PRESS RELEASES OF HUMAN RIGHTS ASSOCIATION

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                                                14 May 1998

PRESS STATEMENT CONCERNING THE ARMED ASSAULT AGAINST MR. BIRDAL, PRESIDENT  
OF THE HUMAN RIGHTS ASSOCIATION

On 12 May 1998, at about 12:25, our President Mr. Akin Birdal was severely  
wounded because of an armed assault by two unknown assailants, at his  
office at the Human Rights Association's Headquarters. The intelligence  
police officers, who normally are present every day in front of our  
association's building to observe people coming and going , were absent on  
that day. Also it is quite obvious that the perpetrators were feeling very  
safe, given the fact that they left the place of the crime armed.

It is also quite alarming that the security officers, who were informed  
about the assault, arrived at the place of the crime and started with a  
"technical" examination, instead of speeding up the process of getting our  
severely wounded President, lying on the floor, to the hospital. The  
ambulance, which was called immediately after the incident, was very late  
in arriving which caused our President loosing much blood.

After our President was hospitalized, the necessary steps to save and  
document any evidence was not carried out at the office of the President.  
The room was not sealed for investigation, and whatever evidence present  
was not investigated carefully. It was not until the next day that the  
police, upon the urging of our officers, investigated the bullets holes.

Computerized pictures of perpetrators were drawn. But their clothes are  
not in accordance with the eye-witnesses testimony.

We have grave concerns for Mr. Birdal's safety at the hospital because  
entrance to the hospital is not under the strict security measures as we  
have heard from various sources.

The police officers, who guard the entrance to the intensive care unit at  
the hospital where our President is being hospitalized, are attached to  
the Anti Terrorism Branch of Ankara Security Department and are easily  
identified through their moustache which indicates their association to a  
certain political group. They also behave towards our association's  
officers and members in a disturbing way. Our members who are on duty at  
the hospital are not allowed to secure the elevator exit to the intensive  
care unit. Therefore our own security can only be carried out partially.

The investigation is being carried out by the Anti Terrorism Branch and we  
have first indications that it is being distorted. At the Security  
Department, the eye-witnesses were shown pictures of several HRA officers  
and also HADEP officers known to us. This leads us to believe that the  
investigation is intended to conceal the identity of the perpetrators.

According to human rights defenders, this assault was an obvious contra- 
guerilla action, as in previous unresolved assaults. We are concerned that  
the perpetrators of this assault will not be revealed and those  
accountable will be protected. If this is the case, then we will hold not  
only the Interior Ministry, but also the government and all mechanisms  
embodying the government accountable for this.

As Human Rights Association's officers and human rights activists, we  
declare that, in order to investigate this assault objectively and with  
the necessary care, an independent commission has to be set up in which  
our association's officers would be part of. We also declare that the  
Human Rights Association will continue with its determined struggle for  
human rights, democracy, freedom and peace.

CENTRAL EXECUTIVE BOARD
OF THE HUMAN RIGHTS ASSOCIATION


                                                15 May 1998

PRESS RELEASE OF HUMAN RIGHTS ASSOCIATION'S HEADQUARTERS

Human Rights Association (HRA)'s Headquarters has decided to give a  
statement to the public in response to the statements of Prime Minister  
Mesut Yìlmaz which was published in the press today.

Prime Minister Mesut Yìlmaz has called the armed assault  against our  
President, Akìn Birdal as an "internal conflict". The national and  
international public is quite surprised about Mr. Yìlmaz's interpretation.  
With his undecisiveness and trepidation up to date has been unable to  
bring out in the open the gang activity enmeshed in the state, and also  
having caused this matter to have dropped from the agenda, he now  
introduces this as an "internal conflinct" of the HRA which struggles for  
each individual's right to lead a dignified life.

We call upon Mr. Yìlmaz and all government officials to act according to  
the responsibilities inherent to the office of statesmen.

The real conflict is between those who work for peace, democracy and  
freedom in Turkey and those who wish to maintain the system of suppression  
and exploitation.

Our President Mr. Akìn Birdal and HRA have been chosen as a target because  
of the HRA's unwavering stand and determination on the side of peace,  
democracy and freedom. This is known worldwide. Therefore, the Prime  
Minister's attempts to manipulate and disort the incident will be in vain.

>From the Prime Minister's statements and attitude we are led to believe  
that those accountable will not be revealed. In addition, the Prime  
Minister, with this statement, continues to present the HRA as target  
again.

The armed assault against Mr.Akìn Birdal was premeditated and carried out  
professionally.  Mr. Mesut Yìlmaz should immediately explain to the public  
"what he is afraid of". (he stated ' it is not what I am afraid of' )

Mesut Yìlmaz and his government will not be released of their  
accountibility for this incident by declaring this an "internal conflict".

The HRA believes that the source of this armed assault is what the Prime  
Minister "is afraid of".

Mesut Yìlmaz and his government will not be released of their  
accountibility for this incident by declaring this an "internal conflict".

The HRA believes that the source of this armed assault is what the Prime  
Minister "is afraid of"

What Mr. Yìlmaz is afraid of and unable to declare is that the armed  
assault was carried out by contra-guerilla.

Mr. Mesut Yìlmaz, who earlier promised on his honour to bring in the open  
the "Susurluk Case" before the people of Turkey, should bring out in the  
open this incident, otherwise he should resign.




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