In the report of the Turkey Human Rights Foundation (TİHV) regarding the protests in support of Boğaziçi University students, over 801 people were detained whilst also being subjected to torture with at least 13 people injured in the protests over 38 provinces, reported by Özgür Politika.
TİHV published a report regarding arrests, detentions and torture during the Boğaziçi University student protests which erupted after a pro AKP rector was appointed as a ‘trustee’ to the university by the AKP government.
The report detailed how the police used different types of weapons against the students such as plastic bullets, tear gas and high pressurised water against the protestors in at least 38 different cities, “The prohibition of torture and other guards against ill-treatment was violated. During the intervention of law enforcement agencies in peaceful gatherings and in house raids, at least 801 people were detained after being subjected to torture and ill-treatment. At least 13 people were injured. 60 people applied to the TIHV on grounds that they were subjected to torture and other ill-treatment. Arrest, house raids and other judicial control practices have been turned into a method of judicial punishment. 11 people were arrested. Judicial control was imposed on 228 people, and 29 people were placed under house arrest ”.
Six journalists were injured
In the report, marginalising, stigmatising and the use of hate speech was systematically used by the authorities so there by the prohibition of discrimination was violated, “At least six journalists were injured. Two people were arrested for their social media posts. Academic freedom and institutional autonomy, the basic and founding principles of the university, were violated. ”
ECHR articles violated
While the European court’s legal obligations and rulings are binding on signatories, Turkey has ignored several of its recent rulings. It was underlined in the report that, as a member of the United Nations (UN) and the European Council. “Turkey is obliged to fulfill the requirements of international human rights laws, treaties and conventions. Numerous articles such as 14 (prohibition of discrimination) were violated”
The reports states, “We call upon Boğaziçi University to take steps to ensure the autonomy of universities in line with the justified objections of students and professors. The pressure and obstacles against the use of constitutional and democratic rights of members of the university , especially students, should be stopped immediately, and arrested students should be released. The obligations of the state should be fulfilled without reservation in terms of freedom of expression, freedom of assembly and association, which form the basis of democratic social order. ”
The report emphasised that illegal and uncontrolled violence by officers of the state, which goes far beyond the power of law enforcement forces, presents a serious obstacle to the citizens universal right of peaceful assembly and freedom to peacefully demonstrate.
