10.2005 - Source: UK Home Office

liability of all the members of a family for the crimes of one member ("Country Report - October 2005") [#40563], [ID 14341]

"6.373 As noted in the Norwegian Country of Origin Information Centre ‘Report of fact-finding mission to Turkey (7-17 October 2004)’:

“To the question on whether persons who are suspected of having one or more family members in the PKK/Konra-Gel might face persecution, I got few and mostly vague answers… Both Mr. Tanrýkulu and the head of DEHAP in Diyarbakýr, Mr. Birtane stated that such arrests happened ‘sometimes’ along with other forms of harassment as well, such as repeated questioning by the police, intimidation, verbal assaults, beating, detention and arrest. The level of harassment would often depend on the degree of kinship and on the rank of the respective relative in the PKK/Konra-Gel. However, it was difficult to detect a pattern on how relatives of PKK/Konra-Gel militants are dealt with, it depends on the circumstances and on the law-enforcement officials in charge. Any person having a relative within the PKK/Konra-Gel should expect some attention from the authorities without becoming automatically subject to harassment or persecution. Harassment solely on the grounds of being a relative to a suspected criminal could not be ruled out.” [16] (p27)

6.374 According to the Netherlands Ministry of Foreign Affairs report 2002:

“Those known to have or suspected of having one or more family members in the PKK can expect some attention from the authorities. Depending, among other things, on the degree of kinship and the (suspected) position of their relative(s) within the PKK, family members may be subjected to varying degrees of intimidation, harassment, official obstruction, questioning and similar problems. It is perfectly conceivable, even probable in many cases, for the families of (suspected) PKK members to be kept under observation by the authorities or questioned and interrogated for instance about the whereabouts of their fugitive relatives, but also because they could as often as not be potential suspects themselves. In many cases the Turkish authorities assume that some relatives of PKK supporters harbour sympathies for the party.” [2a] (p135)

6.375 The Netherlands report continued “However, if the authorities are convinced that relatives of (suspected) PKK members do not have any links to the PKK they are not persecuted.” The report further states that “Countless people in Turkey have one or more relatives in the PKK without having any significant problems with the authorities as a result.” [2a] (p135)

6.376 The Netherlands report states that “The above applies also to relatives of members of left-wing or Islamic militant groups.” [2a] (p135)"

Document(s): Open document

01.08.2005 - Source: Amnesty International

AI: Report on the reform process; freedom of speech and freedom of press constricted by new turkish penal law; torture still common; health care; violence against women ("Länderkurzinfo der Koordinationsgruppe Türkei der deutschen Sektion") [#34626], [ID 14342]

"Eine wichtige Rolle in Asylentscheidungen spielt auch die Frage der so genannten Sippenhaft. Oft wird dieser Begriff verengt ausgelegt auf die Frage, ob Familienangehörige von Mitgliedern verbotener Organisationen gerichtlich belangt werden. Dies ist in der Tat im türkischen Recht nicht vorgesehen. Vor allem Angehörige gesuchter PKK-Mitglieder sind jedoch starkem Druck ausgesetzt. Sie werden oft bedroht, aufgefordert, die betreffenden Verwandten herbeizuschaffen, oder verdächtigt, selbst die PKK zu unterstützen. Es kommt aber auch zu Festnahmen und Folterungen. So wurde ein 12jähriges Mädchen in Diyarbakir gefoltert, weil sie den Aufenthaltsort ihrer Schwester nicht angab (bzw. nicht angeben konnte) [9] . Weiter wurde im Oktober 2004 im Dorf Baluka in der Provinz Siirt der 61jährige Abdurrahman Aydın, dessen Sohn Guerillakämpfer der PKK war, gewaltsam aus seinem Haus abgeholt und in der Nähe des Dorfes in freier Landschaft von Soldaten und Dorfschützern nackt ausgezogen, gefoltert und mit dem Tode bedroht. Ihm wurde vorgeworfen, er würde die Terroristen unterstützen. Sein Cousin Resul Aydın berichtete dem Menschenrechtsverein in Siirt, er sei zuvor ebenfalls von demselben Gendarmerieoffizier und denselben Dorfschützern gefoltert worden. In einem weiteren amnesty international bekannt gewordenen Fall wurde auch ein Rechtsanwalt gefoltert, weil er PKK-Mitglieder verteidigt hat [10]"

Document(s): Open document

10.01.2005 - Source: Amnesty International

Arbitrary detention of family members of wanted persons (an alleged member of PKK in the present case) still common (expert opinion, in German) ("Stellungnahme vom 10.1.2005 an VG Sigmaringen - A 8 K 10281/03 -") [#28406], [ID 14343]

Document(s): Open document

06.11.2003 - Source: Schweizerische Flüchtlingshilfe

Groups at risk (e.g. members of opposition parties, human rights activists, certain groups of women); inadequate implementation of political reforms (German) ("Asylsuchende aus der Türkei - Position der SFH") [#17802], [ID 14344]

"Einer asylrelevanten Verfolgung können insbesondere Personen unterliegen, für die es aufgrund der mangelnden Umsetzung der Reformen im Menschenrechtsbereich, vor allem aber aufgrund des landesweiten Einflusses der unabhängig von der Reformpolitik agierenden Sicherheitsdienste samt deren informellen Netzwerken keine sichere interne Fluchtalternative gibt. [...]

1.10 Familienmitglieder von Angehörigen illegaler Oppositionsparteien

Reflexverfolgung ist in der Türkei nach wie vor an der Tagesordnung. Von Reflexverfolgung betroffen sind vor allem nahe Familienmitglieder von Angehörigen der: - PKK (Kurdische Arbeiter Partei) / neu: KADEK (Freiheit und Demokratie Kongress Kurdistans); - THKC (Volksbefreiungsfront der Türkei); - TIKKO-AktivistInnen (Befreiungsarmee der ArbeiterInnen und Bauern der Türkei); - MLKP (Marxistisch-Leninistische Kommunistische Partei). Das weitere familiäre Umfeld sowie die Herkunft aus einem Dorf, das in der Vergangenheit einschlägig bekannt geworden ist, kann das Reflexverfolgungsrisiko erhöhen. Familienangehörige, die sich mit Todesstreikenden, Verschwundenen usw. solidarisieren, riskieren ebenfalls staatliche Verfolgung in Form von Schikanen, Anklagen bis hin zu Folterungen."

Document(s): Open document

21.06.2003 - Source: Schweizerische Flüchtlingshilfe

Reflexverfolgung von nahen Familienangehörigenvon PKK-, THKC-, TIKKO-AktivistInnen ("Zur aktuellen Situation - Juni 2003 ") [#14557], [ID 14345]

"Reflexverfolgung ist in der Türkei nach wie vor an der Tagesordnung. Davon betroffen sind vor allem nahe Familienangehörige von PKK-, THKC-, TIKKO-AktivistInnen sowie nahe Fa-milienangehörige von AktivitstInnen anderer illegaler Organisationen wie der MLKP.
Das weitere familiäre Umfeld sowie die Herkunft aus einem Dorf, das in der Vergangenheit einschlägig bekannt geworden ist, kann das Reflexverfolgungsrisiko erhöhen.
Familienangehörige, die sich mit Todesstreikenden, Verschwundenen usw. solidarisieren, riskieren ebenfalls staatliche Verfolgung, zumindest in Form von Schikanen. Viele dieser Familienmitglieder sind aber auch Folterungen ausgesetzt und selbst angeklagt worden.
Ganz kritisch ist die Situation derjenigen Familienangehörigen, die sich an den Europäi-schen Menschenrechtsgerichtshof gewendet und den Türkischen Staat für das Verschwin-den oder den Tod ihrer Ehemänner/Söhne usw. verantwortlich machen. Zahlreiche dieser Familie wurden unter Todesdrohungen zum Rückzug ihrer Klagen angehalten und viele mussten die Türkei verlassen, weil sie dort keine Lebenssicherheit mehr hatten. Auch Zeu-gen in solchen Verfahren sind regelmässig massiven Drohungen ausgesetzt"

Document(s): Open document

04.2003 - Source: UK Home Office

Family members may be subjected to varying degrees of intimidation, harassment, official obstruction, questioning and similar problems ("Country Assessment - April 2003") [#13461], [ID 14346]

"6.188 People known to have or suspected of having one or more family members in the PKK can expect some attention from the authorities. Depending, among other things, on the degree of kinship and the (suspected) position of their relative(s) within the PKK, family members may be subjected to varying degrees of intimidation, harassment, official obstruction, questioning and similar problems. It is perfectly conceivable, even probable in many cases, for the families of (suspected) PKK members to be kept under observation by the authorities or questioned and interrogated (e.g. about the whereabouts of their fugitive relatives), but also because they could as often as not be potential suspects themselves. In many cases the Turkish authorities assume that some relatives of PKK supporters harbour sympathies for the party. However, if the authorities are convinced that relatives of (suspected) PKK members do not have any links to the PKK they are not persecuted. [2a]
6.189 Countless people in Turkey have one or more relatives in the PKK without having any significant problems with the authorities as a result. The families of prominent PKK supporters such as Abdullah Öcalan and Ţemdin Sakýk were probably always under intensive surveillance by the authorities and lived under a certain degree of pressure, but they were not actually persecuted for their relationship with the PKK leaders. Öcalan's family attended his trial on Ýmralý Island. One of Sakýk's brothers is openly politically active. [2a]
6.190 The above applies also to relatives of members of left-wing or Islamic militant groups. [2a]"

Document(s): Open document

15.04.2002 - Source: Council of the European Union

Netherlands delegation to CIREA: Relatives of members of the PKK or of left-wing or Islamist militant groups ("Note from the Netherlands delegation to CIREA: Official general report on Turkey, January 2002" Rf. 7838/02") [#7991], [ID 14348]

"Those known to have or suspected of having one or more family members in the PKK can expect
some attention from the authorities. Depending, among other things, on the degree of kinship and
the (suspected) position of their relative(s) within the PKK, family members may be subjected to
varying degrees of intimidation, harassment, official obstruction, questioning and similar problems.
It is perfectly conceivable, even probable in many cases, for the families of (suspected) PKK
members to be kept under observation by the authorities or questioned and interrogated, for instance
about the whereabouts of their fugitive relatives, but also because they could as often as not be
potential suspects themselves. In many cases the Turkish authorities assume that some relatives of
PKK supporters harbour sympathies for the party. However, if the authorities are convinced that
relatives of (suspected) PKK members do not have any links to the PKK they are not persecuted.
Countless people in Turkey have one or more relatives in the PKK without having any significant
problems with the authorities as a result. The families of prominent PKK supporters such as
Abdullah Öcalan and Şemdin Sakık were probably always under intensive surveillance by the
authorities and lived under a certain degree of pressure, but they were not actually persecuted for
their relationship with the PKK leaders. Öcalan's family attended his trial on Imralý Island. One of
Sakýk's brothers is openly politically active.
The above also applies to relatives of members of left-wing or Islamic militant groups."

Document(s): Open document

15.04.2002 - Source: Council of the European Union

Netherlands delegation to CIREA: Relatives of HADEP members ("Note from the Netherlands delegation to CIREA: Official general report on Turkey, January 2002" Rf. 7838/02") [#7991], [ID 14349]

"Relatives of HADEP members need not fear persecution by the Turkish authorities solely because
one or more of their relatives is a member of HADEP. In certain cases, however, it cannot be ruled
out that, for example, first or second degree relatives of HADEP members who are active at local
level are closely watched by local authorities because of their relatives’ activities."

Document(s): Open document

17.10.2001 - Source: Amnesty International

Amnesty International: Fear for safety/risk of torture and ill-treatment for twenty-one members of the Kiliç family, including Adil Kiliç (m), HADEP provincial council member ("Turkey - UA 260/01") [#4323], [ID 14350]

"Gendarmes have reportedly arrested 21 members of a Kurdish family during a raid in southeast Turkey in the early hours of 17 October. It is not known where they are held, and they are at grave risk of torture.

Three people were killed during the operation, in Silvan, Diyarbakir province. It was directed against the illegal armed opposition group, the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK), and the authorities have since issued a statement alleging that two of those killed were PKK members. Among the dead was 18-year-old Gurbet Kiliç: she is not believed to have had any connection with the organization. Eight-year-old Savas Kiliç was reportedly shot and seriously wounded, and has been taken to hospital.

Two soldiers were reportedly wounded.

Among those detained was Adil Kiliç, a member of the provincial council for the legal pro-Kurdish political party HADEP (People's Democracy Party)."

Document(s): Open document