EXTRA 25/93 - Turkey: fear of torture: Mehmet Yaman, Kadim Yildiz
Mehmet Yaman and Kadim Yildiz, lycee students, were detained in Ergani, Diyarbakir province, on or around 6 March 1993. They are believed to be held incommunicado at Ergani Police Headquarters. A clash between Islamic fundamentalist and other lycee students took place in Ergani around 1 March 1993: one student was killed and another wounded. A school boycott was held to protest against the incident. Mehmet Yaman and Kadim Yildiz appear to have been arrested in response to the boycott. Under emergency legislation they may be held for 30 days. It is feared that they are being tortured in incommunicado detention.
EXTERNAL (for general distribution) AI Index: EUR 44/25/93
Distr: UA/SC
EXTRA 25/93 Fear of Torture 9 March 1993
TURKEY: Mehmet Yaman, lycee student
Kadim Y_ld_z, lycee student
Amnesty International is concerned for the safety of Mehmet Yaman and Kadim
Y_ld_z who were detained in Ergani on or around 6 March 1993. It is thought
that they are being held in incommunicado detention at Ergani Police
Headquarters and it is feared that they are being subjected to torture.
A clash between Islamic fundamentalist and other lycee students occurred in
Ergani, a town in the province of Diyarbak_r, on around 1 March 1993. One student
was killed in the clash and another wounded. The students began a school boycott
to protest against this incident. In response to the boycott, the students
Mehmet Yaman and Kadim Y_ld_z from Üçkarde_ village were detained. They may
be held for up to 30 days before being brought before a judge to be charged
or released.
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. New legislation
to shorten the maximum detention period came into force on 1 December 1992.
Now the normal maximum period of 24 hours, for which a non-political detainee
may be held before being formally charged or released, may be extended to eight
days in cases of ordinary crimes involving three or more suspects. Detainees
held on suspicion of political offences to be tried in State Security Courts
may be held without charge for 15 days. This period may be extended to 30 days
in provinces under emergency legislation or martial law. Emergency legislation
is currently in force in 10 provinces, including Diyarbak_r.
RECOMMENDED ACTION: Please send telegrams/telexes/faxes/express and airmail
letters either in English or in your own language:
- expressing concern for the safety of lycee students Mehmet Yaman and Kadim
Y_ld_z who were detained on or around 6 March 1993 and are thought to be held
incommunicado at Ergani Police Headquarters;
- urging that they are not subjected to torture or any other form of
ill-treatment;
- urging that they be granted access to their parents and lawyers;
- asking to be informed of any charges which may be brought against them.
APPEALS TO
1) Ergani Police Chief:
Ergani Emniyet Müdürü Salutation: Dear Sir
Emniyet Müdürlü_ü
Ergani, Turkey
Telegrams: Emniyet Muduru, Ergani, Turkey
Page 2 of EXTRA 25/93
2) Diyarbak_r Regional Governor:
Mr _brahim _ahin Salutation: Dear Governor
Diyarbak_r Valili_i
Diyarbak_r, Turkey
Telegrams: Diyarbakir Valisi, Diyarbakir, Turkey
Faxes: + 90 831 26 174
3) Minister of the Interior:
Mr _smet Sezgin Salutation: Dear Minister
_çi_leri Bakanl___
06644 Ankara, Turkey
Telegrams: Interior Minister, Ankara, Turkey
Telexes: 46369 ICSL TR
Faxes: + 90 4 418 1795
COPIES OF YOUR APPEALS TO:
President of the Parliamentary Human Rights Commission:
Mr Sabri Yavuz
_nsan Haklar_ Ara_t_rma Komisyonu Ba_kan_
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 3 April 1993.