IHD Blames Terror Law for Recent Prosecuitons

Turkish police have detained 114 suspects including journalists and radio workers in what has turned out to be a counter-terrorism operation that involves not only the organization it targets, but a number of legitimate unions that were recently involved in industrial disputes, a women's rights association, a leftwing newspaper and a popular liberal radio station based in Istanbul.

Turkey's Human Rights Association (IHD) reflected on the "concerning developments" taking place throughout the country and in a joint statement made with representatives of other rights groups has said "the practices enforced are worrying. Raids and detentions are seen by us as obstacles placed in front of the forces of democracy".

According to a report issued by Ozgur Radyo [Free Radio] that was searched by 30 policemen extensively last week after entries and exists to its street were placed under control, a total of 14 people have so far been arrested as part of the operation in the cities of Izmir, Ankara, Adana, Sivas, Mugla and Manisa where they have been sent to prison.

While 82 suspects are still believed to be held in detention across the country, 31 of the suspects including Ozgur Radyo's news editor Halil Dinc and radio executive Sinan Gercek were detained in metropolitan Istanbul.

The radio's Broadcast Coordinator Fusun Erdogan had been previously detained and placed under arrest. She is being kept at Gebze prison where she has refused to give any statement on grounds that she has not been informed of any charges leveled against her.

Ozgur Radyo and a leftwing newspaper are the worst to suffer from the recent roundup.

At core of the operation is the underground Marxist Leninist Communist Party (MLKP) which was formed in 1994 as a unification of two leftist groups known as the Communist Party of Turkey/Marxist Leninist Movement (TKP/ML Hareketi) and the Communist Workers Movement of Turkey (TKIH).

The operation follows a recent hack and takeover of the organization's web site by a group of extreme nationalist hackers.

Targeted in the operation in addition to the radio though is what some experts regard as a substitute to an organizational voice, the Atilim (Leap) newspaper, also known as the voice of the Socialist Platform of the Oppressed (ESP).

Banned for 15 days from print with a previous court order, Atilim said in its English language report online that its Chief Editor, Chief Coordinator and writers "were among the 23 revolutionaries and communists those who have been imprisoned recently" in reference to the initial roundup.

It claimed the banning order was taken due to its "reporting on the recent detentions and imprisonments". But a September 13 statement issued by the MLKP and titled ""For the Victory of Revolution, Long Live MLKP!" was given in full, and in English text immediately under the banning report.

During last week's raids in Istanbul, other places subject to search were the central and Kartal offices of Atilim newspaper as well as Gunes Agency where its technical work is carried out, the Socialist Platform of the Oppressed (ESP) building itself and the Gulsuyu Art and Life Magazine premises.

Concern for rights

What has come as most worrying for Turkish human rights groups were the new search warrants enforced late last week on a number of establishments including the offices of leading Turkish unions.

Police teams not only conducted searches in the offices of Ozgur Radyo and Atilim, but also entered and searched the Laborer Women's Association, Science Education Esthetic Culture Research Foundation (BEKSAV), Dockyard Ship Building-Repairs Workers Union (Limter-Is) and Tekstil-Sen offices.

While there were no immediate reports of mistreatment, a number of documents and communication were seized alongside computers used in the radio station. The searches, it was reported, were conducted alongside a representative of the Istanbul Chamber of Commerce as well as officials from the Security Branch and Financial Branch of the police.

Before the week was wrapped up and as concern over the operation mounted, the IHD Istanbul Branch hosted a press conference on September 22 with the participation of other rights groups and representatives of the establishments subject to police search.

Arguing that with the passing of the recent amendments to Turkey's controversial Anti-Terror Law pressure on the democratic society had increased dramatically, the groups expressed concern and anxiety that the recent operation was part of the restrictions imposed on democratic forces.

International PEN Turkey Center representative Ragip Zarakolu, Democratic Society Party (DTP) Provincial Chairman Dogan Erbas, Socialist Democracy Pary (SDP) and Party of Labor (EMEP) provincial organization representatives were among those present to support IHD's public concerns. (EO/II/YE)