28.05.2008 - Source: Amnesty International

Killings in disputed circumstances ("Annual Report 2008") [ID 23459]

"Fatal shootings by the security forces continued to be reported, with failure to obey a warning to stop usually given as justification. However, incidents often involved a disproportionate use of force by security forces and some killings may have been extrajudicial executions. In a number of instances, investigations were compromised when evidence was lost by law enforcement officials.

• In August, Nigerian asylum-seeker Festus Okey died after being shot in police custody in Istanbul. A crucial piece of evidence, the shirt he wore on the day of the shooting, was apparently lost by the police. A police officer was charged with intentional killing.
• In September, Bülent Karataş was shot dead by military police in the Hozat province of Tunceli. According to Rıza Çiçek, who was also seriously injured in the incident, military police forced the pair to remove their clothes before shots were fired. An investigation was being conducted in secret.

Document(s): Open document

11.03.2008 - Source: US Department of State

Killing of Ejder Demir, a Kurdish-origin Turkish citizen in the Asagi Kockiran village in southeastern Turkey, by security forces ("Country Report on Human Rights Practices 2007") [ID 22800]

"On September 13, security forces shot and killed Ejder Demir, a Kurdish-origin Turkish citizen in the Asagi Kockiran village in southeastern Turkey. After an investigative visit to the town, a delegation consisting of members of the nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) Human Rights Association (HRA) and Mazlum-Der reported that eyewitnesses stated that soldiers shot Demir in the back without any warning. The soldiers had called for Demir to come out of his house; Demir exited and turned around, at which point the soldiers shot him. The delegation reported that neither the local prosecutor nor the Jandarma commander would meet with them. The Saray subprovincial subgovernor Ali Yilmaz told the delegation Demir was trying to flee when shot, and that an investigation was ongoing. The delegation called on the government and parliamentary human rights committee to take up the case. At year's end the government had not initiated an investigation or legal action."

Document(s): Open document

11.03.2008 - Source: US Department of State

Fatally shootings of civilians ("Country Report on Human Rights Practices 2007") [ID 22801]

"There continued to be reports of security forces fatally shooting civilians who refused to obey a warning to stop. According to the HRF, police and Jandarma killed the following persons in such circumstances: an unidentified Syrian citizen in Islahiye, Gaziantep; Emrah Dervizoglu (17) in Istanbul; Osman Akdemir (42) in Uzumlu, Erzincan; Mikhail Cetin in Dortyol, Hatay; Bulent Karatas (33) in Hozat; and Baran Tursun (20) in Istanbul. Human rights organizations stated that the government's failure to clearly delineate appropriate situations to use lethal force, in the revised Antiterror Law or other laws, contributed to cases of disproportionate use of force.

On September 28, security forces in the city of Hozat in Tunceli Province shot and killed 33-year-old Bulent Karatas and injured 31-year-old Riza Cicek, when the men did not obey a "stop" warning. The military's Web site described the incident as security forces rendering two terrorists ineffective. Hozat Mayor Cevdet Konak said the men were grazing livestock in fields when they were shot. On September 29-30, demonstrators gathered in Tunceli and Istanbul to protest the killings. HRA Tunceli representative Baris Yildirm said the killings epitomized an increase in the violation of civilians' rights occurring in the region. 

On October 17, police shot and subsequently paralyzed 17-year old Ferhat Gercek in Yenibosna in Istanbul. Witnesses reported that police tried to arrest Gercek and other vendors who were selling the socialist magazine Yuruyus. When the vendors resisted, a short fight ensued and a police officer shot Gercek in the back. Gercek's family and friends complained that Gercek was not questioned in an effort to find the responsible officer. No officers were charged in connection with the case.

On November 21, in the Avcilar neighborhood of Istanbul, a police officer kicked the chest of 26-year-old Feyzullah Ete, who died of a heart attack following the blow. Ete and a friend had been drinking in a public park and passers-by complained to police that the pair were disturbing the peace. Witnesses said police warned the victim and his friend before the fatal skirmish ensured. In late November, police arrested one officer in connection with the case, and the Ministry of Interior also opened a disciplinary case against that officer. The police were investigating the officer's conduct at year's end."

Document(s): Open document

11.03.2008 - Source: US Department of State

Refugee Festus Okey died in police station ("Country Report on Human Rights Practices 2007") [ID 22803]

"In late August, Nigerian refugee Festus Okey died in a police station in Istanbul during interrogation by a policeman who was alleged to have had a gun. Police stated that Okey was arrested for drug dealing and that he was accidentally shot while trying to disarm a police officer. However, tape from the surveillance camera in the interrogation room was never made available to the public. Initially, an officer from the Beyoglu District was indicted for "negligent killing" and the case was referred to Beyoglu criminal court. On November 26, the court ruled the incident should be seen as "premeditated murder" and sent the matter to the Heavy Penal Court."

Document(s): Open document

28.02.2005 - Source: US Department of State

Security forces committed a number of unlawful killings ("Country Report on Human Rights Practices 2004") [#29519],  [ID 14495]

"There were no known political killings; however, there were credible reports that security forces committed a number of unlawful killings. Police, Jandarma, and soldiers killed a number of persons, particularly in the southeast and east, for allegedly failing to obey stop warnings. The Human Rights Foundation (HRF) estimated that there were 18 killings by security forces between January and September, including shootings by village guards and border patrols. For example, in August, security forces in Van Province shot and killed Senol Kizil after he allegedly failed to heed a stop warning. In November, Jandarma officers shot and killed Fevzi Can in Hakkari Province, also alleging that he failed to heed a stop warning. One officer was arrested in the case and was awaiting trial at year's end. HRF estimated there were 43 killings by security forces in 2003.

The courts investigated most alleged unlawful killings by security forces; however, the number of arrests and prosecutions in such cases remained low compared with the number of incidents, and convictions remained rare (see Section 1.d.).

In May, Adana police shot and killed Siar Perincek after he allegedly ignored a stop warning and shot at police. However, three human rights organizations-–HRF, the Human Rights Association (HRA), and Mazlum-Der–-and the Confederation of Public Sector Trade Unions conducted a joint investigation and concluded that the evidence indicated police shot Perincek at close range while he was lying on the ground unarmed. The organizations also stated that police apparently tortured two men who were detained in the incident. Prosecutors charged one police officer with manslaughter and two others with torture; their trials began in October and were ongoing at year's end.

In November, Mardin police shot and killed Ahmet Kaymaz and his 12-year-old son in front of their home in Kiziltepe. Security officials alleged that Kaymaz and his son were planning a terrorist attack and had fired on police; however, a number of witnesses reportedly denied those claims. HRA representatives investigated the incident and stated that the victims had been shot at close range and there was no evidence they had exchanged fire with police. A parliamentary subcommittee also concluded there was no evidence that the victims had fired at police. Prosecutors opened a case against four police officers involved in the incident. Legal proceedings continued at year's end."

Document(s): Open document

26.05.2004 - Source: Amnesty International

Killings in disputed circumstances ("Annual Report 2004 (covering 2003)") [#22903],  [ID 14496]

"A few dozen civilians were shot dead by the security forces and village guards, most of them in the southeastern and eastern provinces. Many may have been victims of extrajudicial executions or the use of excessive force.

On 8 July, five people in the village of Pul, Bingöl province, were killed by unknown assailants. There were conflicting allegations as to whether the perpetrators belonged to the state security forces or the PKK/KADEK."

Document(s): Open document
Open document

25.02.2004 - Source: US Department of State

Arbitrary and unlawful deprivation of life - 43 killings by security forces ("Country Reports on Human Rights Practices - 2003") [#19741],  [ID 14497]

"There were no known political killings; however, there were credible reports that security forces committed a number of unlawful killings. Police, Jandarma, and soldiers killed a number of people, particularly in the southeast, for allegedly failing to obey stop warnings. The Human Rights Foundation (HRF) estimated that there were 43 killings by security forces during the year, including shootings by village guards and border patrols. In July, for example, soldiers in Mardin shot and killed Kazim Ozgan, allegedly for failing to heed a stop warning. HRF estimated there were 33 killings by security forces in 2002.

The courts investigated most alleged unlawful killings by security forces; however, the number of arrests and prosecutions in such cases remained low compared with the number of incidents, and convictions remained rare (see Section 1.d.).

According to the Interior Ministry, three persons died in police custody during the year; two died of heart attacks and the other committed suicide.

According to the HRF and press reports, 6 ongoing trials in cases of past alleged killings by security officials ended during the year, resulting in 36 acquittals and 13 convictions.

In April, an Istanbul court issued a verdict in the death in detention case of trade unionist Suleyman Yeter. The court sentenced one policeman to 4 years and 2 months imprisonment, acquitted another, and separated the case of a third defendant, who was being tried in absentia. The verdict was under appeal at year's end.

A Diyarbakir court continued to try the case of 10 village guards arrested in connection with the September 2002 killing of 3 internally displaced persons (IDPs) returning to their homes in Ugrak village with official permission.

During the year, the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) ruled against the country in one case involving the unlawful deprivation of life.

As of October, landmine explosions in the southeast killed two civilians. In addition, another civilian was killed by an unattended hand grenade. Both security forces and the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK), a terrorist organization that changed its name to the Kurdistan Freedom and Democracy Congress (KADEK) and, in November, changed its name to the Kurdistan Peoples Congress (KHK), used landmines; it was not possible to verify which side was responsible for the mines involved in the incidents.

The Government, as well as the PKK/KADEK/KHK, continued to commit human rights abuses against noncombatants in the southeast. According to the military, 12 civilians, 19 members of the security forces, and 71 terrorists died during the year as a result of armed clashes. In September, the PKK/KADEK announced an end to its unilateral ceasefire.

In November, in two separate suicide car bomb attacks, 50 persons were killed and 750 wounded in Istanbul. The attacks targeted two synagogues, the British Consulate, and the HSBC Bank Istanbul headquarters. The Government stated that the perpetrators were linked to al-Qa'ida.

In July, the PKK/KADEK attacked a convoy in Tunceli Province that included the provincial governor, killing two soldiers."

Document(s): Open document

21.06.2003 - Source: Schweizerische Flüchtlingshilfe

Extralegale Hinrichtungen durch Dorfmilizionäre; Opfer waren Bauern und Bäuerinnen, welche in ihr Dorf zurückkehrten ("Zur aktuellen Situation - Juni 2003 ") [#14557],  [ID 14498]

"In den letzten Monaten ist es verschiedentlich zu extralegalen Hinrichtungen durch Dorfmilizionäre gekommen. Opfer waren vor Jahren aus ihrem Dorf vertriebene Bauern und Bäuerinnen, welche die Bewilligung erhalten haben, in ihr Dorf zurück zu gehen. Sie wurden je-doch von den Dorfmilizionären, welche sich in der Zwischenzeit ihren Besitz angeeignet haben, daran gehindert und zum Teil sogar getötet.
Am 7. April 2003 wurde Haci Ölmez von den Soldaten in der Nähe des Dorfes Andaç (Ulu-dere/Sirnak) getötet, als sie von der Weide nach Hause zurückkehrten. Einer Untersu-chungsdelegation des IHD wurde der Zutritt zum Dorf verwehrt.
Am 24.4.2003 wurde zudem der Leichnam von Siddik Kaya am Ufer des Flusses Murat in Bulanik (Mus) gefunden. Laut Bericht des gerichtsmedizinischen Instituts wurde er durch einen Kopfschuss getötet. Seine Augen waren verbunden, er war geknebelt und seine Hän-de waren auf seinen Rücken gebunden. Es wurde versucht, seine Leiche zu versenken, indem ihm ein Sandsack umgebunden wurde.
Am 26.4.2003 soll ein Fahrer in der Nähe der Kreisstadt Baskale von der Gendarmerie er-schossen worden sein. Die Aussagen des Bruders des Opfers und der Gendarmerie bezüg-lich dem Tathergang gehen auseinander."

Document(s): Open document

15.04.2002 - Source: Council of the European Union

Netherlands delegation to CIREA: Regular reports on extrajudicial killings ("Note from the Netherlands delegation to CIREA: Official general report on Turkey, January 2002" Rf. 7838/02") [#7991],  [ID 14499]

"There are fairly regular reports of extra-judicial murders by representatives of the Turkish
government. Raids on alleged terrorist safe houses have often led to the death of people found
there, sometimes due to excessive force by security forces 1. At the beginning of November 2001,
the police used force to enter several houses in the Küçükarmutlu district of Istanbul. The houses
contained hunger strikers who were protesting against the introduction of the F-type prisons. Part of
the area surrounding the houses in question had been barricaded by the demonstrators. Four people
were killed and a number injured when the security forces broke down the barricades and entered
the houses.
There have in the past been deaths in prisons when the jandarma have entered to restore order. Here
too, the force used by the authorities was in some cases disproportionate. There are known to be
cases in which the police have fired on people who were fleeing, in some cases with fatal
consequences. The security forces often argue that the call to surrender is ignored. A 1996 law
which authorises police officers to shoot immediately in such cases was struck down by the
Constitutional Court in January 1999.
For the first nine months of 2001, the Turkish human rights organisation TIHV reports 27 cases of
extra-judicial executions1 In the first six months of 2001, the Turkish human rights organisation
IHD recorded 31 cases of extra-judicial executions (including deaths in custody). In the first eight
months of 2000, 112 cases were recorded. In the first eight months of 1999, 127 cases were
recorded. The number of cases reported for the whole of 1998 was 128.
The Turkish authorities are also linked to various unsolved murders in the past, particularly in
south-eastern Turkey. A number of cases concerned local politicians, journalists, HADEP members,
Kurdish businessmen and prominent members of the Kurdish community in the region. Generally,
the involvement of the authorities cannot be proved. Human rights organisations claim that the
Turkish authorities do not give priority to solving these cases. According to observers no similar
cases of the unexplained death of prominent figures occurred in 2000. For 2001 no cases are
known either. The Hezbollah in particular, but also other armed and terrorist organisations tend to
be held responsible for such murders and attacks."

Document(s): Open document

18.12.2001 - Source: UN Human Rights Council (formerly UN Commission on Human Rights)

UN Special Rapporteur: ("Civil and political rights, including the question of disappearances and summary executions E/CN.4/2002/74/Add.1") [#5265],  [ID 14500]

Document(s): 02197tur.pdf
Open document