HUMAN RIGHTS

Latest News

• ‘The right to hope concerns the collective conscience of society’ 

  Lawyer Muhittin Muğuç said that the right to hope hope is not only a legal issue but also part of Turkey's confrontation with democracy.
• Imprisoned for 30 years, 70-year-old man dies shortly after release from jail 

  Şemsettin Ekinci, who was 39 years old when imprisoned, was released in January 2025 after 30 years of imprisonment. Having suffered various health issues during his imprisonment, he died at the age of 70 shortly after his release.
• Diyarbakır Bar Association: There are between 3 and 4 million child workers in Turkey 

  According to OECD data, 6.5 million children in Turkey live in “extreme poverty”; one in five children is malnourished, and one in four goes to school hungry.
• Families find destroyed graves after ten-year ban on cemetery visits 

  Families visiting cemeteries after a ten-year ban met with destroyed graves.
• ISIG: At least 177 workers lost their lives in a month 

  ISIG reported 177 worker deaths across Turkey in May.
• Council of Europe Committee of Ministers’ 'Right to Hope' deadline expires in 3 months 

  The deadline given by the Council of Europe Committee of Ministers regarding the 'right to hope' decision for Öcalan is set to expire in September 2025.
• Release of prisoner delayed over Kurdish identity remark 

  Nihat Şahin’s release from Tekirdağ Prison was postponed after he stated, “I paid the price to live with my Kurdish identity.”
• Executions surge in Iran as 95 people put to death in early June 

  The “No to Executions on Tuesdays” campaign reported that executed at least 95 people during the first weeks of June in Iran.
• Saturday Mothers: We haven't celebrated a single Eid in 30 years, we just want a gravestone 

  The Saturday Mothers, who gathered for the 1054th time in Istanbul’s Galatasaray Square, expressed their determination to continue their struggle to demand the prosecution of those responsible and recognition of the state injustice done to their families.
• Iranian court summons 15 Kurdish teacher activists over 2022 protest 

  The case reportedly stems from a complaint lodged by the Sanandaj Prosecutor’s Office linked to a teachers’ protest held outside the Ministry of Education building in Sanandaj in June 2022.
• Cênî to protest repression in Maxmur Camp 

  A rally will take place in front of the Iraqi Embassy in Berlin to draw attention to the dire situation in the Kurdish refugee camp Maxmur.
• Erözsoy: Anyone with a conscience must oppose pit-type prisons 

  ESP Esenyurt Representative Cafer Erözsoy, released from Karatepe Y-Type Prison, called for the closure of pit-type prisons, saying they violate human dignity.
• Güler: Prisoners’ right to life is being violated 

  Lawyer Ahmet Güler said that denying the release of seriously ill prisoners is a direct violation of the right to life.
• IHR: Iran executed 152 people in May 

  The IHR reported a surge in executions last month and called for immediate international action against the rising repression.
• No justice without investigation 

  Twenty-four years after the disappearance of HADEP politician Serdar Tanış, his brother Yakup accuses the Turkish state of systematic cover-up and impunity.
• Imam Çelikdemir released after 30 years in prison 

  A delegation from the DEM Party and the DBP visited Imam Çelikdemir in Dersim following his release after 30 years.
• Protest over exclusion of ill prisoners from 10th Judicial Reform Package 

  The Mardin branch of the ÖHD and TUHAD-FED criticized the lack of provisions for ill and political prisoners in the new package.
• Turkey among 10 worst countries for workers in 2025 

  The ITUC Global Rights Index rates Turkey among the 10 worst countries for workers in 2025.
• Gergerlioğlu: Prisoners do not trust the State 

  Ömer Faruk Gergerlioğlu said prisoners are frustrated, believing the state reversed its stance with a weaker-than-expected reform.
• Zeynab Jalalian still denied medical treatment  

  Zeynab Jalalian, who has been imprisoned in Iran for 18 years, is experiencing worsening health conditions, but the prison administration continues to deny her access to medical treatment.
• Lawyer Bilen: Administrative and Observation Boards must be abolished 

  Esra Bilen criticized the board that delayed the release of ill prisoner Akay and called for the complete abolition of these prison committees.
• Condition of ill prisoner Önder Poyraz continues to deteriorate 

  Ill prisoner Önder Poyraz’s health is rapidly deteriorating.
• Appeal of Kurdish activist Kenan Ayaz rejected in Germany 

  The appeal filed by Kurdish politician and activist Kenan Ayaz has been rejected by the German Federal Court of Justice. He is expected to be transferred to Cyprus.
• Mother searching for her son's remains for 29 years to apply to the Human Rights Association 

  79-year-old Nefise Erkek is preparing to apply to the Human Rights Association (İHD) Diyarbakır Branch to find the remains of her son Miğdat Erkek, who was martyred in a clash in the countryside of the city in 1996.
• Eren Keskin: Ill prisoners must be released without delay 

  Eren Keskin welcomed the PKK’s decision to lay down arms but said the state must act.