HUMAN RIGHTS

Latest News

• Kurdish political prisoner in Iran faces imminent execution as second request for a retrial rejected 

  The Iranian Supreme Court has rejected the second appeal for a retrial of Kurdish political prisoner Hatem Özdemir, who was sentenced to death in May 2024.
• Justice Minister responds to DEM Party’s request for Öcalan to meet with journalists and politicians 

  Justice Minister Yılmaz Tunç responded to DEM Party’s request for Abdullah Öcalan to be allowed to meet with journalists and politicians in İmralı, saying, “What needs to be done within the legal framework can be carried out.”
• ESP: Pit-type prisons are a threat to all, urgent action is needed 

  ESP members ended a three-day hunger strike in solidarity with prisoners demanding the closure of pit-type prisons.
• Female prisoners punished for 'hugging and singing' 

  Nine female prisoners were given disciplinary punishments for 'hugging and singing' during the open visits held on 21 April at Şakran Women’s Closed Prison in Izmir.
• ISIG: At least 152 workers, including 8 children, killed in one month 

  The Occupational Health and Safety Observatory released its April 2025 workplace fatalities report.
• Call from ÖHD and TUHAD-FED: Ill prisoners must be released 

  ÖHD and TUHAD-FED organized a press conference to expose the isolation imposed on Abdullah Öcalan and the situation of ill prisoners.
• Kurdish political prisoner with cancer on hunger strike over denial of medical leave 

  42-year-old Kurdish political prisoner Motalleb Ahmadian went on a hunger strike on 5 May, protesting the Tehran Prosecutor’s refusal to grant him medical leave or suspend his sentence despite his deteriorating health.
• Petition for Pakshan Azizi sentenced to death in Iran 

  International outrage is growing over the Iranian government's death sentence against Kurdish journalist and activist Pakshan Azizi.
• IRGC blocks furlough of Kurdish political prisoner despite approval 

  Kurdish political prisoner Khaled Zamani, who is currently serving the 17th year of a 30-year sentence in Yazd Central Prison, has been denied temporary leave despite approval by the authorities.
• Three Kurdish political prisoners in Iran moved in secret to remote exile prisons 

  Kurdish political prisoners Vahid Chavaran, Nasser Rezaei and Mohammad Hassan Hasseli, who were arrested during the anti-government ‘Jin, Jiyan, Azadi’ uprising in Iran, have been secretly transferred to remote prisons across Iran.
• Iranian court upholds dismissal of Kurdish teacher over alleged anti-state activities 

  The Iranian regime’s repression of the Kurdish population continues unabated.
• Lawyer Binbir: Political prisoners’ releases are arbitrarily blocked 

  Lawyer Zeki Binbir said that prison boards are unlawfully preventing the release of political prisoners who have served three-quarters of their sentences.
• Health of prisoner on hunger strike in Iran deteriorates  

  Political prisoner Hura Nikbakht, on the 11th day of her hunger strike against the rise in death penalties in Iran, is experiencing severe health deterioration in Evin Prison.
• Activities for Kurdish Language Day announced 

  The program of actions and events to be held in Amed between 4 May and 1 June for Kurdish Language Day has been announced.
• Pınar Sakık Tekin: Ill prisoners are fighting for their lives 

  Pınar Sakık Tekin, co-chair of the TUHAD-FED, called for the urgent release of ill prisoners.
• Uçar: Pit-type prisons are designed to suppress society 

  Lawyer Sezin Uçar, co-chair of the ESP, said that pit-type prisons are designed to impose pressure on all segments of society.
• Yurdagül released after 32 years in prison 

  Cevat Yurdagül was released after 32 years and three postponed release decisions. He said that many prisoners are kept behind bars arbitrarily even after completing their sentences.
• Report exposes heavy human rights violations in Tokat Prison 

  The Association of Lawyers for Freedom in Urfa has released a report detailing heavy human rights violations in Tokat Prison.
• IHD: There are 1,412 ill prisoners, 335 in serious condition 

  IHD reported that there are at least 1,412 sick prisoners in Turkey's jails, including 335 in serious condition.
• 764 children have been victims of workplace deaths in Turkey over the past 12 years 

  While the number of registered child workers in Turkey has reached 1,372,000, at least 764 children have lost their lives in work-related accidents in Turkey over the past 12 years.
• Police who tortured earthquake survivor left unpunished 

  The investigation into the torture of Hatay earthquake survivor Tahsin Nihadioğlu was closed despite medical reports and witness testimonies.
• Hura Nîkbext goes on hunger strike in Evin Prison to protest death penalty 

  Hura Nîkbext is held in Tehran’s Evin Prison. She went on hunger strike to protest the death penalty.
• Protest in Munich demands Iran to annul death sentences against three women activists 

  A protest was held in Munich demanding that the Iranian state end executions and immediately annul the death sentences against three women activists.
• Letter from a Kurdish prisoner 

  Kurdish political prisoner Rizgar Begzadeh Babamiri sent a letter from Urmia Prison describing the pressures and torture he has endured.
• Mother of martyr Taş: I want my child’s bones 

  Aynur Taş calls for the return of her martyr son’s remains from Afrin and for the release of her seriously ill brother so he can receive proper medical care.