HUMAN RIGHTS

Latest News

• Constitutional Court: Police intervention violated Saturday Mothers' right to assembly 

  The Constitutional Court (AYM) has decided that a police intervention against the Saturday Mothers' 700th week protest in August 2018 violated the rights of the protestors.
• Lawyers launch Justice Vigil to protest violations after earthquake 

  Legal organizations have taken action amidst reports of increasingly ongoing violations of rights in the areas hit by two devastating earthquakes on February 6.
• Lawyers submit another application for a meeting with Öcalan 

  Lawyers of the Asrın Law Office have applied to meet with their client, Kurdish leader Abdullah Öcalan.
• HDP: There is no reliable information about child victims of earthquake 

  Peoples’ Democratic Party (HDP) Children's Commission Co-Spokeswoman Nuray Türkmen said that the state does not have reliable information about the earthquake’s child victims.
• Iran executes Kurdish politician Ahmadi 

  29-year-old Kurdish politician and activist Serkut Ahmadi, who was imprisoned in Kirmaşan Closed Prison for two years, was executed by the Iranian state.
• Police torture of earthquake volunteers in Adiyaman confirmed by medical reports 

  Official medical reports confirmed the torture of 5 volunteers by the Turkish police in Adiyaman province.
• Lawyers in Mardin file criminal complaint against trustees and mayors 

  Lawyers in Mardin province filed a criminal complaint against 134 mayors, 2 of whom are government-appointed trustees, in 10 cities and districts affected by the earthquake.
• Prisoners' Voice Platform calls on people to show solidarity 

  The Prisoners' Voice Platform said that tens of thousands of prisoners and their relatives were affected by the earthquake and calls on everyone to show solidarity and support their work.
• Şenyaşar family resumes Justice Vigil in Urfa 

  The Şenyaşar family continues their struggle for justice in Urfa.
• Two prisoners in Gewran prison go on hunger strike 

  Herîwan Îsa and Eyaz Kerem went on hunger strike after Herîwan Îsa, one of the Behdinan activists imprisoned in Gewran prison in Hewler, was sent to a solitary cell.
• Prisoners beaten for opposing strip-search after transfer 

  Prisoners transferred from Karabük T Type High Security Prison to Samsun Kavak S Type High Security Prison were beaten by guards after opposing strip-search.
• 1,464 unaccompanied children after earthquake 

  Turkish officials said that there are 1,464 unaccompanied children as the result of the earthquake. Children First Association will file a criminal complaint today regarding the allegations that kids are given to mafias.
• No exceptional circumstances justify torture, says human rIghts organizations 

  The Turkish Medical Association, Human Rights Association and the Human Rights Foundation of Turkey said in a statement that "no exceptional circumstances justify torture".
• HDP files criminal complaint against authorities for torture against civilians 

  The HDP Law and Human Rights Commission and party lawyers filed a criminal complaint against the authorities regarding the lynching attacks and torture suffered by people in earthquake areas.
• Prisoners in Espiye Prison end their hunger strike  

  Prisoners in Giresun Espiye L Type Closed Prison announced that they called off their hunger strike due to the earthquake.
• MED TUHAD-FED calls on Ministry of Justice to explain situation of prisons damaged by earthquake 

  MED TUHAD-FED called on the Ministry of Justice to explain the situation of the prisons damaged in the earthquakes that hit 10 provinces on 6 February.
• International call for Turkey to uphold rights and freedoms during earthquake response 

  On 7 February 2023, in the wake of two powerful earthquakes that struck Turkey and Syria, leaving thousands of people dead, injured and displaced, President Erdoğan enacted emergency rule in the affected areas.
• Amnesty International says at least 14 people at risk of execution in Rojhilat and Iran 

  Amnesty International stated that at least 14 people are at risk of execution in Rojhilatê Kurdistan and Iran, and that at least 10 of them were forced to confess by torture by Iranian state forces.
• Three prisoners die in Hatay Prison 

  It was reported that three prisoners died during riots in Hatay Prison.
• Iranian protest anthem "Baraye" wins a Grammy 

  The Iranian protest anthem "Baraye" has been awarded a Grammy. The ballad by singer Shervin Hajipour received the award in the new category "Best Song for Social Change".
• Prisoners in Turkey continue hunger strikes against detention conditions and arbitrary measures 

  Prisoners in Trabzon, Bolu, Giresun, Afyon and Izmir are defending themselves with hunger strikes against unlawful prison conditions and arbitrary coercive measures by the prison authorities.
• 10,520 refugees were deported from Turkey in one month 

  Pressure on refugees is increasing in Turkey. In January 10,520 refugees were deported.
• Situation of Iranian activist on hunger strike in Rajaee-Shahr Prison getting worse 

  The situation of activist, doctor and teacher Farhad Meysami, who has been on hunger strike in an Iranian prison since 7 October, is getting worse.
• Şenyaşar family’s justice vigil enters day 696 

  The Justice Vigil carried out by the Şenyaşar family marks its 696th day.
• Young couple in Iran sentenced to over ten years for dancing in front of Freedom Tower 

  A young couple in Iran have been sentenced to more than ten years each. The reason is a video that shows the two dancing to romantic music – and the woman without a headscarf.