Newspaper Workers Face Torture In T

[Labor Video Project]

From: Labor Video Project <lvpsf>
Subject: Newspaper Workers Face Torture In Turkey

/* Written  4:42 PM  Sep 14, 1994 by gn:rmitchellai in igc:ai.uan */
/* ---------- "AI UA337/94 TURKEY Fear of torture" ---------- */
+------------------------------------------------------+
+ Paper reprints authorised. Electronic redistributors +
+ must request permission from Amnesty International.  +
+ Contact:   rmitchellai at gn.apc.org (UK)               +
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EXTERNAL (for general distribution)  AI Index: EUR 44/95/94
                                     Distr: UA/SC       
 
UA 337/94  Fear of Torture/"Disappearance"    14 September 1994
 
TURKEY        Mehmet Balamir, newspaper distributor for Ozgur Ulke
              Kadriye Ozcanli, (f), office manager for Ozgur Ulke
 
On 5 September 1994, Mehmet Balamir, a distributor for the newspaper
Ozgur Ulke, was detained at a road block and identity check while
carrying copies of the newspaper by bus between Urfa and Diyarbakir.
He was detained by members of Pirinclik Gendarmerie Station, but it
is not known where he is being held. The Regimental Gendarmerie
Headquarters in Diyarbakir have confirmed that he is in custody, but
have not disclosed his whereabouts.
 
Later that same day, the newspaper's office in Diyarbakir was raided
by members of the gendarmerie and the police. They checked the
identity of all those present, but detained only the office manager
Kadriye Ozcanli. She is being held at Diyarbakir Regimental
Gendarmerie Headquarters and her detention has been confirmed.
Apparently, the reason for her detention is because Mehmet Balamir
named her as the person who supplied him with the copies.
 
It is feared that both Mehmet Balamir and Kadriye Ozcanli are being
subjected to torture during interrogation.
 
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
 
The European Committee for the Prevention of Torture (ECPT) and the
UN Committee against Torture (UN CAT), both mechanisms of
international human rights instruments to which Turkey is a State
Party, have published reports to the effect that torture is
widespread and systematic in Turkey. 
 
Detainees held on suspicion of political offences to be tried in
State Security Courts may be held without charge for 15 days. This
period may be extended to 30 days in provinces under emergency
legislation such as Diyarbakir province. 
 
Turkey ratified the European Convention for the Prevention of
Torture on 25 February 1988 and the UN Convention Against Torture
on 2 August 1988. Following a programme of visits to Turkish police
stations in 1990, 1991 and 1992, the European Committee for the
Prevention of Torture (ECPT - established by the Council of Europe)
reported: "In the light of all the information at its disposal, the
ECPT can only conclude that the practice of torture and other forms
of severe ill-treatment of persons in police custody remains
widespread in Turkey and that such methods are applied to both
ordinary criminal suspects and persons held under anti-terrorism
provisions". 
 
The ECPT also stated that in Diyarbakir Police Headquarters they had
found  "the equipment necessary for suspension by the arms in place
and ready for use (ie a three metre long wooden beam which was
mounted on heavily- weighted filing cabinets on opposite sides of
the room and fitted with a strap made of strong material securely
tied to the middle ... the delegation's discoveries caused
considerable consternation among police officers present; some
expressed regret, others defiance."
 
RECOMMENDED ACTION: Please send telegrams/faxes/express and airmail
letters either in English or your own language: 
 
- expressing concern for the safety of Kadriye Ozcanli and Mehmet
Balamir, both detained on 5 September 1994 and presumed to be held
at Diyarbakir Regimental Gendarmerie Headquarters; 
 
- seeking assurances that they are not subjected to torture or any
other form of ill-treatment; 
 
- asking to be informed if any charges are brought against them.
 
APPEALS TO
 
Chief Prosecutor at Diyarbakir State Security Court:
 
DGM Bassavcisi                      [Salutation: Dear Sir]
Devlet Guvenlik Mahkemesi
Diyarbakir, Turkey
Telegrams: DGM Bassavcisi, Diyarbakir, Turkey
 
Minister of the Interior:
 
Mr Nahit Mentese                    [Salutation: Dear Minister]
Icisleri Bakanligi
06644 Ankara, Turkey
Telegrams: Interior Minister, Ankara, Turkey
Faxes:     +90 312 428 4346
 
PLEASE SEND COPIES OF YOUR APPEALS TO: His Excellency Mr Candemir
Onhon, Embassy of Turkey, 43 Belgrave Square, London SW1X 8PA
 
[Please see the responses to this topic for the addresses
of diplomatic representatives in other countries]
 
AND, IF POSSIBLE, TO THE FOLLOWING:
 
Minister of Foreign Affairs:
 
Prof Mumtaz Soysal
Disisleri Bakanligi
06100 Ankara, Turkey
Faxes: 90 312  287 1886
 
PLEASE SEND APPEALS IMMEDIATELY.  Please do not send appeals after
26 October 1994.
 
+-----------------------------------------------------------+
+ If you have any queries about this Urgent Action or about +
+ the UA scheme in general, please contact:                 +
+   Ray Mitchell                                            +
+   Amnesty International British Section                   +
+   99 - 119 Rosebery Avenue                                +
+   London EC1R 4RE      email: rmitchellai at gn.apc.org      +
+-----------------------------------------------------------+