6 August 2001

1. "Pro-PKK leaders condemn UN, Turkey at human rights session held at UN", the Kurdish question was reportedly tabled at a meeting the other day of the UN Human Rights Sub Committee 53rd session.

2. "Turkey Official Pushes for EU Bid", Turkey's deputy prime minister called Saturday for a massive effort to push forward with the economically struggling country's candidacy for membership in the European Union.

3. "No decrease in rights violations", making a statement on the human rights violations in Bingol between January-June 2001, IHD (Human Rights Association) Bingol Branch said that restrictions and bans on the use of basic rights and freedoms still continued.The statement said "As understood from the data between January-June 2001, we do not have a heartening picture.

4. ""Former DEP deputies are held as a trump", former DEP deputies are still in prison in spite of EHRC rule. Lawyer Yusuf Alatas said on the reason "They are held in prison because of Turkey's political plans."

5. "Bahceli: The nationalist movement will go on struggling with enemies of our country", 'People to be accused of being traitors and leading the country into total submission are those that signed the agreements with harsh consequences six years ago'

6. "Garbage bins return to Turkish Kurd city after 15-year ban", garbage bins were re-installed on Saturday in the streets of the mainly Kurdish city of Batman in southeast Turkey in a ceremony that marked the end of a 15-year ban, Anatolia news agency reported.


1. - Turkish Daily News - "Pro-PKK leaders condemn UN, Turkey at human rights session held at UN":

The Kurdish question was reportedly tabled at a meeting the other day of the UN Human Rights Sub Committee 53rd session. Among those attending the meeting in Geneva in their capacity as NGOs were head of the so-called Kurdistan National Congress (KNK) Ismet Serif Vanli and head of the London-centered Kurdish Human Rights Project Kerim Yildiz. Vanli and Yildiz were present at the session having been invited by the World Organization Against Torture (OMCT) and they put across their views regarding the Kurdish question. Close to 50 UN member NGOs also attended.

According to news in the Ozgur Politika newspaper, known for being pro-PKK (Kurdistan Workers Party), Vanli and Yildiz accused the UN of being insensitive to the Kurds' plight and said that member countries were oppressing the Kurds, adding that this cast a shadow over the UN. Head of the OMCT Eric Sottas gave the opening address at the meeting during which UN representative for the International Organization for Education and Development Caren Parker voiced her organization's views on the Kurdish question.

States' economic interests get in the way

Stressing that the Kurdish question was a large and important one from a human rights perspective, Sottas stated the matter was dependent upon the economic interests of the states concerned and maintained this was why no solution was being arrived at. He claimed that the declaration of the PKK as a terrorist organization by Britain and its subsequent banning was the result of Britain's economic ties with Turkey. Noting that despite this the Kurdish question had entered the agenda of human rights circles all over the world, Sottas said the question would be more quite naturally actively debated in the years ahead and progress towards a solution made.

'Talk with Ocalan'

Ms. Parker for her part said the Kurdish question was an international problem. Asserting that international pressure had been applied to PKK chieftain Abdullah Ocalan, Ms. Parker said that Ocalan's being handed over to Turkey had nothing to do with international law. Noting that the PKK was now on the United States' list of terrorist organizations, Ms. Parker said the decision to include the PKK on that list was no coincidence. She said that in order for a solution to be found, Ocalan should be put on trial as a political leader and should be included in talks.

Vanli: Let UN recognize the Kurds

Starting his speech by blasting the UN, so-called KNK leader Vanli said the organization was ignoring the Kurdish people. He also levelled criticism at the United Nations' NGOs for using the term "minority" when speaking about the Kurds. He said they were not a minority but one of the largest nations in the Middle East. Maintaining that the Kurds still had no status within the UN, Vanli said: "This fact casts a shadow over the UN. According to the UN statutes, important world problems such as the Kurdish problem have to be recognized. The Kurds need to be able to express themselves at the UN."

Stressing that the Kurdish problem automatically made the UN responsible, Vanli said advocating separatism was not necessary to get the Kurds recognized.

Yildiz: Turkey condemned at ECHR

Leader of the Kurdish Human Rights Project Kerim Yildiz drew attention to the human rights violations being encountered by the Kurds and pointed out the verdicts passed against Turkey at the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR). Stating that the overwhelming majority of cases went against Turkey, which he maintained was oppressing and insulting the Kurds, Yildiz said the country had been forced to pay out huge amounts in compensation.

Stating that in fact this was a tragic situation for Turkey, Yildiz said Turkey would not be able to keep up its attitude for years on end. Saying that Turkey had got to take serious steps towards improving its human rights record, Yildiz stressed the need for a political solution to the Kurdish question. He noted there was still no freedom of thought in Turkey and said this too was a result of the Kurdish question. Yildiz said that proponents of international human rights could play a serious role here.

Turkey's UN representatives together with officials from the Geneva-based Kurdistan Human Rights Center also attended the meeting the other day. That the Turkish representatives did not contribute to the debate was worthy of note. The meetings will continue until Aug. 17.


2. - AP - "Turkey Official Pushes for EU Bid":

ANKARA

Turkey's deputy prime minister called Saturday for a massive effort to push forward with the economically struggling country's candidacy for membership in the European Union.

"There's only one way to erase the belief that Europe won't accept Turkey as a member whatever we do -- and that is to complete the changes that are needed for membership as quickly as possible, and knock on the EU's door," said Mesut Yilmaz, who is responsible for coordinating Turkey's bid for EU membership.

Yilmaz spoke at a congress of the Motherland Party, where he easily won re-election as party leader despite criticism from rival candidates who blame him for halving the party's electoral strength in his 10 years at its helm.

The Motherland Party is the junior member of the coalition government. Yilmaz has been accused of corruption, and like his coalition partners has seen his poll ratings plummet amid an economic crisis that has thrown hundreds of thousands of Turks out of work since February.

The 15-member EU has accepted Turkey as a candidate, but concerns over its human rights record and fragile economy mean it is unlikely to become a member for some years.

Turkey has drawn up a long list of political and legal changes needed to meet EU criteria, but the economic crisis has set back its membership hopes. Yilmaz said Turkey was at a crossroads in its history and called for a concerted effort to push its candidacy.

He said Turkey could move closer to its EU goal by changing its concept of national security and "healing the wounds" of the struggles against Kurdish rebels and Islamic militants.

Turkey's refusal to grant cultural rights to its large Kurdish minority, and unwillingness to allow space for pro-Islamic political parties in its strictly secular system, has drawn criticism from the EU.


3. - Kurdish Observer - "No decrease in rights violations":

Making a statement on the human rights violations in Bingol between January-June 2001, IHD (Human Rights Association) Bingol Branch said that restrictions and bans on the use of basic rights and freedoms still continued.The statement said "As understood from the data between January-June 2001, we do not have a heartening picture.

In spite of the intensity of demands for societal peace, violence and violent means on solving problems are continued to be used as a useful method."

Violation data

The statement gave the following data between January-June 2001 for Bingol province and its related district: "People who lost their lives in armed clashes:27; detention: 28; threat: 6; arrest: 4; violations to civilian people: 10; abduction with threat of a gun (village guard): 1; ban on grazing rights(Yedisu-Elmali-Dinurbey): 2; exile: 8; discipline punishment: 53; investigation (administrational-judicial): 85; threat-insult: 5; suicide: 4; maltreatment in prison: 1; and to be pulled to pieces by dogs: 1."


4. - Ozgur Politika - ""Former DEP deputies are held as a trump":

Former DEP deputies are still in prison in spite of EHRC rule. Lawyer Yusuf Alatas said on the reason "They are held in prison because of Turkey's political plans."

GÜRSEL YUMLI

Former Democracy Party (DEP) deputies Hatip Dicle, Leyla Zana, Orhan Dogan and Selim Sadak are still in prison although European Human Rights Court (EHRC) has ruled out that "The trial is in violation to European Accord on Human Rights. They should be released as soon as possible". It is pointed out that the situation arises from the demand of the Turkish government to hold them as a "political trump".

DEP deputies have been sentenced to 15 years in prison by Ankara State Security Court (DGM) in which a military judge was present. Yusuf Alatas, lawyer of DEP deputies who have been in Ulucanlar Prison in Ankara since that time, made a statement to OZGUR POLITIKA, saying that he would apply to Prime Ministry next week for his clients to be released. Alatas pointed out EHRC decisions were addressed to government of the nation in question, adding, "If the government wants to, it can make them be released with only a verbal order. Because the EHRC decision is clear."

To a question "Considering the EHRC decision why are not they released?" Alatas replied "The government has long-term political goals" and continued to say the following: "I think that the government is making plans on 'Which time is suitable for the releases' rather than 'how can I ensure the inner peace' on the Kurdish problem."

Emphasizing that in case that EHRC decisions are not executed there will be sanctions, Alatas said that one of the most important sanctions is to expel Turkey from the European Council. The lawyer attracted attention to the cases related with the DEP case and pointed out that these cases lied at back of prolonged "thinking time" of Turkey. Alatas continued to say the following: "One of the cases is that DEP deputies have been held in prison for 7 years. That is a ground for a case in itself. Why have you held these people for 7 years? The second is that Turkey's time to think dragged on a lot. The last two weeks are a ground for a second case."

Why do not DEP deputies make a statement?

The lawyer replied to a question "It is striking that DEP deputies have not made a statement. Why?" with a short answer as "for ethical and political reasons" and continued to say the following: "I have seen them two times after the EHRC rule. They say that the decision should not be considered an individual decision only for them. They say that they have been in prison because of their political activities. They say that there are about 10 thousand people who have been in prison for similar reasons like them. Therefore they do not want make any statement."


5. - Turkish Daily News - "Bahceli: The nationalist movement will go on struggling with enemies of our country":

'People to be accused of being traitors and leading the country into total submission are those that signed the agreements with harsh consequences six years ago'

The 12th Erciyes Victory Celebrations hosted Devlet Bahceli, chairman of the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP).

In his speech, Bahceli said recent discussions concerning national interests and consequential foreign policy problems had made unloyal thoughts existing in the minds of traitors evident.
Stating that the defenders of national pride and unity were being criticized by some, Bahceli complained of the existence of such discouraging people in the midst of the crisis the country was suffering.

Giving voice to his distress, Bahceli said: "Traitors among us believe that Turkey should accept the demands of the Greek Cypriots, should acknowledge the alleged Armenian genocide and should give way to separatist claims. Unfortunately, traitors with such thoughts have support from certain elements of society."

Bahceli went on to praise Turkish nationalists, saying the importance of their sincerity concerning love of the country had doubled with such traitors in existence.

The MHP chairman not only criticized national disloyalty but also called out to politicians "striving to defame the MHP." Blaming the MHP for acting disloyal to the country with international agreements signed during coalition memberships, said Bahceli, requires totally ignoring the agreements with harsh consequences signed six years ago.

Fake nationalists

Bahceli defined the nationalist movement as "accomplishing what it had said yesterday and striving to accomplish what it says today." Adding that "fake nationalists" could in no way harm their cause, Bahceli said, "Our cause is like a ship sailing decisively and ambitiously into the 21st century."

The nationalist leader's speech was often interrupted with people chanting "Prime Minister Devlet." Bahceli, in turn, called out to the people attending the celebrations with the words, "my fellow friends" and "young believers."

Urging "true nationalists" to unite in their cause, Bahceli said efforts aiming to defame their cause and party would face disappointment as it was a principle for true nationalists to support each other.


6. -AFP - "Garbage bins return to Turkish Kurd city after 15-year ban":

ANKARA

Garbage bins were re-installed on Saturday in the streets of the mainly Kurdish city of Batman in southeast Turkey in a ceremony that marked the end of a 15-year ban, Anatolia news agency reported. Local authorities had introduced the ban in 1986 after a series of bombs, placed in garbage bins, went off in attacks blamed on the separatist Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK).

The end of the ban followed a decline in PKK activities since autumn 1999 when the militants heeded an appeal by condemned PKK leader Abdullah Ocalan to lay down their arms and seek a peaceful resolution to the Kurdish conflict. "The governor lifted the ban in line with the atmosphere of serenity and security," Batman Mayor Abdullah Akin said during a ceremony that saw several garbage bins installed on the city's main streets, the Anatolia news agency
reported.

The Turkish army has fought the PKK since 1984 when the group took up arms for self-rule in Turkey's predominantly Kurdish southeast. The conflict has claimed about 36,500 lives.