Republican People's Party (CHP) Istanbul Deputy Sezgin Tanrıkulu announced the July 2020 Violation Report. According to the report; 162 people's right to life was violated, a total of 213 people, 4 of whom were children, were subjected to torture and ill-treatment. It was also stated in the report that 110 meetings and demonstration marches were attacked by the police. 

 

DETAILS OF THE REPORT

 

"* Right to Life: 54 people died in armed conflicts and 1 person died in civil conflicts. The dead bodies of 61 refugees were found. 36 women were killed, 10 workers lost their lives in working accidents.

 

* Torture and Maltreatment: In July, at least 55 people, 4 of whom were children, were subjected to torture by security forces in detention or outside of detention centers. At least 115 people were subjected to physical violence by the police / gendarmerie during the demonstrations. In addition, it was stated that 43 people in prisons were subjected to physical / psychological violence and their right to health was violated.

 

AT LEAST 3 JOURNALISTS WERE DETAINED DOING THEIR JOB

 

* Freedom of Thought and Expression: At least 3 journalists were detained in July. At least 2 journalists were prosecuted and 1 journalist was investigated. At least 2 journalists were sentenced to prison / fines during the month, at least 1 journalist was acquitted. According to the data of the Independent Journalism Platform, there are at least 92 journalists in prison.

 

Access to at least 178 internet content was blocked in July: The Press Advertisement Institution issued a 5-day suspension of advertisement due to an article published in Evrensel Newspaper on April 13.

 

At least 4 people were detained, 1 person was arrested because of their speeches or writings. Investigations were opened against at least 3 people during the month, at least 1 person was sentenced to prison / fine.

 

At least 12 people were detained and 3 people were arrested due to their social media posts in July. At least 1 person was investigated.

 

* Freedom of Association: Dozens of leaders of mostly the HDP, its municipal and provincial organization executives were detained in July. 34 was arrested.  3 politicians were convicted and one politician was acquitted. In July, 3 mayors were detained, 2 mayors (Ağrı Diyadin-Betül Yaşar, Batman-Mehmet Demir) were arrested.

In July, 1 mayor and 3 city councilors were dismissed by the Ministry of Interior. Kozluk HDP district building was raided in Batman.

 

POLICE ATTACKED 110 DEMOS

 

Right to Assembly and Demonstration: In July, police attacked at least 110 events such as press releases, distribution of leaflets, meetings and demonstrations. At least 316 people were detained during these  interventions, 10 events, press releases, meetings, shows, festivals, theaters or films were blocked and banned by the governorships and district governorships. All actions and activities were banned for different periods in 16 provinces.

 

At least 62 people (Batman-29 lawyers) were sentenced to prison / fines in the lawsuits filed due to meetings and demonstrations.