EXTERNAL (for general distribution)AI Index: EUR 44/101/92

Distr: UA/SC

UA 322/92Fear of "disappearance/fear of torture16 October 1992

TURKEY: Cengiz Uğuz

Amnesty International is concerned about the safety of Cengiz Uğuz who is feared to have "disappeared" while in detention in Istanbul.

Cengiz Uğuz is reported to have been detained at his home in İçerenköy, İstanbul on 11 October 1992 and then taken away in a car with the licence number 34 PF 262. His family and lawyer went to the Anti-Terror Branch of Istanbul Police Headquarters and were told that no such person was being held there.

On 12 October 1992, the news editor of Yeni Ülke (New Land), Celil Şener, was detained and held at the Anti-Terror Branch of Istanbul Police Headquarters. After his release Celil Sener reported that a fellow-detainee was giving his personal details while he was waiting next in line to be questioned. This detainee stated that he was born in Nazımiye, had studied at Cerrahpaşa Medical Faculty, was one of eight children - four brothers and four sisters - and that his name was Cengiz. All these details apply to Cengiz Uğuz. When on 14 October 1992 the President of the Istanbul Human Rights Association branch and Cengiz Uğuz' lawyer went to the Prosecutor's Office at Istanbul State Security Court and to the Anti-Terror Branch of Istanbul Police Headquarters to seek confirmation of Cengiz Uğuz' detention, they were again told that no such person was being held at the branch.

Amnesty International has no information about the reason for Cengiz Uğuz' detention. In view of several cases of "disappearance" in detention in Istanbul over the past 18 months, there is grave concern for the safety of Cengiz Uğuz.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION

Turkey ratified the European Convention for the Prevention of Torture on 25 February 1988 and the UN Convention Against Torture on 2 August 1988. However, all information available to Amnesty International indicates that torture is still widespread and systematic in Turkey. Most allegations relate to ill-treatment of detainees in police custody during their initial interrogation when they are usually denied access to relatives or a lawyer. In August 1990, the government derogated from Articles 5, 6, 8, 10, 11 and 13 of the European Convention on Human Rights, all of which contain important safeguards for human rights. Under current legislation the maximum period a detainee may be held before being formally charged or released is 24 hours; in cases involving three or more suspects or due to the 'nature of the crime' it may be extended to 15 days.

RECOMMENDED ACTION: Telegrams/telexes/faxes/express and airmail letters:

- expressing concern for the safety of Cengiz Uğuz who has been unaccounted for since 11 October 1992 when he was reportedly detained at his home in İçerenköy and taken away in a car with the licence number 34 PF 262;

- noting that he was reportedly seen shortly afterwards in detention at the Anti-Terror Branch of Istanbul Police Headquarters;

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- urging that immediate steps be taken to establish Cengiz Uğuz' current whereabouts and state of health;

- requesting to be informed of the results of that investigation.

- seeking assurances that he will not be tortured or ill-treated while in detention;

APPEALS TO:

1) Minister of the Interior

Mr İsmet Sezgin

İçişleri Bakanlığı

06644 Ankara, Turkey

Telegrams:Interior Minister, Ankara, Turkey

Telexes:46369 ICSL TR

Faxes:+90 4 418 1795

Salutation:Dear Minister

2) Istanbul Chief of Police

Mr Necdet Menzir

Istanbul Emniyet Müdürü

İstanbul, Turkey

Telegrams:Emniyet Muduru, Istanbul, Turkey

Telexes:30811 IEHM TR, 30812 EMMH TR, 26177 IEMT TR

Salutation:Dear Sir

COPIES OF YOUR APPEALS TO:

President of the Parliamentary Human Rights Commission

İnsan Hakları Araştırma Komisyonu Başkanı

TBMM

Ankara, Turkey

and to diplomatic representatives of Turkey accredited to your country;

PLEASE SEND APPEALS IMMEDIATELY. Check with the International Secretariat, or your section office, if sending appeals after 27 November 1992.