The State of the World’s Human Rights: Turkey

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Executive Summary - Turkiye

Human rights in Türkiye continued to regress. Authorities systematically ignored binding rulings from the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR), particularly in the cases of dismissed teacher Yüksel Yalçınkaya, philanthropist Osman Kavala, and former opposition leader Selahattin Demirtas—each emblematic of Türkiye’s defiance of international law.

The right to a fair trial was repeatedly violated, with courts relying on vague anti-terror charges and disregarding due process. Freedoms of expression, assembly, and association were severely restricted. Peaceful protests were banned or violently dispersed, and dissenting voices—including journalists, lawyers, and human rights defenders—were met with detention and prosecution.

Civil society organizations, independent media, and marginalized groups faced mounting pressure through closures, license removals, and smear campaigns. Violence against women remained widespread, and migrants were unlawfully returned to countries where they faced serious risk.

The report underscores Türkiye’s alarming slide into authoritarianism, marked by impunity, repression, and disregard for both domestic and international legal obligations.

Key Findings

1. Disregard for Court Rulings

   • The Turkish government ignored binding decisions from both the Constitutional Court and the European Court of Human Rights.

   • High-profile cases—including Yüksel Yalçınkaya, Osman Kavala, and Selahattin Demirtaş—remain unresolved, despite clear rulings calling for their release.

2. Arbitrary Detentions and Unfair Trials

   • Anti-terror laws continued to be misused to target opposition figures, lawyers, journalists, and human rights defenders.

   • Individuals were convicted or held based on vague charges, anonymous witnesses, or digital evidence with questionable credibility.

   • Parole rights of political prisoners were frequently violated, with some dying in custody due to denied medical care.

3. Suppression of Freedom of Expression

   • Independent media outlets like Açık Radyo faced bans or license cancellations.

   • Journalists and protesters were detained for “insulting the president” or “making propaganda for a terrorist organization.”

4. Violations of Freedom of Assembly

   • Peaceful demonstrations—including May Day marches, Pride events, and women’s rights protests—were banned or violently dispersed.

   • Hundreds were detained arbitrarily, including minors, lawyers, and international observers.

5. Attacks on Civil Society

   • NGOs were shut down or harassed under Law No. 7262 and anti-terror laws.

   • The Tarlabaşı Community Center and Migration Monitoring Association were among the organizations targeted without due process.

6. Gender-Based Violence

   • Violence against women and girls remained widespread, with nearly 400 women killed in 2024.

   • The state failed to adopt effective policies or ensure justice in these cases.

7. Refugees and Forced Returns

   • Refugees were unlawfully returned to Syria, Afghanistan, and Eritrea, exposing them to serious human rights violations.

8. Climate and Environmental Rights

   • Türkiye’s climate policies were rated “critically insufficient” by the Climate Action Tracker, showing a lack of progress toward the Paris Agreement goals.

     
     

Background

Türkiye faced a growing cost of living crisis with general inflation running at over 44% and food inflation over 43% by the end of year.

Local elections saw the main opposition party achieving significant gains while in some districts the official election results were flouted by officials, resulting in mass protests. Similar widespread demonstrations were sparked when the Ministry of Interior dismissed elected mayors in a number of provinces and districts, on terrorism-related charges, and appointed trustees from the ruling party in their place.

Several attacks by armed groups took place, in which a total of seven people and four attackers were killed at Santa Maria Church, outside the Istanbul Justice Palace in Istanbul province, and at the Kahramankazan facilities of Turkish Aerospace Industries in Ankara province.