Ankara prosecutor launches investigation into campaign against unlawful strip-searches
The Ankara Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office has launched an investigation into recent social media posts and news reports exposing the extensive use of strip-searches...
Controversial new bill gives Turkish gov’t more control over NGOs
A proposed bill approved by the Turkish Parliament's Justice Committee would provide the state more control over nongovernmental and civil society organizations, said Gülseren...
European Court of Human Rights calls for immediate release of Kurdish leader Demirtaş in...
The European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) on Tuesday called for the immediate release of Kurdish politician Selahattin Demirtaş, who has been behind bars...
Turkey’s ‘hyper-presidential system’ violates separation of powers, undermines parliament: report
Turkey’s presidential system has concentrated power in the person of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, weakening the country’s institutions, especially the parliament, a report released...
Erdoğan sues opposition politician over remarks calling him a ‘dictator’
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has filed a lawsuit against a main opposition party politician seeking TL 250,000 ($32,000) in damages for remarks accusing...
42 inmates test positive for COVID-19 in Turkey’s Düzce Prison as cases soar
Forty-two inmates out of 45 who were tested have been diagnosed with COVID-19 in Turkey’s Düzce Prison as cases countrywide have skyrocketed, reaching 2,024,601...
Turkey sees record rise in number of new prisons, inmates during AKP rule: report
There has been a record rise in the number of prisons constructed as well as the number of people who were put behind bars...
Kurdish politician ousted from parliament sentenced to 22 years in prison: report
A high criminal court in southeastern Turkey has handed down a jail sentence of 22 years, three months on terrorism charges to Leyla Güven,...
Kavala’s ongoing detention runs against Turkey’s commitment to rule of law and respect for...
The decision last Friday of an İstanbul court to continue the imprisonment of philanthropist and human rights activist Osman Kavala on charges related to...
YouTube’s decision to appoint local representative in Turkey will increase censorship, rights watchdogs say
YouTube’s move to appoint a local representative in Turkey will inevitably lead to an increase in arbitrary censorship and compromise people’s privacy and right...
Latest Reports
Turkey’s Transnational Repression: 2025 in Review
Turkey's campaign of transnational repression against critics abroad continued throughout 2025. Since a coup attempt in July 2016, President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s long arm...
Turkey’s Crackdown on the Gülen Movement: 2025 in Review
During the year Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan continued to relentlessly pursue anyone with alleged links with the faith-based Gülen movement, which he described...
Women’s rights in Turkey: 2025 in Review
The state of women’s rights in Turkey showed no meaningful improvement in 2025, as longstanding problems persisted and new challenges emerged. Femicides, institutional failures...
Weaponized Diplomacy: How Erdoğan Uses Turkish Missions for Transnational Repression
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This report reveals how the Turkish government has transformed its embassies and consulates into instruments of repression over the past decade. Once seen...
The Forgotten Victims: Children of Turkey’s Post-Coup Purge
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This report examines how children from families targeted in Turkey’s unprecedented post-coup purge have endured the devastating consequences of persecution, social exclusion and...
Human Rights in Turkey: 2024 in Review
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This report highlights the most important developments in the area of human rights in Turkey during the year 2024.
Throughout the year Turkey continued...
Dehumanizing a Legacy: How Fethullah Gülen’s Death Triggered a Campaign of Hate Speech in...
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This report examines the surge of hate speech following the death of Fethullah Gülen, a US-based cleric whose followers have been systematically persecuted...
Family Punishment in Turkey: How Erdoğan Uses the Nazi Practice of Sippenhaft
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This report focuses on how the Turkish government, under President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, has used family punishment against his opponents.
Sippenhaft, also known as...