International Association for Human Rights of the KurdsIMK Weekly Information Service

Date: 06 November - 15 November 2001         Number: 133-134

The news that the British company Balfour Beatty are to opt out of a controversial dam project in Turkey has been welcomed by naturalists and human rights organisations. Balfour Beatty was the leading engineering company in the construction consortium involved in the 2 billion US dollar project. The Ilisu dam would not only have flooded and destroyed the homelands of 36,000 Kurds, including historical buildings, but it would have also incited a "war for water". The dam would give Turkey control over the river Tigris increasing its power over Iraq and Syria.

Blafour deny that the protests against the project were central to their decision to opt out. It was more to do with an extensive evaluation of the commercial aspects of the project, its effects on the environment as well as its social aspects. Company spokesman Tim Sharp said that Balfour Beatty's opting out did not necessarily mean an end to the project.

Charles Secrett, director of Friends of the Earth and opponents of the project, claimed it to be a clear victory which would act as a guide to any future projects of a similar nature. Companies would demand clear guidelines on ethical and environmental issues for any future export credits.

The Labour member of the British parliament, Ann Clywd, also a strong opponent of the Ilsiu project, welcomed the decision saying that the Kurds would have been the most severely affected by the dam. The Ilsiu dam was bad for human rights, bad for the environment, bad for the region's peace and bad for Britain. The dam would flood 300 square kilometres of which a quarter would be top rate agricultural land. A total of 183 towns, villages and settlements would be affected with 82 being completely and 101 partially flooded. The decision came as a surprise to Turkey because they had expected a swift authorization of the British export credit in recognition of Turkish support in the campaign in Afghanistan. In contrast, Iraq and Syria should be pleased with the decision because its means they may not become dependent on Turkey. Water in the region is nearly as valuable as oil. (Source: BBC, 13.11.01; IMK)

Turkey Fear Losing Power in any US Attack on Iraq

The Turkish military have strongly urged the US against targeting Iraq after Afghanistan. The chief of the general staff, Hüseyin Kivrikoglu, said in a visit to a Kurdish region bordering Iraq, that "Turkey did not wish this". As head of the politically very influential Turkish army, Kivrikoglu is one of the most powerful men in the country. He said that Turkey had suffered economically by 40 billion dollars as a result of the Gulf War 10 years ago. This alone makes Turkey against any new outbreak of war in Iraq. He also said that military action against Baghdad was unlikely at the present time.

However, there is currently a lot of debate within Turkey concerning a possible US strike against Iraq. This is reflected in the column inches in the big Turkish daily newspapers.

Even if the US foreign secretary Colin Powell says that there are no US plans to extend the war to Iraq, news coverage on Iraq can be seen as building up justification for such a strike. Reports are piling up on Iraqi production of biological weapons and training camps for Islamic terrorists. Powell's vague comments that the US will direct its attention towards other terrorists who represent a threat to the world once it has triumphed over  the Al-Qeada network, also serve to increase Turkish concerns. When the conservative New York Times columnist William Safire plays around with the idea of re-drawing the region's borders to favour Turkey, a real storm is let loose in Turkey. But it is more than just about economic disadvantage for Turkey. A strike against Iraq and the toppling of Saddam would result in immense changes in the distribution of power within the region. Turkey sees a risk that the Kurdish autonomous zone might then be able to establish itself as a free state. From Turkey's point of view this would have negative effects on Kurds living in their own country, destabilising the power structures there. Turkey have repeatedly stated that they would not tolerate such a development and that the founding of a Kurdish state would be grounds for war. (Sources: afp, Milliyet, 09.11.01; IMK)

European Council Accuse Turkish Police of Brutality

The European Council have again denounced acts of brutality by Turkish police. Although the Anti-Torture Committee reported less cases of severe torture than one year ago, they did indicate that ill treatment was still "popular practice" particularly within the police's anti-terror department. The report was based on a inspection trip to Turkey by an expert delegation in July 2000. The document could only be published now because the Anti-terror Agreement requires consent from the Turkish government before doing so. (Source: afp, 08.11.01)

Deaths in Kücükarmutlu from Police Bullets

The lawyers for the death fasters and companions killed in the November 5th police operation in Istanbul-Kücükarmutlu, have revealed that the cause of death was not, as the police claim, the consequences of setting themselves on fire and carbon monoxide poisoning. Istanbul's police chief Hasan Özdemir and his deputy, Teran Tuna, had claimed that the bodies revealed no evidence of bullet wounds. Fatal bullet wounds were found on three of the dead. There was also evidence of the use of poisonous gas. The autopsy report will be issued in around 4 weeks time in which the actual causes of death will be stated. The Association for Contemporary Lawyers also suspect that chemical weapons were used during the operation.

After a more than 1 year long hunger strike by left wing groups in Turkey, Turkish authorities are increasingly resorting to a violent resolution to the conflict. On 13.11.2001, several hundred police moved into Kücükarmutlu, the centre for the hunger strike movement, for the second time in 8 days. Ten people were arrested including a German national. Police gained entry using clearance and armoured vehicles. Tear gas was used during violent clashes and hunger strike supporters threw Molotov cocktails and stones.

Nail Cavus and Eyüp Samur, who had set themselves on fire in protest against the police action in Kücükarmutlu, died on 07.11.2001 in hospital in Cerrahpasa. (Sources: Radikal, 07.11.01; Cumhuriyet, 08.11.01; afp, 13.11.01)

Long Prison Sentences for Death Fast Supporters

Supporters of the hunger strikes or death fasts are at risk of receiving long-term prison sentences. The government have presented a new law to parliament in this respect. Supporters of the hunger strikes would be liable to 4 years imprisonment. If a hunger strike ended in death, the penalty could be raised up to 20 years. For those smuggling banned objects such as weapons, sharp instruments, drugs or mobile telephones into prison, the law provides prison sentences of between 2 and 5 years. (Source: Hürriyet, 08.11.01)

Universities Against Kurdish

The Turkish University Council has said in a statement that they are against lessons in Kurdish. The head of the council, Prof. Dr. Riza Ayhan, stated that teaching in an ethnic language was unacceptable. The mother tongue of the Turkish nation was Turkish and education programmes which destroyed the unified structure of the state could not be tolerated. (Source: Anadolu Ajansi, Radikal, 06.11.01)

Author and Publisher of "The Cell" Found Guilty

The case against Nevin Berktas, author of the book "The Cell"", and Elif Camyar, publisher and owner of the company Yediveren, came to a close on 07.11.2001 at Istanbul's state security court. Both were sentenced to 45 months imprisonment in accordance with Article 169 of the Turkish penal code. Elif Camyar was also fined 4,152 billion Turkish Lira. State prosecutors had called for a conviction for the offence of "Propaganda" under to Article 8/1 of the Anti-terror law. This case indicates the beginning of a new phase in Turkey whereby the expression of undesirable opinions are directly deemed as supporting terrorism. Under the arbitrary application of Article 169, there are currently 6 cases being heard concerning newspaper articles and 2 cases against the Human Rights Association in Ankara and the Human Rights Foundation in Diyarbakir. Both organisations have been charged with supporting the hunger strikes by allowing admittance and providing medical support. The state prosecutor has called for their closure. (Source: Evrensel, 09.11.01)

Urgent Action:

Concern for the Safety of Ms. S. Ö. and her Six Children Eight police officers from Diyarbakir are being brought before a court accused of torturing a Kurdish woman. The charge is, however, only for torture and not rape. For fear of travelling to Diyarbakir, S.Ö. was allowed to make her statement on 02.04.2001 before a court in Istanbul were she was temporarily residing.

Ms. S. Ö. was allegedly raped and tortured in Diyarbakir's police headquarters in November 1997. Following her arrest in November 1997, S.Ö. was in prison until 24.08.2000 having been found guilty of aiding the PKK. Her husband has been in prison for 6 years.

The Kurd S.Ö. (32 years old, Amnesty International are aware of her full name) has again been harassed by police to force her to withdraw her charges. Several of her children have also now been detained with some of them being beaten. Police appear at S.Ö.'s home in Izmir almost every week and harass her. She is constantly being followed on the streets. She has placed charges because of this harassment and has called for the arrest of those responsible.

Her 17-year-old son F.Ö. was arrested a few months ago by police and released 3 days later following intervention by the Interior Minister, a member of the parliamentary Human Rights Commission.

During the second week of October police arrested her 12-year-old son C.Ö. at school accusing him of theft. They beat him on the way to the police station and then arrested him again the following day, detaining him for 3 hours. A week later S.Ö. was summonsed to Narlidere's police central and requested to withdraw her accusations. As she refused 2 police officers in civilian clothing indirectly threatened her by saying, "We hope then that nothing happens to you". On 22.10.2001 her 15-year-old daughter B.Ö. was abducted by people in civilian clothing in a white vehicle. The abductors gagged her and bound her eyes. They then beat her and threatened to rape and kill her and her mother. They threw her from the vehicle after half an hour. When S.Ö. and B.Ö. went to the local police station to report the events, they were held there until 5.00am the next day. The police asked how they could know that B.Ö's abductors were police officers. The police also suggested that C.Ö. should withdraw the statement he made against the police who had beaten him. (UA 19/01-1 ai-Index: EUR 44//082/2001, 12th. November 2001 - bs; further information on UA 19/01 EUR 44/005/2001, 25th January 2001)

Urgent Action: Concern for the Safety of Sefik Yildrim

Amnesty International are concerned for the safety of Sefik Yildrim (34) who has been arrested twice within a week. He is currently being held in the gendarmerie headquarters in Diyarbakir and has no contact to the outside world.

On 30.10.2001 Sefik Yildrim was taken into police custody in Cermik in the province of Diyarbakir, and charged with having "connections to the PKK". According to reports, he has been tortured with electric shocks and is suffering from health problems as a result. Sefik Yildrim was brought before a judge on 02.11.2001 with the state prosecutor applying for his detention. However, the authorities released him at 17.00 on the same day but re-arrested him on 06.11.2001 following a raid on his house. His family were informed that he was being held in a gendarme station. The authorities have not given the reasons for his arrest. (UA 284/01  ai-Index: EUR 44/081/2001 7th November 2001 - bs)

Urgent Action:

Bedia Ergün, Özgür Kilic, Cem Arikan and around 1,000 Others Including Afghans and Iraqi Kurds at Risk of Deportation from Greece A ship sailing under a Turkish flag with around 1,000 people on board and adrift in Greek waters following mechanical failure, was towed by Greek coastguards to the island of Zakynthos on 05.11.2001. On the following day the Greek government let it be known that they intended to deport the majority of the ship's passengers back to their homelands, apparently without even giving them the opportunity to apply for asylum. The 3 people named above and possibly many others, are at risk of torture and other human rights violations if deported back to their homes. According to reports, the majority of the passengers are Iraqi Kurds and Afghans. The ship's crew abandoned the ship after a fire broke out in the engine room leading to mechanical failure.

Bedia Ergün and Özgür Kilic were released from prison in Turkey because of health problems after they became death fasters in the hunger strike action against the transfer of political prisoners into new penal institutions. At their trial they were found guilty of being members of the armed opposition group "Marxist-Leninist Communist Party" (MLKP). Cem Arikan joined them in fleeing from Turkey. Bedia Ergün and Özgür Kilic are apparently now being held in Zakynthos's police station.

To the question of whether the passengers from the ship would be permitted to submit asylum applications, a government spokesman said at a press conference on 06.11.200 that these were illegal immigrants and not political refugees. Greek authorities did allow around 200 people, mostly pregnant women and children suffering from hunger and thirst, to come onto land to receive treatment. (UA 282/01 ai-Index: EUR 25/008/2001 6th November 2001 - md)

Police Officer Charged with Torture

On 08.11.2001, a case was heard before Istanbul's state security court against Ayhan Tokcan, former deputy police chief in Kagithane (Istanbul), on charges of abduction and blackmail. He denied the charges and said that he had been tortured during his interrogation, e.g by having his testicles crushed and receiving electric shocks. (Source: Milliyet, 09.11.01)

Publication of EU Progress Report

The progress report published on 13.11.2001 praised Turkey's constitutional reforms but were critical that Turkey had not fulfilled the Copenhagen criteria. Included in the report's criticisms was the failure to completely abolish the death penalty and that there were still restrictions on the basic, linguistic and cultural rights of the 12 million Kurds living in the country.

The Turkish Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of State for EU Affairs Mesut Yilmaz accepted the EU's critical assessment regarding inadequacies in human rights and democratisation. The progress report was to be seen as positive but some aspects of it did overshadow his optimism. He commented that none of the reforms were really praised in the report, and that this would not motivate those who had worked so hard on the EU integration process. Yilmaz said that it was now time for the coalition and opposition to adapt the law to the constitutional changes. Yilmaz expressed his understanding for the criticisms in the progress report: "Of course we must accept criticism if the necessary progress is not made with reforms only being partially carried out". He made an appeal not to complain or become weary but to undertake the steps which would enable negotiations to eventually commence.

The Turkish foreign ministry stated that the progress report had been more careful in its choice of words than last years. Turkey's deficiencies were expressed in a more cautious tone. The foreign ministry also called for the implementation, without delay, of the other required steps. The further steps will be discussed with Turkey at the EU summit in Laeken on 14th and 15th December 2001, which could lead to a speeding of activity in Turkey.

The constitutional reforms were praised positively in the report as a step towards fulfilling the Copenhagen criteria. Now the law has to be adapted. Certain deficiencies in respect of basic rights and freedoms have to be rectified. By March 2002 a second National Programme will have been prepared which will take into consideration EU conformity. (Sources: TDN, 15.11.01; IMK)

Kurdish Prime Minister Visits Britain

Nechirvan Barzani, the prime minister of the Kurdish regional government in Arbil, has visited Britain accompanied by high level governmental representatives of the Kurdish regional government. Minister of State Ben Bradshaw received the Prime Minister. Political and social developments in the so-called "safe havens" were assessed in talks with governmental and parliamentary representatives, as well as current issues and requirements. Development towards a blossoming, democratic and pluralistic society was unanimously expressed. Barzani thanked the British government and its people for its support and protection in the region. He pointed to the need for further permanent protection by the international community. Guarantees on the Kurdish share of the Oil for Food Program was of great importance to the region's economic stability and the democratic process within southern Kurdistan. Prime Minister Barzani said that the younger generation would leave Kurdistan because they have no certain political future there. The Kurdish people were therefore calling for international recognition of the Kurdistan region. (Sources: PE der KRG (Arbil) in Großbritannien, 07.11.01; KurdishMedia.com, 11.11.01)

Dr. Barham Salih Meets UN Chief Coordinator for Iraq

To coordinate cooperation of UN agencies with the Kurdish regional government in Suleymani, its Prime Minister Dr. Barham Salih and cabinet members met with representatives and agencies of the UN. Taking part in the talks were Tun Myat, UN chief coordinator for Iraq, Jon Almstrom UN chief coordinator for northern Iraq (southern Kurdistan) as well as UN employees from Baghdad, Arbil and Suleymani. Tun Myat promised better coordination especially in the areas of medical provision, training and agriculture. (Source: KurdishMedia.com, 08.11.01)

Mass Execution of Political Prisoners in Iraqi Prisons

An Iraqi opposition group has reported that Iraqi authorities executed 15 political prisoners in Kirkuk and buried them in a mass grave west of Tobzawa Garnison near Kirkuk. According to the Turkmen Islamic Union in Damascus, the executions allegedly took place following a wave of detentions of people who were in possession of fly-sheets hostile to the Saddam Hussein clique.

Al-Mutamar, the daily newspaper from the INC (Iraqi National Congress), reported that the cleansing programme taking place in prisons had cost the lives of 325 prisoners over the past few days. 152 prisoners have allegedly been executed alone in Baghdad's prison. The INC have the names of the victims.

Following a visit to the Al-Macasib prison on 18.10.2001, Saddam's younger son Qusay ordered the speeding up of the execution of political prisoners. One week later 11 political prisoners were executed under the leadership of the officer for security Sahib Alan Al-Tickriti. They were buried under supervision from Hisham Tari, another officer for security.

According to the newspaper many political prisoners have died as a result of illness and the refusal of medical treatment. A further 40 political prisoners are believed to be on a death list.

Also allegedly executed are 4 high-ranking officers from the KUDDUS army and 3 air force officers who took part in an attempted coup in 1996. The KUDDUS army was specially formed for the liberation of Jerusalem and Palestine. The 4 officers were arrested because they had released secret plans for a KUDDUSstrike against Kurdistan. (Source:KurdishMedia.com, 09.11.01)

Iraqi Troops Assemble on Kurdish Border

Iraq have completed installing troops along the border to southern Kurdistan. Infantry brigades, artillery and tanks all have taken up positions. The troops are concentrated near the province of Dohuk and in areas around the city of Kirkuk. Elite units of the Republican Guard have in particular taken up positions outside the oil rich city of Kirkuk. Iraqi troops are also positioned near the capital city of Arbil. Units of the Fedayeen Saddam are positioned along the main roads to the Kurdish region. Military equipment, including tanks, heavy artillery and anti aircraft missiles are allegedly already in position on the road from Mossul to Dohuk.

Travellers are being searched at a number of check points, with their identities being taken and some of them being questioned. Kurds and Arabs who do not live in the Kurdish regions are not being allowed through. Roads to the Kurdish region are closed to traffic from 19.00. Mobile check points stop and control vehicles and their occupants.

On the orders of Saddam, oil smuggling is strictly forbidden meaning that southern Kurdistan is suffering from an acute lack of oil.

The real reasons for the troop movements are not known but it is suspected that Iraq are preparing themselves for a US strike following the 11th September. Kurds in southern Kurdistan are concerned that through the troop build-up Saddamcould march into the region governed by Kurds and take over control there. Another option might be to seal border openings from southern Kurdistan to Turkey or Syria thereby economically strangling the region. Turkish troops are at the same time assembling at the triangle of nations of Iran, Iraq and Turkey. Saddam fears that the US may use the Kurdish region as a base for attacks on Iraq. (Source: Iraq Press, 13.11.01)

Persistence Leads to Success: Emder Reformists Celebrate Positive Outcome of the Brother Cicek's Asylum Case

"The Long Wait Was Worth It" was written on a banner above the altar of the parish church "Gröne Stee" in Conrebbersweg in Germany. It referred to the three and a half years of hope for 2 Kurdish brothers with Turkish nationality, Ahmet and Mehmet Cicek, to whom the Reformed Church in Emder had given church asylum. Priest Bert Gedenk preached to full pews because many had supported the Cicek brother's case and had now come to celebrate. Gedenk reviewed the events of the previous years. The brothers had been about to be deported from Germany. Gedenkspoke of the apparently insurmountable problems within German asylum law, a law which according to him "had been made unrecognisable through amendments over the pat years". He also spoke of discouragement and the hostility that had to be stood against from within his own parish. But the aim of saving 2 men had beenworth the efforts of many people.

Gedenk remembered the doctors who had treated the men without charge, the youths who had provided entertainment during the period of church asylum and those who had provided the men with financial support. "The sum of all these efforts may not have guaranteed success", said Gedenk, but the committed attitude of everybody had enabled "ways to be found that had previously not been seen", despite all the rejection notices.

The saving judgement was known since the beginning of September. Oldenburg's administrative court granted the Cicek brothers residency permits.

Amongst those present was the former refugee envoy for the district of Aurich, Carl Osterwald. He had put Ahmet and Mehmet Cicek in touch with the Emder parish when they were seeking asylum. In his speech he remembered this and expressed his desire for peace, an attitude that had come about from his experience of war. He expressed his support for all those who chose, like the Cicek brothers, to refuse military service in Turkey. (Sources: Emder Zeitung, 05.11.2001)

Dear Readers,

Please visit our Web Site where you will find interesting articles which we were unable to print here because of lack of space. You will also find the complete Urgent Actions from Amnesty International along with recommendations and addresses .

Visit our Homepage at www.kurden.de. We have again made interesting articles available to you there.

ISSN 1438-2016   Publisher: IMK e.V.,  Postfach 20 07 38,  53137 Bonn,  Germany 
Telephone: + 49 - 228 - 36 28 02, Fax: + 49 - 228 - 36 32 97   e-mail:
IMK-Bonn@t-online.de

Visit our website at: http://www.kurden.de  
Director: Abubekir Saydam
Subscriptions (quarterly):
* Institutions, foundations, political parties, governments, and international
organizations: 45 DM
* Courts, lawyers, human-rights organizations, refugee counseling centers: 23 DM
* Individuals and small non-governmental organizations: 10 DM
Bank account: Volksbank Bonn (Bank code number: 380 60 186),  Account number:
201 246 9023
IMK e.V. - weekly informationservice - No. 131 -132             Page 1