HUMAN RIGHTS

Latest News

• 21 kolbars were killed by Iranian and Turkish forces in 2021 

  In 2021, at least 46 Kurdish kolbars lost their lives and 122 kolbars were injured in the border areas as a result of shootings by border forces, natural disasters etc. Of the 46 kolbars that lost their lives, 21 were killed by Iranian and Turkish forces.
• Justice vigils in Amed and Van continue 

  The justice vigils of the prisoners' families are continuing in Amed and Van provinces. The activists called for participation in the democracy rally organized by the Peoples' Democratic Party (HDP) in Amed and support to the mothers' vigils.
• Şenyaşar family continues vigil for justice in winter conditions 

  The Şenyaşar family who has been demanding justice for their murdered relatives is continuing justice vigil in winter conditions. The family said that justice vigils will spread into all the courthouses in Turkey.
• Refugees tortured on the border with Iran 

  People fleeing war and poverty continue to die trying to cross the Turkish-Iranian border and get one step closer to Europe. Countless reports by NGOs expose the torture suffered by refugees at the hands of Turkish soldiers.
• Prisoner Ölmez says violations of rights have increased in Antalya jail 

  Harun Ölmez is in prison in Antalya. He said that violations of rights have increased, that they are given 3 spoons of food a day and demanded people to "make our voices heard".
• Condition of ill prisoner Ruken Yıldız worsening 

  Ferhat Yıldız, brother of ill prisoner Ruken Yıldız, pointed out that his sister, who was deported to Iğdır S Type Prison, has been kept in an isolation cell for 7 months and her condition is getting worse.
• Sister of prisoner who died in jail says his brother's heart beat only for Kurdistan 

  Gule Güneş, sister of prisoner Halil Güneş, who stayed in jail for 29 years and came out of it dead, just 11 days before his release, said: "My brother's heart beat only for Kurdistan, he would say that he owed all his resistance to this love."
• Bundestag's Petitions Committee discusses recognition of ISIS genocide in Shengal 

  In February, the Bundestag's Petitions Committee will deal with the demand for the Islamic State genocide of the Yazidi community to be recognized as such.
• Solidarity Group with Aysel Tuğluk calls for release of Kurdish politician 

  The Solidarity Group with Aysel Tuğluk published a report and said that the Kurdish politician should be released immediately.
• Prisoners’ relatives vow to continue their vigils until justice is served 

  Families who have been on a justice vigil for prisoners at the Amed and Van bar associations emphasized that they would not accept the persecution against them and would continue to resist.
• Life of seriously ill prisoner Eser Morsümbül at risk, says his mother 

  The life of seriously ill prisoner Eser Morsümbül, whose right to treatment is denied, is at risk.
• Prisoners strip searched and harassed in Şırnak Police Department say they would file complaint 

  Two citizens who were subjected to a strip search in Şırnak Police Department after being detained said that they would file a criminal complaint.
• HRW: Turkey defies international human rights law 

  Turkey has a restrictive environment for the media, for human rights defenders, for the LGBT community, for Kurdish political activists, and for other perceived government critics.
• Justice Vigil by family of missing university student Gülistan Doku reaches day 13 

  The Justice Vigil carried by the family of Gülistan Doku in front of Dersim Courthouse continues on its 13th day.
• At least 59 prisoners have died in Turkish jails in 2021 

  The Marmara Region Prison Monitoring Delegation, held a press conference to expose the condition in Turkey's prisons and said that at least 59 prisoners have died in jail in 2021.
• Guard threatens prisoner in Iğdır 

  Hogir Batu, who has been on hunger strike for 19 days to protest the torture he suffered, was tortured once again. After the torture, a guard allegedly asked Batu: "Haven't you committed suicide yet?"
• Prisoners call for urgent action against violations 

  Right violations are increasing in Antalya S-type Closed Prison where inmates call for an urgent action against arbitrary practices.
• Şenyaşar family: We don't accept this persecution 

  "We do not accept this persecution," said the Şenyaşar family, continuing their Justice Watch.
• Political prisoners denounce torture in both Malatya and Kayseri jails 

  Political prisoners transferred from Kayseri to Malatya were tortured in both prisons. Women prisoners in Kayseri jail were also harassed on their way to hospital.
• Aysel Tuğluk's brother: My sister can no longer read books 

  Alaattin Tuğluk, the brother of Kurdish politician Aysel Tuğluk, said his sister "can no longer read books or watch TV. She is tied to the bed for hours. She has to be treated quickly."
• Justice Vigils in Amed and Van continue 

  The Justice Vigils carried out by the relatives of the prisoners in Amed and Van continue.
• Ill prisoner Akay kept in an isolation cell since 2016 

  Soydan Akay's brother and lawyer, Veysel Akay, exposed the situation of his brother, who had been kept in solitary confinement for nearly four years despite his serious health problems, and for hundreds of other ill prisoners in his situation.
• Human Rights Association starts monthly plan of action for prisoners 

  In order to draw attention to the violations of rights in prisons, the İHD called for solidarity with the slogan "We do not want death in prisons, we defend life".
• Şenyaşar family: "When we stand up against injustice, we will see that everything is better" 

  The Şenyaşar family said: "When we stand up against injustice, we will see that everything is better."
• S Type prisons multiply isolation and pressure 

  HDP Iğdır Deputy Habip Eksik said that with S Type prisons, the goal of isolation, de-identification, as well as the pressure on both body and memory has been multiplied.