Country of origin information report Turkey March 2007

Advisory Panel on Country Information

PO Box 1539

Croydon CR9 3WR

United Kingdom

Email: [e-mail]

Website: www.apci.org.uk
Latest News
Events in Turkey from 1 February 2007 to 12 March 2007
9 March Greek Cypriot authorities demolish a key section of the Green Line that had separated Cyprus’s Greeks from the Turkish population since 1974. “But the Greek Cypriot authorities say Turkish troops must pull back before people can cross in either direction.”

Greek Cypriots dismantle barrier, 9 March 2007

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/6433045.stm

(date accessed 9 March 2007)
6 March A Kurdish politician in Turkey is sentenced to six months in prison for referring to jailed Kurdish rebel leader Abdullah Ocalan as "Mr Ocalan".

BBC News,Mr Ocalan conviction in Turkey 6 March 2007

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/6425043.stm

(date accessed 6 March 2007)
27 February Prime Minister Erdogan declares the date for the announcement of presidential candidates. He stated that the AKP [explain?] will announce its candidates on April 15-16.

English Sabah.com, The candidate for presidential elections to be clarified on April 15-16

http://english.sabah.com.tr/print.php

(date accessed 27 February 2007)
26 February The Turkish Daily News reports that the Diyarbakır Women's Problems [?] Research Center [Centre?] (DİKASUM) in Anatolia has intervened in the cases of 13 women at risk from “honour killings” by persuading their families not to kill them. The DİKASUM also offers advice on family planning and employment for women.

Turkish Daily News, Honorable end to 'honor' killings

http://www.turkishdailynews.com.tr/article.php?enewsid=66971

(date Accessed 26 February 2007)
23 February The Minister of Women and Family [for Women and Families?] announces the launch of a UN and European Commission- supported project designed to prevent domestic violence against women. “The project, which will be implemented by the General Directorate of Women’s Status, for two years with technical support from the UN Population Fund (UNFPA) and financial support from the European Commission.” (sic)

Todays Zaman, Turkey firm in fighting violence against women.

http://www.todayszaman.com/tz-web/detaylar.do?load=detay&link=103663

(date accessed 23 February 2007)
23 February Turkey's economy is now the seventh biggest in the EU with a GDP of 352.7 billion Euro.

The New Anatolian, Turkey’s economy on the rise

http://www.thenewanatolian.com/tna-23479.html

(Date accessed 23 February 2007)

19 February The Turkish Daily News reports that changes are imminent to Article 301 (which makes it a crime to insult "Turkishness").

Turkish Daily New, Government to present Article 301 changes this week

http://www.turkishdailynews.com.tr/article.php?enewsid=66521