Kurdish Human Rights Project
Cornerhouse

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Thursday 6 May 2004

Urgent Action - Turkey: Take action against torture of BP pipeline
campaigner

Turkish authorities have arrested and tortured a prominent human rights
defender following his work to highlight the social and environmental
impacts of the controversial Baku-Ceyhan pipeline. Human rights and
environmental groups are calling on the international community to intervene
urgently to guarantee the safety of the campaigner, who commenced a hunger
strike during his detention on Wednesday.

Ferhat Kaya is a prominent human rights defender and chairman of the legal
pro-Kurdish political party DEHAP in Ardahan's central district in northeast
Turkey. He has been at the forefront of pressing for proper compensation
for those affected by the Baku-Ceyhan (BTC) pipeline, and has assisted
thirty-eight villagers in bringing cases to the European Court of Human
Rights this year.

Kaya was arrested on Wednesday following his attendance at meetings with
those affected by the pipeline and later with trade unionists in Ardahan.
Witnesses today observed blood on his clothes and deep cuts on his arms
following one day in detention. A medical report appears to confirm the
torture by stating that he requires three days' rest. He was derided as a
"terrorist" by the court prosecutor and his family has so far been denied
access to him.

Witnesses, human rights and environmental groups believe this is Kaya's
second arrest in connection with his work to highlight concerns over the
pipeline. Kurdish Human Rights Project and other concerned NGOs have
previously written to the UK Secretary for International Development and the
Minister for Trade and Investment calling for their action over his first
arrest, where he was sentenced for referring to jailed Kurdish leader
Abdullah Ocalan as "Mr"; considered by Turkish authorities to be a crime for
allegedly implying a degree of respect.

There is strong and direct evidence of a link between his intimidation,
arrest and torture and his work to highlight the social and environmental
impacts of the BTC pipeline.

Kerim Yildiz, Executive Director of KHRP, says, "In spite of all
reassurances, this affirms that the practice of torture is continuing, and
that a climate of intimidation exists which prevents effective consultation
about the Baku-Ceyhan pipeline. We are gravely concerned for his welfare.
We urge the international community to intervene to pressure Turkish
authorities into guaranteeing his safety and securing his release."

Nicholas Hildyard of The Cornerhouse, stated, "We fear that the arrest and
torture of Mr. Kaya is intended to intimidate those who would speak out on
the project. Such intimidation is unacceptable. The financial institutions
backing the pipeline must intervene to ensure freedom of expression."



For further information contact:

Kerim Yildiz (Executive Director) / Rochelle Harris (Public Relations
Officer) - 020 7287 2772

Nicholas Hildyard, The Cornerhouse 01258 473 795


Kurdish Human Rights Project
2 New Burlington Place / London W1S 2HP / UK
Tel: 020 7287-2772 / Fax: 020 7734-4927 /
khrp@khrp.demon.co.uk
www.khrp.org