HUMAN RIGHTS

Latest News

• 40 prisoners in Antalya S Type jail sentenced to 11 days of solitary confinement  

  40 prisoners in Antalya S Type Closed Prison were sentenced to 11 days of solitary confinement each for their actions against oppression and violations of rights.
• ISIG: At least 695 children killed at work since 2013 

  According to ISIG's report on working children, at least 695 children have been killed at work since 2013. Most of the deaths took place in Urfa.
• Prisoners' action for Öcalan reaches 200th day 

  The Freedom for Öcalan action carried out by prisoners has reached its 200th day.
• Ill prisoner Ayık talks about violations in jails  

  Ill prisoner Devrim Ayık talked about the violations in jails and the health problems he experienced. Ayık said that despite his health condition deteriorating, his transfer request was rejected due to disciplinary penalties.
• 'The law on İmralı and its status are unclear' 

  Speaking at a panel in Urfa, Özgür Erol, a member of Asrin Law Office, described the İmralı island, where Kurdish leader Abdullah Öcalan has been held since 1999, as ‘the first place whose status and the law under which it is administered is unclear'.
• Release of ill prisoner Atsız postponed for the second time 

  The release of Sedat Atsız, an ill prisoner who was held captive for 30 years, was postponed for the second time. Atsız's family applied to IHD against these rights violations.
• Cemal Yıldız and Eren Tekin released from Izmir Şakran prison after 32 years of captivity 

  Prisoners Cemal Yıldız and Eren Tekin were released from Izmir Şakran jail after 32 years of captivity. They were sentenced to life in prison for “undermining the unity and integrity of the state” by a State Security Court (DGM).
• Relatives of the disappeared to meet in Amed today for the 800th time 

  Relatives of the disappeared will meet for the 800th time in Amed today. IHD and families called for solidarity.
• International legal organisations request urgent UN action in the case of Tahir Elçi 

  International legal organisations draw attention to the disappearance of important evidence and the protection of police officers in the Tahir Elçi case.
• Hatem Özdemir appeals death sentence to higher Iranian court  

  HPG guerrilla Hatem Özdemir, who was sentenced by an Iranian court to death after being captured in 2019 in the Maku district of Eastern Kurdistan, appealed to a higher court and objected to the decision.
• On day 114 of hunger strike, Ecevit Piroğlu's life is in danger 

  Ecevit Piroğlu, who was arrested in Serbia under pressure from Turkey and was not released despite high court decisions, is on the 114th day of his hunger strike.
• Report on human rights violations in Rojhilat in May 

  Human rights violations against Kurdish civilians and activists in the Kurdish region of Iran continued in May 2024.
• DEM Party: Y-type, S-type and high security prisons should be closed 

  DEM Party Law and Human Rights Commission stated that “Y-type, S-type and high security prisons are wells and should be closed.”
• ‘Prisons have turned into a well: 78 thousand people have been imprisoned in the last 8 months’ 

  Şebnem Korur Fincancı, President of the Turkish Medical Association, described the new type of prisons as ‘well-type’ and announced that more than 78 thousand people have been imprisoned in the last 8 months.
• Hunger striker activist Ecevit Piroğlu's health condition has worsened 

  The Prisoners' Voice Platform said: "The life of internationalist revolutionary Ecevit Piroğlu, who is on hunger strike in a Serbian prison, is in serious danger."
• Lawyer Erdoğan: Ill prisoners are deliberately left in jail to die 

  The co-spokesperson of the IHD Prison Commission, Yusuf Erdoğan, condemned the way the Turkish state treats ill prisoners. He said that ill prisoners are deliberately left in prison to die.
• Amnesty International: Executions soar to the highest number in almost a decade 

  Amnesty International said in its latest report that "executions soar to the highest number in almost a decade."
• Birtane: Isolation is a problem for the entire society 

  TUHAD-FED Amed co-chair Eylem Birtane said that absolute lack of communication has spread to all society and added: "Isolation is not only a problem of the prisoners. It is a problem for the entire society."
• Kartal: If we stand up, we will break the isolation 

  Afife Kartal, mother of a political prisoner in Turkey, called for a protest and said: "Without standing up, we can't achieve anything. If we stand up, we can break the isolation."
• Condition of 84-year-old seriously ill prisoner Güler worsening 

  The Freedom for Ill Prisoners Initiative said that 84-year-old seriously ill prisoner Sıddık Güler's condition is serious and that "he should be released urgently."
• ÖHD calls for urgent release of ill prisoner Kuday  

  ÖHD said that ill prisoner Abdulkadir Kuday weighed 41 kilos and added that he "should be released urgently."
• Maside Ocak: We will fight to get justice for the disappeared people 

  The Istanbul Saturday Mothers' sit-in has been taking place in Galatasaray Square for 1,000 weeks. Maside Ocak, sister of one of the disappeared, Hasan Ocak, said: “We will continue the fight until our relatives have graves and justice is served.”
• Saturday Mothers issue a call for the 1000th week of their action 

  The Saturday Mothers' struggle for justice for their relatives will enter its 1000th week on Saturday 25 May. The mothers called for carnations to be left at Galatasaray Square.
• 39 MPs from New Zealand support Satuday Mothers 

  39 members of parliament from New Zealand urged the Turkish authorities to allow the 1000th gathering of the Saturday Mothers, without posing any obstacles.
• Ankara massacre to be taken to the European Court of Human Rights 

  Following the dismissal of the lawsuit against Turkish authorities in connection with the Ankara massacre on 10 October 2015, lawyer Ilke Işık announced that she will now take the case to the European Court of Human Rights.