EXTERNAL (for general distribution)AI Index: EUR 44/52/95

Distr: UA/SC

20 April 1995

Further information on UA 450/94 (EUR 44/157/94, 22 December 1994) - Prisoners of Conscience and follow-ups (EUR 44/04/95, 6 January; EUR 44/12/95, 13 January; EUR 44/27/95, 6 February; EUR 44/38/95, 1 March; EUR/39/95, EUR 44/39/95, 10 March 1995.

TURKEY:Mahmut Şakar, secretary of Diyarbakır branch of the Turkish Human Rights Association (HRA)

Nimetullah Gündüz, lawyer, board member of Diyarbakır HRA

Abdullah Çağer, lawyer, board member of Diyarbakır HRA

Melike Alp (f), board member of Diyarbakır HRA

Sinan Tanrıkulu, lawyer, member of Diyarbakır HRA

Fırat Anlı, lawyer, member of Diyarbakır HRA

Hanifi Işık, teacher, member of Diyarbakır HRA

Şerif Atmaca, member of Diyarbakır HRA

Servet Ayhan, lawyer, member of Diyarbakır HRA

Mahmut Şakar, Nimetullah Gündüz, Abdullah Çağer, and Melike Alp were released on Monday 17 April after a hearing at Diyarbakır State Security Court. The next hearing of their continuing trial will be on 12 June.

Congratulations and thanks to all who appealed on their behalf.

The indictment against Sinan Tanrıkulu, Fırat Anlı, Hanifi İşık, Şerif Atmaca, and Servet Ayhan has now been prepared. They will appear at the first hearing of their trial on 1 May, on charges of membership of the armed illegal organisation, the PKK.

Further information on the releases will follow. Meanwhile, please continue appeals for the five boardmembers of Diyarbakır Human Rights Association who remain in custody.

FURTHER RECOMMENDED ACTION: Please send telegrams/telexes/faxes/express and airmail letters:

- welcoming the release of Mahmut Şakar, Nimetullah Gündüz, Abdullah Çağer, and Melike Alp;

- calling for the immediate and unconditional release of Sinan Tanrıkulu, Fırat Anlı, Hanifi Işık, Şerif Atmaca, and Servet Ayhan, currently held at Diyarbakır E-type prison, who are considered by Amnesty International to be prisoners of conscience, detained because of their work for the Turkish Human Rights Association.

APPEALS TO:

Emergency Legislation Governor:

Mr Ünal Erkan

Olağanüstü Hal Valisi

Diyarbakır, Turkey

Telegrams: Olaganustu Hal Valisi, Diyarbakir, Turkey

Telex: 72110 OHVT TR/72084 DYVA TR "please forward to the Governor"

72090 JASY TR

Salutation: Dear Governor

Minister of Justice:

Mr Mehmet Moğultay

Adalet Bakanlığı

06659 Ankara, Turkey

Telegrams: Justice Minister, Ankara, Turkey

Salutation: Dear Minister

Deputy Prime Minister/Minister of Foreign Affairs:

Mr Murat Karayalçın

Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Dışişleri Bakanlığı

06100 Ankara

Fax: +90 312 287 1886

Salutation: Dear Minister

COPIES OF YOUR APPEALS TO:

State Minister with responsibility for Human Rights:

Mr Azimet Köylüoğlu

Office of the Prime Minister

Başbakanlık

06573 Ankara, Turkey

Faxes: +90 312 417 0476

and to diplomatic representatives of TURKEY accredited to your country.

* You may also send copies of your appeals, and best wishes to the prisoners: Sinan Tanrıkulu, Fırat Anlı, Hanifi Işık, Şerif Atmaca, Servet Ayhan: Diyarbakır E-tipi Cezaevi, Diyarbakır, Turkey.

PLEASE SEND APPEALS IMMEDIATELY. Check with the International Secretariat, or your section office, if sending appeals after 1 June 1995.