HUMAN RIGHTS

Latest News

• Journalist Akdeniz: Situation of migrant workers in Turkey is catastrophic 

  Journalist Ercüment Akdeniz described the situation of migrant workers in Turkey as catastrophic. After death through violence or accidents at work, people are simply “thrown away”.
• Öcalan given a new ban on lawyers' visits 

  There has been no news from Abdullah Öcalan for 3 years. His lawyers said that he was given a new ban on lawyers' visits for 6 months for alleged "security" reasons.
• At least three men executed in Iran 

  At least three men, including an Afghan national, were executed for drug-related charges in Ghezel Hesar Prison.
• HEDEP: Education in the mother tongue is a human right 

  HEDEP Batman MP Zeynep Oduncu said: "Education in the mother tongue is a human right and Kurds should not be denied this right."
• At least 10 death row prisoners in Iran transferred to be executed  

  At least 10 death row prisoners were transferred to solitary confinement in preparation for their executions in Ghezel Hesar Prison.
• Search for justice for Sezgin Dağ continues 

  Sezgin Dağ, a survivor of the ISIS attack in Suruç in 2015, died on the way to hospital in Switzerland in 2020 because of negligence by those in charge at an asylum centre where he was living as a refugee.
• Prisoner Tanhan has '10 percent chance of survival', his family says 

  Ayşe Tanhan, daughter of 68-year-old Cemal Tanhan, who was left in prison after suffering a stroke, said: "They cannot provide treatment because my father's condition is serious. The doctor told us that he had a ten percent chance of survival."
• After years of police blockade and crackdown, Saturday Mothers rally at Galatasaray Square 

  For the first time in over five years, the Saturday Mothers rallied at Galatasaray Square.
• Violation of rights in Patnos prison continues 

  Prisoner Çekdar Ödüngit in Patnos said that his wards were raided every day and ill prisoners were not taken to the hospital on time. A prisoner who was released late lost his ability to speak.
• Nine prisoners executed in Iran 

  The Iranian Human Rights Organization announced that 9 prisoners sentenced to death in Iran were executed in the same prison.
• Former political prisoner has his torture complaint ignored  

  Former political prisoner Emir Karakum was severely tortured in prison. While his complaint about the torture was ignored, he was charged with resisting those who tortured him.
• Norwegian Nobel Committee deeply concerned about the health of Narges Mohammadi 

  The imprisoned Iranian activist Narges Mohammadi, who was awarded this year’s Nobel Peace Prize, is on hunger strike.
• Kurdish political asylum seeker detained in Turkey is at risk of deportation to Iran 

  More than ten Kurdish political asylum seekers have been detained in Turkey over the past year and are currently being held in various camps, at risk of being forcibly returned to Iran.
• Kurdish prisoner Abasteh executed in Qezel Hesar jail in Karaj 

  Kurdish prisoner Qassem Abasteh was executed on Sunday in Qezel Hesar jail in Karaj after 14 years of imprisonment.
• Iran: At Least 604 executions in 10 months 

  Iran Human Rights said that there have been at least 604 executions in the country in the first 10 months of 2023.
• Saturday Mothers took to the streets for the 971st time this week 

  The Saturday Mothers have been taking to the streets for their relatives who have disappeared in state custody for decades, demanding clarification and the punishment of the perpetrators for the 971st time today.
• Mehmet Emin Sosin walks free after 30 years in prison 

  Mehmet Emin Sosin, who was arrested in Şirnak in the early 1990s, was welcomed with enthusiasm in Adana after his release 30 years later.
• KHRN releases report of human rights violations in Rojhilat in October 

  Human rights violations against Kurdish civilians and activists in the Kurdish region of Iran continued unabated in October 2023.
• International organizations call on Turkey to release the HDP politicians imprisoned for 7 years 

  Human Rights Watch, Turkey Human Rights Litigation Support Project, International Commission of Jurists, and the International Federation for Human Rights call on Turkey to abide by international law and release the HDP politicians jailed since 2016.
• Asylum seekers in Greece report being beaten, strip-searched and sent back to sea 

  As people arriving on Greek islands are being pushed back to sea, MSF urges the Greek government and European leaders to take immediate measures to ensure that individuals seeking protection in Greece are treated with humanity and dignity.
• Osman Kavala: I haven't lost hope 

  Osman Kavala issued a statement on completion of his 6th year in prison.
• HEDEP Mersin MP exposes violations of rights in Tarsus Prison  

  Prisoners in Tarsus Prison said that the guards imposed a ban on speaking Kurdish.
• Declared "arrested" in Turkey for kidnapping a Yazidi girl, ISIS member turns out to be at liberty 

  A senior member of ISIS was put on trial in Turkey for “human trafficking” for kidnapping a Kurdish Yazidi girl and subsequently offering her for sale on the dark web. While he was not even taken into custody, Turkish authorities declared him "arrested".
• Call for judicial action for Gültan Kışanak imprisoned for 7 years 

  Lawyers call for immediate action for the release of Gültan Kışanak, the former mayor of Amed, who has been behind bars since October 2016.
• Lawyer Nesrin Sotoudeh taken into custody at the funeral of Armita Geravand 

  Human rights lawyer Nesrin Sotoudeh was taken into custody and beaten while attending the funeral of 17-year-old Armita Geravand.