NEWS

The period of limitation is about to end for many lawsuits regarding enforced disappearances and unsolved murders. If a step is not taken, these files will be closed. The Human Rights Association and the Saturday Mothers have launched a new campaign against the threat imposed by the statute of limitations.

Human rights activist and lawyer Eren Keskin has assessed the Perinçek v. Switzerland case heard at the European Court of Human Rights in a column piece for the Özgür Gündem newspaper. Keskin states that Perinçek’s words “cannot be construed within the scope of the freedom of expression”, and adds that they “clearly amount to an abetment to crime.”

Arrested and then released last month in Diyarbakır, Dutch journalist Frederike Geerdink has been charged with ‘propaganda for a terrorist organisation’ and faces a sentence from 1 to 5 years if found guilty.

An Egyptian court on Monday sentenced 183 people to death, for supporting the now outlawed Muslim Brotherhood

The Armenian Youth Federation is using the hashtag #Turkeyfailed to create awareness as part of an informative action. The group has prepared posters about people who migrated to the United States from Turkey either after or just before 1915, and about their discoveries or inventions that have affected our daily lives.

The Cabinet of Ministers has imposed a 60-day ban on the strike of the United Metalworkers’ Union on the grounds that it is ‘disruptive of national security’.

Executive director of HRW Middle East and North Africa Division Sarah Leah Whitson will be visiting Istanbul on April 24 as part of the ‘Project 2015’ group to take part in the Armenian Genocide 100th Anniversary Commemoration. We interviewed Whitson in Istanbul, where she held meetings with civilian society organizations in Turkey, which will participate in the organization of the commemoration event; and asked her about Turkey’s position in 2015, the Diaspora’s expectations and the impact of Armenian identity on her life.

The ‘Genocide Case’ hearing was held at the Grand Chamber of the European Court of Human Rights on January 28. A high number of politicians and civilian society leaders from Turkey, Armenia and the Diaspora were present in the courtroom. The case has also attracted interest from the international press since Amal Clooney represents Armenia. It could take up to a year for the reasoned decision in the case to be issued.

The ‘race code scandal’ in minority schools continues despite a broad public outcry. In the most recent case, two students were barred from registering at Armenian schools. An official from the Istanbul National Education Directorate made a statement, saying, “We are checking the race status of the students”. İsmail Cem Halavurt, lawyer of the parents of the students who were not admitted to the schools, said, “The Ministry is committing a crime”.

Confirmation announced that Pope Francis is to conduct mass in person in memory of 1915 Armenian Genocide victims to be held at the Vatican on April 12.