Turkish Terror Trial
On April 13, 2007 in Istanbul begin trials of socialist journalists, trade unionists, and human rights activists. More trials will follow, likely later this year. However, this first one is going to set the standard of how far a state can push aside freedom of speech and organizing. It will be the key to determining the rights and very existence of trade unions in Turkey. It will set the precedent for all relevant upcoming trials.
In June 2006 a new Anti-Terror Law (TMY) has been created by the Turkish government and shortly after it has been put to practice targeting first of all left organizations and individuals.
Chief Editor of the Turkish socialist newspaper Atılım Ibrahim Çiçek
Starting September 8-12, 2006 and during the several following months over 120 journalists, broadcasters, writers, trade unionists, women and youth activists, cultural workers and human rights defenders known for their socialists orientation have been detained by the Turkish Anti-Terror Police Department and 45 of them remain imprisoned. Among the arrested are: Ibrahim Cicek, Chief Editor of weekly revolutionary socialist newspaper Atilim (Leap Forward) , as well as other staff of this newspaper; Emin Orhan, Editor of newspaper Dayanisma (Solidarity); Fusun Erdogan, Chief Coordinator of socialist Ozgur Radyo (Freedom Radio), Halil Dinc, its News Coordinator and Sinan Gercek, its official; Cicek Otlu, President of Labouring Women's Association (EKD): Cem Dinc, President of dockyard workers’ trade union Limer-Is; Zafer Tektas, its General Secretary; Ayse Yumli Yeter, President of textile workers' trade union Tekstil-Sen – the only female trade union President in the country; leaders of human rights associations Socialist Platform of the Oppressed (ESP), Socialist Youth Association (SGD) and several cultural centres.
There are 22 journalists in the prisons of Turkey today. 18 of them have been imprisoned since September 2006 – the start of Anti-Terror Law (TMY) enforcement. Over 50 offices of these organizations and homes of their activists in 20 cities of Turkey were raided by special police forces in a synchronised nation-wide operation. Their documents, membership and contact lists, literature, cell phones and computers were confiscated or destroyed. The arrested most often were taken to the Vatan Anti-Terror Branch in Istanbul known as the torture centre. Most of them are held in F-type prisons with the strictest form of cell isolation.
Cem Dinç
(left), President of dockyard workers’ trade union Limter-Iş
and Kaber Saygili (right), its organizing specialist
Workers of Limter-Is union did not please the authorities due to their continuous and resolute struggle for their overdue-for-months wages to be paid, for improvement of work safety conditions and thus reduction of work place injuries and mortality, as well as for their right to organize. For vocalizing these demands the union leaders have been arrested and beaten on multiple occasions. In response, the workers only added fire to their resistance by organizing marches in the shipyard, building road blocks and occupying the ship they have constructed. Police responded with rods, tear gas and heavy beatings and with imprisonment of Cem Dinç and Kamber Saygili who are now awaiting their trial. According to the new Anti-Terror Law (TMY) these shipbuilders are terrorists.
Arrests of the social and human rights activists
The state terror in Turkey based on the new Anti-Terror Law (TMY)continues. The Armenian intellectual and journalist Hrant Dink has been killed. President of BEKSAV (Association of Science, Aesthetics, Education and Culture) Haci Orman has been kidnapped in broad daylight and released after severe beatings and interrogations. Arrests of student-activists and women-participants of March 8 demonstrations have become customary phenomena. The attacks against democratic rights and freedoms have been increasing, the demonstrations and actions are being hindered by the state, the progressive, democratic and revolutionary intellectuals and activists who oppose the state policies are being exposed to threats, attacks, murders and tortures.
50 offices in 20 cities were raided by the police
Some of these detained people will be
tried
April 13, 2007 in Istanbul
at the 9th Heavy Penal Court of
Besiktas:
1. Ayşe Yumli Yeter – General President of Tekstil-Sen (Textile Workers’ Union)
2. Cem Dinç – General President of Limter-İş (Dockyard Workers’ Union)
3. Zafer Tektaş – General Secretary of Limter-İş (Dockyard Workers’ Union)
4. Çiçek Otlu – President of EKD (Labouring Women’s Association)
5. Halil Dinç – News Coordinator of Radio Özgür (“Freedom Radio”)
6. Sinan Gerçek- Worker of Radio Free
7. Özge Kelekçi – Correspondent of the newspaper Atılım
8. Emin Orhan – Editor of the newspaper Dayanisma
9. Figen Yüksekdağ – Chairwomen of ESP (Socialist Platform of the Oppressed) in Istanbul
10. Yusuf Demir – Activist of ESP
11. Özlem Cihan – Activist of ESP
12. Hüseyin Umut Yakar – Activist of ESP
13. Ali Haydar Keleş – Activist of ESP
14. Güneş Şenyüz – Activist of ESP
15. Selver Orman – Activist of ESP
16. Özcan Dilekli – Activist of ESP
17. Servinaz Göçmez – Activist of ESP
18. Selyoldaş Akar – President of the 1 Mayıs Neighbourhood Association
19. Abbas Duman – Activist of ESP
20. Meriç Solmaz – Activist of ESP
21. Kamber Saygılı – Education expert of Limter-İş (Dockyard Workers’ Union)
22. Hıdır Yeşil – Activist of ESP
23. Sonnur Sağlamer – Journalist from the newspaper Atılım
24. Emine Güngör Öztürk – Journalist from the newspaper AtılımA number of the arrested have been in prison since September 2006, however, the date of their hearing is yet to be determined.
International support from individuals and organizations who cannot remain indifferent to such violation of basic rights is vitally important.
These are some of the ways you can help:
q join the international support team in observing this or any subsequent trials
q provide financial support to help the arrested cover legal costs
q send your messages of support to the Atilim newspaper varyos@ttnet.net.tr
q send your statement of condemnation
§ Justice Minister of Turkey Murat Baseskioglu email: mb@basesgioglu.org
§ Anti-terror police administration office: fax 0090 212 636 2871
§ Minister of Interior of Turkey Abdulkadir Aksu email: aaksu@icisleri.gov.tr
§ Prime Minister of Turkey Tayyip Erdogan email: bimer@basbakanlik.gov.tr
Please send a copy of your message to the newspaper address: varyos@ttnet.net.tr
or fax 0090 212 633 4613
We will be updating this page with the news as the events develop. For any additional information, particularly, about becoming an international trial observer or where to direct your financial support please contact us at: TurkishTerrorTrial@hotmail.com
Let’s stop state terror… starting with Turkey!
Let’s participate in the hearing on April 13th in Istanbul!