HUMAN RIGHTS

Latest News

• Human rights activists call for the release of ill prisoners Kaymaz and Köse 

  The IHD and the Freedom for Ill Prisoners Initiative called for the release of Hasan Kaymaz and Ali Osman Köse.
• Relatives of Özeken murdered by the Turkish army demand justice 

  IHD and the relatives of the disappeared made a statement regarding Mikdat Özeken, who was murdered in the Yüksekova Battalion Command in 1994, and said, "The murderers must be prosecuted."
• Roboski Initiative: War policy paves the way for attacks 

  Justice for Roboski Initiative stated that war policies paved the way for attacks and that "demilitarization and democratization will not be achievable unless light is shed on Roboski massacre.”
• "I was three years old when my father disappeared" 

  Dilan Aydemir was three years old when her father disappeared in Istanbul 26 years ago. The Saturday Mothers initiative addressed the fate of Hüseyin Aydemir on an online session.
• Lawyer Çelik: Refugees face death at Turkish-Greek border 

  According to eye witnesses, the Turkish military police forced dozens of refugees into the border river after illegally pushing them back from Greece. Istanbul lawyer Ahmet Baran Çelik wants to file a complaint.
• Melek Başkale finds herself in jail accused of organising the hunger strike by political prisoners 

  For seven years, Melek Başkale visited her sister, who was imprisoned in Istanbul. Now she is herself in prison. The young woman from Urfa is accused of organizing the hunger strike by political prisoners.
• 50th group of prisoners takes over the hunger strike against isolation on day 275 

  The hunger strike launched by prisoners against the isolation of PKK Leader Abdullah Öcalan continues on its 275th day. The solidarity hunger strike in Maxmur has reached day 254 and day 237 in Greece.
• Resistance of Şenyaşar family continues 

  The Şenyaşar family in Urfa has been demanding justice for 171 days and will continue their vigil in Ankara.
• IHD, ÖHD, MTO, SES: Prisoners' demands should be met 

  IHD, ÖHD, MTO and SES drew attention to the prison resistance and stated that the Imrali isolation should be lifted immediately.
• Hunger strike in prisons reaches day 273 

  The hunger strike launched by prisoners against the isolation of PKK Leader Abdullah Öcalan continues on its 273rd day. The solidarity hunger strike in Maxmur has reached day 252 and day 235 in Greece.
• Seriously ill prisoners, Mehmet Ali Çelebi and Yusuf Yakşi released 

  Seriously ill prisoners, Mehmet Ali Çelebi and Yusuf Yakşi, held in Sincan Prison, were released.
• Police take 73-year-old woman suffering from cancer into custody 

  Saadet Özen, 73, was taken into custody in Urfa, while on her way to Izmir to receive cancer treatment.
• Violence against prisoner rejecting strip search 

  Prisoner Mehmet Emin Ado was exposed to violence since he refused to be strip searched.
• Prison administrations increase punishment of prisoners on hunger strike 

  The arbitrary attitude of the prison administrations against the hunger strikes, which have entered their 269th day, continues while the government takes no steps.
• ‘Surge of racism in Turkey is caused by impunity, inaction and official doctrine’ 

  Meral Çıldır, a member of the IHD Commission Against Racism and Discrimination, said that the increase in racism in Turkey is not only the result of the official ideology but also a result of impunity and lack of reaction.
• Hunger strike in prisons reaches day 268 

  The hunger strike launched by prisoners against the isolation of PKK Leader Abdullah Öcalan continues on its 268th day. The solidarity hunger strike in Maxmur has reached day 247 and day 230 in Greece.
• Şenyaşar family: Demanding justice for 166 days 

  The Şenyaşar family continues their vigil for justice on day 166.
• Peace Mothers: Only if Öcalan becomes free, peace will be ensured in the country 

  Members of the Peace Mothers Initiative urged society to fight to end the isolation, stating that if Öcalan is freed, peace will come to the country.
• IHD: Women are specifically targeted during the usurpation of municipalities 

  The IHD stated that the AKP-MHP government attacked the will of the people by usurping municipalities, and female co-chairs were deliberately targeted.
• Resistance of Şenyaşar family marks its 162nd day 

  The resistance of the Şenyaşar family is continuing on its 162nd day.
• Hunger strike in prisons reaches day 264 

  The hunger strike launched by prisoners against the isolation of PKK Leader Abdullah Öcalan continues on its 264th day. The solidarity hunger strike in Maxmur has reached day 243 and day 226 in Greece.
• Saturday Mothers: “The state murders, the judiciary protects” 

  Saturday Mothers declared that state authorities tortured and murdered them while the Turkish judiciary shielded the criminals.
• Şenyaşar family: "Leave politics for a minute and empathize with people suffering" 

  The Şenyaşar family said: "Leave politics for a minute and empathize with people who are suffering."
• 19 prisoners in Giresun Espiye L Type Closed Prison test positive for Covid-19 

  19 prisoners in Giresun Espiye L Type Closed Prison tested positive for Covid-19.
• IHD demands full investigation of racist attack on Syrian refugees in Ankara 

  The human rights association demanded a full investigation of the racist attack on refugees from Syria in Ankara. The streets in the neighbourhood of Altındağ remain tense, and many Syrians have left.