In the parliamentary elections of 3 November 2002 the applicants stood as candidates for the political party DEHAP (Democratic People's Party) in the province of Sirnak. As a result of the ballot, DEHAP obtained approximately 45.95per cent in the province, however their party did not secure 10 per cent of the national vote. The applicants were not elected, in accordance with Turkish electoral law, which states a party must obtain at least 10 per cent of the national vote in parliamentary elections in order to win seats in the National Assembly. Consequently, of the three parliamentary seats allotted to Sirnak province, two were filled by the AKP (Justice and Development Party), which obtained just 14.05 per cent of the provincial vote and the third by an independent candidate who obtained 9.69 per cent of the vote.

Relying on Article 3 of Protocol No. 1 to the European Convention on Human Rights (right to free elections), the applicants submitted that setting a threshold of 10 per cent of the vote in parliamentary elections interfered with the free expression of the opinion of the people in their choice of the legislature.

KHRP is pleased to announce the publication of a new trial observation report on the controversial Şemdinli Bombing.

On 11 July 2007 KHRP sent a mission to observe the opening of the re-hearing at Van 3^rd Heavy Penal Court. In State Accountability?The Şemdinli Trial Re-Hearing, the KHRP mission outlines its concerns regarding State impunity and the independence of the judiciary in light of the events surrounding the Court of Appeal ruling, and the eventual handing of the case to military jurisdiction.

The November 2005 bombing of the Kurdish-owned Umut bookstore in the town of Şemdinli in south-east Turkey killed one man and injured two others. Two individuals accused of planting the explosives were non-commissioned army officers, raising the spectre of ‘deep state’ involvement in the attacks. The trial of the two officers, Ali Kaya and Özcan İldeniz, began in May 2006 and was observed reported by KHRP in 2006’s Promoting Conflict – The Şemdinli Bombing. On 19 June 2006 both men were sentenced to 39 years imprisonment each. However, on 16 May 2007 the Court of Appeal overturned the verdict, ordering the case to be re-heard.

ISBN: 978-1-905592-13-5

Free copies of the report may be accessed and downloaded on KHRP’s website HERE. Printed copies are available for £10.00 + P&P through our online shop.

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