Human rights group cries foul in ‘unfair labor case’

ANKARA

The Human Rights Foundation of Turkey (TİHV) has said it believes a recent social security fine leveled against it was a salvo targeting its activities, particularly its services during last summer’s anti-government Gezi Park protests.

The TİHV issued a statement May 13 saying it had received a social security fine of 83,000 Turkish Liras, claiming that it was unfair.

A labor inspection of the organization started on June 18, 2013, in the wake of the Gezi protests, and the fine came after inspectors claimed that one employee at the organization was working there full-time without the necessary documentation, the statement said. The court ruled out the TİHV’s objection despite clear evidence, it added, saying that the case was ongoing.

The inspection came at a time when the organization was providing help for “torture victims” in the Gezi events, the statement also said.

The organization called for public support against the “worrisome threat on human rights defenders.”