LONDON – 12 October 2016
Centre for Hizmet Studies is pleased to announce its new initiative, Hizmet Watch, which traces incidents of hate crime and human rights violations against Hizmet-affiliated organisations and people since Turkey’s failed coup on 15th July.
The Turkish government’s systematic persecution of Hizmet in Turkey since 2013 has reached a new level of repression in the aftermath of the coup attempt. The government has purged thousands of officials from the state bureaucracy, including teachers, judges and academics, and suppressed thousands of civilians for alleged links to Hizmet. There are reports of arbitrary imprisonment and widespread allegations of torture and ill-treatment in Turkey. In addition, the concerted effort by the government to demonise the Hizmet movement in and outside of Turkey has led to increased attacks on Hizmet-affiliated organisations and people in Europe. These attacks appear to be locally and regionally coordinated.
Hizmet Watch will trace such incidents of hate crime and report human rights violations against Hizmet people particularly in Turkey. It will share the stories of those suppressed, imprisoned or forced to live in exile to make their stories public knowledge and bear witness to their sufferings. To protect the privacy of individuals and victims’ identities, Hizmet Watch will withhold data that would otherwise put the person in danger.
It should be noted that we encourage people who have been targeted to inform the police and national watch bodies, i.e. Tell MAMA. We also inform organisations that work on hate crime and human rights violations about reported incidents regarding Hizmet-inspired institutions and individuals.
For more information, please visit https://www.hizmetwatch.com
Below you can find links to some of the incidents that have been recorded by Hizmet Watch:
Zaman Britain ceases publication amid pressure
September 16, 2016
The British edition of Turkey’s leading opposition newspaper, Zaman, ceased publishing and its staff have removed the newspaper’s sign outside its offices in Highbury, north London, as a precaution against attacks.
Read more
Prominent educator receives death threats in Germany
September 2, 2016
Ercan Karakoyun, a prominent educator and dialogue pioneer within Berlin’s Turkish community, has received six death threats via email and social media.
Read more
Families pull their children from school after pressure and threats in the Netherlands
September 6, 2016
Some families were forced to pull their children from a school affiliated with the Hizmet Movement, as a result of threats and pressure from supporters of the Turkish President Erdogan.
Read more
Belgium resident says Hizmet people should be stoned
September 13, 2016
A Belgium resident posting messages on social media says that Hizmet people should be stoned, but not until they die.
Read more
#ENDS
Note to Editors
For press enquiries please contact us by emailing fisik@hizmetstudies.org
London-based and founded in 2014, the Centre for Hizmet Studies provides access to reliable information and resources for serious study of Hizmet. The Centre aims to facilitate, as well as present, critical analysis of Hizmet for both academic and popular audiences. Its activities include research, resource development, online support, discussion forums and print publication.
For more information, see: www.hizmetstudies.org
