77-year-old woman sentenced to 10 months in prison for chanting slogans

NEWSCENTRE (DIHA) – 77-year-old woman, Adle Ortaç, and 67 year old man, Munin Yaman, were sentenced to 10 months in prison for chanting slogans in favor of Abdullah Öcalan, imprisoned leader of Kurdish Workers’ Party (PKK), during a meeting in İskenderun district of Hatay . High Court also approved the local court’s conviction.

Is famous football player Mesut Özdil Kurd or Turk?

Turkish mass media claims that Mesut Özdil, who was attracted attentions during the World Cup 2010, is a Turk despite Özdil’s statement on ZDF, a German Television Chanel. “I’m Kurdish and I’m proud of being Kurdish,” said Özdil when he was clearly explaining his nationality during the broadcast. He was invited to the Federative Kurdistan Region following his statement.
‘PKK may give their weapons up to the United Nations’

Lawyer Ercan Kanar argued that PKK may give their weapons up to the United Nations (UN) if the cease-fire would be turned into permanent ones. People try to find a way to turn the temporary cease-fire declaration of PKK into permanent ones. According to well known lawyer Kanar, the weapons may turn in a committee formed by the UN. He also underlined that both side needs to be agree on this committee’s objectivity.

First mass grave in the region waits for being opened


The first attempt to open the first mass grave in the Region was started by one of killed PKK members’ family, who claims that their beloved one was buried in Siirt mass grave 22 years ago. According to allegation, 200 members of PKK including Mahsum Korkmaz (Agit) PKK’s leading member were buried in the grave. Korkmaz family applied to the Human Rights Association’s Siirt Branch to get legal help for process. In addition, Korkmaz family called on the other families, whose relatives might be buried in the same cemetery, to support their struggle.

Goran Movement supports cease-fire

The Goran Movement in Hewler-Northern Iraq, released a press statement to present their support for cease-fire declaration of PKK. The representative of Movement, Sefin Melaqere, said that, “Turkish government should answer this step taken by PKK and also consider this as a great opportunity to build peace in their country.”

On the other hand, 33 NGOs in İzmir, 77 NGOs in Mardin and Labour Movement held separate meetings to support PKK’s cease-fire decision.

Children arrested in Şanlıurfa

Despite the amendment of Anti-Terror Law, children are being still arrested. Yesterday, 15-year-old girl Berivan, 16-year-old M.Y. and 16 year-old İ.Y. were arrested in Şanlıurfa. Their families said that the AKP administration will be responsible if their children run to the mountains to participate the PKK forces after releasing from prison.
On the other hand, various NGOs formed a committee to support children who victimized because of Anti-Terror Law.


Demirtaş called on village guards to resign

Selahattin Demirtaş, Co-Chair of BDP, called on the village guards in Şenoba (Sêgirkê)
District of Şırnak to resign. Demirtaş said when he was addressing village guards that, “Whatever your reason was to be a village guard, you are very well come if consider to come back to your people, any time.”
European delegation barred from Diyarbakır prison
A European delegation was barred from Diyarbakir D Type Prison when demanded permission to visit Kurdish politicians who are in prison.

Jürgen Klute (MEP, European Parliament), Igrid Remers (MEP, Berlin Federal Parliament), Baerbel Beuermann and Rüdiger Sagal (MEPs, North-Rhein Westphalia) demanded permission from Turkish authorities to visit Kurdish politicians, Firat Anli and Muharrem Erbey, who are in prison.
The prison administration told the delegation that they need permission from Ministry of Justice before they can see the prisoners.
As their attempts were unsuccessful The European delegation left the prison building.

More than 1000 Kurdish politicians are kept in Diyarbakir D Type Prison in connection with the Kurdish Democratic Confederation (KCK) investigation. 53 of them are in prison since 13 April 2009 without trial.
(gü)