AI: Turkey bulletin

[kurdeng at aps.nl]

 id VT26503; Thu, 16 Nov 1995 16:12:29 -0800

------------ Forwarded from : Ray Mitchell <rmitchellai at gn.apc.org> ------------

+------------------------------------------------------+
+     AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL URGENT ACTION BULLETIN     +
+     Electronic distribution authorised               +
+     This bulletin expires: 15 December 1995.         +
+------------------------------------------------------+

EXTERNAL                                            AI Index: EUR 44/132/95

EXTRA 141/95      Fear of Torture / Health Concern         13 November 1995

TURKEY            Ali Guden, member of Turkish Human Rights Association
                  (HRA)


Turkish Human Rights Association member Ali Guden has been in police
custody in Mersin since 7 November 1995.  Amnesty International fears that
he may be facing torture during interrogation and is particularly concerned
for his health and safety as he is reported to be suffering from a serious
heart condition and there is the possibility of heart failure.  He should
be medically examined as a matter of urgency and receive treatment in a
medical institution.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION

People suspected of offences under the Anti-Terror Law can be held in
police custody without access to family, friends or legal counsel for up to
30 days in the 10 provinces under State of Emergency in the southeast and
for 15 days in the rest of Turkey. When not being interrogated, detainees
are held in cramped, airless and insanitary conditions. With no access to
the outside world they are at the mercy of their interrogators. Torture
methods include being stripped naked and blindfolded, hosing with
pressurized ice-cold water, hanging by the arms or wrists bound behind the
victim's back, electric shocks, beating the soles of the feet, death
threats and sexual assault.

Founded in 1986 the Turkish Human Rights Association has 56 branches
throughout the country and a membership of 15,000. The HRA is not linked to
any political party or movement. As well as monitoring abuses by government
forces, the HRA has on numerous occasions condemned human rights abuses by
armed opposition groups. The HRA continues its monitoring of human rights
violations in the face of considerable pressure from the authorities. Many
of its leading officials are standing trial on various charges and several
members are serving prison sentences. Most branches in the southeast have
had to close because of police harassment and threats.

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