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The Unjust Death of Lieutenant Abdulkadir Karadag
On the night of July 15, 2016, Lieutenant Abdülkadir Karadag was dispatched to protect the Presidential Palace in Ankara, unaware that the operation was part of a coup attempt. Though officially a lieutenant, Karadag was still undergoing his pre-field training and had limited command experience. His fellow officer and close friend, Muhammed Emin Gundogdu, later…
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Abortion Restrictions and Human Rights Violations in Morocco
In Morocco, abortion is criminalised in nearly all circumstances. Under Article 453 of the Penal Code, abortion is permitted only if performed by a medical professional to save the woman’s life or physical health—and requires the husband’s or chief medical officer’s authorisation. All other cases are punishable by up to two years’ imprisonment for the woman…
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Detention of Lawyer Mehmet Pehlivan and Repression of the Legal Profession in Türkiye
Lawyer Mehmet Pehlivan, defence counsel for detained Istanbul Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu, has been subjected to escalating judicial harassment in Türkiye, exemplifying the growing repression of legal professionals. Pehlivan’s arrest and ongoing detention are based on vague and politically motivated charges, including “money laundering” and “membership in a criminal organisation.” These charges are rooted in his…
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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 for ‘disseminating propaganda in favour of a terrorist organisation’ due to his activity on social media. This article (Anti-Terror Law Article 7) has been previously used for individuals such as Yavuz Ekinci, Sebnem Korur Fincanci,…
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Rwanda Opposition Leader Victoire Ingabire Re-Arrested Amid Human Rights Concerns
Victoire Ingabire Umuhoza, an opposition leader in Rwanda, was re-arrested in June 2025. Ingabire, who returned from exile in 2010 to participate in the country’s presidential elections and spent many years in prison, had continued her opposition activities through peaceful means following her release. Authorities stated that she was taken into custody on charges of…
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Ending Arbitrary Detention in Northeast Syria: A Humanitarian and Legal Imperative
Years after the collapse of ISIS’s territorial control in Syria, tens of thousands of individuals—including large numbers of women and children—remain held in camps and detention facilities in the country’s northeast. These detentions, led by the Kurdish territory with backing from the U.S.-led coalition, often occur without formal charges or access to legal processes. Many…
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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. As a member of this esteemed organization for the past 73 years, Turkey has committed to safeguarding fundamental human rights on European soil, as enshrined in the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR). The judgment…
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Chad’s Democratic Decline: The Silencing of Opposition Voices
The recent arrest of opposition leader Succès Masra in Chad has sparked widespread concern over the erosion of democratic principles and the deterioration of human rights in the country. Masra, a former prime minister and leader of the opposition party Transformers, was detained on charges related to a violent clash in Logone Occidental province, which…
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Mohamed Benhalima
Mohamed Benhalima, a former Algerian military officer and anti-corruption activist, is currently serving a life sentence in Blida military prison, Algeria. He was forcibly returned from Spain on 24 March 2022, despite warnings from his lawyers, the UN Refugee Agency, and human rights groups that he was at risk of torture and unfair trial. Mohamed…
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Sümeyra Gelir
On April 3, 2025, 15-year-old Sümeyra Gelir passed away in her sleep at her home in Bolu, Turkey. While her death was medically attributed to epilepsy, her family and human rights advocates believe that the overwhelming responsibilities placed on her young shoulders—combined with the emotional trauma of being separated from her mother—played a significant role…
