposition sociale-démocrate).

Les deux hommes sont soupçonnés d'appartenir au réseau putschiste Ergenekon, qui avait selon l'acte d'accusation pour objectif de créer en multipliant les violences un contexte favorable à un coup d'Etat militaire contre le gouvernement islamo-conservateur.

En l'absence de condamnation, ils ont néanmoins été autorisés à se porter candidats aux dernières législatives, qui se sont conclues sur un succès du Parti de la justice et du développement (AKP), la formation du Premier ministre Recep Tayyip Erdogan, avec 327 sièges sur 550.

Une libération de M. Balbay, un éminent journaliste du quotidien d'opposition Cumhuriyet, et de M. Haberal, était attendue, en raison de l'immunité parlementaire dont ils devaient bénéficier après leur élection.

Le président du CHP Kemal Kiliçdaroglu a dénoncé un "coup porté à la volonté du peuple".

"Si vous les empêchez de prêter serment, cela veut dire que vous ne tenez aucun compte de la volonté du peuple. Cette décision de justice est un coup porté à la volonté du peuple", a déclaré devant des journalistes M. Kiliçdaroglu, cité par Anatolie. La nouvelle Assemblée doit prêter serment mardi.

Un général à la retraite détenu dans le cadre de l'affaire Ergenekon et élu sur une liste du parti nationaliste MHP a aussi été élu, de même que cinq militants de la cause kurde incarcérés pour collusion avec les rebelles du PKK.

Leurs demandes de libération n'ont pas encore été examinées.

L'élection d'un sixième activiste kurde, Hatip Dicle, a été invalidée mardi soir par le Haut conseil des élections (YSK), la condamnation de celui-ci à 20 mois de prison pour "propagande terroriste" ayant été confirmée en appel quatre jours avant l'élection. (AFP, 23 juin 2011)

CHP leader under fire over Stockholm syndrome remarks

Main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) leader Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu has received widespread criticism both from his own party and the government after a daily on Monday published statements made by him revealing that the CHP leader likens the overwhelming public support for the Justice and Development Party (AK Party) to the Stockholm syndrome -- the phenomenon of hostages identifying and empathizing with their captors.

Kılıçdaroğlu, whose party was only able to secure 26 percent in the June 12 elections, while the AK Party received almost double the CHP's votes, has linked the record win of the governing party to the Stockholm syndrome.

Akşam daily said the CHP leader evaluated the election results with top party members at the party's Central Executive Board (MYK) meeting last week. According to the daily, Kılıçdaroğlu said during the meeting that the reason behind half of the voters supporting the ruling party is simply the Stockholm syndrome. The AK Party received 50 percent of the vote and won a third consecutive term as the ruling party in the June 12 elections. The Stockholm syndrome refers to a real paradoxical psychological phenomenon wherein hostages express empathy and have positive feelings towards their captors, sometimes to the point of defending them.

The syndrome is named after the Norrmalmstorg Kreditbanken robbery in Stockholm in which the bank robbers held bank employees hostage from Aug. 23-28, 1973. In this case, the victims became emotionally attached to their captors and even defended them after they were freed from the six-day ordeal.

Speaking to Today’s Zaman, former CHP İstanbul deputy Algan Hacaloğlu said Kılıçdaroğlu’s explaining the voter support for the AK Party using the Stockholm syndrome does not comply with the realities of Turkey and simplifies the election results.

“I do not think that judgment [about the Stockholm syndrome] complies with the reality of Turkey. I do not think the Turkish nation gave 50 percent support to the AK Party because of this reason. Such an approach means belittling the election results,” Hacaloğlu said.

The former CHP deputy also warned that attempts to explain the voter support for the ruling party with a phenomenon like the Stockholm syndrome will make it difficult for the party to see its own shortcomings. “The CHP should face with its own realities,” he said.

AK Party officials also showed a harsh reaction to the CHP leader over his Stockholm syndrome remark, which they found tantamount to disrespect for the nation’s will.

Former Trade Minister Nihat Ergün said Kılıçdaroğlu’s remarks is disrespectful of the nation’s will and called him to get over the exhaustion of the elections and collect his thoughts.

He said it is impossible to improve democracy without showing respect to the nation’s will.

Newly-elected AK Party deputy Mehmet Metiner said there is actually no Stockholm syndrome in Turkey but an opposition syndrome.

AK Party deputy group Chairman Mustafa Elitaş said Kılıçdaroğlu’s remarks were an indication of the fact that the CHP leader has not yet embraced democracy. (TODAY’S ZAMAN, 20 June 2011)

Intra-party fight hits CHP following ballot loss

Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu, the leader of the main opposition Republican People’s Party, or CHP, is expected to drastically reshuffle his party after election disappointment.

The main opposition’s failure to hit its 30 percent goal in Sunday’s election has sparked an internal feud, with the party leader announcing he will call to account the organizations that were unsuccessful in the campaign.

The unsatisfactory results have also seen a “silent opposition” within the party begin to raise its voice, asking for a convention to change the leadership of the Republican People’s Party, or CHP. The party’s administration has said a convention is not on its agenda.

The CHP’s central executive board held a meeting the night of the elections to evaluate the party’s performance. Party chief Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu stated during the meeting that he would call to account the party’s organizations, and remove some organization members from duty if necessary.

Kılıçdaroğlu has already given Gürsel Tekin, the deputy CHP leader in charge of the organization, instructions regarding the matter, asking for a performance analysis that is expected to lead to the firing of certain members who failed to do their tasks.

The CHP chief is also expected to continue his focus on personally visiting the citizenry in other areas outside of Ankara, especially the East Anatolia, Southeast Anatolia and Black Sea regions, where the party is weak. Kılıçdaroğlu is also expected to redesign the party’s organizations in a possible convention in September to continue on a more democratic and free path in changing the CHP’s internal regulations.

Opposition raises its voice

Former CHP leader Deniz Baykal is said to be disappointed with the election results, sparking the opposition move within the party to speak out and demand a convention. “The results are not successful, the party must hold an extraordinary convention,” former CHP top official Mustafa Özyürek told the Hürriyet Daily News.

Former CHP deputies Canan Arıtman and Şahin Mengü and Party Assembly member Mesut Değer also asked Monday for Kılıçdaroğlu’s resignation.

The internal opposition needs 626 signatures to hold an extraordinary convention. However, Kılıçdaroğlu is expected to start the convention period in September to avoid an “extraordinary” situation. (Hürriyet Daily News, June 13, 2011)

Malgré sa majorité absolue reconduite, l'électeur oblige l'AKP à chercher un consensus

Le Parti de la justice et du développement (AKP) a remporté les élections législatives du 12 juin 2011, alors que l’on relevait une participation très importante au scrutin (84% des voix). Avec 49,93% de voix, l’AKP est encore au-dessus de ses scores des législatives de 2007 (46,6%) et de 2002 (34,3%). Ce parti pourra ainsi former seul un gouvernement car il détient largement la majorité absolue au Parlement de 550 sièges, avec 326 députés.

Son principal adversaire, le Parti républicain du peuple (CHP) progresse lui aussi passant de 20,8% à 25,91%, c’est son meilleur score depuis les élections législatives de 1977, avec 135 sièges. Le parti d'action nationaliste (MHP), qui ne paraissait pas assuré de franchir la barre fatidique de 10%, obtient 13% des voix (contre 14,3% en 2007), avec 53 députés.

Enfin marquant le progrès significatif du mouvement national kurde, les candidats indépendants présentés pour l’essentiel par le parti kurde BDP, qui totalisent près de 6,63% des voix au niveau national (contre 5,2% en 2007), ont obtenu  36 sièges.

En dépit de sa large victoire et du fait qu’un Turc sur deux a voté pour lui en 2011, l’AKP ne parvient pas à avoir la majorité des deux tiers (367 députés), lui permettant de réviser la Constitution par voie parlementaire. De surcroît, avec 326 sièges, il obtient un score inférieur à celui qu’il avait eu en 2007 (341 sièges). L’AKP ne profite donc ni de sa progression en voix, ni du recul du MHP qui n’aura cette fois que 53 parlementaires dans l’Assemblée (contre 70 en 2007).

Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, qui avait demandé, il y a une semaine aux électeurs turcs de lui donner 367 députés pour éviter d’avoir à recourir au référendum, a donc pris acte de cette situation. Du balcon du siège de son parti, s’adressant à une foule enthousiaste, il a déclaré notamment : « Notre peuple nous a demandé de faire une nouvelle Constitution. Et il nous a adressé un message qui nous demande d’élaborer cette Constitution par la voie du consensus et de la négociation… Nous allons débattre de cette nouvelle Constitution avec les partis d’opposition, avec les organisations de la société civile et des universitaires. » Estimant que cette nouvelle charte fondamentale sera celle «des Turcs, des Kurdes» et des minorités y compris «les Roms», et faisant implicitement allusion aux critiques qui pendant la campagne, lui avaient reproché une tendance à l’autoritarisme, il a conclu : «Nous continuerons à servir le peuple pas à le dominer.»

Durant la campagne, M. Erdogan s'est engagé à changer le texte fondamental hérité du coup d'Etat militaire de 1980. Mais il n'a pas donné de détails.

Un soutien du BDP pourrait être crucial pour aller de l'avant vers une nouvelle Constitution mais ce parti pourrait poser ses conditions. Les représentants des Kurdes, qui sont entre 12 et 15 millions sur une population de 73 millions, estiment que leur peuple devrait constituer un élément distinct au sein de la nation turque, avec un statut d'autonomie.

La question kurde n'est jamais loin dans la politique turque: le dirigeant emprisonné des rebelles kurdes, Abdullah Öcalan, a menacé récemment Ankara d'une guerre totale si des négociations sérieuses ne s'engagent pas entre le pouvoir et les rebelles, après les élections.

La presse d'opposition doute cependant de la volonté réelle de M. Erdogan de négocier et de tendre la main à ses opposants.

"Si le Premier ministre veut gouverner en paix, il devrait se rendre compte et ne jamais oublier qu'il y a aussi 50 %" de l'électorat contre lui, écrit lundi l'éditorialiste Mehmet Yilmaz dans l'édition de lundi du journal Hürriyet.

"Est-ce que le Premier ministre est capable d'accepter l'existence de gens qui ne pensent pas comme lui ?", s'interroge-t-il, dans une allusion aux sautes d'humeur de M. Erdogan. (Plusieurs agences de presse et AFP, 13 juin 2011)

Victoire historique des Kurdes

Les candidats indépendants présentés par le principal parti kurde BDP pour les élections législatives du 12 juin en Turquie ont été les premiers gagnants avec 36 sièges contre 22 en 2007, malgré une campagne très inéquitable et les fraudes à travers le pays, notamment dans la région kurde.

Quinze partis ont participé à ces élections pour 7.695 candidats, y compris les indépendants. Le Parti de la justice et du développement (AKP) du premier ministre Recep Tayyip Erdogan, au pouvoir depuis 2002, a remporté 49,93 % des voix contre 46 % en 2007, s'assurant une troisième législature consécutive, mais il a perdu des sièges, 325 contre 344 en 2007. Ce résultat ne conforte pas Erdogan afin de réaliser ses projets, notamment une nouvelle constitution et le système présidentiel, sans consensus avec l’opposition, malgré sa victoire écrasante.

Les candidats indépendants du Bloc « Travail, Démocratie et Liberté », soutenu par le principale parti kurde BDP, est le premier gagnant du scrutin, envoyant 36 candidats (6,63% contre 5,24 %) au parlement contre 22 en 2007. Parmi eux figurent Leyla Zana, prix de Sakharov et Hatip Dicle, actuellement en prison, mais aussi Ertugrul Kurkcu, un leader du mouvement étudiant de 1968.

Selon les résultats le Bloc a gagné dans 17 villes : Diyarbakir (6 sur 6), Hakkari (3 sur 3), Sirnak (3 sur 3), Mardin (3 sur 3), Van (4 sur 4), İstanbul (3 sur 3), Batman (2 sur 2), Mus (2 sur 2), Urfa (1), Mersin (1), Siirt (1), Bitlis (1), Agri (1), Igdir (1), Bingol (1), Adana (1), Kars (1).

Le BDP a du présenter des candidats indépendants pour contourner le seuil électoral de 10 % des voix sur le plan national, afin d’obtenir une représentation au Parlement. Ce seuil qui est l'un des plus élevés au monde est pour but d’empêcher les kurdes d’entrer au parlement.

Elu(e)s du BDP:

1 - İstanbul 1. Bölge B: SEBAHAT TUNCEL (BDP) % 3.27 93,313
2 - İstanbul 2. Bölge B: SIRRI SÜREYYA ÖNDER (BDP) % 4.85 120,585
3 - İstanbul 3. Bölge B: ABDULLAH LEVENT TÜZEL (BDP) % 5.37 137,725
4 - Adana B: MURAT BOZLAK (BDP) % 7.71 90,268
5 - Ağrı B: HALİL AKSOY (BDP) % 41.02 82,996
6 - Bingöl B: İDRİS BALUKEN (BDP) % 23.99 30,237
7 - Bitlis B: HÜSAMETTİN ZENDERLİOĞLU (BDP) % 26.04 37,955
8 - Diyarbakır B: LEYLA ZANA (BDP) % 10.06 74,851
9 - Diyarbakır B: HATİP DİCLE (BDP) % 11.55 85,945
10 - Diyarbakır B: NURSEL AYDOĞAN (BDP) % 10.24 76,182
11 - Diyarbakır B: EMİNE AYNA (BDP) % 9.61 71,483
12 - Diyarbakır B: ALTAN TAN (BDP) % 9.61 71,522
13 - Diyarbakır B: ŞERAFETTİN ELÇİ (BDP) % 7.67 57,073
14 - Hakkari B: ESAT CANAN (BDP) % 26.14 30,977
15 - Hakkari B: SELAHATTİN DEMİRTAŞ (BDP) % 26.94 31,927
16 - Hakkari B: ADİL KURT (BDP) % 26.80 31,756
17 - Mersin B: ERTUĞRUL KÜRKÇÜ (BDP) % 9.69 96,017
18 - Kars B: MÜLKİYE BİRTANE (BDP) % 19.29 27,620
19 - Mardin B: GÜLSEREN YILDIRIM (BDP) % 17.34 56,129
20 - Mardin B: EROL DORA (BDP) % 16.24 52,582 (Assyrien)
21 - Mardin B: AHMET TÜRK (BDP) % 18.54 60,023
22 - Muş B: SIRRI SAKIK (BDP) % 21.37 36,567
23 - Muş B: DEMİR ÇELİK (BDP) % 22.98 39,318
24 - Siirt B: GÜLTAN KIŞANAK (BDP) % 42.79 51,577
25 - Şanlıurfa B: İBRAHİM BİNİCİ (BDP) % 6.07 42,463
26 - Şanlıurfa B: İBRAHİM AYHAN (BDP) % 11.06 77,416
27 - Van B: AYSEL TUĞLUK (BDP) % 11.59 49,339
28 - Van B: KEMAL AKTAŞ (BDP) % 15.37 65,447
29 - Van B: NAZMİ GÜR (BDP) % 9.68 41,212
30 - Van B: ÖZDAL ÜÇER (BDP) % 12.06 51,357
31 - Batman B: BENGİ YILDIZ (BDP) % 25.78 56,691
32 - Batman B: AYLA AKAT ATA (BDP) % 26.06 57,302
33 - Şırnak B: HASİP KAPLAN (BDP) % 23.02 39,417
34 - Şırnak B: FAYSAL SARIYILDIZ (BDP) % 23.11 39,563
35 - Şırnak B: SELMA IRMAK (BDP) % 26.73 45,763
36 - Iğdır B: PERVİN BULDAN (BDP) % 31.49 25,437

AKP ESSUIE UN SÉRIEUX REVERS DANS LES VILLES KURDES

Comme après les élections précédentes, le BDP formera un groupe au parlement, devenant une force incontournable pour la question kurde. La victoire kurde signifie également l’échec du gouvernement AKP dans sa politique d’ouverture, transformée en violation grave des droits de l’homme. Le premier ministre turc avait qualifié le BDP de « terroriste » et avait défendu la peine de mort en déclarant «Si c'était nous, nous aurions pendu Ocalan», commentant la peine d'emprisonnement à vie du leader kurde Abdullah Ocalan, lors de la campagne électorale.

L’AKP essuie un grand revers dans plusieurs villes kurdes, notamment à Diyarbakir, Mardin, Sirnak, Agri, Van, Bitlis, Kars et à Siirt. Cependant, le BDP a augmenté ses voix dans toutes les villes où il a présenté des candidats indépendants, sauf à Dersim (Tunceli).

FRAUDES

Des fraudes massives et violations des droits de vote ont été constatées à travers le pays, notamment dans la région kurde. Plusieurs délégations européennes ont également suivi le déroulement du scrutin au Kurdistan de Turquie. La présence des forces de l’ordre dans les bureaux de vote a été dénoncée par les délégations kurdes et européennes.

Les électeurs se sont vu obliger de voter ouvertement en présence des soldats dans plusieurs villages de Diyarbakir, Bitlis, Konya, Ardahan, Van, Urfa et de Bingol. De nombreux bulletins de vote portant un cachet pour le parti AKP a été trouvé dans des villes comme Istanbul et Izmir.

UNE CAMPAGNE INÉQUITABLE ET NON TRANSPARENTE

La campagne a été très inéquitable pour les candidats indépendants kurdes, alors que l’AKP a mené une campagne dont le cout est inestimable et non transparent avec des affiches partout, des spots sur tous les écrans des télévisions, une armée médiatique quotidienne, appuyé par les intimidations policières.

Le BDP a été le seul parti qui n’a pas bénéficié des fonds publics pour sa campagne électorale alors qu’il formait un groupe au sein de parlement turc.

Pendant la campagne électorale des candidats indépendants, la police a semé la terreur sur les kurdes, les medias pro-gouvernementaux n’ont pas cessés de publier des fausses informations sur le BDP pour le but de criminaliser, le premier ministre turc a menacé sans arrêts et a tenté d’intimider toute opposition.

Plus de 5 000 personnes, dont environ 2 550 dans les 53 derniers jours, ont été arrêtées par la police, empêchant la campagne des candidats kurdes.

En outre, le Haut conseil électoral (YSK) avait annulé le 18 avril la candidature de sept candidats indépendants, dont Leyla Zana, présentés par le BDP pour les législatives, mais cette décision qui avait suscité la colère des kurdes avait finalement été annulée pour six d'entre eux. (www.lepost.fr, Maxime Azadi, 12 juin 2011)

AFP: Grand vainqueur des élections, Erdogan devra négocier avec l'opposition

Grand vainqueur des élections législatives dimanche, le Premier ministre turc Recep Tayyip Erdogan devra pourtant négocier avec l'opposition et tenir compte du vote kurde, s'il veut mener à bien son projet de changer la constitution.

Le Parti de la justice et du développement (AKP), qui est issu de la mouvance islamiste, a rassemblé 49,9 % des suffrages, selon les résultats encore non officialisés, son meilleur score, et sa troisième victoire consécutive à des législatives.

Mais l'AKP, qui est au pouvoir depuis 2002, n'a pas atteint le chiffre fatidique des 330 sièges au Parlement qui lui aurait permis de lancer son projet de réforme de la Constitution sans le soutien des autres partis. Il contrôle 326 sièges.

"Le peuple... nous a adressé le message que la nouvelle Constitution doit se faire par le compromis, la consultation et la négociation", a déclaré M. Erdogan, dans un discours célébrant sa victoire.

"Nous ne fermerons pas nos portes, nous irons vers l'opposition", a-t-il dit.

Durant la campagne, M. Erdogan s'est engagé à changer le texte fondamental hérité du coup d'Etat militaire de 1980. Mais il n'a pas donné de détails.

Le principal parti d'opposition, situé au centre-gauche, le Parti républicain du peuple (CHP), est venu en seconde position, avec 25,9 % des voix et 135 sièges, suivi du Parti de l'action nationaliste (MHP, nationaliste) avec 13 % et 53 sièges.

Outre, l'AKP, le parti pro kurde BDP (Parti de la paix et de la démocratie) est lui aussi sorti vainqueur du scrutin, passant de 20 à 36 sièges.

Un soutien du BDP pourrait être crucial pour aller de l'avant vers une nouvelle Constitution mais ce parti pourrait poser ses conditions. Les représentants des Kurdes, qui sont entre 12 et 15 millions sur une population de 73 millions, estiment que leur peuple devrait constituer un élément distinct au sein de la nation turque, avec un statut d'autonomie.

La question kurde n'est jamais loin dans la politique turque: le dirigeant emprisonné des rebelles kurdes, Abdullah Öcalan, a menacé récemment Ankara d'une guerre totale si des négociations sérieuses ne s'engagent pas entre le pouvoir et les rebelles, après les élections.

La presse d'opposition doute cependant de la volonté réelle de M. Erdogan de négocier et de tendre la main à ses opposants.

"Si le Premier ministre veut gouverner en paix, il devrait se rendre compte et ne jamais oublier qu'il y a aussi 50 %" de l'électorat contre lui, écrit lundi l'éditorialiste Mehmet Yilmaz dans l'édition de lundi du journal Hürriyet.

"Est-ce que le Premier ministre est capable d'accepter l'existence de gens qui ne pensent pas comme lui ?", s'interroge-t-il, dans une allusion aux sautes d'humeur de M. Erdogan.

Ce dernier a multiplié les attaques, parfois personnelles, contre ses opposants, durant la campagne électorale.

Et son projet de changement de Constitution, avec un système présidentiel qui serait taillé à sa mesure, font craindre certains pour l'avenir de la démocratie turque.

Des dizaines de journalistes sont en prison, et l'opposition dénonce des restrictions à l'usage de l'internet ou sur les ventes
d'alcool.

M. Erdogan a tenté de rassurer tout le monde, dimanche soir: "Personne ne doit douter du fait qu'il sera pour moi une question d'honneur que de protéger le style de vie, les croyances et les valeurs aussi bien de ceux qui ont voté pour moi que de ceux qui ont voté contre", a-t-il promis. (AFP, Sibel UTKU, 13 juin 2011)

Violations of election rules mark the election day in Turkey

Violations of rules, mostly against voters and observers of the Labor, Democracy and Freedom Block in the southeastern of Turkey marked the election day in Turkey.The polling stations opened at 7, as well as various violations in the region. It was alleged that, despite presiding officer village guards in four different ballot boxes in İdil’s villages Aksoy (Memolan) and Alakamış (Eleqemş) in Şırnak vote together. The Election Observer Commission launched an investigation. Police detained 63 people in Diyarbakır and its districts Sur, Bağlar, Silvan and Kulp; Şırnak and its district Cizre; Urfa's district Viranşehir; Batman; Mardin; Urfa and Bingöl until noon. Most of them were arrested because of warrant of arrests except six who allegedly violated the rules of election.

In addition, eight observers of the Bloc’s candidate in Urfa-Viranşehir district; two Kurdish youngsters in Cizre-Şırnak, three voting stewards in Erciş-Van; more than a dozen Bloc observers in Aydın and İzmir; were detained.

Urfa Governor charged two police officers to watch the polls despite the rule otherwise. The Governor admitted his crime and accepted the objection of the Bloc’s Urfa candidate İbrahim Binici who will make denouncement against the Governor and police officers.

In Diyarbakır, it was alleged that police officers used multiple vote and keep the independent candidate’s observers away from ballot boxes.

Residences of two villages, Hürriyet and Arifbey, in Eleşkirt, a district o Ağrı, boycotted the election due to their demand to construct a bridge was not meet by any of elected administrations. They will not vote until a bridge will be constructed.

However, European observers in Bitlis were prevented from doing their work by police. The committee stated that there is no democratic election process in Bitlis while the Committee from Germany also criticized the strict measures which mostly practiced in places where predominantly Kurdish people are living.

Other German Committee in Cizre-Şırnak stated that they encountered significant amount of police and soldiers in the cities they visited which is not acceptable for fair election.

In many cities the rule for police that have to stay 15 meters away from ballot boxes was violated.

One of the Bloc’s observers was hospitalized in Bingöl following being attacked by members of ruling AKP and Yelesen Village local governor.

In many cities in the region, police and soldiers took heavy security measures to intimidate Kurdish people. Those officers were carrying gun even at the schools in Van, Batman, etc.

Violations of election rules mark the election day in Turkey - (2)

According to International Delegation’s report distributed to the press here are the violations as follow; Canadian delegation reported that police officers voted as armed while creating intense atmosphere in Muş. Italian delegation marked that officers did not allow elders to be assisted by their relatives despite the regulation and presiding officers stirred trouble up in Ovacık. According to Norwegian Committee; voting process was blocked in Ekindüzü village where only one man wanted to vote for everyone.

The committee of Denmark notified that armed soldiers stayed by ballot boxes and forced the committee members left the building in Düğümcüler Village in Pervari, a district of Siirt.

Local Governor in Van prevented the German Committee from fulfilling its duty, some of observers were beaten and taken into custody in Bahçesaray district where police officers constantly violated the 15 meters limit.

Once again German Delegation in Bitlis stated that police and soldiers forced them to go out and obstructed to do their tasks as observers in its towns Adilcevaz, Güzelsu, Yoğurtyemez and Porhuz. According to another German Committee in Hakkari, AKP tried to use fake voting papers but observers and the committee prevented them.

French Delegation also criticized polices measures for intimidating civilians in Erzurum. There are no observers were allowed to do their duty except two schools.

Officers did not allowed five citizens came from Iraq to vote and 20 more names were added to the list in a ballot list in Şırnak, reported German Delegation.

A commander in Şaban Village in Bingöl watched ballot boxes while a local governor in a village wanted to vote for everyone but he was prevented by English Delegation.

Gendarmerie suppressed citizens in Bejik Village in Siverek Province in Urfa while a person tried to vote for whole residents of Uzunziyaret Village, according to the Austrian Committee’s report.

Swedish Delegates informed that presiding officers in Mardin centre asked people “to vote for the AKP if they are considering themselves Muslim.”

Same kinds of manipulations were observed in Antep, said German Delegation. Police also interfered to the delegation and tried to questionnaire them.

In addition to the observers reports the suppressions on citizens in Mardin, Cizre and Malatya and their districts getting worse, according to locals’ report.

The suppressions were not only in the region. In Marmara Region, 55 people, including many observers, were arrested. More than a dozen detained observers were from Istanbul’s districts,

Violations of election rules mark the election day in Turkey - (3)

More violations during the election process across Turkey: Village guards attacked the observers of the Bloc’s candidate in Bingöl, police in Diyarbakır violate the rule, which security forces need to stay 15 meters away from ballot boxes, in Diyarbakır,

AKP candidate Mehmet Şimşek’s guards beat observers in Batman, three of them were injured and police took ten citizens into custody following the skirmishes while European Delegation could not fulfill their duty because of police’ blockage.

In Şekerli Village, voting was stopped for four hours following the voters’ objection against AKP officers who wanted to keep the party’s flag in the room.

In Mersin, police blockaded predominantly Kurdish neighborhoods that created intense atmosphere. Many attacks against the Bloc’s observers were reported in Bingöl, where also a commander in Şaban Village forced the residents to vote openly.

AKP supporters tried to intimidate voters to vote for AKP and harassed the Bloc’s observer in Aydın.

In addition, citizens reported that the Bloc’s candidates’ name in Siirt was cut off from the joint ballot. Following long disputes between officers and residents, new ballots, which the Bloc’s candidate’s name on them, were brought.

Many attacks against the Bloc’s observers were reported in Van and its districts, Muş and its districts, İzmir, Ağrı, Mersin, Bitlis and İstanbul’s districts . (DIHA, 12 juin 2011)

Le Nouvel Observateur: Erdogan, affamé de pouvoir

Le Premier ministre turc a conservé des réflexes de représentant de commerce. Dans les années 80, Recep Tayyip Erdogan était responsable à Istanbul de la distribution du biscuitier Ülker. En campagne électorale pour les législatives du 12 juin, il fait la promotion de ses ambitions pour la Turquie comme il vantait les qualités de sa marchandise : avec des arguments à l’emporte-pièce. "Chers jeunes, nous vous avons déjà donné des ordinateurs, à tous nous offrirons une tablette", rugit-il en brandissant un IPad devant 45 000 supporters, serrés ce dimanche dans le stade de football de Gebze, lointaine banlieue d’Istanbul sur la rive asiatique. Lunettes noires, veste verte passe-partout : Erdogan a soigné son look mi-macho, mi-populaire, qui séduit tant son électorat populaire. Comment ne succomberait-il pas ? "Le grand maître qui a une vaste vision", ainsi que le présente le chauffeur de salle, leur promet un avenir radieux, galvanise la jeunesse, "les enfants d’une nation à l’histoire glorieuse". "Ne vous soumettez pas. Vous êtes à l’âge où Fatih (le sultan Mehmet II, ndlr) a conquis Istanbul." Ces temps-ci, les envolées lyriques à la gloire de l’Empire ottoman sont plus efficaces que les références à la civilisation européenne.

La perspective d'une adhésion à l'UE... dans un coma profond

Recep Tayyip Erdogan conduit d’une main de fer ses troupes de l’AKP, le Parti de la justice et du développement, vers une nette victoire aux élections législatives, la troisième d’affilée. En 2002, cet ancien islamiste reconvertit en "musulman démocrate", comme il se définit, avait fait campagne sur l’adhésion de la Turquie à l’Union européenne. Neuf ans plus tard, les négociations sont dans un coma profond. A Ankara et à Bruxelles plus personne ne se risque à un pronostic, même réservé. Erdogan n’en a cure : il estime très pragmatiquement ne plus avoir besoin du rêve européen pour rester au pouvoir et déclare que "nous (musulmans) pouvons être autosuffisants". Mais que va-t-il faire d’un nouveau mandat ? Ses coups de gueule populistes et ses références religieuses répétées font craindre une dérive autoritaire et conservatrice décomplexée.

Une place de 17e économie mondiale, un dynamisme à la chinoise (8,9% de croissance en 2010)… Sous le règne d’Erdogan, le pays est rentré de plain-pied dans la mondialisation. C’est son meilleur argument électoral. "Il a mis à jour la Turquie, s’enthousiasme Akif Beki, son ancien porte-parole qui dirige désormais Télé 24, une chaîne pro-gouvernementale. Après Atatürk, c’est l’homme politique qui l’a le plus transformée." En moins d’une décennie, il a fait reculer l’armée jusque dans ses casernes. Le pouvoir civil prenant le pas sur celui des militaires : c’est une révolution dans une République qui a connu quatre putschs en un demi-siècle et une rupture dans une histoire jalonnée de destitutions de sultans par les janissaires.

L'islam politique face aux généraux laïcs

L’évolution politique de l’ancien maire d’Istanbul, élu en 1994 sous les couleurs du parti islamiste de la Prospérité, s’est d’ailleurs faite dans la douleur face aux généraux. A l’époque, les gardiens de l’ordre laïc avaient à l’œil l’édile qui avait déclaré "la démocratie, c’est comme un autobus, on en descend à l’arrivée". En 1997, il déclame un poème nationaliste aux accents islamistes : "Les minarets seront nos baïonnettes, les coupelles nos casques, Les mosquées seront nos casernes et les croyants nos soldats". Sa tirade lui vaut quatre mois de prison. Il en tirera des conclusions réalistes pour conquérir le pouvoir : il abandonne l’islam politique pour fonder l’AKP. Le parti se revendique d’une démocratie conservatrice, sorte de version musulmane de la CDU allemande. Le programme séduit alors bien au-delà des classes conservatrices.

Dès 2002, les réformes libérales s’enchaînent, avant de s’essouffler. En 2008, Erdogan trébuche de nouveau. Son parti veut légiférer pour lever l’interdiction du foulard islamique à l’université. La justice, bastion kémaliste et allié de l’armée, saute sur l’occasion pour tenter de faire interdire l’AKP, accusé d’"atteinte à la laïcité". Le "coup judiciaire" échoue de justesse. Depuis, le chef du gouvernement procède plus subtilement. Sachant qu’il bénéficiait d’un large soutien y compris chez les libéraux, il a donné le feu vert aux étudiantes voilées en douceur, via une déclaration du Conseil de l’enseignement supérieur et le fait accompli.

S’il n’affronte plus directement l’armée, Erdogan ne s’est en revanche pas défait de ses accès de colère. Le plus célèbre reste son "One minute" à l’adresse de Shimon Pérès, à Davos, en 2009. L’opération "Plomb durci" à Gaza avait rendu furieux le premier ministre turc. "Vous savez très bien tuer les gens", lance-t-il au président israélien qui en reste sans voix. L’esclandre marque le début d’une profonde crise avec Israël. Peu lui importe. Il a gagné ses galons de héros de la cause palestinienne dans la rue arabe et turque. En renard politique, il avait sans doute calculé son coup médiatique à l’avance. A 57 ans, le gars de Kasimpacha, faubourg bigarré sur les rives de la Corne d’or à Istanbul, a gardé le gout de la querelle.

"Solitaire et autoritaire"

"Je reconnais bien son tempérament bagarreur", raconte Avni, pharmacien qui a grandi dans le même quartier. Cet ancien voisin se souvient d’un concert d’Ibrahim Tatlises, le Julio Iglesias turc. Refoulé, le jeune Tayyip avait tenté de défoncer la porte de la salle des fêtes. Au pouvoir, Erdogan montre une faible tolérance à la critique, une complaisance pour les dérives policières, poursuit en justice les auteurs d’articles jugés "injurieux", se montre cinglant avec ses opposants… Dès 2004, les diplomates américains en poste à Ankara soulignaient une tendance "solitaire et autoritaire", comme l’a révélé Wikileaks. Au fil des ans, le chef du gouvernement s’est retrouvé seul maître à bord de l’AKP, fondé avec trois acolytes en 2001. Abdullah Gül occupe la fonction prestigieuse mais honorifique de président de la République. Abdullatif Sener a été remercié après avoir dénoncé des soupçons de corruption. De la bande des quatre, seul reste le vice-premier ministre Bülent Arinç mais il ne pèse pas bien lourd.

Un député de l’AKP reconnaît anonymement que "malgré des facultés d’écoute", il est parfois trop sanguin, "agressif". "On ne peut pas le critiquer dans le parti", déclare Naïf Alibeyoglu, ancien maire de Kars sous la bannière AKP aujourd’hui candidat à la députation pour le CHP, parti social-nationaliste fondé par Atatürk. Engagé dans la réconciliation entre la Turquie et l’Arménie, toute proche de Kars, l’homme garde un goût amer de son passage à l’AKP. Il a cru à la volonté du gouvernement de normaliser les relations entre les deux pays. Mais le processus s’est enlisé et la frontière reste toujours fermée. Et le sort au printemps d’une statue géante évoquant l’amitié turco-arménienne à Kars est emblématique. En janvier, le Premier ministre a décrété que le monument était "une abomination" espérant ne pas le revoir lors de sa prochaine visite. Crime suprême, elle était érigée à proximité du mausolée d’un érudit musulman du Xe siècle. Donc acte, les pelleteuses sont entrées en action. "Dans une démocratie, un premier ministre ne peut pas prendre une telle décision", soupire Naïf Alibeyoglu qui avait commandé la statue.

"Pas de cigarette, pas de copine, pas d’alcool"

Son électorat ne s’en soucie guère, conquis par son empathie pour les petites gens et son charisme hors du commun. Il l’a toujours eu. Lycéen dans un imam hatip, un établissement religieux, il rafle les prix d’éloquence. Dans les années 70, "il a politisé tout le quartier", se souvient Avni, ancien "gauchiste" et adversaire d’Erdogan qui dirigeait alors un groupe de jeunesse islamiste. "Dans le jardin de la mosquée, sur les tables des cafés, il prêchait partout." Déjà son style était campé : "pas de cigarette, pas de copine, pas d’alcool." Mais une passion pour le football, qu’il pratiquait en cachette d’un père tyrannique, capitaine du port d’Istanbul. Aujourd’hui, les matchs de foot sont les seules distractions connues d’Erdogan, bourreau de travail.

"On l’appelait Imam Beckenbauer", sourit Ismet Ataç, quincailler prospère de Kasimpacha et qui était aux côtés d’Erdogan à ses débuts dans le Parti du salut national. De l’autre côté de la rue, le coiffeur Yachar fait la barbe d’un client dans un fauteuil en skaï rouge. Son père déjà coiffait celui d’Erdogan. Quand le premier ministre se trouve à Istanbul, il lui envoie son chauffeur pour qu’il vienne lui couper les cheveux. "Il est des nôtres, il n’a pas oublié d’où il vient, s’enthousiasme Yachar. Dans la boutique, tout le monde est originaire de Rize, sur les rives de la mer Noire, comme Erdogan. Le réflexe clanique joue. Mais quand on leur demande pourquoi il est, selon eux, "le meilleur pour la Turquie", ce sont ses résultats concrets qui emportent les suffrages : constructions de routes, de logements, d’hôpitaux, d’universités, création d’une Couverture maladie universelle… "Dans les années 90, la corruption se doublait d’une incompétence, décrypte Ahmet Insel, professeur d’économie. Avec l’AKP, le clientélisme est toujours là mais un vrai service est rendu à la population. »

L’épouvantail de "l’agenda islamique caché" et du "risque de la charia" agité par l’opposition laïque lors des élections en 2007 a disparu des thèmes de campagne. "Mais il y a une différence entre un ancien communiste et un ex- islamiste, souligne Rusen Cakir, spécialiste de l’islam politique turc. Le premier renie tout. Le second reste pieux même s’il a assimilé les valeurs universelles." Ainsi, Erdogan loue l’islam et la famille dès qu’une occasion se présente. Au début de l'année, le parlement a restreint la consommation d’alcool dans les espaces publics. Accusé de vouloir modifier les modes de vie en se retranchant derrière des préoccupations de santé publique, Erdogan a nié être motivé par "des obligations religieuses". "Cependant, ce n’est pas un crime de faire des bonnes actions demandées par la religion", a-t-il glissé. Les laïques sont ulcérés.

Bon an, mal an, le pays semble avoir cependant trouvé un rythme de croisière entre islam et laïcité. Ce qui inquiète surtout les libéraux est l’insatiable appétit pour le pouvoir d’Erdogan. A 57 ans, il rêve désormais du palais de Cankaya, l’Elysée turque. Mais avec un régime taillé à sa mesure : présidentiel. "Sans contre-pouvoir, il y a un risque potentiel de Poutinisation à l’horizon", souligne Ahmet Insel. (Le Nouvel Observateur, Laure Marchand, 11 juin 2011)

Un mode de scrutin qui favorise les grands partis

Le mode de scrutin qui sera appliqué dimanche en Turquie pour les élections législatives est basé sur la proportionnelle et favorise les grands partis.

Le Parti de la justice et du développement (AKP, issu de la mouvance islamiste) au pouvoir, qui part grand favori pour un troisième mandat consécutif depuis 2002, selon les sondages, profite de ce système.

L'une des raisons tient à la taille très variable des circonscriptions, ce qui favorise les zones rurales.

Ainsi le député d'une région rurale de l'est ou du sud-est représente en moyenne 30.000 électeurs, contre 80.000 pour un député de l'ouest urbanisé.

Istanbul, avec 13 millions d'habitants recensés, envoie 85 députés (sur 550) au Parlement. Et la petite province de Tunceli (est, 77.000 habitants) en envoie deux. 108.000 voix sont nécessaires à Istanbul pour remporter un siège contre 28.000 à Tunceli, soit quatre fois moins.

Les sièges sont attribués aux listes présentées par les partis, proportionnellement au nombre de voix obtenu, selon ce système, appelé "système d'Hondt", du nom d'un juriste belge.

On divise le nombre total de voix par le nombre de sièges à pourvoir dans chaque circonscription. Le score réalisé par chaque parti est alors divisé par ce quotient pour déterminer le nombre de sièges attribués à chaque parti.

Ce système de calcul favorise les grands partis. Mais ceux-ci profitent plus encore du fait qu'un parti n'obtient aucun siège s'il ne recueille pas au minimum 10% des suffrages exprimés à l'échelle nationale.

Cette disposition controversée n'a pas été abandonnée, malgré des promesses en ce sens faites par l'AKP, qui est le premier à en profiter.

De tels seuils existent dans plusieurs pays d'Europe, mais ils ne dépassent pas les 5%.

En 2002, l'AKP a obtenu 34,2% des voix aux législatives, enlevant 363 sièges, soit 66% du Parlement. En 2007, l'AKP a remporté 46,5% des voix et obtenu 341 sièges (62% du Parlement).

En 2002 et 2007 respectivement, 45% et 13% des suffrages exprimés ont été écartées du Parlement en raison du seuil des 10%.

Les partis pro-kurdes, qui recueillent l'essentiel de leurs votes dans le sud-est et les métropoles de l'ouest à fortes communautés kurdes, se retrouvent ainsi exclus du Parlement.

Pour contourner ce barrage, la principale force politique kurde, le Parti de la paix et de la démocratie (BDP), présente des candidats indépendants, qui une fois élus, se retrouveront sous le drapeau de leur formation au Parlement. (AFP, 9 juin 2011)

Erdogan brigue un troisième mandat, durcit le ton contre l'opposition

Le parti islamo-conservateur du Premier ministre Recep Tayyip Erdogan compte bien sur une troisième victoire d'affilée, même si l'opposition grimpe dans les sondages, lors des élections législatives dimanche en Turquie.

Selon toutes les études d'opinion, la victoire du Parti de la justice et du développement (AKP), au pouvoir depuis 2002, ne fait pas de doute.

Dans ce contexte, le principal suspense du scrutin, qui vise à renouveler les 550 membres du Parlement monocaméral, est de savoir si l'AKP obtiendra assez de sièges pour faire adopter une Constitution plus libérale, en remplacement de celle rédigée après le putsch militaire de 1980.

M. Erdogan souhaite en effet poursuivre le travail commencé sur la Constitution, révisée plusieurs fois, dont la dernière en 2010.

Il affirme vouloir approfondir la démocratisation de la Turquie, candidate à l'Union européenne, où il voudrait voir instaurer un régime présidentiel. Mais une partie de l'opinion craint de voir le pays sombrer dans un autoritarisme "à la Poutine" avec ces changements.

Un des trois scénarios suivants est attendu dimanche: si l'AKP dépasse la barre des 367 députés, soit une majorité des deux-tiers, il pourra changer la constitution sans avoir recours à un référendum. Avec au moins 330 sièges, sans atteindre 367, le parti au pouvoir devra organiser un référendum. Enfin, à moins de 330, il lui faudrait l'aide d'autres partis, ou abandonner son projet.

Les sondages donnent l'AKP gagnant avec environ 45% voix, voire 50% (47% aux dernières législatives de 2007).

Mais le principal parti d'opposition pro-laïque (CHP, Parti républicain du peuple), dirigé par Kemal Kiliçdaroglu, semble capable d'une percée, avec 30% des intentions de vote (21% en 2007). Les observateurs expliquent cette montée du CHP par le charisme de son leader, connu pour sa lutte anti-corruption, qui a créé une nouvelle dynamique au sein du parti kémaliste.

La campagne électorale a été marquée notamment par des scandales sexuels, plusieurs dirigeants du Parti de l'action nationaliste (MHP), ayant démissionné après la diffusion sur internet de vidéos montrant ces hommes mariés dans des situations compromettantes.

Cette formation sera très probablement en troisième position dans la liste des 15 partis en lice, et elle devrait passer le seuil des 10% de voix à l'échelle nationale, imposé aux partis pour obtenir des députés.

Une trentaine de candidats se présentant en indépendants mais soutenus par le principal parti kurde, le Parti pour la paix et la démocratie (BDP), devraient aussi entrer à l'Assemblée, contre 20 aujourd'hui.

Ces dernières semaines, M. Erdogan a accablé ses adversaires de vives critiques, visant parfois leur vie privée, s'en prenant au passage à des journalistes et hommes d'affaires connus comme opposants.

Pour Sedat Ergin, du journal Hürriyet, l'AKP est parvenu à s'approprier toutes les institutions, au fil des ans, et M. Erdogan semble pris d'une tentation hégémonique.

"Impitoyable à l'égard des critiques, il affirme un style de plus en plus autoritaire (...) et avec les arrestations de journalistes d'opposition, accusés de comploter contre l'Etat, un climat de censure s'est installé dans le pays", dit-il.

La popularité du Premier ministre repose largement sur les succès économiques du pays: en 2010, la Turquie a enregistré le troisième meilleur taux de croissance du G20 (8,9%).

Au delà du boom économique, le nouveau gouvernement devra s'atteler à la question du conflit kurde, qui a fait 45.000 morts depuis le début de la rébellion, en 1984.

A l'approche des élections, les accrochages se sont multipliés entre rebelles et forces de sécurité, dans le sud-est du pays. (AFP, Burak AKINCI, 9 juin 2011)

La crise israélienne, un plus pour Erdogan avant les élections

Grave crise avec l'ancien allié israélien, soutien au Hamas, rapprochement avec l'Iran: les choix de la Turquie inquiètent ses alliés de l'Otan mais servent, au moins en partie, la popularité du Premier ministre Recep Tayyip Erdogan qui brigue dimanche un troisième mandat.

C'était il y a juste un an: des dizaines de milliers de personnes manifestaient devant les mosquées d'Istanbul, aux cris de "A bas Israël !" et "Nous sommes les soldats du Hamas !", le mouvement islamiste palestinien qui contrôle la Bande de Gaza.

Des manifestations presque quotidiennes qui réagissaient à l'assaut par un commando israélien, en pleine mer le 31 mai 2010, du ferry turc Mavi Marmara affrêté vers Gaza par une ONG islamiste, qui avait tué neuf Turcs.

Commentant ces manifestations, l'universitaire Ahmet Insel avait alors jugé: "C'est bon pour Erdogan, politiquement, et il va engranger pour 2011".

"C'est le cas en effet", estime à la veille des élections législatives du 12 juin l'éditorialiste Hasan Cemal, du quotidien Milliyet.

S'ils n'avaient pas utilisé les mêmes termes que les manifestants, les dirigeants islamo-conservateurs turcs avaient très violemment réagi contre Israël, rappelé leur ambassadeur, le président Abdullah Gül affirmant que les relations entre les deux anciens alliés ne seraient "plus jamais les mêmes". Une crise à ce jour sans issue.

"Les attaques contre Israël sont une bonne chose pour l'image d'Erdogan dans l'opinion. Car il y a toujours des sentiments anti-israéliens dans la politique turque. Et pas seulement dans les cercles islamistes, on trouve aussi ce sentiment dans les milieux kémalistes et nationalistes", explique Hasan Cemal.

Précisément là où M. Erdogan tente de rafler des voix, avec l'espoir de remporter une victoire électorale sans partage.

Curieusement, note le commentateur politique Sami Kohen, du même journal,

Israël ou le soutien régulièrement réitéré du régime turc au Hamas ont été presque totalement absents de la campagne électorale.

"Le mot Mavi Marmara n'a pas été prononcé pendant la campagne, mais cette crise a certainement renforcé l'image d'Erdogan", devenu dans et hors des frontières turques un champion de la cause palestinienne, ajoute Sami Kohen.

Pays membre de l'Otan, candidat à l'Union européenne, république laïque mais dirigée par un gouvernement issu de la mouvance islamiste, la Turquie a inquiété ses partenaires traditionnels du fait de cette crise avec Israël et des attaques contre ses dirigeants, lancées dès 2009 pendant l'offensive israélienne sur Gaza.

Et le sentiment que la Turquie d'Erdogan tourne le dos au monde occidental n'a fait que croître du fait de son rapprochement, ces dernières années, avec ses voisins arabes et l'Iran.

Ankara a en particulier voté contre les dernières sanctions de l'Onu contre Téhéran, qui est accusé de vouloir se doter de l'arme nucléaire.

La Turquie "n'a pas simplement méprisé les intérêts occidentaux mais elle est allée à leur encontre, signe d'une dégradation de la place de l'Occident dans ce voisinage", accuse l'analyste Kemal Koprulu, éditeur de la revue Turkish Policy Quarterly.

Au delà de l'affaire israélienne, cette diplomatie tournée vers l'est, notamment l'Iran, a-t-elle bénéficié à l'image d'Erdogan ?

Oui, explique Sami Kohen. La Turquie montre son indépendance vis-à-vis des Occidentaux, des Etats-Unis, développe son influence régionale, et M. Erdogan y trouve une stature "gaullienne" dont il peut tirer un bénéfice électoral. (AFP, 9 juin 2011)

Le CHP met l'accent sur les réformes et le social

Dirigé par une nouvelle figure plutôt populaire, le principal parti d'opposition de Turquie espère sortir renforcé des élections législatives, dimanche, avec un ambitieux programme de réformes sociales, face au favori, le parti islamo-conservateur au pouvoir.

Le Parti républicain du peuple (CHP), le parti fondé par Atatürk qui prône la laïcité et se situe au centre-gauche, devrait arriver en seconde position, selon les sondages.

Mais il pourrait empêcher le Parti de la justice et du développement (AKP) au pouvoir de remporter la "super majorité" qu'il convoite pour son troisième mandat.

Souvent critiqué pour un laïcisme militant et ses sympathies pour les militaires, le CHP prône aujourd'hui des réformes démocratiques et la justice sociale, tentant d'attirer à la fois les conservateurs pauvres et les milieux libéraux urbains qui craignent que l'AKP, au pouvoir depuis neuf ans, ne se fasse de plus en plus intolérante.

Selon les sondages, le CHP pourrait remporter 30% des suffrages dimanche, contre 20,8 % en 2007, les nationalistes de droite et des candidats kurdes entrant également au parlement.

Ce qui priverait l'AKP de la majorité des deux-tiers nécessaire pour changer, comme il le souhaite, la constitution sans avoir recours à un référendum.

L'opposition soupçonne l'AKP de vouloir mettre en place un régime présidentiel, qui serait taillé aux mensurations de l'actuel Premier ministre Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

Ce dernier supporte de moins en moins la critique, affirment ses détracteurs: il s'en prend régulièrement aux médias, et défend les violences policières.

Des dizaines de journalistes sont en prison, et l'opposition dénonce des restrictions croissantes sur l'usage de l'internet ou la consommation d'alcool. Des dizaines de généraux et amiraux sont en prison, accusés de divers complots.

Le leader du CHP, Kemal Kilicdaroglu, affirme que l'AKP fait de la Turquie "l'empire de la peur", et qu'Erdogan "se prend pour le sultan".

Le CHP promet de répondre aux demandes de la communauté kurde, notamment concernant l'enseignement de sa langue à l'école.

Et sa principale proposition de mesure sociale est l'instauration d'une "assurance familiale", qui se traduirait par une allocation mensuelle d'au moins 600 livres turques (300 euros) pour les plus démunis. (AFP, Sibel UTKU, 8 juin 2011)

Les derniers sondages sur les résultats éventuels des élections du 12 juin

Le Premier ministre islamo-conservateur turc, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, est prêt à entamer une troisième mandat après les législatives du 12 juin mais des doutes persistent sur sa capacité à obtenir une majorité suffisante pour lancer une révision attendue de la Constitution.

Les sondages prévoient que le Parti de la justice et du développement (AKP) de M. Erdogan arrivera en tête avec environ 45% des voix. Ce résultat devrait lui suffire pour constituer pour la troisième fois consécutive depuis 2002 un gouvernement sans avoir à former de coalition.

"En raison de la polarisation politique du pays, on sait déjà clairement qui va voter pour qui. Les campagnes électorales sont sans effet", a déclaré à l'AFP Bekir Agirdir, directeur de l'institut de recherches Konda.

Certains instituts de sondage affirment que l'AKP pourrait même dépasser 50% des voix, porté par une économie en plein essor et une amélioration des services publics.

Le principal parti d'opposition, le Parti républicain du peuple (CHP, social-démocrate), pourrait selon les sondages augmenter de moitié son score des législatives de 2007, pour atteindre 30%, son meilleur résultat face à un AKP de plus en plus accusé d'autoritarisme.

On s'attend que le Parti d'action nationaliste (MHP, nationaliste), secoué par une série de vidéos à caractère sexuel ciblant ses dirigeants, dépassera néanmoins le seuil électoral de 10% de voix au niveau national, requis pour entrer au Parlement.

Une trentaine de candidats indépendants soutenus par le principal parti kurde, le Parti pour la paix et la démocratie (BDP), devraient aussi entrer à l'Assemblée, contre 20 dans l'Assemblée sortante.

La répartition des 550 sièges sera cruciale : l'AKP cherche à en obtenir au moins 330 pour pouvoir réviser sans le soutien d'autres partis la Constitution, héritée du coup d'Etat de 1980, et la soumettre à référendum.

Une "super-majorité" de 367 sièges lui permettrait d'adopter la nouvelle loi fondamentale, qu'il veut plus libérale, sans passer par le référendum.

"A l'heure actuelle, il semble difficile pour l'AKP d'otbenir 330 (sièges)", a déclaré à l'AFP Adil Gür, de l'institut de recherches A§G. "Mais s'il dépasse 50% des voix, alors ça pourrait être possible."

Les promesses de M. Erdogan en faveur d'une libéralisation de la société turque soulèvent toutefois des doutes, le Premier ministre, autrefois fer de lance des réformes démocratiques demandées par l'Union européenne dans le cadre d'un processus d'adhésion entamé en 2005, ayant manifesté manifesté une intolérance grandissante à la critique et multiplié les attaques contre les médias.

Des dizaines de journalistes et d'intellectuels sont en prison depuis quelques années dans le cadre d'enquêtes retentissantes sur de supposés complots, saluées d'abord comme une action attendue depuis longtemps pour réduire l'influence de l'armée turque, qui a fait quatre putschs en 50 ans.

Outre la réforme de la Constitution, le nouveau gouvernement devra s'atteler après le scrutin à la question du conflit kurde, qui a coûté quelque 45.000 vies depuis le début de la rébellion du Parti des travailleurs du Kurdistan (PKK), en 1984.

Les tensions ont augmenté à l'approche des élections avec un regain des opérations militaires contre le PKK et d'attaques meurtrières des rebelles contre la police.

Le chef emprisonné du PKK, Abdullah Ocalan, qui conserve son influence même s'il est derrière les barreaux depuis 1999, a lancé un avertissement sur les risques d'aggravation de la situation après les élection, à moins que les contacts sporadiques entre des fonctionnaires et lui-même en prison deviennent de véritables négociations pour trouver un accord. (AFP, 5 juin 2011)

Bahçeli uses same old discourse in Diyarbakır rally

Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) leader Devlet Bahçeli addressed voters in the predominantly Kurdish province of Diyarbakır on Monday, where he preferred to continue to use language that exhibited ignorance of the problems faced by the country's Kurds.

It was the first time that the MHP had held a rally in Diyarbakır for 16 years. Turkey is going to hold general elections this Sunday. Turkey's major political parties, the ruling Justice and Development Party (AK Party) and the Republican People's Party (CHP) held rallies in the province last week where they sought to woo Kurds. Bahçeli addressed the residents of Diyarbakır at a rally held in İstasyon Square, where tight security measures were in place. Strikingly, the MHP leader did not use the word Kurd or Kurdish in his speech at all.

He was welcomed with a banner which read, “You honored Amed.” Amed is the name of Diyarbakır in Kurdish. The rally was attended by approximately 1,500 people, some of whom travelled to Diyarbakır from neighboring provinces. “No citizen of this country is second-class. We have believed in this. No member of the Turkish nation is the ‘other' of this country. We have never made any concessions on this. We did not want anyone to feel like a foreigner in his/her country. We strongly opposed to those who think the opposite. My dear brother from Diyarbakır, you are us and we are you,” Bahçeli said.

The MHP does not confirm to the existence of a Kurdish problem in the country. The party also opposes any moves aiming to expand the cultural and political rights of Kurds, who have long been deprived of their fundamental rights due to state policies that denied the existence of a Kurdish ethnicity. MHP believes social and economic reasons are behind the problems faced by Kurds.

The MHP leader said it was not only the people of Diyarbakır who have problems in Turkey as there are many other citizens in the country experiencing the same problems. “Certainly, I don't claim that you do not have any problems. I do not want to say, ‘You do not have any problems,' but you are not the only ones who are dealing with problems. In every corner of this country, there are people who have as many problems as you, but everyone with a problem does not seek a solution in the streets,” he said. The outlawed Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) has been waging a bloody war in the country's southeast for autonomy since 1984 that has resulted in the death of more than 30,000.

In his speech, Bahçeli also said it was out of the question for Turkey to allow anyone to separate from Turkey and establish an independent country on Turkish soil. “Those who dream of leaving the Turkish nation and long for an independent state should be careful. We have neither a pebble nor any people to give up,” said Bahçeli.

The MHP leader also dwelled on Kurds' demand for education in one's mother tongue, a demand that he said will bring no benefit to Kurds if it is fulfilled. “When you take education in one's mother tongue under constitutional guaranty, will this eliminate your hunger? Will you be able to buy new clothes? Those who voice such a demand are making a big mistake,” he said. (TODAY'S ZAMAN, 6 June 2011)

Istanbul and Izmir under Clouds of Tear Gas

The series of protest against the extensive use of tear gas and water cannons during demonstrations critical of the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) in Hopa (eastern Black Sea coast) is continuing. After demonstrations in Ankara on Tuesday evening (31May), people also took the streets in Istanbul and Izmir on Wednesday and Thursday.

In Izmir, members of the Turkish Communist Party (TKP), the Community Centres organization, the Freedom and Solidarity Party (ÖDP), the Socialist Democracy Party (SDP) and the Confederation of Trade Unions of Public Employees (KESK) gathered on Wednesday evening (1 June) to protest against the police and the "AKP terror" in Hopa that left one person dead.

The demonstrators marched to the Izmir Provincial Building of the AKP where they made a press release.

When members of the Community Centres organization started throwing eggs at the AKP building, the police massively intervened against the protestors. Riot forces teams made extensive use of tear gas and water cannons.

49-year-old retired worker and TKP member Turgut Eraslan suffered a heart attack as a result of having been exposed to the dense clouds of tear gas. TKP officials told bianet on Thursday that Eraslan was still in intensive care.

Deaths caused by gas bombs

Retired teacher Metin Lokumcu who died after the massive use of tear gas in Hopa was the fourth activist who lost his life as a result of a heart attack caused by tear gas. Officials spoke of a coincidence after the first such case had happened in 2007. However, the number of this sort of "coincidences" is rising.

75-year-old İbrahim Sevindik died in the course of 1 May demonstrations in 2007. Shop owner İshak Kalvo lost his life during clashes related to the International Monetary Fund (IMF) in Istanbul in 2009. 60-year-old Kazım Şeker died of a heart attack after a police intervention in Bismil (south-east) in 2010. All three cases were supposed to be related to the exposure of tear gas.

Protests in Istanbul

In Istanbul, about 500 people gathered in the central district of Mecidiyeköy on Thursday (2 June) to voice their protest against the incidents in Hopa. The meeting was organized by the Istanbul Medical Chamber (ITO), the Confederation of Trade Unions of Public Employees (KESK), Confederation of Progressive Trade Unions (DİSK) and the Turkey Union of Chambers of Architects and Engineers (TMMOB).

"We will not keep silent, we will resist"

As reported by the website sendika.org ('union.org'), the protestors walked to the AKP office in the neighbouring district of Şişli shouting slogans such as "Hopa is everywhere, resistance is everywhere", "The police of the AKP are the murderer of a teacher" and "Revolution is the only way". The march of Dev-Genç, (the Federation of the Revolutionary Turkish Youth) was chanted during the demonstration.

In a press release in front of the AKP office in Şişli the protestors declared, "We publicly announce that we will continue the necessary struggle for the just punishment of the people who are responsible for this murder [of Lokumcu] and the attacks in its background".

"Our resistance against murders, phoney courts, arbitrary police custody and arrests and against the fascist attitude of the AKP government that deems itself democratic will not lessen. To the contrary, our urge and determination for the struggle is increasing. We will not yield to persecution, we will not keep silent, we will resist".

"Gas does not intimidate, it kills"

ITO Secretary General Ali Çerkezoğlu said on behalf of the chamber that the use of tear gas had fatal consequences.

Çerkezoğlu warned the government not to use this deadly weapon. He said that it could be seen that gas bombs killed people but that it also became evident that this was not enough to intimidate the opposition.

Eğitim-Sen executive in hospital

The police intervened against the demonstrators in Istanbul when they threw eggs to the AKP building. Tear gas and water cannons were used to disperse the crowd. Protestors were beaten and taken into police custody.

Barış Demirci, branch manager of the Education and Science Workers' Union (Eğitim-Sen) was apparently hit in his face by a gas bomb and taken to hospital. (BIA, Haluk KALAFAT - Ekin KARACA, 3 June 2011)

Affrontements entre policiers et manifestants à Istanbul

Des affrontements ont eu lieu jeudi dans la soirée à Istanbul entre la police et plusieurs centaines de manifestants qui protestaient contre la mort d'un homme survenue deux jours plus tôt au cours de heurts dans le nord de la Turquie.

La police a utilisé des gaz lacrymogènes et des canons à eau contre les manifestants qui bombardaient les policiers d'oeufs et de pierres dans le quartier de Mecidiyekoy, a rapporté un photographe de l'AFP.

Les forces de l'ordre ont violemment battu et arrêté au moins trois manifestants, et un policier a été blessé, a indiqué le photographe.

La circulation a été bloquée pendant une heure dans ce quartier du centre d'Istanbul.

Des membres de divers syndicats et de petits partis d'extrême gauche s'étaient rassemblés devant l'immeuble à Istanbul du Parti de la justice et du développement (AKP), au pouvoir, pour protester contre le décès d'un professeur à la retraite au cours de troubles survenus mardi dans la ville de Hopa, sur la mer Noire.

Cet homme était mort d'un arrêt cardiaque provoqué par du gaz lacrymogène utilisé par la police, selon un rapport préliminaire d'autopsie cité par des médias locaux.

Les événements de Hopa ont accru la tension avant les élections législatives du 12 juin.

La campagne électorale a été marquée par de virulents affrontements verbaux entre les dirigeants des partis politiques et par des accusations d'autoritarisme lancées contre le gouvernement islamo-conservateur du Premier ministre Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

Les sondages indiquent que l'AKP semble bien placé pour remporter les législatives pour la troisième fois consécutive. (AFP, 2 juin 2011)

Clashes break out at campaign rally for Prime Minister Erdogan

At least one demonstrator died and a bodyguard protecting Turkey's prime minister was hospitalized after clashes erupted around a campaign rally Tuesday, less than two weeks before Turks go to the polls to vote in parliamentary elections.

The violence erupted in the Black Sea town of Hopa, where Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan was scheduled to address a rally.

Turkish television showed protesters hurling stones and climbing police barricades, as security forces fired tear gas and water cannons to break up the demonstration.

An emergency room doctor confirmed to CNN that a demonstrator named Metin Lokumcu died of a heart attack after being brought to the emergency room of Hopa State Hospital.

But in a statement released on the website of the opposition Freedom and Solidarity Party (ODP), the party's deputy chairman Onder Isleyen accused Erdogan's ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) of killing the protester.

"As a result of the AKP's murderous attack, our brother and friend Metin Lokumcu died," Isleyen wrote. "The AKP is attacking the public everywhere using tear gas and batons."

Two officials with Erdogan's entourage, speaking on condition of anonymity, confirmed that a demonstrator died in Hopa on Wednesday, though one of the officials told CNN the man died as the result of a heart attack.

Later in the day, a small group of demonstrators hurled stones at Erdogan's campaign bus as it was leaving the scene.

"One of the stones hit a bodyguard on the head and he fell off the bus, and when he fell he also hit his head on the ground," said one of the officials with Erdogan's campaign, again speaking on condition of anonymity.

Turkish television news filmed dramatic footage of the bodyguard tumbling from the bus, apparently unconscious as it sped down the street. The bodyguard was later hospitalized with head-wounds.

At a subsequent campaign rally in the Black Sea port of Trabzon, Erdogan lashed out at the protesters, calling them "bandits."

"Bandits with stones in their hands came to Hopa and unfortunately, of course, they attacked our vehicles with stones," Erdogan said.

Hours later, several hundred flag-waving demonstrators from leftist and secularist political parties hurled bottles and debris at riot police in Istanbul and chanted "murderers" as they ripped down a giant campaign poster of Erdogan.

Polls predict Erdogan's party will win another term in office in parliamentary elections scheduled for June 12. The party has been in power since it swept to an initial electoral victory 2002. (CNN, May 31, 2011)

Les élections législatives du 12 juin 2011 et la question kurde

Campagne de désobéissance civile lancée à l’occasion de la fête de Nevruz, contestation de 7 candidatures indépendantes kurdes par le Conseil supérieur des élections (YSK), attaque de la caravane électorale du premier ministre à Kastamonu par un commando du PKK, manifestations et tensions extrêmes dans les provinces du sud-est suite à la mort d’une douzaine de rebelles kurdes dans un accrochage avec l’armée turque… Ces dernières semaines la question kurde s’est invitée, pendant la campagne électorale, dans un climat de tension extrême, et la perspective que finalement le BDP et ses députés sortants décident de boycotter le scrutin du 12 juin prochain était même envisagée par les plus pessimistes. Pourtant, ces derniers jours, avec la multiplication des meetings, la campagne électorale semble avoir enfin repris ses droits.

En dépit d’une situation très tendue, il est en effet intéressant de constater que les partis politiques turcs commencent tous à réinvestir politiquement le sud-est où, il y a encore un an, seul l’AKP osait encore s’aventurer. Même le MHP a annoncé la tenue prochaine d’un meeting à Diyarbakır. Mais c’est surtout la campagne que fait le CHP, dans les zones kurdes, qui est en train de surprendre. Il faut dire que, depuis que Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu est arrivé à sa tête, chassant la vieille garde de Deniz Baykal et de Önder Sav, la formation kémaliste se sent pousser des ailes orientales, même si son nouveau leader met plus volontiers en avant son identité «dersimi» et alévi, que son identité kurde. Le 19 mai dernier, lors d’un meeting à Tunceli, il n’a ainsi pas hésité à dire «qu’il était fier de ses racines dersimi». Une déclaration d’autant plus remarquable, quand on se souvient des propos sur les massacres de Dersim, tenus par l’un des leaders du CHP, Onur Öymen, en novembre 2009, lors du lancement de l’ouverture kurde du gouvernement AKP (cf. notre édition du 22 novembre 2009).

Le discours politique du CHP sur la question kurde a effectivement nettement évolué par rapport à cette époque. Dès le mois d’août 2010, Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu, en visite à Tunceli, avait promis aux Kurdes une amnistie générale. Depuis, et particulièrement ces dernières semaines, les propositions du CHP, pour apporter une solution à la question kurde, se sont précisées. Outre que le principal parti d’opposition n’est pas hostile à ce que l’enseignement initial puisse être dispensé dans une langue maternelle autre que le turc (les langues kurdes ou d’autres langues régionales), il estime qu’il est possible d’apporter une réponse politique au problème kurde, dans le cadre d’un Etat unitaire, en décentralisant et en conservant la même Constitution. Pour cela, a expliqué, le 3 mai dernier, l’un des vice-présidents du CHP, Sezgin Tanrıkulu, il faudrait que la Turquie lève les réserves qu’elle a formulées à l’encontre de Charte européenne de l’autonomie locale (ouverte à la signature dans le cadre du Conseil de l’Europe) et en adopte en totalité les principes. La proposition a été reprise par Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu en personne, le 23 mai, lors d’un meeting tenu à Hakkari, c’est-à-dire dans un département de l’extrême sud-est, qui est le théâtre le plus fréquent des accrochages meurtriers entre le PKK et les forces armées turques. La déclaration a fait d’autant plus sensation que le leader kémaliste s’est exprimé devant une assistance fournie de plusieurs milliers de personnes, alors que, le lendemain, Recep Tayyip Erdoğan du se résoudre à parler, au même endroit, à des rangs dégarnis.

En novembre 2009, le leader de l’AKP, qui était en train de lancer son ouverture démocratique kurde, avait déclaré à Malatya qu’il était venu 9 fois dans la région depuis 2002, alors même que ses rivaux kémalistes n’osaient plus se rendre à l’Est de Sivas. Force est donc de constater que le CHP et Kılıçdaroğlu, qui troque volontiers pour l’occasion la casquette contre le keffieh (photo), sont de retour dans l’Est et particulièrement dans le Sud-Est, au moment même où le parti majoritaire semble plutôt axer sa campagne sur de grands projets urbains dits « projets fous » (pour reprendre l’expression même utilisée par leurs propres concepteurs). Après le projet de «Kanal» pour doubler le Bosphore (cf. notre édition du 11 mai 2011), il y a un mois, Recep Tayyip Erdoğan a annoncé aujourd’hui (25 mai 2011), une restructuration d’Ankara par la construction de deux villes nouvelles au sud de la capitale turque, qui s’accompagneraient de l’édification d’équipements majeurs (stades de 40 000 places, hôpitaux, Cour de justice…). Ankara deviendrait, en outre, la capitale turque de la production d’équipements militaires, une activité qui doit rapporter plus de 8 milliards de dollars au pays, à l’horizon 2016, selon les dires du premier ministre.

Ces grands projets n’empêchent pourtant pas le chef du gouvernement turc de continuer à battre la campagne orientale, mais avec un succès inégal. Car, depuis qu’il a affirmé en mars qu’il n’y avait plus de question kurde, tout en versant souvent dans des postures nationalistes de circonstance, il semble qu’il soit beaucoup moins bien perçu dans le sud-est que lorsqu’il avait conquis les cœurs en 2005, en reconnaissant officiellement l’existence d’un problème kurde en Turquie. Dès lors, lorsqu’il s’exprime dans le zones kurdes, Recep Tayyip Erdoğan est paradoxalement plutôt sur la défensive. Hier à Şırnak (autre département de l’extrême Sud-Est), prenant acte de sa faible prestation à Hakkari comparativement à celle de son rival du CHP, il a soupçonné le BDP d’avoir mobilisé les foules pour accueillir Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu et estimé qu’un nouvel axe CHP-BDP était en train de se former contre son parti, en y voyant la connexion des «gangs» de «Silivri» (lieu de la tenue du procès «Ergenekon», près d’Istanbul) et de «Kandil» (massif montagneux en Irak, près de la frontière turque, où sont situées les bases arrière du PKK). En l’occurrence, le premier ministre essaye de réactiver l’idée d’un complot qui aurait uni, ces dernières décennies, «l’État profond» et le PKK, pour empêcher la démocratisation de la société turque.

Sans sombrer dans des thèses de complot, l’idée d’une convergence objective entre le BDP et le CHP, qui pourrait permettre à l’un et l’autre de faire un bout de chemin ensemble, n’est pas à exclure, et elle est d’ailleurs souvent évoquée depuis l’été dernier, c’est-à-dire depuis que le CHP a commencé à faire évoluer ses positions sur la question kurde, après l’arrivée de Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu à sa tête. Pour autant, si des alliances tactiques ne sont pas à exclure, on peut se demander si une convergence durable est possible entre les deux formations politiques. Pour nouvelles qu’elles soient, les positions du CHP sur le règlement de la question kurde restent en réalité assez traditionnelles, et entendent avant tout préserver l’État unitaire. À Ardahan aujourd’hui même, dans une région du nord-est plus nationaliste, le leader kémaliste a d’ailleurs voulu rassurer une partie de son électorat, en expliquant que ce qu’il recherchait était en fait une meilleure unité du pays. Si, en outre, la décentralisation du CHP évite une refonte de la Constitution, elle pourrait aussi refléter une tendance à un certain conformisme qui rapidement risque de se révéler décevant pour des organisations politiques et sociétales kurdes qui rêvent actuellement plus d’une autonomie à la catalane que d’une régionalisation à la française… (http://ovipot.hypotheses.org, Jean Marcou, 25 mai 2011)

Forces armées/Armed Forces

De nouveaux militaires inculpés pour tentative de coup d'Etat

Vingt-huit autres militaires turcs, dont un général, ont été inculpés mardi pour implication présumée dans un projet de coup d'Etat en 2003 contre le gouvernement islamo-conservateur, a annoncé l'agence de presse turque Anatolie.

Un tribunal d'Istanbul a prononcé leur inculpation et délivré des mandats d'arrêt pour huit des 13 accusés, a précisé l'agence.

Quinze des suspects sont déjà en détention depuis plusieurs semaines, après l'élargissement de l'enquête dans ce complot présumé qui avait pour nom de code "Opération masse de forgeron", et visait à commettre des attentats pour semer le chaos et justifier un coup d'Etat, selon l'acte d'accusation.

Vendredi soir, un tribunal turc avait inculpé quatre militaires, dont un amiral, pour leur implication présumée dans ce complot.

L'an dernier, un premier volet de cette enquête avait entraîné la comparution d'environ 200 militaires.

Le plus haut gradé dans ces nouvelles inculpations est le général quatre étoiles Bilgin Balanli, chef des académies militaires, qui était sur les rangs pour une nomination comme commandant des forces aériennes. Il avait été arrêté en mai.

La première audience relative à ces arrestations aura lieu le 15 août.

L'enquête, qui constitue une menace de taille contre l'institution militaire, jadis acteur politique de premier rang en Turquie, a mis en cause au total environ 30 généraux ou amiraux, soit un dixième de la haute hiérarchie militaire.

Les inculpés prétendent que le plan incriminé était un scénario pédagogique parmi d'autres, décrivant une situation fictive de tension pour évaluer les meilleures façons d'y faire face. Ils mettent également en cause l'authenticité de certains documents présentés comme des preuves. (AFP, 28 juin 2011)

MGK calls for reforms in Mideast, vows fight against terror

Turkey’s top political leaders and military commanders called for a speedy implementation of political and economic reforms in the Middle East amid unrest in the neighboring Syria.
 
In a statement released after a six-hour regular meeting on Monday, members of the National Security Council (MGK) said it was important that “comprehensive political, social and economic reforms be implemented immediately in line with legitimate demands and expectations of the peoples of the region.” It also called for a “process of true change that will result in establishment of constitutional democracy” in the Middle East.

The MGK meeting, headed by President Abdullah Gül, came amid a crisis in the neighboring Syria. About 12,000 Syrians have fled to Turkey over the past weeks while Syrian troops have moved to seal the border area. Many fear an influx of refugees could spark an undesired confrontation between Turkish and Syrian troops along the border.

Turkey's Ambassador to Syria Ömür Önhon attended the MGK meeting to brief participants on developments in Syria.

The Syrian government's brutal crackdown on protesters has brought once-close relations with Syria to a breaking point, with Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan describing the Syrian response to protests as “savagery.” But Turkish leaders are still calling on Syrian President Bashar al-Assad to speedily implement political reforms, hoping that the crisis can be resolved without further bloodshed.

As Syrian troops move closer to the Turkish border, there have been reports that Turkey is also reinforcing its troops in the area. There have also been reports in the Turkish and international media that Turkish political and military leaders are considering setting up a buffer zone inside Syria in case the number of refugees increases sharply. These reports have not been confirmed.

Turkey's Land Forces Commander Gen. Erdal Ceylanoğlu, Gendarmerie Commander Gen. Necdet Özel and 2nd Army Corps Commander Gen. Servet Yörük have all visited the border area recently. Yörük visited the Güveççi border post this week to take stock of Syrian troop deployments near the border and to see the refugees' situation for himself.

The MGK statement underlined importance of a peaceful transition in the Middle East. It also said the situation of Syrian refugees in Turkey was assessed with a view to ensure their humanitarian needs are met. The statement said the Syrians were accepted into Turkey on a temporary basis and out of humanitarian concerns.

Anti-terror fight and regional development

The MGK also pledged continued military fight against terrorism but added that the military measures will be accompanied by redoubled efforts in economic, social and cultural fields aimed at fully eliminating social discrepancies among regions regarding the level of development.

The MGK meeting came as tensions run high in the predominantly Kurdish Southeast over disqualification of jailed Kurdish politicians who were elected to Parliament in June 12 elections. Violent protests have erupted in southeast Anatolia following a Supreme Election Board (YSK) decision to strip one of the jailed Kurdish politicians, Hatip Dicle, of his parliamentary status due to a past conviction. Tensions has risen further after two Diyarbakır courts separately ruled against requests for release of Dicle and five others who are suspects in a terror-related case.

One soldier died and three others were injured in the eastern province of Van late on Sunday after an attack by the PKK and two special sergeants were injured when a remote-controlled land mine believed to have been planted by PKK members exploded near a military housing complex in in the Black Sea province of Ordu late Sunday.

“It is underlined that along with continuing the determined struggle against terrorism, which targets the security, right to live, unity and brotherhood feelings of our citizens, comprehensive social, cultural and economic efforts aimed at removing development discrepancies among regions will be increased,” the MGK statement said.

Monday's MGK meeting was the last one where members of the 60th government of Turkey attended. Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan will now form a new government after his Justice and Development Party (AK Party) won a third consecutive term in power in June 12 elections. (TODAYSZAMAN.COM, 27 June 2011)

Quatre militaires, dont un amiral, inculpés de complot

Un tribunal turc a inculpé vendredi soir quatre militaires, dont un amiral, pour leur implication présumée dans un projet de coup d'Etat en 2003 contre le gouvernement islamo-conservateur, et a ordonné leur mise en détention provisoire, a rapporté samedi l'agence de presse Anatolie.

L'amiral deux étoiles Mucahit Sislioglu, un colonel, et deux autres militaires de rangs moins élevés ont été inculpés dans le cadre de ce complot présumé, qui avait pour nom de code "Opération masse de forgeron", et visait à commettre des attentats pour semer le chaos et justifier un coup d'Etat, selon l'acte d'accusation.

Ces arrestations portent à 25 le nombre de personnes emprisonnées depuis que l'enquête sur ce complot est entrée dans une deuxième phase, après la découverte de nouveaux documents, en février, selon l'agence Anatolie.

Au total, près de 200 millitaires, d'active ou à la retraite, ont été inculpés et la plupart écroués pour leur implication supposée dans cette conspiration, dont le procès s'est ouvert en décembre.

Les inculpés prétendent que le plan incriminé était un scénario pédagogique parmi d'autres, décrivant une situation fictive de tension pour évaluer les meilleures façons d'y faire face.

Ils mettent également en cause l'authenticité de certains documents présentés comme des preuves, dans une affaire qui constitue une menace de taille pour la réputation de l'institution militaire, jadis acteur politique de premier rang en Turquie. (AFP, 25 juin 2011)

Three army officers arrested in Sledgehammer probe

A court arrested three army officers on Friday as part of an investigation into Sledgehammer coup plan.

First Air Forces Commander Lt. Gen. Korcan Pulatsü, staff colonels Ender Güngör and Murat Ünlü were arrested by 11th İstanbul High Criminal Court, accused of being part of the Sledgehammer (Balyoz) coup plan.

19 people were arrested so far as part of the Sledgehammer investigation, including War Academies Commander Gen. Bilgin Balanlı and Air Force Academies Commander Maj. Gen. İsmail Taş.

According to the Sledgehammer plot, the Turkish Armed Forces (TSK) had a systematic plan to create chaos in society by bombing mosques and attacking popular museums with Molotov cocktails. The attacks’ desired result was to increase pressure on the Justice and Development Party (AK Party) government for failing to provide security to its citizens. The attacks were to eventually lead to a military coup.(TODAYSZAMAN.COM , 17 June 2011)

Court rules to arrest one more Turkish officer on coup charges

Four active duty military officers testified on Friday to the İstanbul prosecutor overseeing the investigation, with the prosecutor referring three of them to court for arrest.

A colonel, a captain and two lieutenant colonels arrived at the Beşiktaş Courthouse early on Friday and testified to İstanbul specially authorized prosecutor Hüseyin Ayar over the documents. The İstanbul 12th High Criminal Court ruled to arrest the colonel while releasing the two lieutenant colonels and the captain.

The documents in question were seized in the Eskişehir home of retired Col. Hakan Büyük during a police search in February. After a detailed examination of the documents, the İstanbul Police Department concluded that their contents support the Sledgehammer coup plan. The documents include copies of Sledgehammer as well as copies of the Oraj and Suga plans, both sub-plans in the Sledgehammer plot.

A total of 15 individuals, including War Academies Commander Gen. Bilgin Balanlı and Air Force Academies Commander Maj. Gen. İsmail Taş, were arrested earlier as part of the probe into the documents seized in Eskişehir. However, one day after his arrest, Balanlı was hospitalized at the Gülhane Military Academy of Medicine (GATA) due to high blood pressure.

Sledgehammer is a suspected coup plot believed to have been devised in 2003 with the aim to unseat the Justice and Development Party (AK Party) government through violent acts. According to the Sledgehammer plan, the military was to systematically foment chaos in society through violent acts, among which were planned bomb attacks on the Fatih and Beyazıt mosques in İstanbul. (TODAYSZAMAN.COM, 10 June 2011)

Erdogan focuses on defense industry in poll campaign

Turkey's ruling Justice and Development Party, or AKP, is putting an unprecedented emphasis on the defense industry in its campaign for the June 12 elections. The party's promises focus on establishing and developing a domestic industry that comes near to being self-sufficient. PM Recep Tayyip Erdoğan says the capital city of Ankara will become the headquarters of the sector.

Visions for the defense industry have not played a key role in election campaigns by either a ruling or opposition party ahead of previous Turkish polls. But this year, Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has been holding up Turkey’s developing national defense industry as one of the pillars of a modern economy in the 2020s.

In the weeks leading up to the nationwide parliamentary election that will be held June 12, Erdoğan had made three major speeches on the national defense industry.

Explaining his ruling Justice and Development Party, or AKP’s, election manifesto in late April, Erdoğan pledged that Turkey’s local defense companies would manufacture indigenous “tanks, helicopters, war planes, unmanned aerial vehicles and military satellites in the next 12 years.”

The prime minister has vigorously set out a national strategy to maximize local production in Turkey’s defense programs, aiming at what he calls “near self-sufficiency.” In recent years, Turkey has practically suspended off-the-shelf purchase options, restructuring programs into local development or coproduction.

As it seeks re-election for a third term in power, the incumbent AKP government is also ambitiously planning to make Ankara, the country’s capital, into a “global defense industry base.”

In a televised speech May 25, Erdoğan said new investments would make Ankara a global defense and aerospace center catering to both local and international companies.

“Turkey’s defense industry capital is Ankara,” Erdoğan reiterated in a May 29 speech. He said local companies are targeting $8 billion in sales by 2016, $6 billion of which will come from companies based in Ankara. Two major planned investments will serve the prime minister’s goal, according to defense industry officials.

The first involves the Ankara-based powerhouse Turkish Aerospace Industries, or TAI, which already has pushed the button to build a $100 million Satellite Assembly, Integration and Test Center, or UMET.

TAI’s general manager, Muharrem Dörtkaşlı, said UMET would become operational by the end of 2012. “This will be a place where final assembly of both military and civilian satellites will be carried out with state-of-the-art technology. Also, the planned center will conduct series of tests with full space-simulation capability before satellites are launched,” Dörtkaşlı said.

Making, testing satellites

According to Erdoğan, a total of 120 engineers will be employed at the facility, where two satellites will be able to go through simultaneous production and testing. “First, we will assemble and test the Göktürk [military] satellite at the new plant,” Dörtkaşlı said.

Telespazio, a joint venture between Italy’s defense giant Finmeccanica and France’s Thales, signed a nearly 250 million-euro deal a couple of years ago to lead the effort for the Turkish military satellite. Finmeccanica has a 67 percent stake in Telespazio.

TAI was created in the late 1980s to carry out partial production and assembly of the F-16 fighter aircraft, made by the U.S. firm Lockheed Martin. In its early years, it also assembled the Spanish-made CN-235 light transport aircraft and some utility helicopters.

Now it is the prime contractor in building 60 T-129 attack helicopters developed by the Italian AgustaWestland for the Turkish Army. It also has been selected as prime contractor in Turkey’s coproduction of at least 109 T-70 utility helicopters, Turkish versions of the U.S. firm Sikorsky Aircraft’s S-70i Black Hawk International. TAI also is coproducing the KT-1 basic trainer aircraft with South Korea, developing its own basic trainer aircraft and is building Turkey’s first medium-altitude, long-endurance unmanned aerial vehicle, the Anka.

The second investment plan is for the building of a Radar and Electronic Warfare Systems center in Gölbaşı, near Ankara. The center will be built and operated by Aselsan, Turkey’s biggest defense company and a military electronics specialist.

Aselsan, also based in the capital, last year obtained a 192.5 million Turkish Liras ($130 million) investment incentive from the Treasury for the new center. Industry sources said the total cost for building the new plant would be around $200 million.

They said Aselsan plans to start production at the planned facility in 2013. Principal tasks will be the research, development, design and production of air defense radars, land radars, signal interceptors, jammers, microwave modules and various pieces of electronic warfare equipment.

Aselsan plans to transfer the 700 employees currently active at its Macunköy, Ankara, plant to the new site. There will be additional 400 engineering positions available. (Hürriyet Daily News, June 9, 2011)

Evren was not asked any question on tortures and executions

Ret. General Kenan Evren, leader of the military coup on 12 September 1980, was interrogated for the first time in 31 years this Tuesday (6 June).

The interrogation lasted for 2.5 hours. He was asked why he usurped the governance and whether the people behind the coup had been supported by other countries. The prosecutors leading the interrogation addressed Evren as "my president" in reference to the post he assumed after the coup in 1980.

Evren was not asked any questions about torture, executions, people that disappeared in custody, unsolved murders, oppression and bans related to the military coup.

"Investigation should be extended to Ulusu government"

Lawyer Ergin Cinmen pointed out that the interrogation of Kenan Evren came too late. In an interview with bianet, Cinmen conveyed his opinion that the crucial point was to investigate and prosecute all persons whose names were included in the coup process.

Lawyer Cinmen underlined the responsibility of the government of Bülent Ulusu that served till 1983, of the ministers of this government, the members of parliament, prison commanders and many other people.

"The prosecutors have to deal with that. In my opinion, the interrogation of Kenan Evren does not have too much of a legal relevance. The people who were actually responsible were the government officers", Cinmen stated.

He continued, "Therefore, the Supreme Board of Judges and Prosecutors (HSLYK) should appoint other senior prosecutors to this investigation".

"This investigation has to be approached like the Ergenekon investigation if a serious investigation shall really be done and if they are really sincere on the topic of investigating the incidents around 12 September; just as they prepared a certain infrastructure for the Ergenekon trial like establishing special secretariats. The same kind of work has to be adopted for the prosecution related to the period of 12 September".

"Evren would have avoided other subjects"

"They could have asked Kenan Evren about different issues but that would not have changed anything", Cinmen evaluated the interrogation.

"If he had been asked about torture, he would have avoided any further questions by saying that he did not give any such order. (...) I think there is no point in dwelling on this. The important issue is to start from the Bülent Ulusu government that was appointed within that process".

"Evren can be tried, period of statute of limitation just started"

Cinmen indicated that after the lifting of provisional article 15 from the Constitution, Kenan Evren could be tried as well as the other force commanders on duty at the time.

Article 15 prevented the prosecution of putschists. The lawyer noted, "With the abrogation of the article, the statute of limitations just started. The prosecutors agree with that. They are also of the opinion that the period of statute of limitation started as of 12 September 2010. Why should an investigation be launched otherwise?"  (BIA, Ekin KARACA, 8 June 2011)

Le chef de la junte militaire de 1980 interrogé par un procureur

Un procureur de haut rang a pour la première fois interrogé lundi l'ancien chef d'état-major turc Kenan Evren dans le cadre d'une enquête préliminaire sur le coup d'Etat qu'il a dirigé en 1980, a indiqué à la presse l'avocat du général, Ömer Nihat Özgün.

Kenan Evren, âgé de 94 ans et en mauvaise santé, a "répondu tranquillement pendant plus de deux heures à 12 questions" du procureur à son domicile à Ankara, a précisé Me Özgun qui a expliqué que le parquet décidera désormais s'il y a lieu ou non de lancer des poursuites.

Le général a souligné au procureur "avoir pris le pouvoir à cause des circonstances à l'époque, car les institutions constitutionnelles ne fonctionnaient plus", a expliqué l'avocat.

La possibilité de poursuivre les auteurs du coup d'Etat du 12 septembre 1980 a été ouverte l'année dernière par des amendements constitutionnels approuvés lors d'un référendum.

Jusqu'alors, la Constitution turque, adoptée en 1982, comportait un article qui protégeait Kenan Evren et les coauteurs du coup d'Etat d'éventuelles poursuites.

Le gouvernement islamo-conservateur de Recep Tayyip Erdogan a fait adopter par référendum l'an dernier des amendements à la Constitution réduisant l'influence politique de l'armée turque, qui a dans le passé chassé trois gouvernements.

Outre le général Evren, la justice entendra aussi l'ancien chef de l'armée de l'air Tahsin Sahinkaya, seul autre membre encore en vie de la junte de cinq généraux qui avait pris le pouvoir.

Agé de 86 ans, cet ex-général est lui aussi en mauvaise santé et est hospitalisé à Istanbul.

Le putsch, soutenu par les Etats-Unis, avait pour but de mettre fin aux affrontements violents qui opposaient alors militants de droite et gauche.

La direction politique ne parvenait pas à reprendre le contrôle de la situation et le pays, membre de l'Otan, était plongé dans le chaos.

Le coup d'Etat fut initialement bien accueilli par la population, soulagée que l'ordre soit rétabli. Mais ensuite les partis politiques furent interdits, des milliers de personnes furent torturées et plusieurs dizaines exécutées.

Evren, qui fut président jusqu'en 1989, n'a jamais exprimé de regrets pour le coup d'Etat. (AFP, 6 juin 2011)

Air Force Academies commander, three officers jailed on coup charges

Nine officers testified to İstanbul specially authorized prosecutor Hüseyin Ayar on Thursday and two were released. Taş, Maj. Doğan Uysal, Col. Albay Ali Cengiz Şirin, Col. Onur Uluocak, Col. Rafet Oktar, Col. Halit Nejat Akgüner and Maj. Ayhan Ütsbaş were referred to court by a prosecutor who requested their arrest. The court arrested Taş, Uluocak, Oktar and Üstbaş on suspected links with the coup plot. The suspects are accused of “attempting to overthrow the government of the Republic of Turkey by using force." Şirin and Uysal were released by the court while Akgüner was hospitalized at the Gülhane Military Academy of Medicine (GATA) after he fell ill during his interrogation.

The arrested officers were sent to the Hasdal Military Prison.

The Sledgehammer documents were seized in the Eskişehir home of retired Col. Hakan Büyük during a police search in February. After a detailed examination of the documents, the İstanbul Police Department concluded that their contents support the Sledgehammer coup plan. The documents include copies of Sledgehammer as well as copies of the Oraj and Suga plans, both sub-plans in the Sledgehammer plot. The documents also include military orders to keep tabs on individuals based on their religious and ideological backgrounds, in addition to intimidating them.

Sledgehammer is a suspected coup plot believed to have been devised in 2003 with the aim to unseat the Justice and Development Party (AK Party) government through violent acts. According to the Sledgehammer plan, the military was to systematically foment chaos in society through violent acts, among which were planned bomb attacks on the Fatih and Beyazıt mosques in İstanbul.

A total of seven individuals, including War Academies Commander Gen. Bilgin Balanlı, were arrested earlier as part of the probe into the documents seized in Eskişehir. However, one day after his arrest, Balanlı was hospitalized at the Gülhane Military Academy of Medicine (GATA) due to high blood pressure. The general's immediate hospitalization caused many to wonder whether the general could be using alleged health problems as a means of evading prison terms. The hospital has become notorious after several suspects in the ongoing terror and coup cases initially made their way to GATA and then evaded prison sentences.

Currently, there are nearly 200 retired and serving members of the Turkish Armed Forces (TSK) who are under arrest on charges of involvement in the Sledgehammer plan. All of the suspects are accused of a failed attempt to destroy Parliament and overthrow the government. Such a charge calls for a jail sentence of up to 20 years in prison.

On Thursday, opposition Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) leader Devlet Bahçeli spoke about the recent wave of arrests of military higher-ups, and said the Turkish military would not be “weakened” even if the entire top echelon of the armed forces is arrested and put in jail. “Even if the entire top echelon [of the military] is eliminated, a corporal will be able to command the TSK. But it should not continue this way. The government and the chief of General Staff should convene and find a solution [to arrests],” the MHP leader stated.

Bahçeli is a staunch critic of the ongoing coup-related investigations and cases. He believes that the arrest of military members as part of the investigations and cases are aimed to discredit the Turkish military in the eyes of the nation. “More judges and prosecutors should be added [to the investigations and cases,] and the judicial processes should immediately be completed,” the MHP leader said. (TODAY'S ZAMAN, 3 June 2011)

Un général de haut rang inculpé pour un complot anti-gouvernement

Un militaire turc de haut rang a été inculpé lundi par un tribunal d'Istanbul pour son implication supposée dans un projet de coup d'Etat en 2003 contre le gouvernement islamo-conservateur turc, et a été écroué, a rapporté l'agence de presse Anatolie.

Bilgin Balanli, général quatre étoiles à la tête des académies militaires et pressenti pour être le prochain commandant de l'armée de l'air cet été, a répondu pendant plusieurs heures aux questions des procureurs qui instruisent un complot ourdi en 2003, après l'arrivée au pouvoir en 2002 du Parti de la justice et du développement (AKP), une formation issue de la mouvance islamiste.

Les procureurs l'ont déféré devant des juges et demandé qu'il soit inculpé et la Cour a confirmé cette requête, précise Anatolie.

Le général Balanli est le plus haut gradé toujours en service inculpé dans les différentes enquêtes pour des complots anti-gouvernement menées depuis 2007 qui ont conduit à l'inculpation de centaines de personnes.

Vendredi, huit autres officers, dont sept généraux, avaient été interrogés par ces mêmes procureurs qui n'avaient pas retenu des charges à leur encontre.

L'arrivée de l'AKP, qui brigue un troisième mandat aux élections législatives du 12 juin, avait fait redouter à une partie de l'opinion et à l'armée une remise en cause de la laïcité.

Le complot qui avait pour nom de code "Opération masse de forgeron", visait à commettre des attentats pour semer le chaos et justifier un coup d'Etat, selon l'acte d'accusation.

Près de 200 millitaires, d'active ou à la retraite, ont été inculpés et la plupart écroués pour leur implication supposée dans cette conspiration.

Les inculpés prétendent que le plan incriminé est un jeu militaire parmi d'autres, décrivant une situation fictive de tension pour évaluer les meilleures façons d'y réagir. (AFP, 30 mai 2011)

1980 Coup leaders Evren and Sahinkaya summoned to testify

The Ankara Specially Authorized Prosecutor's Office on Monday summoned two senior leaders of the Sept. 12, 1980 coup d'état, Gen. Kenan Evren and Gen. Tahsin Şahinkaya, to testify as part of an investigation recently launched into the bloody coup.

The two generals are expected to receive the subpoenas sent to them within a few days and go to the Ankara Courthouse to testify.

Turkey made a landmark step in September of last year when it took the chance to settle accounts with the dark 1980s by approving a 26-article constitutional reform package that, among other things, paved the way for the trial of the perpetrators of the Sept. 12, 1980 military coup, by abolishing Article 15 of the Constitution. This article used to give immunity to the generals responsible for the coup.

On Sept. 13, many individual victims and civil society organizations petitioned prosecutors, demanding that Evren and his collaborators face trial for their crimes against humanity, which for the most part took place between 1980 and 1983. An investigation was then launched into the coup.

Turkish democracy has been stalled by constant military interventions in politics throughout its history. Turkey's near history has witnessed two full-fledged coups and many direct and indirect military interventions. Although carrying out or plotting a coup is considered a criminal offense, only failed coup plotters have been tried in Turkey, while none of the coup leaders have stood trial.

Prosecutor Murat Demir, appointed last month by the Ankara Chief Prosecutor's Office to investigate the coup, earlier this month decided he did not have jurisdiction in the case because it concerns offenses such as “staging a coup” and “destroying the constitutional order through the use of force.”

The coup leaders are expected to be tried under Article 147 of the Turkish Penal Code (TCK), which stipulates a life sentence without the possibility of parole for suspects convicted of attempting to destroy the constitutional order through the use of force and trying to topple the government through the use of force.

The Sept. 12, 1980 military coup, in particular, was the bloodiest and most well-planned in the history of Turkey.

Sept. 12 coup admiral dies at 87 before trial

Retired Adm. Nejat Tümer, a former Naval Forces commander who was among the leaders of the bloody Sept. 12, 1980 coup d'état, died on Monday at the age of 87 before standing trial for atrocities committed during the coup.

Tümer had been expected to testify to prosecutors soon as part of the coup probe. The coup admiral will be buried in İstanbul on Tuesday. (TODAYSZAMAN.COM, 31 May 2011)

Affaires religieuses/Religious Affairs

Trial on Sivas Massacre to be Closed by Prescription?

The trial on the so-called Sivas Massacre was continued before the Ankara 11th High Criminal Court on 21 June. The Sivas massacre in central Anatolia was an attack against Alevi intellectuals and artists. 37 people lost their lives when the Madimak Hotel in Sivas was set on fire on 2 July 1993.

The file regarding seven fugitive defendants was separated from the main case. Defendant Cafer Erçakmak could not be arrested yet despite an arrest warrant. It was demanded to separate the file of Erçakmak and prosecute him on a different basis. It was furthermore requested to drop procedures against the other six defendants since the statute of limitation has been reached.

At the Tuesday hearing (21 June), Public Prosecutor Hakan Yüksel announced that defendant Erçakmak constituted the offence of "attempting to overthrow the constitutional order by force" according to Article 146/1 of the Turkish Criminal Law (TCK).

Yüksel pointed out that is crime did not fall under the statute of limitation yet. The prosecutor also reminded the fact that the arrest warrant decided for in his absence has not been executed yet. Yüksel indicated that the prosecution of the other defendants should not fall behind even further. Hence, he requested to uphold the decision for the arrest warrant about Erçakmak and to separate his file from the main case in order to prosecute him on a different basis.

15 years later

The actions attributed to defendants Şevket Erdoğan, Köksal Koçak, İhsan Çakmak, Hakan Karaca, Yılmaz Bağ and Necmi Karaömeroğlu constitute breaches of Article 146/3 of the TCK and Article 5 of the Anti-Terror Law on "participating in the attempt to overthrow the constitutional order by force", the prosecutor said. He pointed out that the exceptional statute of limitations for this crime was 15 years according to Articles 102/3 and 104/2 TCK.

Yüksel stated that the crime was committed on 2 July 1993 and thus fell under the statute of limitation on 2 July 2008. Therefore, the prosecutor demanded to drop procedures against defendants Şevket Erdoğan, Köksal Koçak, İhsan Çakmak, Hakan Karaca, Yılmaz Bağ and Necmi Karaömeroğlu.  (BIA, 22 June 2011)

10 personnes suspectées de liens avec Al-Qaïda arrêtées

La police turque a arrêté mardi 10 personnes soupçonnées de liens avec le réseau Al-Qaïda en Turquie, a rapporté l'agence Anatolie.

Neuf des suspects ont été interpellés dans la province d'Adana (sud) et le dixième dans la province de Hatay (sud), selon l'agence.

Les policiers ont mené des perquisitions dans plusieurs domiciles et lieux de travail, saisissant des CD, clés USB et ordinateurs.

La police turque procède régulièrement à des arrestations dans les milieux islamistes extrémistes.

Une cellule turque d'Al-Qaïda a été tenue par les autorités turques pour responsable d'attentats commis à Istanbul en novembre 2003 contre deux synagogues, le consulat britannique et la banque britannique HSBC, qui avaient fait 63 morts, dont le consul britannique.

L'an dernier, le numéro deux d'Al-Qaïda, l'Egyptien Ayman al-Zawahiri, avait proféré des menaces contre la Turquie, alors que celle-ci s'apprêtait à prendre le commandement des forces de l'Otan dans la capitale afghane, Kaboul. (AFP, 7 juin 2011)

Socio-économique / Socio-economic

Almost 1 Million Child Workers in Turkey

World Day against Child Labour on 12 June came with belated actions in Turkey this year due to the parliamentary elections scheduled at the same day.

One of the outstanding organizations was a panel organized by the Çukurova University of Adana in co-operation with the Adana Governorship, the Provincial Directorate for Social Services and UNICEF. Problems related to child labour were discussed in detail.

"Turkey part of ILO program"

Assoc. Prof. Ferdi Tanır, lecturer at the Public Health Department of the Çukurova University Medicine Faculty and one of the speakers at the panel, emphasized in an interview with bianet that children who are working under unhealthy conditions today cannot develop into healthy individuals in the future.

Tanır continued, "Occupational health and security of the people is one of the main topics of the department of public health".

"In 1992, the International Labour Organization (ILO) initiated a program to stop child labour all over the world. The program was launched in six countries and Turkey was one of them".

Tanır said that in 1999, Turkey signed an emergency action plan by the ILO that aimed at abolishing the worst conditions for child labour. Within the framework of this agreement, labour of children younger than 15 years old was forbidden.

"However, according to the first article of the Convention on the Rights of the Child, every individual younger than 18 years old is considered a child and thus no person under age should be working", the academic added.

"Extended compulsory education decreased child labour"

Tanır indicated that the percentage of child labour has decreased over the past few years. Research revealed that there were 1.7 million child workers in 1992 whereas this number dropped to 960,000 in 2011. The compulsory eight-year education, raising awareness within the families and special programs helped to reduce the number of child workers almost by half.

In Turkey, the highest numbers of child workers can be found in Diyarbakır, Istanbul, Adana, Mersin and Gaziantep, Tanır explained. This ratio depends on seasonal workers and children collecting paper for recycling or selling paper tissues and water on the streets. These children move from place to place so the number of child workers in a province can change on a daily base.

"630,000 child worker in Turkey work under severe conditions"

"There are 15 fields world-wide that are considered as the worst forms of child work. In Turkey, three of these fields are assumed to be common. These are seasonal agriculture, children working in small and medium-sized industrial enterprises and children working on the street. 630,000 of the 960,000 child workers in Turkey are doing this sort of heavy work", Tanır underlined.

"12-year compulsory education a must"

Child workers are being deprived of their basic rights to education, apparel, shelter or health as defined by agreements on child rights. Hence, child labour is a problem of human rights, Tanır noted

"The first step to prevent child labour is the extension of compulsory education to twelve years. It will automatically reduce the number of child workers if children go to school until the age of 18". Children should be encouraged to attend vocational schools during this time so they can be trained in a profession that suits their talents, Tanır added.

Tanır pointed to the fact that work places and tools are designed according to the height of adults, thus the probability for injuries is higher for children.

"Almost all child workers work without insurance and are being seen as cheap work force. This also leads to the perception of children as an object of exploitation. At the same time, they work in an unhealthy environment, are deprived of education and encounter health problems".

"Putting our future on risk"

"The children suffer from physical as well as mental health problems. Children are a risk group because they fall ill much easier than adults. They are cheaper than adults and need less food".

"Taking problems experienced in socio-cultural interactions into account as well, nobody can expect them to become healthy individuals when they will be grown up", Tanır warned.

"If we put children in work places that are risky even for adults, we put our future on risk". (BIA, Ekin KARACA, 20 June 2011)

Gender Imbalance in New Parliament

The representation of women in the Turkish Grand National Assembly (TBMM) has increased by 56 percent after this year's parliamentary elections compared to the results of 2007. 78 out of a total of 262 women candidates became members of parliament.

The Turkish parliament has a total of 550 seats. Hence, the ratio of women representation increased from 8.72 to 14.2 percent. 472 male members of parliament represent 85.8 percent.

50 women became members of parliament with the previous elections on 22 July 2007. Kurdish politician Aysel Tuğluk was deprived from her status as member of parliament by the decision of the Constitutional Court; Özlem Çerçioğlu, MP of the Republican People's Party (CHP) was elected mayor later on. Thus, the number of women representatives in parliament decreased to 48.

The last session of the parliament before the general elections on 12 June was attended by 30 female members of parliament of the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP), 8 of the CHP, 2 of the far-right Nationalist Movement Party (MHP), 7 of the pro-Kurdish Peace and Democracy Party (BDP) and one of the Democratic Left Party (DSP).

The AKP had 78 women on their list of member of parliament candidates, the CHP 109, the MHP 68 and the Labour, Democracy and Freedom Block had 13.

According to unofficial results, 45 AKP women candidates were elected from the AKP, 19 from the CHP, 3 from the MHP and 11 from the Labour, Democracy and Freedom Block. In 43 provinces, no female candidate was elected.

Aydın: Worst case scenario has come true

Çiğdem Aydın, President of the Association for Support and Education for Women Candidates (KA.DER) assessed the situation as follows: "Our most pessimistic forecast has come true".

"We are sad that our most pessimistic prediction has come true. When the women candidates are not being placed in the appropriate places on the list, the result is not going to change regardless of the number of women candidates.

Sad but not hopeless

KADER had launched a campaign during the run-up to the elections demanding "275 female members of parliament for an equal representation, true democracy, a new constitution and for overcoming obstacles". However, Aydın said that despite her disappointment, she was not hopeless.

"Some of the elected women candidates were members of parliament in the previous term, others have been elected for the first time related to their close connection to women issues. I hope that we will be able to do effective work in the new term with their support".

50 percent women's quota for management staff

Aydın pointed to the design of a new constitution as one of the most important duties waiting for the newly elected members of parliament. "A constitution that does not consider the demands of women is unacceptable. A constitution that anticipates de facto equality of women is a must for us".

Aydın also mentioned the newly established Ministry of Family and Social Policies. She reminded the fact that the Ministry for Women and Family Affairs was closed despite the objections made by women and that the Ministry for Equality did not take their demands into account either.

"How is the Ministry of Family and Social Policies going to define its duties; who is going to be appointed and how are women issues going to be positioned within the structure of the ministry - these are the things that are of our biggest concern", Aydın explained.

Aydın listed the women's other expectations for the new term in parliament as follows: "A constitution that focuses on the individual instead of the state; enforcing the Law on Equality; amending Law No. 4320 on the Protection of the Family according to the women's proposals; having at least 50 percent women in the managerial staff of the ministries and a 50 percent women quota for managerial staff of councils and governorships". (BIA, Burçin BELGE, 14 June 2011)

Turkish activists demand government call off nuclear plans

Turkish environmental activists have set up camp in Istanbul’s central Taksim Square, announcing they will not leave until the Turkish government calls off its plans to build nuclear power plants.

The 40-odd activists from Greenpeace Mediterranean called for all “sensible” people to join their peaceful resistance.

“Our aim is to raise awareness among Turkish people on the nuclear issue and its risks, as well as to make politicians take related action,” Uygar Özesmi, the director-general of Greenpeace Mediterranean, told the Hürriyet Daily News in an interview at the square.

“As the general elections approach, we more and more understand political parties consider every one of us a number, a vote. However, we are not just a vote,” Özesmi said, noting that the group had been struggling for a long time against Turkey’s nuclear plans.

Some 64 percent of Turkish people are against the construction of a nuclear power plant in the country, according to a survey Greenpeace conducted in cooperation with the A&G research company that was published April 29. The survey also found that 86 percent of Turks do not want to live near a nuclear power plant.

“The Turkish government is silent like a wall [despite all these figures], and has not yet given up its nuclear plans. This is not how the people’s voice is heard in a democratic state,” Özesmi said. On the contrary, he added, the government had finished a contract for building a nuclear plant in Mersin’s Akkuyu district, something he said violates domestic and international law.

“Although two-thirds of Turkish people are against nuclear, we see nuclear [plans] are still among the promises in the parties’ electoral programs,” Ümit Şahin, the co-spokesman of Turkey’s Green Party, told the Daily News on Friday at Taksim Square.

He added that he was surprised how the main opposition Republican People’s Party, or CHP, had been unable to directly oppose the nuclear plans. “They say they will go to a referendum [on the issue] if they become the ruling party, but they do not express an official position pro or against nuclear [power],” Şahin said.

Environmental activists decided to hold their open-ended protest in Taksim Square ahead of the June 12 general election so that the political parties would become sensitive toward the issue, according to Şahin. “The prime minister has to at least say publicly he is aware of the fact that the majority of Turkish society does not want the nuclear [plants], and [the government] must give up its nuclear plans,” he said.

“We want the government to withdraw from its nuclear plans. It is a difficult target, but we will not give up,” said Nuran Yücel, an activist with the Global Action Group, which has also joined the protest in Taksim.

Many countries have announced a scaling back of their nuclear plans, following the nuclear reactor disaster in Fukushima, Japan.

According to Greenpeace Mediterranean, Japan has canceled the construction of 14 new reactors, while Switzerland has canceled its plans for three new nuclear reactors and announced it will close all its nuclear power plants by 2034. The German government has closed seven plants and plans to gradually inactivate all its plants by 2022. The Chinese government has also temporarily suspended its nuclear power plant plans, while the nuclear issue was brought to a referendum in Italy.

The Turkish government is meanwhile moving ahead with plans to construct a nuclear power plant about 20 to 25 kilometers away from the Ecemiş earthquake fault line in the southern district of Akkuyu. (Hürriyet Daily News, June 3, 2011)

EP asks Turkey to unconditionally drop charges against trade unionists

Sending an open letter to the Labour and Social Security Minister of Turkey, Ömer Dinçer, European Parliament (EP) asked Turkey to unconditionally drop charges against 111 trade union members including TEKGIDA-IS President Mustafa Turkel, four national officers, twelve branch presidents, current and former heads of the DISK union, two former leaders of the public sector confederation KESK and other prominent union and social activists.

It was said in the letter signed by Jürgen KLUTE, Member of European Parliament (Germany);

Bart STAES, Member of European Parliament (Belgium); Eva-Britt SVENSSON, Member of European Parliament (Sweden); Nikolaos CHOUNTIS, Member of European Parliament (Greece); Willy MEYER PLEITE, Member of European Parliament (Spain); Helmut SCHOLZ, Member of European Parliament (Germany); Marie-Christine VERGIAT, Member of European Parliament (France); Rui TAVARES, Member of European Parliament (Portugal); Paul MURPHY, Member of European Parliament (Irland); as follows:

“For around one and a half year, the rise of a lively and brave trade union movement in Turkey has been attracting a lot of international attention and sympathy. The peaceful gathering of 250,000 workers on Taksim place in Istanbul on May, 1st 2010 was widely and positively recognized and interpreted by some as a landmark in the history of Turkish democratization. During the months before, the struggle of 12,000 dismissed TEKEL workers and their families for their social rights had moved the country. Little doubt should be about the high symbolic value of their struggle to Turkish union movement, but also to the possibilities of civil society to express their concerns and legitimate interests.

We, as Members of European Parliament, feel that democracy and the division of powers do heavily depend on the existence of an active and organized civil society. We believe that democracy depends on the interest and critical commitment of a maximum of citizens. In modern States, such as Turkey, independent trade unions are an important and unalienable and recognized part of civil society.

With sad surprise we now had to learn that Ankara Public Prosecutor has filed criminal charges against 111 union officers, threatening them with prison terms of up to 5 years. We are afraid that a mass trial would seriously harm the democratization process of the Republic of Turkey and criminalize citizens' legitimate protest, such as, in this case, the demonstration of TEKEL workers on April, 1st 2010 in Ankara. We would also like to point to harassment and violence that had to face demonstrators on the mentioned day by police forces.

The use of the courts to criminalize trade union action in this manner is a clear violation of international norms and standards, including Convention 87 of the ILO which clearly guarantees workers the right to freely conduct such actions.

For the outlined reasons, we call on your government to immediately and unconditionally drop all charges against all the trade union officers and to assure to Turkish trade unions the right to conduct their activities free of violence and harassment. From our point of view, it is the duty of the State to protect and promote workers' rights instead of criminalizing trade union activity.” (DIHA, June 2, 2011)

Relations turco-européennes / Turkey-Europe Relations

A propos de la réhabilitation des Moudjahidines du Peuple en France

par  Amitiés kurdes de Bretagne

Le 11 mai dernier, la justice française réhabilitait les Moudjahidines du Peuple iranien. 8 ans plus tôt, le 24 juin 2003, le ministre français des Affaires étrangères de l’époque, Dominique de Villepin, justifiait une opération policière, particulièrement médiatisée, à l’encontre d’opposants iraniens au régime des Mollahs en ces termes :

La France a agi pour lutter contre le terrorisme en déclenchant une vague d’arrestations contre les Moudjahidines du Peuple iranien installés à Auvers-sur-Oise, près de Paris

déclarait-il à France Info, en ajoutant que cette vague d’arrestations était une "décision de justice" et qu’il n’y avait

pas de dimension, ni de prise en compte d’une dimension diplomatique dans cette affaire.

Cette déclaration, la main sur le cœur, est d’une banalité affligeante tant elle se répète encore aujourd’hui, contre, par exemple, le Parti des Travailleurs du Kurdistan (PKK), sauf que, en l’espèce, des témoins ont révélé les dessous des cartes.

Le 17 juin 2003, 1 300 policiers et gendarmes ont mené, sous la responsabilité du ministre de l’intérieur Nicolas Sarkozy, une opération antiterroriste qui s’est conclue par l’arrestation de 164 personnes dont 20 mises en examen et écrouées.

Mais, deux mois auparavant, un journaliste, Jean-Claude Maurice, directeur du Journal du Dimanche, avait été le témoin inattendu d’un deal passé, à Téhéran, entre les ministres iranien et français des Affaires étrangères, Kamal Kharazz et Dominique de Villepin : "virez-les" dit le premier, "Sarkozy va s’en occuper" assure le second.

La sur-médiatisation, le déploiement excessif de moyens et la brutalité de l’opération suscitent la rancœur de l’ancien directeur de la DST, Yves Bonnet, qui n’a pas digéré l’instrumentalisation du contre-espionnage français : il dit lors de l’émission de Soir 3 du 16 juin dernier :

Monsieur de Villepin a négocié avec son homologue iranien cette opération sans précédent dans les annales de la DST. En contrepartie, il obtiendra des avantages pour certaines sociétés françaises, notamment Total.

Depuis Auvers-sur-Oise, Maryam Radjavi, entourée des cadres de son mouvement, tous blanchis des accusations de terrorisme, demande au gouvernement français de présenter des excuses au peuple iranien et au peuple français.

Avec le non-lieu rendu le 11 mai dernier, la justice reconnaît la légitimité de l’organisation OMPI. L’image de terroriste que la France lui a collée laisse place à celle de résistante.

Pétition: "Oui à une solution politique à la question kurde en Turquie"

Les Kurdes viennent de remporter un succès sans conteste aux élections législatives qui se sont déroulées le 12 juin dernier en Turquie. Ils ont montré par là même leur détermination pour obtenir les droits que tout peuple au Monde demande légitimement : droits politiques, droits culturels, droits à l’éducation en langue maternelle.

En réponse à ces revendications, nombre de leurs élus, politiques et associatifs, nombre de leurs militants sont interpellés : 3 000 d’entre eux sont aujourd’hui en détention dans les prisons turques.

Un changement de politique s’impose. Une nouvelle constitution doit en être le garant. L’ouverture de négociation entre les parties est impérative. La France, l’Union européenne, ont les moyens de convaincre leur allié turc. Or on poursuit des militants kurdes, des responsables kurdes, non seulement en Turquie, mais aussi en France et en Europe.

Nous lançons une pétition pour demander à la France et à l’Union européenne de ne plus sacrifier les droits des Kurdes sur l’autel de leurs intérêts économiques et géostratégiques.

Emmenée par une liste de premiers signataires – des personnalités, des organisations politiques et associatives - cette pétition demande à la France et à l’Union européenne de ne plus encourager la politique belliciste de la Turquie et de faire les gestes nécessaires pour exiger du gouvernement turc qu’il apporte une réponse positive aux revendications légitimes du peuple kurde.

Le texte de la pétition

Alors que les élections législatives en Turquie confirment le soutien massif de la population kurde au bloc "Travail, Démocratie, Liberté" en faisant entrer à la Grande Assemblée de Turquie, 36 députés (21 dans la précédente législature) du parti pro-kurde BDP, on incarcère, on condamne des militants kurdes, des responsables kurdes sous le prétexte fallacieux "d’organisation de malfaiteurs en relation avec une organisation terroriste".

On condamne des militants kurdes, des responsables kurdes, non seulement en Turquie, mais aussi en France.

Nous ne pouvons accepter que des militants représentant ce fort mouvement populaire soient poursuivis sur notre sol pour des motifs politiques. Nous exigeons la libération de toutes les personnes incarcérées et l’abandon de toutes les poursuites engagées.

Rappelons que la question kurde ne pourra se régler, en Turquie, sans l’arrêt des opérations militaires, sans une amnistie générale, sans de vraies réformes économiques et sociales, sans garantie pour les libertés individuelles et collectives, sans une nouvelle constitution pluraliste et démocratique et sans l’ouverture de négociations visant à la reconnaissance, par la Turquie, des droits légitimes du peuple kurde : droits politiques, droits culturels, droits à l’éducation en langue maternelle.

Exigeons de la France et de l’Union européenne :

• qu’elles s’abstiennent de réactiver le cycle de la violence et de la guerre en encourageant la politique belliciste de la Turquie.

• qu’elles favorisent une solution politique permettant de répondre aux revendications légitimes du peuple kurde en appuyant toute initiative en faveur de la paix et en proposant en particulier un cadre de négociation pour un cessez-le-feu immédiat.

• qu’elles soient attentives à la protection des défenseurs des droits humains.

Signez massivement la pétition "Oui à une solution politique à la question kurde en Turquie" qui se trouve sur

http://www.petitions24.net/oui_a_une_solution_politique_a_la_question_kurde_en_turquie

(André Métayer,  20 juin 2011)

Sarkozy félicite Erdogan et lui promet de coopérer, sans mentionner l'UE

Nicolas Sarkozy a félicité mardi le Premier ministre turc Recep Tayyip Erdogan, large vainqueur des élections législatives de dimanche en Turquie, et lui a promis de renforcer la coopération entre les deux pays, mais sans mentionner l'adhésion de la Turquie à l'UE.

"Ma visite de travail à Ankara en février dernier et les échanges que nous avons pu avoir à cette occasion ont permis de confirmer notre volonté commune de renforcer dans tous les domaines notre coopération bilatérale ainsi que notre concertation sur les grands dossiers régionaux et internationaux", écrit M. Sarkozy dans une lettre publiée par l'Elysée.

"La France a la volonté d'oeuvrer, avec ses principaux partenaires et alliés parmi lesquels figure naturellement la Turquie, à la stabilité et la prospérité de son environnement régional", poursuit-il.

"Trois mois après le début de l'intervention alliée en Libye et alors que la situation en Syrie est une source de grande préoccupation commune, la France attache un soin particulier à approfondir sa coopération avec la Turquie afin d'aider les peuples de la région à reprendre leur destin en main", assure également le président français.

Principale adversaire avec l'Allemagne d'une entrée de la Turquie dans l'Union européenne (UE), la France entretient des relations compliquées avec les autorités d'Ankara. A la veille du dernier séjour turc du président français, M. Erdogan avait sèchement reproché dans la presse à M. Sarkozy son refus de voir son pays rejoindre les 27.

Si la Turquie s'était opposée aux frappes aériennes initiées par la France contre la Libye du colonel Kadhafi, les deux pays se sont rapprochés sur le dossier syrien, après la dénonciation par M. Erdogan des "atrocités" commises par le régime de son "ami" Bachar al-Assad contre sa population. (AFP, 14 juin 2011)

L'UE félicite Erdogan pour sa victoire et espère de nouvelles réformes

Le président de l'UE, Herman Van Rompuy, et le président de la Commission, José Manuel Barroso, ont félicité lundi le Premier ministre turc, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, pour sa victoire aux législatives, espérant un nouvel élan dans les réformes et dans les négociations d'adhésion.

"Nous vous félicitons pour les résultats des élections tenues le 12 juin", écrivent les deux dirigeants européens dans un communiqué commun.

"Le résultat ouvre la voie à un renforcement des institutions démocratiques de la Turquie, ainsi qu'à une modernisation du pays, dans la ligne des valeurs et standards européens", poursuit le texte.

"Nous sommes convaincus que la période qui s'ouvre offre de nouvelles possibilités pour de nouvelles réformes, y compris pour travailler à une nouvelle Constitution dans le cadre de la plus large consultation possible et dans un esprit de dialogue et de compromis, et pour le renforcement de la confiance entre la Turquie et les Etats membres de l'UE", écrivent Herman Van Rompuy et José Manuel Barroso.

"Des progrès dans ces domaines devraient également donner un nouvel élan aux négociations d'adhésion avec l'Union européenne", ajoutent-ils.

Le parti issu de la mouvance islamiste de M. Erdogan a remporté dimanche une victoire écrasante aux législatives, s'assurant une troisième législature consécutive.

L'AKP n'obtient cependant pas la majorité des deux tiers au Parlement pour modifier, sans avoir à consulter l'opposition, la Constitution héritée des militaires après leur putsch de 1980.

Mais M. Erdogan a promis qu'il rechercherait "le plus vaste consensus" avec l'opposition et la société civile pour "rédiger une nouvelle Constitution libérale digne de la Turquie".

Ses détracteurs ont dénoncé ses tendances autocratiques et lui prêtent l'ambition de se hisser plus tard au poste de chef de l'Etat, dans le cadre d'un régime présidentiel.

L'UE a été la grande absente de la campagne, un projet auquel beaucoup d'électeurs ne croient plus.

Les négociations d'adhésion piétinent en raison de l'opposition de la France et de l'Allemagne à une pleine adhésion turque, mais aussi du blocage politique sur l'île divisée de Chypre, Ankara refusant d'ouvrir ses ports et aéroports à la république de Chypre, pourtant membre de l'UE. (AFP, 13 juin 2011)

Le CE et l'OSCE pointent des limites à la liberté d'expression

Les élections de dimanche en Turquie ont été "démocratiques" et "pluralistes", mais ont montré des lacunes en matière de liberté des médias, ont estimé lundi le Conseil de l'Europe et l'OSCE à l'issue d'une mission d'observation de ce scrutin.

Ces élections, largement remportées par le parti issu de la mouvance islamiste du Premier ministre Recep Tayyip Erdogan, se sont déroulées "dans le calme" et "de manière professionnelle", et ont montré que les réformes mises en oeuvre par le gouvernement sortant "ont amélioré le système électoral", ont observé les deux organisations dans un communiqué commun publié à Strasbourg.

Cependant "certains éléments de la législation continuent à restreindre les activités des médias et des partis politiques en limitant la liberté d'expression", déplorent les deux organisations, qui ont déployé sur place plus de 70 observateurs, dont 61 parlementaires issus d'une trentaine de pays.

"Les partis d'opposition se sont plaints qu'ils bénéficiaient d'une couverture médiatique nettement inférieure à celle des partis de gouvernement", relèvent les observateurs, qui déplorent "plus de 50 journalistes" soient actuellement détenus ou fassent l'objet d'une enquête en Turquie.

Le parti issu de la mouvance islamiste de M. Erdogan a remporté dimanche une victoire écrasante aux législatives, s'assurant une troisième législature consécutive.

L'AKP n'obtient cependant pas la majorité des deux tiers au Parlement pour modifier, sans avoir à consulter l'opposition, la Constitution héritée des militaires après leur putsch de 1980. (AFP, 13 juin 2011)

Buzek: "Such a great election result also entails big responsibility towards the Turkish electorate"

European Parliament President Jerzy Buzek, congratulates Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, Prime Minister of Turkey and leader of the AK party (Justice and Development Party) on his election victory.
 
President Buzek said:
 
"I would like to congratulate Prime Minister Erdoğan and the AK party on their landslide victory. Such a great election result also entails big responsibility towards the Turkish electorate to continue along the path of necessary reforms.
 
In particular, I would like to underline the necessity to pursue a comprehensive constitutional reform, in a transparent and inclusive manner, with consultation of all main sectors of society and in close cooperation with the opposition.
 
I welcome the fact that the Turkish voters have manifested their confidence by electing a greater number of female members as well as Kurdish politicians to the parliament.
 
It is my hope and wish that the new government will continue the EU accession process with renewed determination and energy. That it will commit to improving the rule of law, the freedom of expression and media, as well as minority rights in the country. Prime Minister Erdoğan is a very experienced politician and I look forward to working with his government.
 
I am pleased to hear that international election observers have found the elections to be well-managed, democratic and pluralistic. However, they also stressed the need to improve the fundamental freedoms and noted that the 10 percent threshold for political party representation in Parliament continues to limit the representative nature of the legislature. The new Turkish government should pay a serious attention to address these shortcomings."

Europe remains critical of Turkey's 10 percent election threshold

Turkey should have lowered the 10 percent threshold for political parties to be voted into Parliament ahead of the June 12 general election, a Council of Europe report has said.

In the section of the report devoted to Turkey, Swiss parliamentarian Dick Marty, a member of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, or PACE, expressed regret that “the threshold of 10 percent ... has not been decreased despite numerous recommendations of the assembly and will still be in place for the next parliamentary elections June 12.”

There are still significant problems in Turkey, according to the report, which covers the EU candidate country’s progress from June 2010 to May 2011 in meeting European norms on democracy, the rule of law and human rights.

In particular, it notes the length of pre-trial detention proceedings, the functioning of the judicial system, restrictions on freedom of expression, the execution of the judgments of the European Court of Human Rights and a number of questions related to national minorities and minority languages as issues that continue to raise concerns.

“Even if the [Sept. 12, 2010, constitutional] referendum did not fully comply with the relevant recommendations of the Venice Commission, insofar as several amendments had been put to a vote that required a single response, its outcome nevertheless constituted a step forward in the democratic process in the country,” the report, released under the auspices of PACE’s Monitoring Committee, also said.

Turkey has been engaged since 2004 in a post-monitoring dialogue with PACE in its efforts to ensure full respect for democracy, the rule of law and protection of human rights. The Venice Commission is an advisory body of the Council of Europe that deals with constitutional law.

A 26-member delegation from PACE led by Swedish parliamentarian Kerstin Lundgren will observe Sunday’s elections in the Turkish cities of Istanbul, Ankara, Antalya, Diyarbakır, İzmir, Trabzon and Van. (Hürriyet Daily News, June 10, 2011)

L'Union européenne, grande absente des élections turques

L'Union européenne est la grande absente de la campagne pour les élections législatives en Turquie, un pays pourtant en pleines négociations d'adhésion avec le bloc européen. Mais à quoi bon s'attarder sur un projet auquel beaucoup d'électeurs ne croient plus ?

Selon une enquête publiée le 1er juin par l'institut de recherches TESEV, qui a interrogé 1.000 personnes en décembre 2010, 69% des Turcs sont favorables à l'entrée de leur pays dans l'UE, contre 26% d'opinions défavorables.

Mais entre vouloir et pouvoir, il y a un pas: 36% seulement des sondés estiment qu'une telle adhésion aura lieu dans les dix prochaines années, et 13% l'envisagent à plus long terme.

Ils sont en revanche 30% à estimer que la Turquie ne rejoindra jamais l'UE, et 21% à se retrancher derrière un pudique "je ne sais pas".

De quoi refroidir un hypothétique prosélytisme pro-européen des partis politiques à l'approche des législatives de dimanche.

Totalement absente des discours électoraux, la problématique européenne n'apparaît qu'à la 151e page dans le programme de campagne du Parti de la justice et du développement (AKP, islamo-conservateur), la formation du Premier ministre Recep Tayyip Erdogan, donnée favorite du scrutin.

En une page, l'AKP réaffirme son engagement en faveur d'une "adhésion complète" à l'UE --c'est lui qui a entamé en 2005 les pourparlers d'adhésion--, tout en dénonçant abondamment "l'opposition injuste et infondée de certains pays européens".

Le principal parti d'opposition, le CHP (social-démocrate), ne fait pas mieux, consacrant une page sur 136 au projet européen, qu'il soutient sans enthousiasme.

Interrogé par l'AFP, le ministre aux Affaires européennes, Egemen Bagis, dont M. Erdogan a promis que le portefeuille deviendrait de plein exercice, dément tout changement d'orientation. Il admet cependant que l'UE se vend mal auprès des électeurs, et qu'on "fait" désormais de l'Europe sans le dire trop ouvertement.

"C'est parce que l'UE a perdu sa crédibilité en Turquie", confie-t-il.

Les négociations pour l'adhésion sont en effet dans l'impasse. A ce jour, seuls 13 des 35 chapitres thématiques qui jalonnent ces négociations ont été ouverts et un seul a pu être bouclé.

Les discussions piétinent en raison de l'opposition de la France et de l'Allemagne à une pleine adhésion turque, mais aussi du blocage politique sur l'île divisée de Chypre, Ankara refusant d'ouvrir ses ports et aéroports à la République de Chypre, pourtant membre de l'UE.

"L'UE a un problème de crédibilité et la principale raison n'est pas seulement la non ouverture des chapitres de négociations, mais aussi le manque de coopération de nos alliés européens dans la lutte contre le terrorisme. Et nous avons toujours une politique de deux poids deux mesures concernant les visas", détaille M. Bagis.

La Turquie réclame un allégement du régime des visas imposés à ses citoyens par les pays européens et d'avantage de soutien dans sa lutte contre les rebelles du Parti des travailleurs du Kurdistan (PKK).

Après les élections, le gouvernement reprendra-t-il son bâton de pèlerin pro-européen?

Cengiz Aktar, spécialiste des questions européennes à l'université stambouliote de Bahçesehir, en doute.

"Je m'attends que la Turquie soit plutôt introvertie dans les années à venir et s'occupe de ses propres problèmes politiques, économiques et sociaux", affirme l'universitaire.

Pour le chercheur, le corps politique turc sera "happé" dès la fin des élections par le débat sur une nouvelle Constitution, voulue par l'AKP pour débarrasser le pays d'une loi fondamentale autoritaire, héritée du coup d'Etat militaire de 1980. L'UE attendra. (AFP, Nicolas CHEVIRON, 9 juin 2011)

Passe d'armes entre Vienne et Ankara pour la direction de l'OSCE

Vienne veut obtenir des explications après le veto turc à la nomination d'une ex-ministre autrichienne à la tête de l'OSCE et maintient sa candidate, a indiqué lundi le vice-Chancelier Michael Spindelegger, l'affaire prenant la tournure d'une mini-crise diplomatique.

"Nous n'allons pas simplement accepter ce veto", a déclaré M. Spindelegger, assurant qu'Ursula Plassnik est la candidate la mieux placée. Il a annoncé avoir demandé une réunion du conseil permanent de l'Organisation pour la coopération et la sécurité en Europe.

"Nous attendons la décision de la présidence", détenue cette année par la Lituanie, a précisé le ministre des Affaires étrangères.

Forte de 56 membres, l'OSCE prend ses décisions à l'unanimité. Le processus de désignation du successeur du Français Marc Perrin de Brichambaut, dont le mandat de secrétaire général arrive à échéance fin juin, est temporairement bloqué.

Le chef de la diplomatie turque, Ahmet Davutoglu, a justifié sa position par l'opposition de Mme Plassnik à l'entrée de la Turquie dans l'Union européenne.

Pour la presse autrichienne et turque, ce veto est un acte de représailles: Ursula Plassnik, alors ministre des Affaires étrangères, avait failli en 2005 faire capoter l'ouverture des négociations d'adhésion avec la Turquie lors d'un conseil des ministres européens.

Ce revers diplomatique a suscité de nombreuses réactions dans la classe politique autrichienne, les conservateurs parlant de "revanche mesquine", tandis que l'extrême-droite s'indignait d'un "affront".

Cet épisode est un nouvel accroc dans les relations entre les deux capitales, plombées par le dossier européen, mais aussi par les controverses autour de l'intégration des dizaines de milliers de Turcs vivant dans la petite république alpine.

Michael Spindelegger, jugeant "injustifiée et incompréhensible" l'attitude turque, a rappelé que, lors de la visite du président turc Abdullah Gül à Vienne en mai, l'Autriche et la Turquie s'étaient engagées à ne pas bloquer leurs candidatures respectives pour l'OSCE.

Ankara présente en effet également un candidat, Ersin Ercin. L'Italien Lamberto Zannier et le Portugais Joao Soares sont également en lice. (AFP, 6 juin 2011)

Turquie-USA/ Turkey-USA

Obama a appelé Erdogan pour le féliciter de sa victoire électorale

Barack Obama a félicité le Premier ministre turc Recep Tayyip Erdogan pour sa victoire électorale lors d'un appel téléphonique mardi matin, a indiqué le porte-parole du président des Etats-Unis, Jay Carney.

"Il y a quelques instants, le président a conclu un appel téléphonique avec le Premier ministre turc Erdogan. Il l'a appelé pour féliciter le Premier ministre de la victoire de son parti aux élections législatives", a déclaré M. Carney lors d'un point de presse dans l'avion présidentiel Air Force One qui transportait M. Obama de Miami (Floride, sud-est) à Porto Rico.

M. Carney n'a pas été en mesure de préciser si les deux dirigeants, dont les pays sont alliés au sein de l'Otan, avaient évoqué la situation en Syrie. Des milliers de réfugiés syriens ont traversé la frontière vers la Turquie en raison de la répression menée par les forces du régime de Bachar al-Assad.

Le Parti de la justice et du développement (AKP) de M. Erdogan, formation issue de la mouvance islamiste, a rassemblé 49,9% des suffrages dimanche, selon des résultats encore non officialisés, son meilleur score et sa troisième victoire consécutive à des législatives. (AFP, 14 juin 2011)

Manoeuvres aériennes Otan-Russie: empêcher de nouveaux 11-Septembre

Les forces aériennes de la Russie et de l'Otan se sont livrées mardi en Pologne à leur premier exercice conjoint visant à éviter des attentats comme ceux du 11 septembre 2001 aux Etats-Unis, ont annoncé des responsables de l'Otan à Varsovie.

"Aujourd'hui, nous avons franchi une étape importante pour les relations entre l'Otan et la Russie, et par conséquent, à mon avis, une étape importante pour le monde parce que la menace du terrorisme est une menace commune", a déclaré à la presse à Varsovie le général à la retraite belge Georges D'hollander, directeur général de l'Agence de Consultation, de commandement et de contrôle de l'Otan (NC3A), à l'issue de ce premier exercice.

"C'est une initiative pour renforcer la confiance qui repose sur une décision du Conseil Otan-Russie", a-t-il ajouté.

Cet exercice sans précédent a commencé mardi matin avec le départ d'un avion polonais Casa 295M de l'aéroport de Cracovie (sud) simulant un avion civil victime de pirates de l'air.

Deux chasseurs polonais F-16 de la base de Krzesiny, près de Poznan (centre), ont ensuite intercepté cet avion "renégat" avant de passer le relais à des Soukhoï russes chargés de reconduire l'avion jusqu'à l'aéroport de la ville polonaise de Malbork, dans le nord du pays.

"C'est la première fois que des avions de chasse de l'Otan et de la Russie coopéraient dans ce genre de scénario", a souligné le colonel tchèque Petr Mikulenka, directeur des exercices à l'Otan.

Cette opération a été menée dans le cadre de l'exercice baptisé "Ciels vigilants 2011" du 6 au 10 juin, qui doit se poursuivre avec des vols communs au-dessus de la mer Noire.

Mercredi, trois F-16 turcs et deux Soukhoï russes devront intercepter au-dessus de la mer Noire un avion ayant dévié de son plan de vol initial et perdu ses moyens de communications.

Ces exercices aériens correspondent à un projet russo-atlantique mis sur pied en vue d'empêcher que ne se répètent des attentats du type de ceux du 11-Septembre aux Etats-Unis, le "NATO-Russia Council Cooperative Airspace Initiative" (CAI).

L'initative permettra d'"améliorer la sécurité de milliers de passagers utilisant quotidiennement les vols internationaux empruntant les espaces aériens de l'Otan et de la Russie, et celle des millions d'habitants au sol", selon un communiqué de l'Alliance.

Les manoeuvres sont coordonnées à partir de deux centres de contrôle, respectivement à Varsovie et à Moscou, avec des relais locaux à Kaliningrad, Rostov-sur-le-Don et Mourmansk en Russie, à Bodo en Norvège et à Ankara en Turquie. (AFP, 7 juin 2011)

Izmir to be transformed into NATO’s land base

A Turkish marine in camouflage and battlegear takes his position in a NATO military maneuver. Hürriyet photo
The Aegean province of İzmir will be transformed into NATO’s land base, said Defense Minister Vecdi Gönül on Monday.

“The final shape of the planning is that İzmir will be the Land Force Command of NATO,” Gönül was quoted as saying by the Anatolia news agency in Antalya. 

İzmir was hosting NATO’s air base and was one of the two headquarters, along with the one in Larissa, Greece, that NATO was considering shutting down last year as part of plans to tighten its command structure.

“We insisted on a restructuring, which will display İzmir’s international identity. Some work has been done, and we struggled. Now NATO’s land force command is moving to İzmir. Thus, instead of the air force, the land force will be in İzmir,” said Gönül.

He said the number of personnel at the base would not change very much.

“It has not yet been submitted to decision-making mechanisms,” said Gönül. “But according to the plans, NATO’s Air Force will be based in İzmir.” The new plan will be discussed at the NATO's meeting of defense ministers on June 8-9. 

İzmir is also playing a critical role in the undertaking of NATO’s mission in Libya, acting as the center for operations monitoring the no-fly zone in crisis-stricken North African country. (Hürriyet Daily News, June 6, 2011)

Relations régionales / Regional Relations

Les discussions avec Israël se poursuivent pour tourner la page

Les discussions se poursuivent entre Israël et la Turquie pour tourner la page de l'épisode meurtrier du Mavi Marmara, qui a provoqué une grave crise entre les deux pays, a indiqué mardi un diplomate turc à l'AFP.

"Les discussions se poursuivent. Il y a la volonté ferme de trouver une solution entre les deux pays, pour laisser cette affaire derrière eux", a déclaré Özdem Sanberk, le représentant turc à la commission d'enquête de l'ONU sur l'assaut israélien contre le ferry turc Mavi Marmara, le 31 mai 2010, qui avait fait neuf morts parmi les passagers turcs.

"Les deux parties déploient des efforts authentiques", a souligné M. Sanberk.

Mais, a-t-il ajouté, il est impossible de dire où en sont les discussions sur les deux exigences de la Turquie: des compensations pour les familles des victimes et des excuses d'Israël pour ce raid sur le ferry turc, navire amiral d'une flottille internationale qui faisait route vers Gaza, sous blocus israélien, pour y apporter de l'aide humanitaire.

Après ce raid meurtrier dans les eaux internationales, la Turquie avait rappelé son ambassadeur à Tel-Aviv et assuré que les relations bilatérales, jadis excellentes, ne seraient "plus jamais les mêmes".

De récents gestes mutuels de bonne volonté ont donné à penser qu'une amélioration des relations bilatérales est proche.

Le Premier ministre israélien Benjamin Netanyahu a envoyé à son homologue turc Recep Tayyip Erdogan un message pour le féliciter de la victoire de son parti aux législatives du 12 juin.

Et l'annonce par une association islamiste turque qu'elle n'enverra pas le Mavi Marmara rejoindre une seconde flottille internationale vers Gaza a été interprétée par Israël comme une décision inspirée par les autorités turques.

"Je crois que nous avions perdu confiance entre nous au cours des dernières années. Maintenant, nous avons besoin d'arrêter ce jeu des reproches réciproques sur les raisons de cette perte de confiance", a déclaré vendredi Danny Ayalon, le vice-ministre israélien des Affaires étrangères au journal turc Daily News.

"L'annulation du départ du Mavi Marmara est l'occasion pour nous de renforcer nos liens. Nous devrions nous réunir et aborder tous les sujets", avait ajouté M. Ayalon, lui qui l'an dernier avait humilié l'ambasadeur turc à Tel-Aviv. Il avait convoqué le diplomate, l'avait contraint à s'asseoir sur un canapé très bas et avait convié la presse pour immortaliser la scène. (AFP, 28 juin 2011)

Les chars syriens sont à la frontière turque, des déplacés fuient en Turquie

Des centaines de déplacés syriens fuyant la répression ont traversé jeudi la frontière turque pour échapper à l'armée syrienne désormais toute proche, et les pays de l'Union européenne ont entériné un nouveau train de sanctions contre le régime syrien.

Des centaines de soldats appuyés par des chars ont pénétré jeudi matin dans le village de Khirbet al-Joz (nord-ouest), à moins d'un kilomètre de la frontière, a indiqué un militant des droits de l'Homme sur place, contacté au téléphone par l'AFP.

Un habitant du village turc de Güveççi, mitoyen de la frontière, a indiqué avoir vu passer vers 06H00 (03H00 GMT) plusieurs chars et des soldats sur la colline où est situé le village.

Un drapeau turc hissé quelques jours plus tôt sur un bâtiment au flanc de cette colline par les déplacés, en signe de gratitude envers la Turquie qui accueille déjà des milliers de réfugiés syriens, a été remplacé par un drapeau syrien, a constaté un journaliste de l'AFP.

Trois transports de troupes blindés ont ensuite fait une apparition à seulement 300 mètres d'un camp de déplacés avant de s'éloigner, selon cette source.

A quelques kilomètres au nord de Güveççi, plusieurs centaines de déplacés ont franchi la ligne de barbelés matérialisant la frontière, où ils ont été pris en charge par la gendarmerie turque, a observé l'AFP.

Les gendarmes ont fait venir des minibus pour convoyer les déplacés vers l'un des cinq camps de réfugiés érigés par le Croissant-Rouge turc dans la province de Hatay (sud de la Turquie), voisine de la Syrie.

Le président du Croissant-Rouge turc, Tekin Küçükali, arrivé à Güveççi, a parlé de "plus de 600" déplacés entrés en Turquie, ajoutant qu'au total, 11.000 Syriens étaient maintenant réfugiés dans le pays.

Arrivé à Güveççi jeudi avec l'aide d'un passeur turc, un imam syrien a indiqué à l'AFP que les soldats syriens bloquaient les accès à la frontière.

"L'armée a pris le contrôle des villages et bloque les routes", a déclaré l'imam Rami, venu du village d'Hamushia, près de Bdama, à quelques kilomètres de la frontière, qui dit avoir fui les soldats après avoir entendu des coups de feu et des tirs d'armes lourdes.

Plus de 120 civils ont été arrêtés par les autorités syriennes entre mercredi soir et jeudi matin à Tal Rifat, à une trentaine de kilomètres de la Turquie, a rapporté une ONG de défense des droits de l'Homme.

Ces arrestations ont eu lieu sur la route reliant Alep, deuxième ville de Syrie, à la frontière turque, a dit à l'AFP le chef de l'Observatoire syrien des droits de l'Homme, Rami Abdel Rahmane.

Le chef de la deuxième armée turque, le général Servet Yörük, est arrivé jeudi à Güveççi pour inspecter les garnisons le long de la frontière.

Le ministre turc des Affaires étrangères Ahmet Davutoglu a pour sa part discuté au téléphone avec son homologue syrien Walid Mouallem des derniers développements à la frontière, selon l'agence de presse Anatolie.

L'ambassadeur syrien à Ankara Abdullah Derdariy a par la suite été convoqué au ministère pour un complément d'informations, a rapporté Anatolie.

M. Davutoglu a aussi évoqué la question au téléphone avec le chef de la diplomatie de l'Union européenne Catherine Ashton.

Les pays de l'UE ont entériné jeudi un nouveau train de sanctions comprenant le gel des avoirs et l'interdiction de voyager pour sept personnes --trois Iraniens accusés de fournir des équipements militaires à la Syrie et quatre responsables syriens-- ainsi que quatre entreprises syriennes.

Des milliers de déplacés syriens se sont regroupés par "villages" de plusieurs centaines de personnes sur une étroite bande de terre de quelques centaines de mètres de large et plusieurs kilomètres de long jouxtant la frontière.

Ils hésitaient jusque-là à franchir la frontière de crainte de ne plus pouvoir regagner leurs foyers.

Au 100e jour du mouvement de contestation, les militants pro-démocratie ont appelé à une grève générale dans toutes les villes de Syrie en signe de deuil pour les victimes de la répression qui a fait plus de 1.300 morts parmi les civils, selon des ONG syriennes.

Selon des militants, la grève a été largement suivie dans des localités de la banlieue de Damas ainsi qu'à Homs (centre), Lattaquié (nord) et Deraa (sud) notamment. (AFP, 23 juin 2011)

Entretiens de Mahmoud Abbas et Khaled Mechaal avec les dirigeants turcs

Le président palestinien Mahmoud Abbas a eu jeudi à Ankara des entretiens avec les dirigeants turcs, qui avaient rencontré au début de la semaine le chef du Hamas, Khaled Mechaal.

M. Abbas s'est entretenu à huis clos avec le président Abdullah Gül, avec lequel il a déjeuné, a indiqué le palais présidentiel turc.

Aucune déclaration n'a suivi ces entretiens.

M. Abbas devait s'entretenir aussi dans la journée avec le ministre des Affaires étrangères Ahmet Davutoglu, et vendredi avec le Premier ministre Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

M. Abbas était arrivé à Ankara mardi, alors que des désaccords étaient signalés par des officiels palestiniens entre le Fatah de M. Abbas et le Hamas, sur la formation d'un gouvernement non partisan.

Le même jour, M. Mechaal avait rencontré M. Davutoglu à Istanbul, pour évoquer avec lui les moyens de mettre fin à ces désaccords, selon des sources diplomatiques turques.

La Turquie mène des efforts de médiation entre le Fatah et le Hamas, en dépit des protestations israéliennes sur les contacts entre Ankara et le Hamas, que la Turquie refuse de considérer comme un mouvement terroriste.

Dimanche, un responsable palestinien avait indiqué que le voyage de M. Abbas en Turquie était une des raisons qui expliquaient le report d'une réunion du président palestinien avec M. Mechaal, qui était prévue mardi au Caire.

Les deux parties doivent finaliser la formation d'un gouvernement non partisan.

Le Hamas est opposé à la reconduction à la tête du gouvernement de l'actuel Premier ministre de l'Autorité palestinienne Salam Fayyad. (AFP, 23 juin 2011)


Assad promet des réformes, l'opposition veut sa chute

Le président Bachar al-Assad a promis lundi des réformes susceptibles de mettre fin à l'hégémonie de son parti en Syrie tout en se disant déterminé à faire cesser le "chaos", mais les opposants, loin d'être satisfaits, ont appelé à poursuivre la révolte jusqu'à la chute du régime.

Des manifestations hostiles au régime ont éclaté dans différentes régions de Syrie après le discours de M. Assad, notamment à Alep (nord) et à Homs (centre), selon des militants des droits de l'Homme.

Dans un discours à l'Université de Damas, sa troisième intervention publique depuis le début le 15 mars du mouvement de contestation, M. Assad n'a pas annoncé de mesures concrètes immédiates.

Devant une salle comble qui l'a accueilli avec des applaudissements et slogans à sa gloire, il a expliqué que les réformes envisagées ne pouvaient être décidées dans la précipitation, proposant d'attendre l'élection d'un nouveau Parlement prévu en août.

"Pas de réformes à travers le sabotage et le chaos", a-t-il lancé tout en appelant à un "dialogue national qui pourrait aboutir à des amendements à la Constitution ou à une nouvelle Constitution".

Il a aussi évoqué la possibilité "d'amender (...) la clause 8", qui fait du Baas le "parti dirigeant de l'Etat et de la société" en Syrie depuis 1963. Son annulation est l'une des revendications principales de l'opposition.

"Il y a certainement un complot" contre la Syrie, a-t-il par ailleurs affirmé.

Les manifestants syriens réclament aujourd'hui la chute du régime et des élections libres, en plus de l'annulation de la clause 8.

"Nous jugeons inutile tout dialogue qui n'aboutirait pas à tourner la page du régime actuel", ont répété les Comités locaux de Coordination, qui chapeautent les militants organisant les manifestations, après le discours de M. Assad.

Ils ont appelé à poursuivre "la révolution jusqu'à la réalisation de tous ses objectifs", estimant que le discours "consacre la crise".

L'avocat des droits de l'Homme Anouar Bounni, qui vient de purger une peine de cinq ans de prison, l'a jugé de son côté "décevant". "Une véritable solution politique est basée sur des conditions qui n'ont pas été évoquées comme le retrait de l'armée des villes et le respect du droit à manifester pacifiquement".

La Turquie, pays frontalier confrontée à un afflux de réfugiés syriens, a estimé que le président Assad devait s'engager d'une manière "beaucoup plus claire et nette" en faveur d'un changement démocratique.

Le discours de M. Assad a coïncidé avec la visite à Damas du président de la Croix-Rouge internationale, Jakob Kellenberger, venu réclamer l'accès aux personnes affectées par les violences. Il a été reçu par le Premier ministre Adel Safar qui a affirmé "le soutien du gouvernement syrien aux efforts du CICR", selon Sana. (AFP, 20 juin 2011)

Pourparlers secrets sur la crise diplomatique turco-israélienne

Israël et la Turquie mènent secrètement des pourparlers pour tenter de trouver une issue à la crise diplomatique entre les deux pays, a indiqué mardi le journal Haaretz.

Selon le quotidien, qui cite un haut responsable israélien sous le sceau de l'anonymat, ces efforts sont appuyés par les Etats-Unis.

Interrogé par l'AFP, un haut responsable israélien a déclaré qu'"Israël souhaite le rétablissement de relations bilatérales saines et positives, qui sont dans l'intérêt des deux parties".

Se refusant à toute précision sur des contacts secrets, il a seulement indiqué: "Nous avons déploré la dégradation des relations entre les deux pays".

D'après Haaretz, les contacts secrets sont menés par un envoyé du Premier ministre israélien Benjamin Netanyahu et par le sous-secrétaire au ministère turc des Affaires étrangères, Feridun Sinirlioglu.

Toujours selon le journal, d'autres discussions sont conduites par Yossef Ciechanover et Ozdem Sanberk, respectivement représentants israélien et turc à la commission d'enquête de l'ONU sur l'assaut israélien contre le ferry turc Mavi Marmara en 2010, qui avait fait neuf morts parmi les passagers turcs.

Une flottille humanitaire internationale est sensée appareiller prochainement pour briser le blocus israélien de la bande de Gaza. Le Mavi Marmara qui devait initialement être son navire amiral a fait défection la semaine dernière.

"Nous estimons qu'il s'agit d'une décision positive et espérons qu'elle contribuera au rétablissement des relations normales entre Israël et la Turquie", avait déclaré dimanche à l'AFP un responsable gouvernemental israélien.

La semaine dernière, Israël avait exprimé l'espoir que le gouvernement turc empêcherait le départ d'une nouvelle flottille, au lendemain de la victoire du parti islamo-conservateur au pouvoir aux élections législatives turques.

Après l'attaque du ferry en mai 2010, le président turc Abdullah Gul avait affirmé que les relations avec Israël, ancien allié stratégique d'Ankara, ne seraient "plus jamais les mêmes".

Une série de réunions entre responsables israéliens et turcs, dont deux à Genève, fin 2010, pour tenter de recoller les morceaux entre les deux pays, jadis alliés stratégiques, n'avaient pas abouti. (AFP, 21 juin 2011)

Grève de la faim dans un camp de réfugiés syriens en Turquie

Des réfugiés syriens en Turquie ont lancé vendredi une grève de la faim pour protester contre l'isolement auquel les soumettent les autorités turques, a affirmé une source militante syrienne, alors que l'actrice Angelina Jolie s'apprêtait à visiter les camps de réfugiés.

"Les réfugiés du camp de Yayladagi ont entamé une grève de la faim après la prière du vendredi", a déclaré cette source, un dissident syrien installé en Turquie, parlant sous le couvert de l'anonymat.

Le camp de réfugiés de Yayladagi a été ouvert fin avril par le Croissant-Rouge turc dans la province de Hatay (sud). Il accueille aujourd'hui plusieurs milliers de réfugiés.

"Ils protestent contre l'absence de visites, l'interdiction qui leur est faite de manifester contre le régime de Damas et l'absence de contacts avec l'extérieur", a poursuivi cette source, faisant état de "coups" donnés jeudi à des réfugiés par des gardes turcs.

Ces protestations interviennent alors que l'actrice américaine Angelina Jolie, ambassadrice de bonne volonté du Haut commissariat des Nations unies pour les Réfugiés (HCR), est attendue vendredi à Hatay pour une visite des camps.

Les réfugiés sont hébergés dans cinq villages de tentes de cette province.

Leur nombre a atteint 9.700 vendredi avec l'arrivée ces 24 dernières heures de plus d'un millier de nouveaux réfugiés, a-t-on appris de source officielle turque.

Les autorités turques empêchent tout accès aux réfugiés dans ces villages de tentes. Mais elles ont annoncé qu'ils bénéficient de trois repas par jour, de l'eau chaude 24 heures sur 24, et d'installations telles que machines à laver et télévisions. Des animateurs sont chargés de distraire les enfants, et des psychologues arabophones et imams sont à pied d'oeuvre, selon la même source.

Le Premier ministre turc Recep Tayyip Erdogan a déclaré que son pays ne fermerait pas ses portes aux réfugiés Syriens.

Jeudi, son ministre des Affaires étrangères, Ahmet Davutoglu, a déclaré que la Turquie fournirait aussi une assistance humanitaire aux milliers de Syriens déplacés à la frontière turque.

Les réfugiés syriens en Turquie accueillent "l'ange de bonté" Angelina Jolie

L'actrice américaine Angelina Jolie, ambassadrice de bonne volonté du Haut Commissariat des Nations unies pour les Réfugiés (HCR), s'est portée vendredi au chevet de Syriens réfugiés en Turquie, qui ont salué l'arrivée de leur "ange de bonté".

"Bienvenue, ange de bonté du monde", affirmait une grande banderole en anglais déployée à l'entrée du camp d'Altinözü, dans la province turque de Hatay (sud), où la star a pénétré à bord d'un véhicule aux vitres teintées accompagné d'un convoi de plusieurs voitures et entouré d'une impressionnante escorte policière.

L'actrice est immédiatement entrée dans le village de tentes qui abrite quelque 1.400 réfugiés fuyant la répression organisée par le régime du président syrien Bachar al-Assad --un camp auquel les journalistes n'ont pas accès--, pour s'entretenir avec eux.

"A bas le régime syrien !", ont scandé en arabe à son arrivée des réfugiés à l'intérieur du camp, tandis que des habitants se sont rués aux balcons et sur les terrasses des bâtiments en face du camp pour apercevoir la star.

Un peu plus tard, des réfugiés ont formé un cortège derrière un cercueil portant des inscriptions en turc et en arabe affirmant: "La communauté des Etats arabes" et "La conscience de la Russie et de la Chine", deux pays opposés à une résolution de l'ONU condamnant la répression en Syrie.

"Bachar, tueur d'enfants", et "Nous voulons que le régime tombe" pouvait-on lire sur des pancartes tenues par des enfants, qui constituent la majorité de la population du camp.

"Nous implorons le monde de protéger Jisr al-Choughour", affirmait une autre affiche, faisant référence à une ville du nord-ouest de la Syrie meurtrie par plusieurs jours de répression, d'où proviennent la plupart des réfugiés en Turquie. (AFP, 17 juin 2011)

Flottille Gaza: le navire turc attaqué par Israël n'y participera pas

Le navire turc Mavi Marmara, attaqué par un commando israélien en mai 2010, ne prendra pas part à une nouvelle flottille internationale visant à briser le blocus de Gaza, a indiqué vendredi à Istanbul le porte-parole des organisateurs.

Le musicien israélo-suédois Dror Feiler a invoqué lors d'une conférence de presse des raisons techniques pour expliquer l'absence de ce bateau pour la prochaine expédition d'aide humanitaire pro-palestinienne.

Dix navires de plusieurs pays sont prêts à participer à la nouvelle flottille, qui devrait prendra le départ de ports méditerranéens le 25 juin, a-t-il souligné.

"Notre destination est Gaza, nos motifs ne sont pas violents. Notre objectif est de faire lever d'une façon permanente l'embargo illégal frappant Gaza", a dit Dror Feiler.

Bülent Yildirim, le président de l'association caritative islamiste IHH, auquel appartient le navire, s'est dit "triste" que celui-ci ne puisse pas participer à cette nouvelle expédition.

"Après les dommages subis par le Mavi Marmara (lors de l'assaut), nous ne sommes pas en mesure de lui faire prendre la mer (...) Nous ne voulons plus retarder la flottille en raison de ces problèmes techniques", a-t-il dit.

M. Yildirim, qui dirige une ONG très active dans les pays musulmans et en Palestine notamment, n'a pas exclu que le Mavi Marmara participe à une troisième expédition.

Il a ajouté que l'absence du Mavi Marmara "n'a rien à voir avec le gouvernement, mais est seulement due à des problèmes techniques".

Le 31 mai 2010, des commandos de marine israéliens avaient lancé, en dehors des eaux territoriales, un assaut contre le Mavi Marmara, navire amiral d'une petite flotte internationale qui tentait de rallier le territoire palestinien, tuant neuf ressortissants turcs.

Israël a aussitôt essuyé une vague de réprobation internationale et vu ses relations avec Ankara, ex-allié régional, plonger au plus bas.

Israël a exprimé l'espoir que le gouvernement turc empêcherait le départ d'une nouvelle flottille, après la victoire électorale dimanche du parti du Premier ministre Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

Le ministre turc des affaires étrangères Ahmet Davutoglu a rappelé récemment que la frontière entre l'Egypte et Gaza avait été ouverte, appelant les militants de cette flottille à la "prudence".

Il a répété cependant qu'il serait "inacceptable" que le gouvernement turc exige d'associations indépendantes qu'elles abandonnent leur projet pour Gaza. (AFP, 17 juin 2011)

Erdogan exhorte Bachar al-Assad à établir un calendrier de réformes

Le Premier ministre turc Recep Tayyip Erdogan a appelé le président syrien Bachar al-Assad, avec lequel il a parlé au téléphone mardi, à établir d'urgence un calendrier de réformes et de mettre fin à la répression dans son pays, a rapporté l'agence de presse Anatolie.

M. Erdogan a appelé le président syrien à s'abstenir de recourir à la violence, à mettre fin à la répression et à établir d'urgence un calendrier pour des réformes, précise l'agence.

Ce calendrier doit immédiatement être mis en vigueur, a indiqué le Premier ministre à son interlocuteur, ajoute l'agence.

Depuis le début de la contestation en Syrie, M. Erdogan a plusieurs fois parlé au téléphone avec le président syrien, l'appelant à des réformes et à la retenue.

Mais exaspéré par la poursuite de la répression violente du mouvement populaire en Syrie voisine, M. Erdogan a récemment accusé le régime syrien "d'atrocité" et qualifié la répression d'"inacceptable", alors que la Turquie est confrontée à un afflux de réfugiés syriens, qui étaient mardi au nombre de 8.538.

Depuis le 15 mars, plus de 1.200 opposants sont morts et 10.000 autres ont été arrêtés en Syrie, selon des ONG.

M. Erdogan a déclaré récemment que son pays ne fermerait pas ses portes aux Syriens voulant y trouver refuge. (AFP, 14 juin 2011)

Près de 9.000 réfugiés syriens en Turquie

L'arrivée des réfugiés syriens fuyant la répression dans leur pays s'est intensifiée ces 24 dernières heures, portant à 8.538 leur nombre dans des villages de tentes installés dans le sud de la Turquie, a rapporté mardi l'agence de presse Anatolie.

Le dernier chiffre donné dimanche par l'agence semi-officielle Anatolie était de 5.051 réfugiés en Turquie.

Depuis le début de la semaine dernière, chaque jour, des centaines de Syriens affluent vers la province frontalière de Hatay, fuyant la répression des troupes du président syrien Bachar al-Assad.

Ils sont arrivés notamment depuis la ville de Jisr al-Choughour, à environ 40 km de la Turquie, où les forces syriennes sont entrées dimanche pour en "expulser les groupes armés".

Les réfugiés sont hébergés dans quatre villages de tentes de Hatay, installés par le Croissant-rouge turc.

Ils sont pris en charge par les gendarmes turcs et transportés dans les camps ou les hôpitaux, s'ils sont blessés.

Le Premier ministre turc Recep Tayyip Erdogan avait déclaré que son pays ne fermera pas ses portes aux Syriens voulant y trouver refuge.

Les autorités ont installé samedi un petit hôpital de campagne à Yagladadi, le premier et plus grand de quatre camps, pour dispenser les soins d'urgence. (AFP, 14 juin 2011)

La Turquie a offert une "garantie" à Kadhafi pour quitter la Libye

La Turquie a offert une "garantie" au dirigeant libyen Mouammar Kadhafi pour qu'il quitte son pays, mais n'a pas reçu de réponse jusqu'à présent, a déclaré vendredi le Premier ministre turc, Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

Kadhafi "n'a pas d'autre solution que de quitter la Libye, avec une garantie qui lui sera donnée... Nous lui avons donné cette garantie. Nous lui avons dit que nous apporterions notre aide pour qu'il soit envoyé là où il le souhaite", a dit M. Erdogan à la chaîne de télévision NTV, sans préciser qu'elles assurances lui ont été données.

"Selon la réponse qu'il nous donnera, nous soumettrons cette question à nos alliés (de l'Otan), mais malheureusement, nous n'avons pas reçu de réponse jusqu'à présent", a-t-il ajouté.

M. Erdogan a déploré le fait que le colonel Kadhafi et son entourage continuent à "résister vraiment au changement" bien que le dirigeant libyen ait "largement perdu son statut de leader" au sein des tribus du pays.

Jeudi, à la réunion du Groupe de contact sur la Libye à Abou Dhabi, la secrétaire d'Etat américaine, Hillary Clinton, a assuré devant la presse que des discussions dans l'entourage de Mouammar Kadhafi avaient lieu sur une "possible transition" du pouvoir en Libye.

Elle a appelé les puissances mondiales à "commencer le travail très difficile mais nécessaire avec (le Conseil national de transition, qui représente la rébellion) et le régime de Kadhafi pour tenter d'aboutir au type de transition du pouvoir" dont la Libye a besoin.

M. Erdogan a demandé début mai au colonel Kadhafi de quitter le pouvoir et son pays, après que la Turquie eut noué en vain des contacts discrets pour lui demander de se retirer.

La Turquie, seul pays musulman membre de l'Otan et important acteur régional, a peu à peu durci sa position à l'égard de la Libye, après avoir dans un premier temps critiqué les frappes aériennes occidentales contre ce pays.

Elle a refusé de prendre part aux raids aériens, mais a fourni six navires de guerre pour les opérations visant à faire respecter l'embargo sur les armes dans les eaux libyennes, imposé par l'Otan.

Elle a aussi mené plusieurs opérations humanitaires en Libye, évacuant plusieurs centaines de Libyens des zones tenues par les rebelles.

En Avril, la Turquie a proposé une "feuille de route" pour résoudre la crise libyenne, comprenant un cessez-le-feu immédiat, la levée du siège par l'armée de Kadhafi des villes tenues par les rebelles, et un "processus de transformation" politique devant mener à des élections libres. Cette initiative a fait long feu. (AFP, 10 juin 2011)

La Turquie accuse Damas d'"atrocité", nouvelles arrivées de réfugiés

Ankara a accusé le régime syrien "d'atrocité" et qualifié la répression des protestataires syriens d'"inacceptable", au moment où les ratissages qui se poursuivent dans ce pays entraînent la fuite vers la Turquie de nouveaux réfugiés.

"J'ai parlé à M. Assad (le président syrien Bachar al-Assad) il y a quatre ou cinq jours... Mais ils (les Syriens) sous-estiment la situation... Et malheureusement, ils ne se comportent pas humainement", a déclaré le Premier ministre turc, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, dans une interview télévisée jeudi soir, a rapporté vendredi l'agence de presse Anatolie.

Il a décrit la manière dont des femmes ont été tuées par les forces de sécurité syriennes comme une "atrocité", jugeant plus généralement que la répression des manifestations en Syrie était "inacceptable".

Dans ce contexte, la Turquie ne peut pas défendre la Syrie, a-t-il prévenu.

M. Erdogan, qui a souvent déclaré qu'il était un "ami" du président Assad, a demandé à plusieurs reprises des réformes urgentes en Syrie, face à la contestation sans précédent dans ce pays. Mais il n'a pas réclamé le départ du dirigeant syrien.

Il a répété que son pays laisse ses frontières ouvertes aux réfugiés syriens, mais "jusqu'où cela va-t-il aller ?", s'est-il interrogé.

"Nous n'avons pas de problèmes d'hébergement ou d'approvisionnements... Jusqu'à présent, les arrivées ne dépassent pas, et de loin, nos capacités", a-t-il ajouté, précisant que la Turquie n'a pas besoin d'aide extérieure.

Plus de 3.000 Syriens sont maintenant réfugiés en Turquie, hébergés dans trois villages de tentes dans la province de Hatay, a annoncé vendredi un responsable gouvernemental turc.

Les réfugiés, pour la plupart des personnes âgées et des enfants, sont accueillis par les gendarmes turcs et transportés dans les camps ou les hôpitaux. Environ 60 personnes sont hospitalisées, a-t-il dit.

La plupart des réfugiés ont été installés dans un village de tentes à Yayladagi. Le Croissant rouge a commencé à construire deux autres camps, à Altinozu et Boynuyogun, pour respectivement 4.000 et 5.000 personnes, selon des secouristes locaux.

La plupart de ces réfugiés ont fui la ville de Jisr al-Shughur, à environ 40 km de la Turquie, où les forces de sécurité ont mené des opérations de ratissage ces derniers jours.

Vendredi, l'armée syrienne a lancé une opération près de cette ville, selon la télévision syrienne, qui a accusé des "groupes armés" d'avoir "commis des atrocités".

La plupart des habitants de cette localité située à 300 km au nord de Damas ont cependant fui cette ville cette semaine, qui était "déserte" mercredi, après des opérations de ratissage entamées le 4 juin, selon des militants des droits de l'homme.

Lundi, les autorités syriennes avaient affirmé que 120 policiers avaient été tués à Jisr al-Choughour par des "groupes armés", mais les militants des droits de l'homme ont démenti cette version.

Le président Abdullah Gül a déclaré pour sa part que les autorités militaires et civiles de son pays se préparent "au pire scénario". "Malheureusement, il est clair que les choses n'évoluent pas dans la bonne direction", a-t-il dit.

Plus de 1.100 civils ont été tués dans la répression des manifestations contre le régime syrien, depuis le 15 mars, selon les défenseurs des droits de l'homme.

La Turquie, qui entretient de bonnes relations avec la Syrie, avec laquelle elle partage une frontière de plus de 800 km, est dans une situation inconfortable.

Elle redoute un chaos politique dans ce pays, un afflux massif de réfugiés sur son sol, et la déstabilisation de sa frontière. Des communautés kurdes sont présentes de chaque côté, et une situation anarchique en Syrie pourrait favoriser les rebelles du PKK (Parti des travailleurs du Kurdistan), en lutte contre les forces turques. (AFP, 10 juin 2011)

2.500 Syriens sont réfugiés en Turquie

Plus de 1.900 nouveaux Syriens fuyant la répression sont arrivés en territoire turc, ce qui porte à quelque 2.500 le nombre de ces ressortissants ayant fui en Turquie, qui a mis en place un imposant dispositif d'accueil et de secours dans la province de Hatay (sud).

Le chiffre de 2.500 réfugiés a été annoncé jeudi soir par le ministre turc des affaires étrangères Ahmet Davutoglu, selon la chaîne de télévision NTV.

Ce nombre était de 1.900 plus tôt dans la journée, selon l'agence de presse Anatolie.

Les réfugiés sont pris en charge par le Croissant-Rouge, dans un village de tentes à Yayladagi (province de Hatay).

Yayladagi, à l'extrémité d'une langue de terre s'enfonçant de 150 km vers le sud, est une sorte de poste avancé de la Turquie au Proche Orient.

La ville syrienne de Jisr al-Choughour (nord-ouest), où l'armée mène des opérations de ratissage meurtrières, n'est qu'à une quarantaine de kilomètres.

C'est à Yayladagi, derrière les grilles d'un ancien centre de traitement du tabac, que le Croissant-rouge turc a érigé fin avril, après l'arrivée d'un premier groupe d'environ 250 Syriens, un village de tentes capable d'accueillir des milliers de réfugiés.

Pour l'heure, seule une centaine de tentes ont été montées, sur six hectares, mais 900 autres sont prêtes à l'emploi, selon des chiffres fournis fin avril par le Croissant rouge, qui mentionne aussi 8.500 couvertures et des équipements de cuisine pour 10.000 personnes.

La Turquie n'en est pas là, mais le rythme des arrivées s'accélère. Et Ankara ne veut pas revivre le drame de l'exode massif des Kurdes d'Irak en Turquie, en 1991.

A cette époque, les forces de Saddam Husseïn avaient lancé une vaste offensive contre les Kurdes dans le nord du pays. Des centaines de milliers de Kurdes d'Irak avaient passé la ligne de démarcation.

La Turquie, débordée, avait tenté de les secourir, avec l'aide internationale. Mais des dizaines de réfugiés étaient morts de maladies et de blessures.

Pas question donc de revivre cet enfer. "Nous avons pris toutes les précautions nécessaires à la frontière", a affirmé mercredi le chef de la diplomatie turque Ahmet Davutoglu, soulignant que la situation était pour le moment "sous contrôle".

Le Premier ministre Recep Tayyip Erdogan a assuré de son côté que les frontières de la Turquie restaient ouvertes aux Syriens.

"Nous garderons les portes ouvertes pour tous nos frères syriens qui se réfugient en Turquie. Il n'est pas possible de leur barrer la route au moment où les violences s'intensifient" en Syrie, a-t-il dit jeudi sur une radio.

Il s'est dit inquiet d'une éventuelle contagion de la révolte à Alep (nord), deuxième ville de Syrie, située à moins de 100 km de la frontière turque, assurant toutefois que "toutes les précautions ont été prises" dans les provinces turques frontalières en cas d'arrivée en masse de réfugiés.

Il est impossible pour les journalistes de pénétrer dans le camp de Yayladagi. Tout juste peut-on apercevoir, entre les grilles, quelques fillettes syriennes faire de la balançoire.

Même le Haut commissariat de l'ONU aux réfugiés n'a pas été convié dans l'enceinte, selon un des ses responsables.

Hors de question également de parler aux réfugiés qui viennent de franchir la frontière: ils sont immédiatement pris en charge par des unités de gendarmerie, qui dirigent les personnes valides vers le camp, les blessés vers des hôpitaux, où la consigne est de ne pas admettre la presse.

La Turquie, qui a aboli les visas avec la Syrie, est en effet dans une position inconfortable.

Elle a noué ces dernières années des liens étroits avec Damas, et elle redoute le chaos qui pourrait s'installer chez son voisin, si Bachar al-Assad est renversé. (AFP, 9 juin 2011)

Arrivée en Turquie de 120 nouveaux réfugiés syriens

Quelque 120 réfugiés syriens fuyant la répression, pour la plupart des femmes et des enfants, sont entrés mardi soir en Turquie où ils ont été pris en charge par des gendarmes turcs, a constaté un journaliste de l'AFP.

Le groupe, composé de 122 personnes pour la plupart originaires de la ville syrienne de Jisr al-Choughour (nord-ouest), a franchi illégalement la frontière et atteint vers 21H00 (18H00 GMT) le village de Karbeyaz Köyü, dans la province turque de Hatay (sud), ont affirmé à l'AFP des sources locales.

Les gendarmes ont établi un périmètre de sécurité autour des réfugiés, installés dans la salle des fêtes du village, et procédé à leur identification avant de les convoyer vers un camp de réfugiés mis en place par le Croissant Rouge turc à Yayladag, à 45 km à l'ouest de Karbeyaz Köyü, a constaté l'AFP.

Le groupe ne comprenait pas de blessés.

Selon les villageois, un précédent groupe de Syriens en fuite, fort de 45 personnes, a déjà transité par le village samedi avant d'être acheminé au camp de Yayladag.

Le camp a déjà accueilli fin avril un groupe de quelque 250 Syriens, habitants de villages frontaliers.

Quelques dizaines de Syriens blessés ont par ailleurs été admis ces derniers jours dans des hôpitaux d'Antakya (province de Hatay).

Des sources diplomatiques ont fait état de 41 réfugiés arrivés durant le week-end, dont une vingtaine de blessés. Un groupe turco-syrien d'entraide aux réfugiés a pour sa part évoqué 88 blessés arrivés en Turquie par vagues successives depuis le 20 mai, dont 45 dimanche et deux lundi.

La Turquie et la Syrie partagent une frontière de plus de 800 km.

La Syrie est en proie depuis le 15 mars à un mouvement de contestation contre le régime du président Bachar al-Assad. Selon des organisations de défense des droits de l'Homme, plus de 1.100 civils ont été tués depuis le début du mouvement.

Jisr al-Choughour est le théâtre depuis samedi d'un ratissage de l'armée.

Lundi, les autorités syriennes ont affirmé que 120 policiers avaient été tués dans cette ville par des "groupes armés".(AFP, 8 juin 2011)

L'opposition syrienne exige une "démission immédiate" de Bachar al-Assad

L'opposition syrienne réunie depuis mercredi à Antalya, en Turquie, a exigé une "démission immédiate" du président syrien Bachar al-Assad et appelé à des élections parlementaires et présidentielle libres en Syrie.

Les délégués réunis dans la cité balnéaire turque d'Antalya (sud) "appellent à une démission immédiate du président Bachar al-Assad de toutes les fonctions qu'il occupe" et demandent qu'il "lègue ses pouvoirs à un vice-président", sans dire lequel, selon une déclaration commune en arabe lue par un participant.

Les opposants réclament en outre "la tenue d'élections parlementaires et présidentielle libres et transparentes dans un délai qui ne dépassera pas un an" après la démission de M. Assad, souligne le document accueilli avec une salve d'applaudissements.

Les militants de l'opposition s'engagent par ailleurs "à faire tout ce qu'il leur incombe pour faire chuter le régime" syrien.

Le "Congrès pour un changement en Syrie" a également adressé un important message à la communauté internationale qui fait pression sur le régime de Damas pour des réformes politiques, en s'opposant à "toute intervention étrangère" comme celle en Libye.

"Tout doit être fait pour préserver l'unité et l'intégrité territoriale de la Syrie", poursuit le document qui appelle à la création en Syrie d'un conseil intérimaire chargé de rédiger une Constitution plus libérale et démocratique.

"La Syrie de l'avenir sera un Etat de droit, respectueuse des droits de l'Homme et bâtie sur la séparation des pouvoirs", souligne en outre la déclaration commune.

Depuis le déclenchement à la mi-mars des manifestations de contestation du régime, quelque 1.100 personnes ont été tuées dans la violente répression menée par les forces de sécurité syriennes, souligne l'opposition.

Les quelque 300 opposants et militants, pour la majorité exilés à l'étranger, aux Etats-Unis, en Europe, mais aussi arrivés de Syrie, qui se sont retrouvés dans un hôtel de luxe d'Antalya pour une première réunion de cette ampleur, ont rejeté l'amnistie générale proclamée mardi soir par M. Assad.

L'objectif du congrès d'Antalya, selon les organisateurs, était de mettre au point "une feuille de route" pour une transition démocratique et pacifique en Syrie.

L'agence officielle syrienne Sana a annoncé mercredi que le président Assad avait ordonné la création d'une commission chargée d'établir le cadre d'un dialogue national.

"C'est Bachar al-Assad qui va avoir besoin d'amnistie car il a tué son peuple", a prédit Moulhem al-Droubi, porte-parole des Frères musulmans, présent à Antalya.

Les délégués ont aussi élu un comité consultatif de 31 membres, chargé de "venir en aide" à la résistance non violente, d'organiser la mobilisation internationale, les poursuites judiciaires contre le pouvoir syrien ainsi que le soutien financier.

"Les gens mettent leur vie en danger pour assurer l'avenir de la Syrie. Notre devoir est de leur apporter un soutien politique et logistique", a souligné M. Droubi.

"Nous essayons d'apporter un soutien logistique, d'équiper les militants de caméras pour documenter les crimes commis par le régime afin de les montrer à la communauté internationale et éventuellement de saisir la justice internationale", a-t-il expliqué.

Une cinquantaine de manifestants favorables à Bachar al-Assad, brandissant des posters du président syrien, ont manifesté jeudi à environ 300 mètres de l'hôtel où avait lieu la conférence des opposants, les accusant de "ne pas représenter le peuple de Syrie".

La police turque, déployée en nombre, les a tenus soigneusement à distance de l'hôtel. (AFP, 2 juin 2011)

Des milliers commémorent l'assaut meurtrier du Mavi Marmara

Des milliers de Turcs ont commémoré lundi soir à Istanbul la mort de neuf des leurs un an plus tôt dans l'assaut par des commandos israéliens du Mavi Marmara, un navire d'aide humanitaire qui tentait de forcer le blocus de gaza avec une flotille internationale.

La foule, supérieure à 10.000 personnes, a marché le long de l'avenue Istiklal, la principale artère commerçante de la métropole turque, aux cris de "Maudit soit Israël !" et "Israël, assassin !", agitant des drapeaux palestiniens et des flambeaux, ont constaté des journalistes de l'AFP.

"Attends, Palestine, le Mavi Marmara arrive", "D'Istanbul à Gaza, résistance", pouvait-on lire sur des pancartes en turc, anglais et hébreu, tandis qu'une large banderole représentait les portraits des neufs "martyrs" turcs. "Dieu est grand !", ont également scandé les manifestants.

A l'aube du 31 mai 2010, des commandos de marine israéliens lançaient, en dehors des eaux territoriales, un assaut contre le ferry turc Mavi Marmara, navire amiral d'une petite flotte internationale qui tentait de rallier le territoire palestinien, tuant neuf ressortissants turcs.

Israël a aussitôt essuyé une vague de réprobation internationale et vu ses relations avec Ankara, ex-allié régional "stratégique", plonger au plus bas.

Lundi à Istanbul, plusieurs militants des droits des Palestiniens venus de différents pays ont participé à la commémoration, après avoir réaffirmé à bord du Mavi Marmara leur détermination à forcer d'ici la fin juin le blocus sur Gaza avec une nouvelle flotille.

Malgré la réouverture de la frontière entre l'Egypte et la bande de Gaza, "le blocus illégal d'Israël reste effectif", a déclaré au cours d'une conférence de presse Vangelis Pisias, coordinateur de la flottille.

"Israël empêche toujours les Palestiniens d'utiliser leur mer et contrôle et restreint sévèrement les biens entrant et sortant de Gaza. Dès lors, nous devons continuer à défier ce blocus", a-t-il poursuivi.

L'Egypte a rouvert samedi à titre permanent sa frontière avec la bande de Gaza, autorisant pour la première fois en quatre ans la libre circulation des personnes.

Quinze navires en provenance de différents ports de la Méditerranée appareilleront aux alentours du 20 juin pour Gaza, a indiqué M. Pisias, qui a également rejeté la proposition d'Israël de transférer les cargaisons d'aide humanitaire à Gaza après avoir vérifié qu'elles ne dissimulent pas d'armes, estimant que "cela revient à accepter un régime brutal et illégal".

Les bateaux, venant du Canada, d'Espagne, des Etats-Unis, de France, de Grèce, d'Irlande, d'Italie et de Turquie, se retrouveront dans les eaux internationales au sud de Chypre, a précisé Hüseyin Oruç, de l'organisation caritative islamiste turque IHH, partenaire de la flottille.

Outre quelque 1.500 militants d'une centaine de pays, ils transporteront des denrées, des matériaux de construction -dont 600 à 700 tonnes de ciment-, des fournitures scolaires, des équipements médicaux, des médicaments et des jouets, a ajouté M. Oruç.

Interrogé par l'AFP sur la réaction des militants en cas de nouvel assaut israélien -un an plus tôt, des passagers du Mavi Marmara avaient pris à partie des commandos israéliens avec des barres de fer et des battes de base-ball-, M. Oruç a rejeté l'hypothèse d'un nouvel assaut.

"Ils n'attaqueront pas. Nous ne pensons pas qu'ils commettront une nouvelle fois cette même erreur (...) Les navires de la flottille sont des navires de paix. Les militants vont naviguer paisiblement", a-t-il déclaré. (AFP, 30 mai 2011)

Chypre et la Grèce / Cyprus and Greece

Christofias: Turkey will never get in EU unless it pulls out of Cyprus

Cyprus president Dimitris Christofias has said that Turkey has no chance of getting into the European Union unless it withdraws its army from Cyprus completely, Bulgarian media reports said on May 31 2011.

Christofias made the statement in Sydney during his visit to Australia.

There is an expectation on the part of both the Greek and Turkish Cypriots that there would be a swift resolution to the problem, but the continuous flow of Turkish migrants to the north part of the island, which is under Turkish control, is destabilising the island's demographics and causing "catastrophic" problems for the future, and for the Turkish community in particular, Christofias said.

"The demographic situation of the Turkish Cypriots has changed dramatically and this is a military crime," he said.

"We must launch court proceedings against tens of thousands of Turks who have forcibly taken the property of Greeks and expelled from their homes in the north part of the island. This is a crime," Christofias said.

Christofias is a left-wing Greek Cypriot politician and the current and sixth president of the Republic of Cyprus.

He led the AKEL and is Cyprus's first, and the European Union's first and so far only, communist head of state. He won the 2008 Cypriot presidential elections in the second round of voting. Throughout the election campaign, it was his priority to galvanise talks between the Greeks and the Turkish Cypriots to find a solution to the Cyprus dispute and reunify the island.

Cyprus remains separated following the 1974 Turkish invasion that was triggered by a brief Greek-inspired coup. (Sofia Echo, May 31, 2011)

Immigration / Migration

Procès de 18 personnes du PKK à Paris pour financement de terrorisme

Le procès de 18 personnes, dont des dirigeants présumés du Parti des travailleurs du Kurdistan (PKK), poursuivies pour des faits présumés de terrorisme et de financement de l'organisation séparatiste kurde, s'est ouvert lundi à Paris.

Ces 18 personnes, essentiellement de nationalité turque, avaient été interpellées en France en région parisienne et en Bretagne en février 2007.

Présentées comme des membres actifs du PKK, elles sont soupçonnées d'avoir participé au financement d'attentats commis en Turquie. La justice les suspecte également de blanchiment d'argent provenant du trafic de drogue.

Ces 18 personnes et le Centre culturel kurde Ahmet-Kaya, prévenu en tant que personne morale, doivent répondre d'association de malfaiteurs en relation avec une entreprise terroriste et financement d'une organisation terroriste.

L'affaire a été révélée par un signalement de la cellule anti-blanchiment Tracfin portant sur deux séries d'opérations de change importantes, représentant au total plusieurs centaines de milliers d'euros, selon l'accusation.

Le procès doit durer trois semaines, à raison de trois audiences par semaine, et s'achever le 6 juillet.

Parmi les prévenus figurent Riza Altun, Attila Balikci et Nedim Seven, respectivement considérés comme le représentant du PKK en Europe, son "secrétaire" et le "trésorier" du mouvement à l'époque des faits. (AFP, 20 juin 2011)

Plus d'un millier de manifestants à Paris pour la libération de cinq Kurdes

Plus d'un millier de Kurdes, 1.600 selon la préfecture de police, 3.000 selon les organisateurs, ont manifesté samedi à Paris pour demander la libération de plusieurs membres de leur communauté interpellés il y a une semaine en Ile-de-France.

Cinq personnes -trois à Arnouville (Val-d'Oise) et deux à Evry (Essonne)- avaient été interpellées le 4 juin lors d'une intervention menée dans le cadre d'une enquête diligentée depuis plusieurs mois par la sous-direction antiterroriste (SDAT) sur instruction du parquet antiterroriste de Paris.

Ces interpellations avaient été suivies d'échauffourées, puis de manifestations qui avaient rassemblé le 5 juin environ 1.500 personnes à Arnouville et 350 à Evry.

Rassemblés place de la République samedi à Paris, les manifestants ont commencé à défiler vers 15h00 en direction de la place de la Bastille (11e arrondissement), derrière une banderole noire proclamant "Libérez nos amis". La manifestation s'est dispersée dans le calme vers 16h30.

"Il y a une tension assez forte, une colère contre le gouvernement français qui n'arrête pas de criminaliser les Kurdes. On nous colle l'étiquette de terroristes alors que, pour nous, le PKK est un parti de résistance", a expliqué à l'AFP Fidan Dogan, représentante du Centre d'information sur le Kurdistan.

Brandissant des drapeaux kurdes et des portraits d'Abdullah Öcalan, leader du PKK, les manifestants ont également exhibé des photographies de personnes blessées, disent-ils, lors des interpellations de la semaine dernière.

"C'était violent. Les policiers sont venus avec des flash-balls, des bombes lacrymogènes. Pour nous, c'est un choc", a confié à l'AFP Maxime Tosun, président de la Maison de la culture kurde d'Arnouville. (AFP, 11 juin 2011)

Vives réactions après les arrestations de Kurdes à Paris

par Amitiés kurdes de Bretagne

Des perquisitions, suivies d’arrestations, effectuées le samedi 4 juin 2011 dans les locaux des centres culturels kurdes de Villiers-le-Bel et d’Evry, sur instruction du parquet anti-terroriste de Paris, ont mis inutilement ces deux banlieues en ébullition :

Quand les policiers sont entrés, ils nous ont demandé de nous mettre par terre, témoigne le président de l’association de Villiers-le-Bel, présent sur les lieux ; une femme a reçu un coup de matraque.

Quant au porte-parole du ministère de l’Intérieur, il a réfuté de son côté toute provocation ou usage excessif de la force.

Ce n’est pas l’avis du maire PS de la ville voisine de Gonesse, Jean-Pierre Blazy, qui déclare que l’opération a été "mal maîtrisée" : bombes lacrymogènes et tirs de flash-ball ont été utilisés, faisant des blessés dont dix sont encore hospitalisés (5 sont touchés gravement).

La nouvelle s’est répandue comme une trainée de poudre et, dès 22 heures, les Kurdes de Rennes, au nombre de 200, manifestaient place de la gare et ont perturbé un temps la circulation avenue Janvier devant Radio France.

Dimanche après-midi, ce sont plusieurs centaines de manifestants qui ont défilé à Evry dans le quartier des Pyramides et près de 2000 personnes ont manifesté à Villiers-le-Bel, derrière la banderole : "non à la répression contre les Kurdes de France", en criant "Le PKK n’est pas une organisation terroriste" et en agitant des drapeaux aux couleurs kurdes. Le député-maire (PS) de Sarcelles (Val-d’Oise), François Pupponi et le maire (PS) de Villiers-le-Bel, Didier Vaillant, qui ont participé à la marche, ont appelé au calme. Des manifestations sont prévues dans les jours prochains, notamment à Marseille.

Dans un communiqué, la Coordination Nationale Solidarité Kurdistan, qui regroupe des associations comme Amitiés kurdes de Bretagne, Solidarité et Liberté, Mouvement de la Paix, Amitiés Corse-Kurdistan, Amis du Peuple kurde en Alsace et MRAP, dénonce ces opérations policières qui viennent confirmer les craintes exprimées lors du colloque organisé le 30 mai dernier à l’Assemblée Nationale, quand fut abordée la question de la politique de la France vis à vis des Kurdes résidant en France et dénoncée l’attitude agressive des autorités à l’encontre de cette communauté.

Le Conseil de coordination des organisations arméniennes de France (CCAF) a exprimé sa préoccupation à l’égard de la répression spectaculaire qui frappe les Kurdes de France et sa solidarité avec le peuple kurde. Il a appelé le gouvernement français et l’Elysée à entendre les forces qui concourent à la démocratisation de la Turquie plutôt que de céder, au nom de la Realpolitik, aux pressions d’Ankara.

Le parti communiste français (PCF) a tenu mardi une conférence de presse au Palais du Luxembourg pour dénoncer ces pratiques intolérables au pays des Droits de l’Homme: La France se couvre de honte en utilisant contre ces hommes les mêmes pratiques que celles qu’ils ont fuit en quittant la Turquie.

Le PCF demande la libération immédiate des militants kurdes et l’arrêt des violences sur celles et ceux qui les soutiennent.

(André Métayer, http://akbdrk.free.fr/spip.php?article366 ,7 juin 2011)

L'opération contre les Kurdes évoque beaucoup de questions!
 
Le weekend passé, la police Française a organisé une série de perquisitions contre les Kurdes et leurs organisations. 22 personnes, parmi lesquelles des écrivains, des journalistes, ont été arrêtés. La raison de ces opérations, n’est pas encore connue. Dans quelques organisations où la police a fait des perquisitions, il y avait beaucoup d’enfants et de femmes présents. Les représentants des organisations Kurdes, ne comprennent pas pourquoi ces opérations ont été mises en place. Cette attitude de la police française est une provocation et une stigmatisation.
 
Dans les différentes villes françaises, pour le moment il y a des manifestations de protestations. Selon les témoignages, la police a opéré avec violence. Ils ont utilisé des hélicoptères et  des gaz lacrymogènes contre les personnes, et cela a causé beaucoup de blessés.

Ce n’est pas la première fois et probablement ce n’est pas la dernière fois que la police dans des pays Européens organisent des opérations anti- Kurdes. Les actions des instances policières sont regrettables et inacceptables. Avec une telle attitude, un membre de l’union Européen, est considéré comme un allié de l’état Turc et est aussi utilisé comme un accessoire pour éviter que la voix Kurde soit entendue.
 
Les pays Européens ont parlé volontiers du respect des droits de l’homme. Ces droits ne doivent pas être moins respecté pour les Kurdes. Le droit de la liberté d’expression et  le droit de l’éducation dans la propre langue et le respect pour l’identité ethnique et religieuse sont fondamentaux. Les opérations policières, contre les Kurdes aussi dans L’Europe, sont de tristes preuves.
 
Nous, L’institut Kurde de Bruxelles, et le groupe de travail interparlementaire Kurde et le Groupe de coordination, ‘stopper la guerre contre le peuple Kurde’, condamnons les perquisitions policières contre les Kurdes et leur organisations en France.
 
Nous exigeons la libération immédiate des prisonniers. Sans aucune forme de preuve publique pour justifier ces arrestations, il est impossible de comprendre . Tant que les droits fondamentales des Kurdes ne sont pas respectés, et tant que la répression contre les Kurdes continue, Les Kurdes continueront de se battre pour la reconnaissance de leur droits.
 
L’institut Kurde de Bruxelles, le groupe de travail interparlementaire kurde et le Groupe de coordination ‘stopper la guerre contre le peuple Kurde.
Bruxelles, 07 06 2011 info@kurdishinstitute.be
 
Nouvelles manifestations au lendemain de l'interpellation de 5 Kurdes

De nouvelles manifestations ont eu lieu dimanche à Arnouville (Val-d'Oise) et Evry, au lendemain de l'interpellation mouvementée, dans ces deux communes, de cinq personnes d'origine kurde, dont trois "cadres importants" du Parti des travailleurs du Kurdistan (PKK).

A Arnouville, 1.500 personnes ont manifesté dans le calme, sous la surveillance d'un hélicoptère de la sécurité civile, pour demander la libération des Kurdes interpellés samedi.

Une banderole noire portait la mention: "Non à la répression contre les Kurdes de France". Des drapeaux à l'effigie du chef rebelle kurde Abdullah Öcalan, emprisonné en Turquie, étaient brandis, ainsi que des pancartes avec des inscriptions telles que "Le PKK n'est pas une organisation terroriste" ou "Non aux arrestations".

Le député-maire (PS) de Sarcelles (Val-d'Oise), François Pupponi, et le maire (PS) de Villiers-le-Bel, Didier Vaillant, qui ont participé à la marche, ont appelé au calme.

Sept personnes ont été interpellées en marge de la marche, a précisé le porte-parole du ministère de l'Intérieur, Pierre-Henry Brandet. Il a ajouté que 13 personnes avaient été interpellées samedi à Arnouville, en marge de la manifestation spontanée qui avait suivi les interpellations.

A Evry, la manifestation, qui a rassemblé environ 350 personnes, s'est déroulée dans le calme et s'est achevée vers 17H00. Des projectiles ont été envoyés sur les forces de l'ordre, par des jeunes gens qui se sont mêlés à la manifestation, selon une source policière. Il n'y a pas eu d'interpellation.

Dans un communiqué diffusé lors de la marche à Arnouville, la Fédération des associations kurdes en France dénonce le fait que Paris "n'envisage la question kurde que sous l'angle d'une coopération avec la Turquie +en matière de lutte contre le terrorisme+ avec comme corollaire l'arrestation des militants kurdes et l'éradication du militantisme kurde".

Cinq personnes d'origine kurde, dont trois "cadres importants" du Parti des travailleurs du Kurdistan (PKK), ont été interpellées samedi à Evry et Arnouville (Val-d'Oise), et la Maison culturelle kurde d'Arnouville a été perquisitionnée.  (AFP, 5 juin 2011)

Appel à la manifestation à Bruxelles pour protester contre les perquisitions en France

Le Collectif des Immigres Opprimes (EGK) vient d'appeler par le communiqué suivant à une manifestation à Bruxelles après la nouvelle opération policière contre la communauté kurde en France.

Le communiqué de l'EGK:

La police française a procédé samedi 4 juin des perquisitions simultanées aux sièges de deux associations kurdes à Villiers-le-Bel et à Evry, en région Île de France, arrêtant au moins six personnes, dont un politicien connu chez les kurdes. Dix autres personnes ont été blessées, dont cinq grièvement, au cours de violents affrontements avec la police.

Les policiers ont arrêté et menotté quatre kurdes lors de perquisition à Villiers-le-Bel, tandis que 30 autres kurdes, dont des enfants et des femmes, ont été enfermés à l’intérieur du bâtiment durant l’opération.

La police française mène systématiquement des opérations musclées ces dernières années contre la communauté kurde, criminalisant leurs activités culturelles et politiques. Des perquisitions, arrestations politiques, écoutes téléphoniques, interdictions de voyage, signatures obligatoires et des emprisonnements en étroite coopérations avec la Turquie ont conduit finalement à une explosion de colère.

Deux associations culturelles kurdes ont été perquisitionnées samedi 4 juin par la police antiterroriste pour des raisons inconnues.

69 arrestations depuis début 2010

Depuis 2006, envions 160 kurdes, dont 51 en 2010 et 18 depuis janviers, ont été arrêtés pour des motifs politiques, sous prétexte de lutter contre le financement du terrorisme. Aujourd’hui, neuf d’entre eux sont toujours en prison.

Sept kurdes avaient été arrêtés les 12 et 13 avril derniers en France, dont trois à Paris, deux à Marseille et deux à Bordeaux, par la police antiterroriste qui avait procédé des perquisitions à leurs domiciles. Ces arrestations, considérées comme un cadeau à la Turquie, étaient intervenues au moment où le premier ministre turc Recep Tayyip Erdogan s’était rendu à Strasbourg pour une visite de deux jours, les 12 et 13 avril, assistant à la session plénière de Printemps 2011 de l’Assemblée parlementaire du Conseil de l’Europe.

La Turquie fasciste, la France complice

Libérez immédiatement les arrestations

Rassemblement le mardi 07 mars 2011 à  16h00
Lieu : Devant l'Ambassade de  France
Boulevard du Régent n° 42 à 1000 Bruxelles
info@kolektif.be

Affrontements après l'interpellation de 3 membres de la communauté kurde en France

Des heurts ont éclaté samedi entre manifestants et forces de l'ordre à Evry et Arnouville (Val-d'Oise), après la perquisition d'un centre culturel kurde et l'interpellation de trois membres de la communauté, dans le cadre d'une enquête préliminaire du parquet de Paris.

Deux personnes ont été interpellées à Evry et une à Arnouville dans le cadre d'une enquête préliminaire, ouverte par la parquet de Paris, et confiée à la sous-direction anti-terroriste (SDAT), a annoncé une source judiciaire, sans préciser leur identité.

Vers 11H35, la perquisition menée à la Maison culturelle kurde à Arnouville, lors de laquelle un homme de cette communauté a été interpellé, a provoqué des échauffourées. Près de quarante de personnes assistaient à une réunion dans ce centre, situé près de la gare RER d'Arnouville-Gonesse-Villiers-le-Bel.

Réuni devant le lieu, le groupe a grossi, pour atteindre cent à deux cents personnes. Des voitures de police ont été caillassées et du mobilier urbain brûlé, selon une source judiciaire.

La préfecture de Police de Paris a dit que la préfecture du Val-d'Oise a sollicité des renforts au début des heurts. Ont été envoyés douze véhicules de la BAC 93, neuf véhicules de la CSI, un véhicule des CRS, un véhicule lanceur d'eau et un hélicoptère.

Un policier a été légèrement blessé, et dix personnes interpellées. Le calme est revenu peu après 16H00.

A Evry, l'interpellation de deux personnes d'origine kurde a été menée vers 14H30, dans le quartier des Pyramides, provoquant le rassemblement d'une cinquantaine de personnes. Les policiers ont été la cible de projectiles.

Le cortège s'est ensuite déplacé devant le restaurant Mac Donald's situé près du centre commercial Evry II. Des projectiles ont de nouveau été envoyés sur les forces de l'ordre, qui ont fait usage de flash-balls et de grenades lacrymogènes.

Le cortège, qui a atteint une centaine de personnes, s'est ensuite dispersé dans le calme. Trois personnes légèrement blessées ont décliné l'aide des pompiers.

Dans un communiqué diffusé samedi, le Parti communiste a déclaré : "la France se couvre de honte en utilisant contre ces hommes les mêmes pratiques que celles qu'ils ont fuies en quittant la Turquie". Il a demandé la libération immédiate des militants kurdes et l'arrêt des violences sur celles et ceux qui les soutiennent".

Selon le PCF et le président de la Maison culturelle kurde d'Arnouville, l'homme interpellé samedi dans cette ville est Nedim Seven, membre actif du PKK, considéré comme un groupe "terroriste" par de nombreux pays. Les sources policières et judiciaires n'avaient pas pu confirmer l'information samedi soir.

Nedim Seven "s'est déjà vu refuser l'autorisation d'entrer à l'Assemblée nationale lundi dernier pour participer à un colloque", a ajouté le PCF dans un communiqué.

Le président de la Maison culturelle kurde d'Arnouville, Maxime Tosun, présent lors de l'interpellation, décrit son association comme "culturelle et folklorique".

"Quand les policiers sont entrés, ils nous ont demandé de nous mettre par terre. Il y a avait des femmes et des enfants. Une femme a reçu un coup de matraque", a-t-il dit.

Onze personnes issues de la communauté kurde ont été légèrement blessées lors des heurts et conduites à l'hôpital de Gonesse (Val-d'Oise), selon le maire (PS) de cette ville voisine, Jean-Pierre Blazy. Dans cette commune, du mobilier urbain et des poubelles ont également été dégradés.

"Je ne conteste aucunement le bien fondé et la nécessité de cette opération mais je m'interroge sur la façon dont elle a été menée. Elle a, semble-t-il, été mal maîtrisée et a donné lieu à des débordements inacceptables sur la voie publique", affirme l'élu socialiste qui compte "demander des explications au ministre de l'Intérieur et au préfet du Val-d'Oise". (AFP, 4 juin 2011)

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