Right to life of 162 people violated in Turkey in July

* Photo: Anadolu Agency (AA)

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Main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) İstanbul MP and Parliamentary Human Rights Commission Deputy Chair Sezgin Tanrıkulu has released his "Report on Rights Violations in Turkey in July."

The report of the MP shows that the right to life of at least 162 people was violated in Turkey in July. While 54 of these people lost their lives in armed conflicts, one died in a civilian conflict and 10 in occupational homicides.

Among the deceased people were also 36 women who lost their lives as a result of male violence as well as 62 refugees:

According to bianet male violence monitoring report, 32 women were killed in July 2020. bianet data show that at least 80 women were subjected to violence and at least three children were killed.

At least 27 children, including boys, and at least 15 women were abused and harassed. Men forced at least 113 women to sex work.

According to the data of the "We Will Stop Femicides" platform, at least 36 women were killed by men. The report of the platform shows that the death of 11 women was also suspicious in July.

Incidents of torture

In July 2020, at least 55 people (incl. lawyers Cihat Duman, Gökhan Soysal, Ezgi Önalan; journalist Sibel Hürtaş and 20 refugees in Çaldıran, Van), among whom were also four children, announced that they were subjected to the torture of security forces in or outside detention centers.

At least 115 people (in protests of bar associations chairs and Suruç Massacre commemorations) were subjected to physical violence by the police/ gendarmerie in meetings and demonstrations.

Torture and maltreatment in prisons

According to news stories and reports published by journalists and human rights organizations, at least 43 prisoners were subjected to physical/ psychological violence and prevented from using their right to health.

Detained, arrested journalists, writers

In July, at least three journalists were detained. According to the data of Independent Journalism Platform, there are currently at least 92 journalists in prison. Access blocks were imposed on at least 175 Internet contents.

'Crimes of thought'

In July 2020, at least four people were detained due to their speeches or writings. One person was arrested.

At least three people (actors Metin Akpınar and Müjdat Gezen and jailed politician Sebahat Tuncel) faced lawsuits, at least two people (Figen Yüksekdağ) faced investigations and at least one person (Honorary Chair of European Alevi Unions Confederation) was sentenced to prison/ fines.

Three people arrested over social media posts

In July, at least 12 people were detained due to their social media messages and three people were arrested. One person faced an investigation.

Police forces intervened in at least 100 events such as press statements, distribution of leaflets, meetings and demonstrations (incl. protests of bar chairs and Suruç Massacre commemorations. In these police interventions, at least 316 people were taken into custody.

In July, at least 10 events, press statements, meetings, demonstrations, festivals, theater plays or film screenings were banned by sub-governor's and governor's offices. In 16 provinces, all events and demonstrations were banned for different durations in July.

At least 62 people (incl. 29 lawyers in Batman) were sentenced to prison/ fines in lawsuits filed over meetings and demonstrations. (RT/SD)