Detained human rights lawyer Ms Filiz Kalayci will face the second hearing of her trial on 28 January 2010. The hearing will be held before the 11th Heavy Penal Court of Ankara at 2pm. Filiz Kalayci is a member of the executive committee of the Human Rights Association (IHD) and was working on prison conditions and human rights violations in prisons at the time of her arrest in May 2009. If Filiz Kalayci is found guilty of the charge of “aiding an illegal organisation”, she could face a prison sentence of six years. Front Line previously sent an appeal in relation to Filiz Kalayci on 28 May 2009.
Filiz Kalayci was first arrested on 12 May 2009 along with three other lawyers, when her office and residence were raided by officers of the Ankara Directorate of Security’s Anti-Terrorism Department. She was charged of aiding an illegal organisation – the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK). The 11th Heavy Penal Court of Ankara ordered her release on 14 May 2009, but the Public Prosecutor appealed the decision and issued another arrest warrant on 25 May 2009. Filiz Kalayci was thus re-arrested on 27 May 2009. She has been detained since then at the F-type (maximum security) Sincan’s Women’s Prison in Ankara.
While the three other lawyers arrested on 12 May were released, only Filiz Kalayci was re-arrested on 27 May. It is reported that during the interrogation she was asked why IHD organises activities and issues press releases on prison conditions and human rights violations in prisons, confirming the concern that she has been targeted as a result of her legitimate work in defence of human rights.
Front Line believes that the charges against Filiz Kalayci represent retaliation for her human rights work. Front Line is concerned for the physical and psychological integrity of Filiz Kalayci while in detention.
Front Line calls on you to urge the Turkish authorities to:
1. Release Filiz Kalayci immediately and without condition, and drop the charge brought against her, as Front Line believes that she is being held solely as a result of her legitimate and peaceful work in the defence of human rights;
2. Ensure that the treatment of Filiz Kalayci, while in detention, adheres to all those conditions set out in the Body of Principles for the Protection of All Persons under Any Form of Detention or Imprisonment, adopted by UN General Assembly resolution 43/173 of 9 December 1988;
3. Guarantee in all circumstances that human rights defenders in Turkey are able to carry out their legitimate human rights activities without fear of reprisals, and free of all restrictions including judicial harassment.
Yours sincerely,
Mary Lawlor
Director