Offices of the Turkish Human Rights Association (IHD) raided

The Euro-Mediterranean Human Rights Network expresses deep concern about renewed police raids[1] of the offices of a member organisation, the Human Rights Association (IHD) in Turkey.

On 6 May anti-terror forces launched simultaneous raids into the IHD headquarters in Istanbul and its Ankara branch. According to our information documents, files and computers were confiscated – some of them containing confidential information on human rights violations perpetrated by the security forces.

A search warrant had been issued for the raids on 29 April and the prosecutor of the Ankara State Security Court was reportedly present during one of the raids. The IHD was told that the raids were part of a preliminary investigation accusing the IHD of “helping an illegal organisation” (article 169 of the Turkish Penal Code).

The EMHRN is concerned about the rising number of cases brought against the Human Rights Association and other human rights organisations and defenders in Turkey solely for their activities related to human rights promotion. Although trials in these cases often end in acquittal or suspended sentences, such use of the courts constitutes a form of judicial harassment aimed at intimidating human rights defenders and restricting their activities.

The EMHRN urges the Turkish government to:

end all repression and harassment of the IHD and all human rights defenders in Turkey;
bring legislation into conformity with international freedom of association and expression standards, as well as with the UN Declaration on Human Rights Defenders;
in all circumstances comply with the Copenhagen criteria for Turkey’s accession to the EU;
comply fully with all international human rights instruments ratified by Turkey;
The EMHRN further calls on the EU to urge Turkey to comply with its international commitments as coming member of the EU.


For further information, please contact:

Marit Floe Jorgensen

Tel: +45 32 69 89 12

E.mail: mfj@euromedrights.net


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[1] See EMHRN press release on the raids of 19.12.2000 and 25.1.2001: http://www.euromedrights.net/english/emhrn-documents/pressreleases/30_03_2001.htm