Human Rights in Turkiye

News and reports covering human rights developments in Turkiye (TUR).

Photo shows Nedim Turfent. Image by: Modern Poetry in Translation

Kurdish Journalist Nedim Türfent is targeted by the Turkish Government, again

Nedim Türfent, a journalist and a poet who focuses on human-rights abuses Kurdish people face in Türkiye, is being charged

Rights Defenders

ECHR Decision on Yalcinkaya Case

As Rights Defenders, we have deep concern regarding recent developments that question Turkey’s continued membership in the Council of Europe.

Rights Defenders

Sümeyra Gelir

On April 3, 2025, 15-year-old Sümeyra Gelir passed away in her sleep at her home in Bolu, Turkey. While her

Rights Defenders

Unjust Arrest of Ayşe Barım: A Violation of Human Rights and the Rule of Law

Ayşe Barım is the founder of ID Iletisim and a well-known manager of many famous actors in Turkiye. In early

Rights Defenders

Justice and Accountability After the 2023 Turkey Earthquake: Challenges and Unresolved Questions

The February 6, 2023, earthquakes in Turkey exposed widespread construction malpractices and regulatory failures, leading to thousands of deaths and

Rights Defenders
The Case of Akin Öztürk: Violations of Human Rights and Arbitrary Detention

The Case of Akin Öztürk: Violations of Human Rights and Arbitrary Detention

On 15 July 2016, during the events of the so-called coup attempt in Türkiye, Akin Öztürk, former Commander of the

Rights Defenders

Osman Kavala

Osman Kavala is a well-known philanthropist and rights advocate in Turkey. Yet, he has been behind bars for over 86

Rights Defenders

Enduring Injustice: The Ordeal of Alzheimer’s Patient Ibrahim Gungor in Turkish Prison

Ibrahim Gungor, an 72-year-old Alzheimer’s patient, has been subjected to severe human rights violations during his imprisonment in Turkey. Despite

Rights Defenders

Lawyer Dilek Ekmekci is facing Judicial Repression in Türkiye

Update: Dilek Ekmekci’s hunger strike that began on the 18th November ended on the 28th December. Her next court hearing

Rights Defenders

Review of Turkey’s Human Rights Record

Regarding the UN Human Rights Committee Review Session in Geneva, November 2024 The UN Human Rights Committee reviewed Turkey’s human

Rights Defenders

Lawyer Dilek Ekmekci is facing Judicial Repression in Türkiye

Dilek Ekmekci, a Turkish criminal lawyer, has been arrested in Türkiye. Since 2020, she has been working on the sexual

Rights Defenders

Trial of the Girls – Weaponising Terrorist-Defence Laws Against Children

On September the 23rd 2024, the highly controversial trial of 15 minors (aged 13-17) began in Turkiye. The charges, like

Rights Defenders