HUMAN RIGHTS

Latest News

• Gültan Kışanak subjected to inhumane treatment after attending her sister’s funeral 

  Politician Gültan Kışanak was subjected to inhumane treatment while being transported back to prison after her sister's funeral.
• The Şenyaşar family not allowed inside Ministry of Justice 

  The Şenyaşar family, who walked from the Parliament to the Ministry of Justice, was not allowed in.
• Asrın Law Office lawyers apply to visit Abdullah Öcalan 

  Lawyers from the Asrın Law Office applied to Bursa Chief Public Prosecutor's Office and Imralı Prison Directorate with a request to meet with their client, Abdullah Öcalan, who has not been heard from for 29 months.
• Prisoner Tekin released after 30 years 

  Şemsettin Tekin, who was held in Oltu T Type Closed Prison, was released after 30 years.
• Saturday Mothers attacked and detained again on the 959th week of action 

  Saturday Mothers and their supporters seeking justice for their disappeared relatives were once again attacked and detained by the police in Istanbul.
• Prisoner in Sincan jail on hunger strike for 111 days 

  Prisoner Nedim Öztürk has been on hunger strike in Sincan No. 2 High Security Prison for 111 days.
• 2,157 child prisoners in Turkish jails 

  The Ministry of Justice General Directorate of Prisons and Detention Centers has released new statistics regarding the prisoner population in the country's jails.
• Bitter exploitation of seasonal workers in Turkey 

  In order to produce cheap export hits like hazelnuts and cherries, seasonal workers in Turkey are exploited to the hilt.
• Delegation from North-East Syria visits UN in Geneva 

  A delegation from North and East Syria visited the office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights in Geneva.
• Release of 9 Kurdish political prisoners prevented 

  The release of 9 Kurdish political prisoners arrested in the 1990s in Karabük T Type Prison is prevented.
• New cameras monitor prisoners in Sincan Women's Closed jail 

  In Sincan Women's Closed Prison, the common living spaces of the detainees are monitored with new cameras.
• Kurdish prisoner released after thirty years in prison: “We did not bow down” 

  Kurdish prisoner Kemal Çelik has been released after thirty years in prison in Turkey. "We have experienced hard times, but we have shared everything. We did not bow down and I come out of prison with dignity," he said after his release.
• ‘Öcalan held in a torture system that has never existed in the history of law in Europe and Turkey’ 

  “The system of absolute isolation in which Mr Öcalan and our other clients are being held has no legitimate legal or social basis. It is clear that the current approach stems from the state's understanding of the denial of the Kurdish question."
• ISIG: 182 workers lost their lives in work-related accidents in July 

  ISIG said that 182 workers lost their lives in work-related accidents in the month of July.
• Kurdish political woman prisoner goes on hunger strike in Urmia Central Prison 

  Soheila Mohammadi, a Kurdish female political prisoner held in Urmia Central Prison, went on a hunger strike to protest the conditions of detention imposed Kurds.
• Dozens detained in police attack on Saturday Mothers 

  Dozens of human rights activists and relatives of disappeared persons were detained during the Saturday Mothers' action against enforced disappearances in state custody.
• Two prisoners see their release postponed for 3 months 

  The release of Kasım Karataş and Osman Lider, who had beenin prison for 30 years, was postponed for 3 months on the grounds that they showed "no remorse".
• At least 225 people arrested in Iran in July  

  At least 225 people were arrested in Iran in July alone. More than 58 percent of those arrested were Kurds.
• Human Rights Association publishes yearly report about the situation in Turkish prisons  

  The Human Rights Association published its yearly report about the situation in Turkish prisons in 2022: 10,789 violations have been recorded and 81 prisoners have died in custody.
• Release of prisoner who spent 30 years in jail postponed for three months 

  The release of Ramazan Ildem, who has been imprisoned in Turkish state prisons for 30 years, has been postponed for three months for an arbitrary reason.
• Ill prisoner denounces torture 

  Vahdettin Erdemci is being held in Ereğli High Security Prison. He said that he was tortured by the guards in a phone call he made with his family.
• DEDAŞ workers: The strike goes on! 

  DEDAŞ workers said that they went on strike because they were unfairly dismissed and were paid wages below the hunger limit. They emphasized that they would continue their struggle.
• Dozens detained in police attack on Saturday Mothers in Istanbul 

  Dozens of people were taken into custody as the vigil by Saturday Mothers in Istanbul was once again prevented by the police.
• 2,572 children are in prison in Turkey 

  As of July 2023, 2,572 children were in prison in Turkey.
• Kunt: Every year, more than 4 million Kurds go to work in the West of the country 

  Every year, more than 4 million people from the Kurdish regions go to the western Turkish provinces as seasonal workers, employed mainly in agriculture for around six months a year.