Amnesty International today condemned an invitation extended by Turkey to Sudanese President Omar al Bashir to attend a meeting in Turkey, even though he is wanted by the International Criminal Court (ICC) on charges of war crimes and crimes against humanity.
“President Omar al Bashir is a fugitive from international justice, charged with responsibility for crimes [...]

Tags: Darfur, ICC, Sudan, Turkey

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Governments in Europe are putting lives at risk by denying refugees protection, Amnesty International warned today. On World Refugee Day, the doors to Europe are closing as the rights of those seeking sanctuary are ignored.
“Refugees are risking their lives to find safety only to be turned away when they reach Europe,” said Nicola Duckworth, Europe [...]

Tags: EU, Greece, Italy, Spain, Turkey

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The Turkish authorities are nowhere near bringing to justice all those who bear responsibility for the murder of Hrant Dink, said Amnesty International, on the second anniversary of the death of the journalist and human rights defender.
“Hrant Dink was murdered for the expression of his non-violent opinions, apparently with the tacit agreement of elements within [...]

Tags: Turkey

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All those responsible for Engin Çeber’s death must face justice in fair proceedings, Amnesty International said today as the 60 state officials implicated in his death prepare to go on trial on 21 January 2009.
Twenty-nine-year-old Engin Çeber died on 10 October 2008 after he was allegedly repeatedly kicked and beaten with wooden and metal bars [...]

Tags: Turkey

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A rising wave of police violence against the public in Turkey is linked to the Turkish government’s failure to hold abusive officers to account.
The 80-page Human Rights Watch report, “Closing Ranks against Accountability – Barriers to Tackling Police Violence in Turkey,” documents 28 cases of police abuse against members of the public since the [...]

Tags: Turkey

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Reported plans by the governor of the southern Turkish province of Adana to cut health care from demonstrators and their families violate international standards, Amnesty International said today.
Demonstrations against the alleged ill-treatment of imprisoned Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) leader Abdullah Ocalan have taken place across the southern and eastern provinces of Turkey since 17 October. [...]

Tags: Turkey

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The recent death of a protester in Turkey, and the allegations of excessive use of force by police and other ill-treatment of demonstrators must be investigated, Amnesty International said today as protests continue in the southern city of Adana and the eastern city of Doðubeyazýt.
Reports that imprisoned Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) leader Abdullah Öcalan had [...]

Tags: Turkey

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For the second time in one month Turkish law enforcement officials have expelled the same group of Uzbekistani refugees into Iranian territory in flagrant disregard for international standards protecting the rights of refugees and asylum-seekers.
Amnesty International is calling on the Turkish authorities to conduct a prompt and impartial investigation into the circumstances of the illegal [...]

Tags: Iran, Turkey

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Turkey Should Reject Calls to Suspend the ICC Investigation
The Turkish government should reject efforts by Sudan’s President Omar al-Bashir to secure a suspension of the International Criminal Court’s investigation against him, Human Rights Watch said in a letter today. Turkey should also convey a clear message that Khartoum must not respond to the investigation with [...]

Tags: Sudan, Turkey

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The director of a children’s choir is still wanted by the Turkish authorities after she and members of her choir were accused of spreading propaganda for an outlawed separatist group.
An arrest warrant was issued for director Duygu Ozge Bayar after the Diyarbakir Yenisehir Municipality Children’s Choir sang the Kurdish language anthem Ey Raqip (Hey Enemy) [...]

Tags: Turkey

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