2013 Human Rights Report published in Istanbul

ISTANBUL | 23-01-2014 | The Istanbul branch of the Human Rights Association (IHD) has published its “2013 Report on Human Rights Violations in the Marmara Region.” According to the report, 36 people died during 2013 as a result of extra-judicial killings, official error, torture, and in custody. 122 women were murdered, 1,924 people were victims of torture and mistreatment and 168 people were remanded in custody in investigations relating to the Gezi Park protests. The report stated that in the Gezi Park incidents torture came on to the streets and fundamental rights were suspended. 155 prisoners suffered torture and mistreatment.

Increase in violence against children

Attention was drawn to recent cases of torture of child prisoners: “12 Kurdish children detained on political charges were tortured in Sincan prison. Four of them were transferred to Istanbul Young Offenders’ Prison and five to Izmir Şakran Prison. Social violence against children continued. 6 children suffered domestic violence, four sexual abuse or rape and two were forced into prostitution.”

Crimes against women increase

The report emphasises that violence against women is continuing in a systematic way under the auspices of the state and that dozens of women have either been murdered by men or forced to commit suicide. Many gays and transsexuals have also died as a result of hate crimes.

In 2013 one hundred and seventy two asylum seekers and migrants were arrested, 168 of them being taken into custody.

(ANF)