Babies/Children in Prison – Utku Keklik (4-year-old child)
Profile VICTIM : Utku Keklik (4-year-old child)INCIDENT : A 4-year-old child is held in prison together with his mother.LOCATION : Ankara, TurkeySITUATION : His mother, Havva Keklik, was sentenced to 6 years and 3 months in prison on allegations of membership in the Gülen movement. Case Summary Four-year-old Utku Keklik was sent to Sincan Prison […]
Hurt people, broken communities: The socio-psychological consequences of hate speech
Francesca Le Pera * Introduction Hate speech is often defined as a mere “crime of words”, generated by the inevitable deterioration of free speech in modern societies. However, it actually represents a form of social harm, which can easily translate into the systematic stigmatization and discrimination of entire communities. When words target people based on […]
When Hate Becomes a Weapon: Why State-Driven Hate Speech Demands New Responses
Miranda Mchedlishvili * Not All Hate Speech is the Same Hate speech has traditionally been understood as a social problem rooted in prejudice and community tensions. But not all hate speech is the same. Authoritarian regimes now weaponise hate speech as a tool of digital transnational repression, running coordinated campaigns at industrial scale to silence […]
Critically Ill Prisoners in Turkish Prisons – İdris Ekinci
Profile VICTIM : İdris EkinciINCIDENT : A prisoner diagnosed with depression attempted suicide after being denied access to treatment and healthcare.LOCATION : Sakarya, TurkeySITUATION : Prosecuted on allegations of affiliation with the Gülen movement. Case Summary İdris Ekinci, held in Sakarya Prison, has been diagnosed with depression and requires regular medication. The former civil servant, […]
Why women’s rights matter in the EU context?
Mariam Atanelishvili * Introduction Women’s rights are a fundamental part of the European Union’s commitment to human rights, equality, and democratic values. Equality between women and men is a core value of the EU, enshrined in the Lisbon Treaty; Pursuant to Article 3 of the Treaty on European Union, promoting gender equality is one of […]
Caught in the Crossfire: Women’s Experiences of Violence in War
Weronika Pilsniak * “Violence against women means any act of gender-based violence that is rooted in discrimination, unequal power relations, gender stereotypes and harmful social norms that results in, or is likely to result in, physical, sexual, psychological, social or economic harm or suffering to women and girls, including threats of such acts, neglect, coercion […]
THE 26th March European Parliament Plenary Vote on the Return Regulation
Camilla Portinaro * Chronological Background and Timeline The legislative path toward the March 2026 plenary vote reflects a broader transformation in EU return policy, moving from a system based on minimum standards toward a more unified and enforcement-oriented framework. Since 2008, return procedures have been governed by the Return Directive (2008/115/EC), which established common rules but […]
Critically Ill Prisoners in Turkish Prisons – İlyas Bulut
Profile VICTIM : İlyas BulutINCIDENT : The prisoner, who has attempted suicide twice, is being held in a single-person cell.LOCATION : Kırşehir, TurkeySITUATION : Details of the charges are unknown; has been in detention since 2020. Case Summary İlyas Bulut, held in Kırşehir Prison, has attempted suicide twice during his incarceration and continues to be […]
Critically Ill Prisoners in Turkish Prisons – Şefika Kandar
Profile VICTIM : Şefika KandarINCIDENT : A prisoner with serious illnesses was deemed “fit to remain in prison” by the Forensic Medicine Institution (ATK).LOCATION : Diyarbakır, TurkeySITUATION : Details of the charges are unknown; sentenced to 7 years and 6 months in prison. Case Summary Şefika Kandar, held in Diyarbakır Prison, has been incarcerated since […]
Women in Turkish Prisons – Hatice Tekcan
Profile VICTIM : Hatice TekcanINCIDENT : Following the finalization of her conviction, the detainee was sent to prison, leaving behind her 4-year-old daughter.LOCATION : Samsun, TurkeySITUATION : Sentenced to 6 years and 3 months in prison on alleged affiliation with the Gülen movement. Case Summary Hatice Tekcan was tried as part of investigations targeting the […]