AI: Turkey bulletin

[kurdeng at aps.nl]

           id VT21174; Sat, 30 Sep 1995 13:50:54 -0800

------------ Forwarded from : Ray Mitchell <rmitchellai at gn.apc.org> ------------

EXTERNAL                                            AI Index: EUR 44/100/95

EXTRA 114/95      Torture / Fear of further torture       28 September 1995

TURKEY                  Habib =C7iftci, a Kurd


Habib =C7iftci was detained in Istanbul on 3 September 1995 and interrogated
for 15 days at the Anti-Terror Branch of Istanbul Police Headquarters.
According to a detainee, now released, who heard him whisper his name,
Habib =C7iftci was very severely tortured during that time.  The released
detainee has stated that after interrogation sessions, Habib =C7iftci was
thrown into the cell unconscious and left lying with a towel thrown over
his face.  As soon as he stirred trying to remove the towel, he was taken
back for further torture.

On 19 September, Habib =C7iftci was transferred to the Police Headquarters i=
n
Batman. The state prosecutor in Batman has given permission for him to be
held and interrogated there for another 13 days. Under emergency
legislation in force in Batman province he could be held there for a total
of 30 days.  Amnesty International continues to fear for Habib =C7iftci's
safety while he is held incommunicado in Batman Police Headquarters, where
severe torture has been reported in the past (see background).

Habib =C7iftci was previously detained in July 1994. During a police
operation in Istanbul against suspected members and supporters of the
Kurdish Workers' Party (PKK) he was one of 24 people then taken into police
custody.  No further details are known.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION

Three people died during interrogation at Batman Police Headquarters in
1992, apparently as a result of torture.  People interrogated at the same
time as those who died reported particularly brutal torture and medical
evidence of torture was suppressed with misleading medical certificates.
On 4 August 1994, Abdullah Baskin, a young villager, died after
interrogation at Batman Gendarmerie Headquarters, where he had been
subjected to hanging by the wrists tied behind the back, beatings and
electric shocks.

People suspected of offences under the Anti-Terror Law can be held in
police custody without access to family, friends or legal counsel for up to
30 days in the 10 provinces under State of Emergency, and for 15 days in
the rest of Turkey. When not being interrogated, detainees are held in
cramped, airless and insanitary conditions. With no access to the outside
world they are at the mercy of their interrogators. Torture methods include
being stripped naked and blindfolded, hosing with pressurized ice-cold
water, hanging by the arms or wrists bound behind the victim's back,
electric shocks, beating the soles of the feet, death threats and sexual
assault.

Any person suspected of supporting the PKK or any other illegal armed
organization is at serious risk of torture, "disappearance" or
extrajudicial execution. At least 20 cases of "disappearance" in police
custody and six deaths in police custody have been reported in 1995 so far.

----------------------------- End forwarded message --------------------------