The arrest of Fatma Asik, a 45-year-old sewing and embroidery teacher dismissed under Türkiye’s emergency decree system, has renewed concern about the treatment of people associated with KHKs. Her photograph was reportedly circulated through Turkish media with language presenting her as a terrorist, even though she remains an accused person whose case must be examined fairly by an independent court.
Asik was reportedly arrested in Edirne while allegedly attempting to cross into Greece. Turkish media reports have described her as a suspect in a case connected to the Gülen movement and stated that proceedings against her are continuing. These allegations must not be treated as established facts before a final judgment.
Publicly presenting an accused person as a terrorist can cause lasting harm. It can encourage online abuse, threats, social exclusion, and hostility towards the person and their family. This is a form of social and psychological violence: a photograph and an accusation can destroy someone’s reputation before the courts have reached a decision.
The case also reflects the wider discrimination experienced by people affected by KHKs, or emergency decree laws. After the attempted coup of 15 July 2016, tens of thousands of public employees were dismissed through decree-law lists. Many were removed without an individualised decision, transparent evidence, or an effective opportunity to challenge the allegations.
The system created a lasting stigma. KHK-affected people have faced barriers to employment, professional life, public services, and social participation. In some cases, their families have also suffered because of association with them. Administrative dismissal has therefore operated as a form of punishment beyond the courtroom.
The Council of Europe’s Venice Commission warned that Türkiye had legitimate security concerns after the coup attempt but that many emergency measures went too far. The European Court of Human Rights later ruled in Pişkin v. Türkiye that dismissal based on alleged links to a terrorist organisation violated fundamental rights where there was no effective judicial review.
Fatma Asik case should therefore be handled through a fair and transparent legal process, not public humiliation. Authorities and media organisations must respect the presumption of innocence and avoid language that turns allegations into verdicts.
As Rights Defenders Initiative (RDI), we strongly condemn the public stigmatisation of Fatma Asik and the continuing discrimination against people affected by KHKs. Presenting an accused person as a terrorist before a final and fair judgment is unlawful, damaging, and contrary to fundamental human rights principles. Such practices can spread psychological, social, and physical violence against individuals and their families. We call on the Turkish authorities to guarantee fair trials, end discriminatory KHK practices, and protect the dignity and rights of every person.
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