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Democracy on Trial: The Harsh Sentences of Hong Kong’s 45 Advocates
In a landmark case under Hong Kong’s controversial National Security Law, 45 pro-democracy figures were convicted on November 19, 2024, for “conspiracy to commit subversion.” The charges stemmed from their involvement in an unofficial primary election in 2020 aimed at securing seats in Hong Kong’s Legislative Council. This primary, deemed illegal under Beijing’s crackdown on…
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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 exploitation of children in state care. In the case of assassination of Sinan Ates, former leader of the far-right party Grey Wolves (Turkish: Ulku Ocaklari), she has been investigating the involvement of the state members.…
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Abduction and Forced Return of Turkish Asylum Seekers from Kenya
On October 18, 2024, seven Turkish asylum seekers were abducted in Nairobi, Kenya by unidentified individuals. The people kidnapped were identified as Mustafa Genç, Abdullah Genç, Hüseyin Yeşilsu, Necdet Seyitoğlu, Öztürk Uzun, Alparslan Taşçı, and Saadet Taşçı. These individuals were registered refugees in Kenya and believed to be followers of the Gülen movement, a significant…
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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 many similar cases, are that of ‘terrorist actions’. These actions involve studying, organising educational programs, and supporting children affected by the government’s emergency decrees (KHK). The source of the controversy is that the actions are…
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Stuck Between Death and Displacement: The Human Tragedy in Gaza
The ongoing conflict in Gaza has plunged the region into an unprecedented humanitarian crisis, where the specter of death looms large, and displacement has become a harsh reality for countless individuals. In the densely populated enclave, families find themselves caught in a relentless cycle of violence, with airstrikes and ground offensives leading to catastrophic loss…
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Ikram Nurmehmet: The Resilient Voice of Uyghur Cinema
Ikram Nurmehmet, an Uyghur filmmaker, has become a symbol of the human rights violations faced by the Uyghur community in China. His works often depict the rich culture and struggles of the Uyghur people, drawing attention to their plight amid increasing repression. However, Nurmehmet’s advocacy has put him at significant risk, as he has been…
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Yavuz Ekinci: A Writer on Trial for his Fiction Novel in Türkiye
Yavuz Ekinci, a Kurdish writer and a teacher with over 10 books, more than 5 awards for his contributions, and adaptation of his writings into theatre and cinematography is on trial in Turkey. One of his books called Ruyasi Bolunenler (Dreams Divided) a novel based on a Kurdish person’s journey of fleeing Turkey and finding…
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Persecuted and Displaced: The Hazara Community’s Struggle for Survival in Afghanistan
The Hazara community in Afghanistan, a predominantly Shiite Muslim ethnic group, continues to face severe persecution and violence, particularly under the rule of the Taliban. Historically marginalized, the Hazaras have been subject to discrimination and targeted attacks due to their religious and ethnic identity. Since the Taliban regained power in August 2021, the situation has…
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Manipur’s Ethnic Violence: A Call for Accountability and Action from Indian Authorities
The ethnic violence in Manipur, a northeastern state of India, has drawn significant national and international concern. Manipur is home to a diverse population, with the Meitei, Naga, and Kuki communities being the largest ethnic groups. In recent years, tensions between these groups, particularly between the Meitei and Kuki populations, have escalated into violent clashes.…
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Political Prisoner kept handcuffed during chemotherapy, after his release was ordered
Mustafa Aytac, 31, a mechanical engineer was imprisoned in 2022 due to his association with the Gulen Movement (GM). He was sentenced to over 7 years; because of helping those dismissed state employers by presidential decree (KHK) and organising or attending Gulen Movement’s religious gatherings. He is incarcerated in Afyonkarahisar Province Prison and was diagnosed…
