18 May 2021 marks the second anniversary of the torture incident which took place in Sanliurfa province of Turkey between 18 May 2019 and 28 May 2019, and victimized some fifty individuals.
Within the scope of Turkey Human Rights Accountability Project, the Arrested Lawyers Initiative summarily translated the report of Human Rights Center of Sanliurfa Bar Association to English. We also worked with renowned Italian artist Gianluca Costantini who illustrated the accounts of the victims.
Prominent forensic expert, physician Sebmen Korur Fincanci warned about inadequate medical examination and documentation carried out on torture and ill-treatment complaints. She added that ‘inadequate medical documentation disrupts efforts to prevent torture and leaves us facing new torture allegations every day’.
The police officer, Murat A, who, on 30 March 2016, broke two vertebral bones of lawyer Zeycan Balci by repeatedly kicking her spine will be on trial on Monday, 9th December. Victim lawyer made a call and asked for the solidarity of all lawyers and human rights groups to hold those responsible for this brutal act accountable. “I want to face him. I haven’t had my kids in my arms for three years (due to my disability). If I am abandoned the defendant can acquit.” she said.
After a three-year legal struggle, police officer Murat A has been charged with exceeding the limit on the authority to use force, willful and malicious injury and will be on trial tomorrow in the Istanbul-Caglayan Courthouse.
The UN Committee decided that there was a substantial risk of torture for those who were thought to be members, or actually were members, of the Gulen movement, if they are extradited to Turkey.
This report includes a summary of the report published by the Ankara Bar Association as well as domestic and international legal framework concerning torture and a consolidated list of state officials who are suspected to have ordered, facilitated, carried out concealed the torturing of former Turkish diplomats at Ankara Police HQ.
