UN Expert Warns of Counter-Terrorism Abuses Targeting Civil Society in MENA Region
During a side event at the 58th session of the UN Human Rights Council, Ben Saul, the UN Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of human rights while countering terrorism, issued a stark warning about the growing misuse of counter-terrorism frameworks across the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. Speaking virtually, Saul criticized […]
UN Expert Condemns Türkiye’s Ongoing Misuse of Anti-Terror Laws Against Human Rights Defenders
The UN Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders, Mary Lawlor, has expressed grave concern over Türkiye’s continued use of counter-terrorism laws to imprison peaceful human rights defenders and lawyers, calling it a blatant violation of international human rights obligations. In a statement released this week, Lawlor condemned the long-term detention of nine […]
UN Working Group Declares Detention of Former Turkish Air Force Commander, Akın Öztürk, Arbitrary
The UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention has issued an opinion declaring that the ongoing detention of Akin Öztürk, former Commander of the Turkish Air Force, is arbitrary and in violation of international law. The Group called on the Government of Türkiye to release him immediately and ensure accountability for the violations of his rights. […]
Türkiye’s Human Rights Record Under Scrutiny as UN Committee Against Torture Reviews Fifth Periodic Report
Solidarity with OTHERS has submitted two reports to the UN Committee Against Torture (CAT) as part of Türkiye’s fifth periodic review. The first report documents systematic torture, enforced disappearances, humiliating strip searches, and arbitrary detentions targeting members of the Gülen movement and the Kurdish minority, pointing to the authorities’ persistent failure to investigate or prosecute […]
Open Letter to the Newly Elected President of the Court of Cassation of Turkey
An Open Letter to Mr. Ömer Kerkez, the newly elected President of the Court of Cassation of Turkey, has been communicated by International Human Rights Organizations and Legal Professionals. 📌The letter extends congratulations to Mr. Kerkez on his new position as president and highlights the critical importance of judicial independence and impartiality. It addresses concerns […]
Disabled Prisoners in Detention Centers, Critically Ill Prisoners in Turkish Prisons – Emin Güler
Profile VICTIM : Emin GülerINCIDENT : A 94% disabled inmate was denied release after his officially recognized disability rate was reduced.LOCATION : Elazığ, TurkeySITUATION : Sentenced to 11 years and 10 months in prison on charges of “membership in an organization.” Case Summary The release of Emin Güler, a 94% physically disabled inmate held in […]
UN WGAD Declares Detention of Turkish Journalist Ali Ünal Arbitrary
The United Nations Working Group on Arbitrary Detention (WGAD) has ruled that the detention of Turkish journalist and author Ali Ünal is arbitrary and violates international human rights law. In an official opinion adopted during its 96th session, the Working Group found that Ünal’s deprivation of liberty falls under four separate categories of arbitrary detention, […]
Five Contributions to UN Global Study: Exposing Turkey’s Misuse of Counter-Terrorism Measures
Solidarity with OTHERS has submitted five separate contributions to the UN Global Study on the Impact of Counter-Terrorism Measures, drawing attention to Turkey’s misuse of security frameworks to silence dissent. Our inputs document systematic rights violations, ranging from the closure of 3,942 institutions by emergency decrees to the criminalisation of Belgium-based NGOs, and from widespread […]
UN Working Group Deems the Arrest and Transfer of Turkish Nationals Alettin Duman and Tamer Tibik as Arbitrary Detention
In its ninety-third session, the United Nations Working Group on Arbitrary Detention (WGAD) issued Opinion No. 8/2022 concerning the cases of Alettin Duman and Tamer Tibik, Turkish nationals who were abducted in Malaysia and forcibly returned to Turkey in 2016. The Working Group concluded that both individuals were subjected to arbitrary detention in violation of […]
Documented Misuse of SLTD Database by Turkey Reported to Interpol
Solidarity with OTHERS has revealed fresh evidence proving Turkey’s abuse of Interpol systems to pursue political opponents abroad. An official letter from the Turkish Ministry of Justice to the Ankara Chief Public Prosecutor, now disclosed, admits that Ankara falsely marked dissidents’ passports as “lost” or “stolen” in Interpol’s Stolen and Lost Travel Documents (SLTD) database, […]