Turkey: Detention of Human Rights Lawyer

TUR 060398

The International Secretariat of OMCT requests your URGENT
intervention in the following situation in Turkey.

Brief description of the situation:
The CETIM (Centre Europe-Tiers Monde), a member of the network, has
expressed its grave concern about the detention of Mr Kemal Yildiz,
lawyer at the bar association of Istanbul, member of the Association
of Juristes Contemporains (CHD) and of the Human Rights Association of
Turkey (IHD).

According to the information received, Mr Kemal Yildiz was arrested on
21 February 1998 in Yozgat, while he was leaving the city after having
visited his client in the local prison. He has been interrogated by
the police although, according to the Turkish legislation, lawyers can
only be heard by a prosecutor.

He is allegedly suspected of being a liaison officer of an illegal
organisation. He may be charged with article 169 of the penal code
which provides for a sentence of 3 to 5 years imprisonment.

According to another source of information, Mr Kemal Yildiz is
currently being detained in Yozgat E-type prison.

Action requested:
Please write to the Turkish authorities urging them to :

i.	guarantee the physical and psychological integrity of Mr Kemal
Yildiz;

ii.	order the immediate release of Mr Kemal Yildiz in the absence of
valid charges or, if such charges exist, bring him before a competent
and impartial tribunal and guarantee his procedural rights at all
times;

iii.	ensure in all circumstances respect for human rights and
fundamental freedoms in accordance with national laws and
international standards.

Addresses:
President Süleyman Demirel, Office of the President, Cumhur
Baskanligi, 06100 Ankara. Fax : + 90 312 427 13 30 Telegram :
President Demirel, Ankara, Turkey.

Prime Minister M. Yilmaz, office of the Prime Minister, Basbakanlik,
06573 Ankara, Turkey. Fax : + 90 312 417 0476

Mrs. Ismail Cem, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Foreign
Affairs, Disisleri Bakanligi 06100 Ankara Turkey. Fax : + 90 312 419
15 47

Mr. Olatan Sungurlu, Minister of Justice, Adalet Bakanligi, 06659,
Ankara, Turkey. Fax: + 90 312 417 39 17

Mr. Basegioglu, Ministre de l'Intérieur, Fax : + 90 312 419 16 64

Geneva, 6 March 1998

The Human Rights Action Network, a part of Derechos Human Rights, distributes appeals on behalf of victims of human rights violations. You are invited to join the network. Please check the date of the present action and do not write if it's over a month old.