03/2001

Professor Hikmet Sami Turk

Minister of Justice

Adalet Bakani,

Adalet Bakanligi,

06659 Ankara, Turkey

copy: Ambassador in Tel Aviv , Fax 03 524 1390

Dear Minister,

Fatma Tokmak and her two-year-old son Azat were detained on 9 December 1996

on suspicion that she and her husband were supporters of the Kurdistan

Workers' Party (PKK). Fatma Tokmak spent eleven days in detention with her

son at the Anti-Terror Department of the police headquarters in Istanbul.

During this period she was subjected to repeated physical and mental

torture at the hands of police officers.

According to reports, police officers also tortured Azat in order to elicit

confessions from Fatma Tokmak and to make her accept the allegations

against her. Fatma saw police officers burn her infant son's hands with

cigarettes and administer electric shocks to his back.

Please initiate an independent and thorough investigation including

appropriate medical and psychiatric examinations into the alleged torture

of Azat and Fatma Tokmak.

I expect you to condemn clearly and unequivocally the torture of children whenever it occurs.

Please ensure that Azat and Fatma Tokmak receive all necessary

medical and psychological treatment and are given fair and adequate

compensation.

Sincerely,

Name: ________________________________

Address: _________________________________________

__________________________________________