HUMAN RIGHTS

Latest News

• Relatives of the diappeared meet in Amed on the 33rd anniversary of the murder of Vedat Aydın 

  Human Rights Association members and relatives of the disappeared met in Amed on the 33rd anniversary of the abduction and murder of Kurdish politician Vedat Aydın, by the Turkish state.
• Political prisoner released on the verge of death dies 

  Mehmet Emin Soyal, who was imprisoned at the age of 78 despite his serious health problems and released on the verge of death, passed away.
• CoE to discuss ECtHR's 'violation' judgement on Abdullah Öcalan 

  It is reported that the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe will put the ECtHR's "violation" judgement on Kurdish leader Abdullah Öcalan on its agenda for the first time after its meeting in November-December 2021.
• Prisoner Güzel released after 31 years 

  Serhat Güzel, who was released from prison after 31 years, was welcomed with great enthusiasm in his hometown Amed.
• Paris Bar Association condemns violation of defence rights of prisoners in İmralı 

  The Paris Bar Association sent a letter of protest to the Turkish Ministry of Justice, condemning the prevention of the right to defence of Kurdish People's Leader Abdullah Öcalan and other prisoners in İmralı.
• KHRN: Kurdish Muay Thai champion missing after IRGC interrogation 

  Jasim Haseli, a professional Muay Thai and kickboxing champion, was last seen on 27 June after several hours of interrogation and torture at the local headquarters of the Intelligence Organisation of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps in Marivan.
• Iranian state won't allow Zeinab Jalalian any medical treatment unless she signs letter of 'regret' 

  The Iranian state will not allow Zeinab Jalalian, who is in prison for 17 years and whose health has seriously deteriorated, to benefit from any rights, including the right to treatment, unless she signs a 'letter of regret'.
• Protest by prisoners demanding freedom for Abdullah Öcalan reaches day 220 

  Prisoners continue to refuse to appear in court and to boycott phone calls and family visits, demanding "Freedom for Abdullah Öcalan and a political solution to the Kurdish question."
• Report on human rights violations in Rojhilat in June 

  Human rights violations against Kurdish civilians and activists in the Kurdish region of Iran continued in June 2024.
• Isolation of Öcalan to be discussed at UN Human Rights Council 

  The isolation of Kurdish People's Leader Abdullah Öcalan in İmralı, from whom no news has been received for 40 months, will be discussed at a conference to be held as part of the 56th Human Rights Sessions of the UN Human Rights Council.
• Prisoner's mother: If the doors of Imrali are opened, the doors of peace will also be opened 

  Prisoner's relative Emine Al said: "If the doors of Imrali are opened, the doors of peace will also be opened."
• Lawyer Çiftçi released from prison 

  Lawyer Şüheda Ronahi Çiftçi, who was remanded in custody on the allegation of "being a member of a terrorist organisation", was released on condition of judicial control.
• ‘The path to justice passes through Roboskî’ 

  150 months after the Roboskî Massacre perpetrated by the Turkish state, the Justice for Roboskî Initiative once again demanded that those responsible be exposed and held to account.
• Prisoner Er's release postponed for the 3rd time for rejecting the imposition of 'remorse' 

  Every day new ones are added to the rights violations, oppression and arbitrary practices of the Turkish state against political prisoners.
• Political prisoner Şefik Esen dies in hospital 

  The prisons in Turkey have become places where the rights of political prisoners are systematically violated. The threat to seriously ill prisoners is even more serious.
• IHD presents solution proposals for refugees in Turkey 

  The Human Rights Association held a press conference on the rights violations faced by refugees living in Turkey and shared its suggestions for solutions.
• Request to send delegation to Imralı during UN Human Rights sessions 

  MRAP Representative Gianfranco Fattorini, who spoke at the 56th UN Human Rights Sessions, drew attention to the Imrali isolation and the trustee practices of the Turkish state and demanded that the UN send a delegation to Imrali.
• CISST publishes interactive "Prisons Map"  

  The Civil Society in the Penal System Association has released an interactive "Prisons Map" to facilitate public access to data about prisons.
• Kurdish political prisoner Ayçiçek released after 17 years in jail 

  Kurdish political prisoner Ayfer Ayçiçek, who was convicted of PKK membership, has been released after 17 years in prison. She was greeted by relatives and friends in front of Gebze women's prison with flowers and songs.
• Ill political prisoner dies after being sent to hospital 

  Seriously ill political prisoner Yıldırım Han has died in a hospital in Ankara.
• Demir: Don't look away, be the voice of ill prisoners 

  The co-chair of the prisoner support association MATUHADER, Dilek Sönmez Demir, warned that the lives of ill political prisoners in Turkey are at risk due to double standards and arbitrary decisions.
• A prisoner in Van was not treated and died of a heart attack 

  Mecit Yılmaz, a common prisoner in Van T Type Closed Prison, was sent back to the ward without treatment from the infirmary where he was taken on Monday and died as a result of a heart attack.
• Lower Saxony minister wants to end deportation of Yazidis 

  Lower Saxony's Interior Minister Daniela Behrens (SPD) called for a broad stop to deportations of members of the Yazidi minority to Iraq.
• Prisoners continue their protest demanding "Freedom for Abdullah Öcalan" 

  Prisoners continue to refuse to appear in court and to boycott phone calls and family visits, demanding "Freedom for Abdullah Öcalan and a solution to the Kurdish question."
• TIHV: 781 people denounced torture and harassment in 2023 

  According to the report published by the TIHV, in 2023, 781 people applied to the foundation stating that they were tortured and ill-treated, and 6 people lost their lives during the detention process.