UN REPORTS

Title	Issued By	People	Reporting Period	Relevant Date	UN Symbol	Description
Remarks of the Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms while countering terrorism, Ben Saul	Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms while countering terrorism	-	—	2025-03-10	—	Ben Saul criticized Turkey for its use of overly broad and vague definitions of “terrorism” and “extremism,” which are often exploited to restrict civic space and suppress human rights. He highlighted serious concerns regarding the lack of fair trials and an independent judiciary, noting instances of political interference in the legal system. Specific reference was made to the persecution of the Gülen movement, illustrating how terrorism charges are used to silence dissent. The Rapporteur pointed to issues such as forced confessions, prolonged pre-trial detention, limited access to legal counsel, and convictions in absentia—all of which violate international human rights standards. He emphasized that Turkey must implement significant reforms in both its counter-terrorism laws and judicial practices.
Press Release of the Special Procedures on the Misuse of Counter-Terrorism Law to Detain Human Rights Defenders in Türkiye: Expert Concerns	Special Rapporteur on The Situation of Human Rights Defenders	Selçuk Kozağaçlı, Oya Aslan, Barkin Timtik, Aytaç Ünsal, Özgür Yılmaz, Behiç Aşçı, Engin Gökoğlu, Süleyman Gökten, Turan Canpolat	—	2025-01-16	—	The UN Special Rapporteur on human rights defenders, Mary Lawlor, has condemned Türkiye’s continued misuse of counter-terrorism laws to imprison nine prominent human rights defenders and lawyers, who were arbitrarily arrested, unfairly convicted on terrorism-related charges, and sentenced to long-term imprisonment. Most are members of the Progressive Lawyers’ Association (ÇHD), known for defending victims of police violence and political repression. Lawlor criticized Türkiye for using anti-terror laws to silence peaceful dissent and for conducting unfair trials that failed to meet international standards. She also condemned the prolonged solitary confinement of lawyer Turan Canpolat, detained since 2016 based on coerced testimony. Despite previous communications with Turkish authorities, the criminalization of human rights work persists. Urging Türkiye to comply with international human rights obligations, ensure fair trials, and prevent ill-treatment of detainees, Lawlor expressed readiness for further discussions. The statement was endorsed by two other UN Special Rapporteurs, highlighting concerns over judicial independence and human rights protection in counter-terrorism efforts.
Opinions adopted by the Working Group on Arbitrary Detention at its 100th session, 26–30 August 2024	Working Group on Arbitrary Detention	Akın Öztürk	—	2024-11-29	A/HRC/WGAD/2024/33	During its 100th session (26–30 August 2024), the UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention concluded that Akin Öztürk’s detention was arbitrary. The Group found that Öztürk was arrested without legal justification, denied the right to a fair trial, and subjected to political discrimination. Accused of involvement in the 15 July 2016 coup attempt, he suffered torture and was sentenced to aggravated life imprisonment without due process. The Working Group recommended that the Turkish government release Öztürk immediately, provide him with compensation, and conduct an independent investigation into his case.
Concluding observations on the second periodic report of Türkiye	Human Rights Committee	-	—	2024-11-07	CCPR/C/TUR/CO/2	The United Nations Human Rights Committee's Concluding Observations on Türkiye's second periodic report under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) outline progress and areas for improvement in Türkiye's human rights practices. The Committee acknowledges positive steps, such as new measures to address gender-based violence, yet expresses concerns over issues including judicial independence, misuse of counter-terrorism legislation, restrictions on freedoms of expression and association, and protections for marginalized groups. The document provides specific recommendations to enhance these areas and calls for effective implementation mechanisms to strengthen Türkiye's compliance with ICCPR standards.
Decision adopted by the Committee under the Optional Protocol, concerning communication No. 3592/2019	Human Rights Committee	G.B.	—	2024-11-07	CCPR/C/142/D/3592/2019	The Human Rights Committee reviewed communication No. 3592/2019, submitted by G.B., a Turkish national, alleging violations of his rights under several articles of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR). G.B. claimed unlawful dismissal from his civil service job, persecution due to alleged ties to FETÖ, and inability to access remedies. He faced an arrest warrant, limited freedom of movement, and isolation while contesting his dismissal and rights violations. Türkiye argued that G.B. failed to exhaust domestic remedies. The Committee found that G.B. had not adequately pursued available legal channels, including appeals through Türkiye’s Inquiry Commission, administrative courts, and Constitutional Court. His claims under various ICCPR articles were deemed inadmissible due to lack of substantiation or failure to exhaust remedies. Thus, the Committee declared the communication inadmissible.
Decision adopted by the Committee under the Optional Protocol, concerning communication No. 3668/2019	Human Rights Committee	E.A	—	2024-11-07	CCPR/C/142/D/3668/2019	The Human Rights Committee reviewed communication No. 3668/2019, submitted by E.A., a Turkish national, claiming violations of her rights under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR). E.A. alleged arbitrary detention, inhuman treatment, and unfair trial after being arrested for purported links to the Gülen movement (FETÖ). She also claimed her diabetes was neglected in prison, leading to deteriorating health. Türkiye argued that domestic remedies were not exhausted and the case was inadmissible. The Committee found the claims inadmissible under articles 2 and 5 (2) (a) of the Optional Protocol, as E.A.'s case was being examined by the European Court of Human Rights on similar grounds. Allegations under additional ICCPR articles were dismissed for insufficient substantiation.
Special Procedures Communication - Systematic Repression and Human Rights Violations Addressing Allegations Against Persons Affiliated with the Gülen Movement	Special Procedures Mandate Holders	-	—	2024-10-07	AL TUR 5/2024	The mandates of the Special Rapporteur on promoting and protecting human rights while countering terrorism, along with other UN Special Procedures, address systemic issues such as mass arrests, enforced disappearances, surveillance, and misuse of counter-terrorism laws. These mechanisms highlight concerns over human rights abuses, such as arbitrary detentions, mistreatment of detainees, transnational renditions, and limitations on freedoms of expression, assembly, and association, as exemplified in Türkiye's alleged repression of individuals associated with the Gülen Movement. The mandates advocate adherence to international legal standards, due process, and remedies for victims, while urging Türkiye to align its counter-terrorism efforts with human rights obligations.
Decision adopted by the Committee under the Optional Protocol, concerning communication No. 4275/2022	Human Rights Committee	S.N.K. - Y.T.	—	2024-09-23	CCPR/C/141/D/4275/2022	The Human Rights Committee reviewed communication No. 4275/2022, submitted by S.N.K. on behalf of herself and her disappeared brother, Y.T., alleging violations of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) by Türkiye. Y.T., a supporter of the Gülen movement, went missing after being dismissed from civil service under post-2016 coup decrees. Allegations included enforced disappearance, lack of effective investigation, and inhumane treatment of his family due to the state's failure to establish his whereabouts. Türkiye argued the case was inadmissible, citing an ongoing investigation and a prior European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) decision. The Committee ruled the case inadmissible under Article 5(2)(a) of the Optional Protocol, finding it had already been examined by the ECHR. A concurring opinion criticized the ECHR’s reasoning as inadequate in addressing enforced disappearance and systemic repression of Gülen supporters.
Concluding observations on the fifth periodic report of Türkiye	Committee against Torture	-	—	2024-08-14	CAT/C/TUR/CO/5	The document is a review by the Committee against Torture assessing Türkiye’s adherence to the Convention against Torture, emphasizing the need for a clear legal definition of torture aligned with international standards, stronger safeguards for detainees, humane prison conditions, restrictions on solitary confinement, protections for human rights defenders, and independent investigations into alleged abuses. It also calls for restraint in law enforcement’s use of force, especially in counter-terrorism and border control, and advocates for an independent judiciary to uphold human rights without political interference.
Decisions adopted by the Committee under article 5 (4) of the Optional Protocol, concerning communications Nos. 3923/2021 and 3924/202	Human Rights Committee	İ.K.	—	2024-07-23	CCPR/C/141/D/3923/2021	The Human Rights Committee reviewed communications Nos. 3923/2021 and 3924/2021 submitted by İ.K. and E.T., respectively, alleging violations of their rights under Article 14 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) by Türkiye. Both claimed unfair trials and lack of judicial independence, linked to post-2016 coup purges. İ.K. alleged violations during his conviction for alleged FETÖ membership, while E.T. claimed unfair administrative proceedings that barred him from practicing law. Türkiye argued the cases were inadmissible, citing ongoing European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) proceedings on the same matters. The Committee determined that both cases raised identical issues and facts already examined or being examined by the ECHR, rendering them inadmissible under Article 5 (2) (a) of the Optional Protocol.
Decisions adopted by the Committee under article 5 (4) of the Optional Protocol, concerning communications Nos. 3923/2021 and 3924/202	Human Rights Committee	E.T.	—	2024-07-23	CCPR/C/141/D/3924/2021	The Human Rights Committee reviewed communications Nos. 3923/2021 and 3924/2021 submitted by İ.K. and E.T., respectively, alleging violations of their rights under Article 14 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) by Türkiye. Both claimed unfair trials and lack of judicial independence, linked to post-2016 coup purges. İ.K. alleged violations during his conviction for alleged FETÖ membership, while E.T. claimed unfair administrative proceedings that barred him from practicing law. Türkiye argued the cases were inadmissible, citing ongoing European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) proceedings on the same matters. The Committee determined that both cases raised identical issues and facts already examined or being examined by the ECHR, rendering them inadmissible under Article 5 (2) (a) of the Optional Protocol.
Special Procedures Communication - Lawyers and Human Rights Defenders in Diyarbakır	Special Procedures Mandate Holders	-	2016 to present	2024-06-21	AL TUR 3/2024	Information received regarding concerns about systemic lack of due process guarantees in cases of alleged terrorism, lawyers and human rights defenders in Diyarbakır are facing arrests and judicial harassment, with individuals currently on trial for their professional activities under the accusation of “membership of an armed/terrorist organization” and others remaining under pending investigations; in a context of actions taken by the Executive that interfere with the Judiciary and infringe on its independence.
Opinions adopted by the Working Group on Arbitrary Detention at its ninety-sixth session, 27 March–5 April 2023	Working Group on Arbitrary Detention	Muhammet Şentürk	—	2023-04-04	A/HRC/WGAD/2023/29	The UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention found the detention of Muhammet Şentürk, a Turkish national accused of links to the Gülen movement, to be arbitrary and in violation of international law. Arrested in 2016 following the attempted coup in Turkey, Şentürk was convicted based on allegations such as using the ByLock app, participating in demonstrations, and holding an account at Bank Asya—activities deemed peaceful and lawful at the time. The Working Group highlighted significant procedural violations, including reliance on coerced witness testimonies, lack of access to key evidence, and unfair trial practices. It determined Şentürk’s detention violated his rights to freedom of expression, fair trial, and non-discrimination. Despite his release in 2020, the Working Group recommended compensation, an independent investigation, and reforms to prevent similar violations, emphasizing Turkey’s pattern of discriminatory detentions linked to political affiliations.
Opinions adopted by the Working Group on Arbitrary Detention at its ninety-sixth session, 27 March–5 April 2023	Working Group on Arbitrary Detention	Ali Ünal	—	2023-03-27	A/HRC/WGAD/2023/3	The Human Rights Council’s Working Group on Arbitrary Detention found the detention of journalist and writer Ali Ünal by Turkey to be arbitrary under international law, violating his rights to liberty, fair trial, and freedom of expression. Arrested in 2016 during a crackdown on individuals alleged to be linked to the Gülen movement, Ünal was sentenced to 19.5 years in prison based on his journalistic activities and associations, with no evidence of involvement in criminal or violent acts. The Working Group noted procedural flaws, lack of judicial independence, discriminatory treatment, and inadequate legal safeguards. It called for Ünal’s immediate release, compensation, and accountability for rights violations. The case reflects a broader pattern of repression against perceived Gülen movement sympathizers in Turkey.
Decision adopted by the Committee under article 22 of the Convention, concerning communication No. 1081/2021	Committee against Torture	X, Y	—	2023-01-19	CAT/C/75/D/1081/2021	The United Nations Committee Against Torture reviewed a complaint by two Turkish nationals, X and Y, against Switzerland, alleging a violation of Article 3 of the Convention Against Torture. The couple, linked to the Gülen movement, argued that deportation to Kosovo could expose them to rendition to Türkiye, where they risked torture. Swiss authorities deemed Kosovo safe, citing residence permits and assurances from Kosovo that the family would not be deported to Türkiye. However, X and Y highlighted Türkiye's influence in Kosovo and previous abductions of Gülen affiliates. The Committee found insufficient evidence of personal risk to the complainants and upheld Kosovo’s designation as a safe third country.
Views adopted by the Committee under article 5 (4) of the Optional Protocol, concerning communication No. 3730/2020	Human Rights Committee	Gökhan Açıkollu Adına Eşi Mümin Açıkollu	—	2022-10-25	CCPR/C/136/D/3730/2020	The document outlines the decision by the UN Human Rights Committee under Article 5(4) of the Optional Protocol concerning Mümüne Açikkollu and her deceased husband, Gökhan Açikkollu. Gökhan Açikkollu, a teacher dismissed during the state of emergency in Turkey after the 2016 coup attempt, was arrested on charges of affiliation with the Gülen movement. While in custody, he suffered severe torture and ill-treatment despite his pre-existing health issues. He died from a heart attack allegedly induced by torture. The Committee found that Turkey violated Articles 6, 7, and 9 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), including the rights to life, protection against torture, and freedom from arbitrary detention. It recommended an independent investigation into his death, accountability for perpetrators, compensation for the family, and measures to prevent similar violations.
Views adopted by the Committee under article 5 (4) of the Optional Protocol, concerning communication No. 3736/2020	Human Rights Committee	Mukadder Alakuş	—	2022-07-26	CCPR/C/135/D/3736/2020	The document details the decision of the UN Human Rights Committee under Article 5(4) of the Optional Protocol regarding Mukadder Alakuş, a Turkish national detained in Turkey, who alleged violations of her rights under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR). She claimed inhumane detention conditions, lack of adequate medical care, arbitrary arrest, and unfair trial due to her alleged links with the Gülen movement. The Committee found violations of Articles 9, 10, 14, and 15 of the ICCPR, including unlawful detention, inadequate detention conditions, denial of the right to a fair trial, and retroactive application of criminal laws. It recommended that Turkey release her, compensate her adequately, and implement measures to prevent similar violations in the future.
Fifth periodic report submitted by Turkey under article 19 of the Convention pursuant to the simplified reporting procedure, due in 2020	Committee against Torture	-	—	2022-04-04	CAT/C/TUR/5	The report is Turkey's fifth periodic submission under the UN Convention against Torture, addressing measures taken to prevent torture and ill-treatment. It provides an overview of legal, administrative, and institutional reforms, including the adoption of international human rights standards and improvements to detention conditions. Turkey emphasizes its "zero tolerance for torture" policy, detailing procedural safeguards for detainees, training for law enforcement, and mechanisms to monitor allegations of abuse. Specific cases, prison improvements, and legal amendments are discussed to demonstrate compliance with international obligations.
Opinions adopted by the Working Group on Arbitrary Detention at its ninety-third session, 30 March-8 April 2022	Working Group on Arbitrary Detention	Alettin Duman ve Tamer Tibik	—	2022-03-30	A/HRC/WGAD/2022/8	The Human Rights Council’s Working Group on Arbitrary Detention found the detention of Turkish nationals Alettin Duman and Tamer Tibik to be arbitrary, involving abduction by Malaysian authorities without due process and their forced transfer to Turkey, where they faced torture, unfair trials, and imprisonment based on tenuous accusations linked to the Hizmet/Gülen movement. Both governments violated international human rights laws, including protections against arbitrary detention, torture, and discrimination, prompting calls for their immediate release, compensation, and accountability for those responsible.
Special Procedures Communication - Ayşe Özdoğan	Special Procedures Mandate Holders	Ayşe Özdoğan	08 Apr 2019 to present	2021-12-06	UA TUR 13/2021	Information received concerning the alleged arbitrary arrest and detention under accusations of membership of a terrorist organization of Ms. Ayşe Özdoğa who is in serious medical situation (Cancer stage 4) and strongly urge your Excellency’s Government to grant her immediate release on humanitarian grounds. This person is accused of being members of the so-called “Gülen” or “Gülenist” movement considered by the Turkish Government as “terrorist” and referred to as FETÖ (Turkish acronym for “Fethullahçı Terör Örgütü”).
Special Procedures Communication - Ebru Timtik and others	Special Procedures Mandate Holders	Ebru Timtik, Aytaç Ünsal, Özgür Yılmaz, Behiç Aşçı, Şükriye Erden, Engin Gökoğlu, Süleyman Gökten, Barkın Timtik, Selçuk Kozağaçlı, Oya Aslan, Günay Dağ, Osman Kavala, Eren Keskin, Mehmet Tuncel, Abuzer Yavas, Vetha Aydin, Şebnem Korur Fincancı, Erol Önderoğlu, Fevzi Kayacan, Turan Canpolat, Feti Ün, Talip Nayir	March 2020 to present	2021-05-20	AL TUR 9/2021	Informationreceived concerning cases of human rights defenders who have allegedly been arbitrarily detained and sentenced to 10 years or more, or those at risk of being sentenced to 10 years or more, in connection to the promotion and defence of human rights.
Joint Written Statement Submitted by Lawyers' Rights Watch Canada, Lawyers for Lawyers, Non-Governmental Organizations in Special Consultative Status	Non-Governmental Organization (NGO)	-	—	2021-02-24	A/HRC/46/NGO/56	The document, submitted jointly by Lawyers' Rights Watch Canada and Lawyers for Lawyers, highlights the alarming decline of the rule of law and the persecution of human rights defenders, including lawyers, in Turkey since the attempted coup in 2016. It documents widespread arbitrary dismissals, detentions, and prosecutions under vague anti-terrorism laws, resulting in over 450 lawyers being imprisoned. The NGOs call on Turkey to release detained legal professionals, ensure judicial independence, and comply with international human rights obligations.
Opinions adopted by the Working Group on Arbitrary Detention at its eighty-ninth session, 23–27 November 2020	Working Group on Arbitrary Detention	Osman Karaca	—	2020-11-26	A/HRC/WGAD/2020/84	Managing Director of AMT Group was arrested without a warrant, charged with leading an armed terrorist organization. The source alleges he was arrested by the Cambodian counter-terrorism police acting on behalf of Turkish authorities; was held incommunicado in a secret Cambodian detention facility; was not provided with a reason for the arrest or access to a lawyer; was illegally transferred to Turkey and imprisoned in the country several days later. Government of Turkey alleges that in response to the Fethullah terrorist organization's attempted coup d’état in 2016, measures have been taken to restore democracy and protect the rights of the Turkish people; these measures accorded with domestic and international law. Regarding Cambodia, the Working Group finds the government in contravention of articles 2, 3, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11 (1) and 13 (1)–(2) of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and articles 2 (1) and (3); 9 (1), (2) and (4); 12 (1) and (2); 13; 14 (1) and (3) (b) and (d); 16; and 26 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, falling within categories I, III and V. Regarding Turkey, the Working Group finds the government in contravention of articles 2, 3, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11 (1) and 13 (1) and (2) of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and articles 2 (1) and (3); 9 (1), (2), (3) and (4); 12 (1) and (2); 14 (1) and (3) (b) and (d); 16; and 26 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, falling within categories I, III and V.
Opinions adopted by the Working Group on Arbitrary Detention at its eighty-ninth session, 23–27 November 2020	Working Group on Arbitrary Detention	Ahmet Dincer Sakaoglu	—	2020-11-24	A/HRC/WGAD/2020/67	Senior cadet at the Turkish Air Force Academy detained. Source alleges detainee was taken away from the Academy by his commanders on account of a “terrorist attack;” commanders took the detainee and other military cadets to provide security in a district of Istanbul; commanders forbade the use of mobile telephones; detainee and his colleagues were taken by bus to Gayrettepe police station and held for four days; was not told why they had been detained and received no legal assistance; detainee was insulted and beaten and his belongings were taken away; was deprived of food and water; dozens of cadets crammed into a very small and unsanitary police cell; detainee was taken for a medical examination but the doctor was afraid, working under the surveillance of police officers; detainee was directed to blame the crime on his commanders, although he was not aware of the events leading to or the reasons for his arrest; detainee was taken to a criminal court of peace to give a statement; an inexperienced lawyer was appointed to the detainee at the last moment; lawyer was not able to defend the detainee as he had not had the opportunity to see or talk to him before the questioning began; his detention was then extended without a new reason being given and no concrete or circumstantial evidence; an indictment was issued seven months after arrest; the first hearing in his trial took place after nine months; none of the military cadets were provided with the facilities to prepare their defence and could only meet their lawyers once a week; all the witnesses and other defendants testified in favor of the military cadets; the evidence should have resulted in a ruling to the detainee’s favor, but him and the other military cadets were sentenced to life imprisonment; detainee was sentenced to life imprisonment on the grounds of violating the Constitutional order; all the military cadets in the Turkish Air Force Academy were expelled with the claim that 95 per cent of all military cadets in all military schools were members of the Fethullah terrorist organization; however, the detainee was not tried and convicted on charges of being a member of that organization, so he was expelled unjustly from the Academy; the military cadets were considered guilty from the beginning of the trial; most members of the courts were replaced after the establishment of the state of emergency, allowing for prearranged trials; the detainee’s right to correspond through letters was not implemented for two years; detainee was not able to explain the conditions of his detention to a research commission that was sent in 2017 to carry out an inspection, as he was watched over by executive officers who had tortured and mistreated him; source argues there was a perception in the public that military cadets were part of the Fethullah terrorist organization, so were considered guilty from the beginning unlike the private soldiers; the president of the court was appointed to the Supreme Court, which to the source shows he was rewarded for his verdict; the court excluded evidence from the trial that was in favor of the detainee. Government alleges that in order to restore democracy and protect the rights and freedoms of Turkish citizens since the coup attempt by the Fethullah terrorist organization in July 2016, organization members needed to be rooted out; a state of emergency was declared shortly after the attempted coup and throughout the state of emergency Turkey had acted in accordance with its human rights obligations; effective domestic legal remedies are available in Turkey and include the right to lodge individual applications with the Constitutional court; Inquiry Commission on State of Emergency Measures was established with a view to receiving applications regarding administrative acts carried out pursuant to decree laws enacted during the state of emergency; further remedies are available against the decisions of the Inquiry Commission, and the European Court of Human Rights has recognized the Inquiry Commission as a domestic remedy; even prior to the attempted coup, the Fethullah terrorist organization had been known to blackmail politicians and bureaucrats, cheat in public examinations to place its members in government posts, practice social engineering, manipulation and indoctrination, and initiate judicial proceedings against its opponents with fabricated stories; Government alleges the organization is now presenting itself as the victim of human rights violations to hide its crimes; it is the organization that has actually perpetrated grave human rights violations in Turkey, including cold-blooded killing of hundreds of innocent Turkish citizens; Government affirms that Turkey will continue to expand human rights and freedoms and maintain its long-standing cooperation with international organizations; on the night of the attempted coup d’état, the detainee took part in an attempt to take over a satellite television provider ordered by military commanders who were members of the Fethullah terrorist organization with the aim of manipulating the Turkish public through media; person in question was detained because of the severity of the crimes he had been charged with and a risk that he might flee; for both questionings, the detainee was in the presence of his lawyer; the detainee repeatedly witness his commanders engaging in activities that clearly constituted crimes and followed their orders anyway; the source’s allegations that the detainee’s actions should not be considered a crime since he was following the orders of his superior officers does not hold up, as it is a well-established legal principle that such a defence is not enough to escape punishment; the government underlines that the legal process regarding the detainee has not been finalized and his case is currently before the Court of Cassation; neither the detainee nor his lawyer brought forward complaints of ill-treatment; the government disputes the allegation of the impartiality of Turkish courts. The Working Group finds the Government in contravention of articles 1, 2, 3, 8, 9, 10 and 11 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and articles 2 (3), 9, 14, 26 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, falling under categories I, III and V.
Opinions adopted by the Working Group on Arbitrary Detention at its eighty-ninth session, 23–27 November 2020	Working Group on Arbitrary Detention	Levent Kart	—	2020-11-24	A/HRC/WGAD/2020/66	Citizen of Turkey arrested without a warrant, detained, charged with being a member of the “Fethullah terrorist organization” and sentenced to six years and three months in prison. Source alleges detainee’s digital devices were confiscated; detainee was held for questioning in a custody room in Istanbul Courthouse under inadequate conditions; held in a small room on the seventh floor underground with more than twenty people; not enough space for sitting or lying down to sleep; not enough food and unable to bathe or shave for fifteen days; Heavy Penal Court of Istanbul ordered detention of detainee and he was transferred to Silivri L-type Closed Prison; source alleges detainee was accused of being a member of the Fethullah terrorist organization because he was an academic staff member at Fatih university, specifically the Dean of the Medical Faculty, and used the ByLock application and had a bank account at Bank Asya; detainee was sentenced to six years and three months in prison; the Court of Appeal confirmed the conviction; detainee reportedly had WhatsApp messages related to Fethullah Gülen and information about the organization from 2015 on his laptop and tablets; detainee also had the applications of Zaman newspaper, Bank Asya and Sizinti magazine and, inter alia, KakaoTalk and Bylock on his tablets; at the time of submission, detainee was being held in detention alongside forty other people in a seven-person ward; detainee was allowed a forty minute visit with no contact and a forty minute phone call every week, and visits during which contact was allowed, under control, once a month; the source contests the detainee has had no connection with the Fethulllah terrorist organization and the basis of the accusation rests on his profession; detainee accepted the offer of employment at Fatih University because of its high standing and never attended any activities of the Fethullah terrorist organization; detainee never downloaded or used the ByLock application and two formal reports offer proof he did not use it; Court of Cassation issued a decision in which it stated an individual cannot be accused of being a member of the organization unless there is content in the ByLock application, yet one of the reasons for the detainee’s detention is his presence on the ByLock users list; source reports that during police questioning detainee was accused of downloading the application twice on two different phones, but according to official reports there seemed to be only one; the ByLock application was present on the detainee’s tablet but had been downloaded from the applications store Google Play and was therefore not deliberately downloaded; it is also untrue that the application can only be downloaded by members of the terrorist organization; detainee’s computer was a gift used by some work colleagues and videos may have been downloaded by them; only videos found were from 2015, so the detainee could not have watched them regularly; messages mentioning Fethullah Gülen by name had been sent by others to him and received through a WhatsApp chat group of the Lung Health and Intensive Care Association consisting of multiple colleagues of the detainee from different places; the group shared professional messages but the detainee does not know of, send or share contentious messages; detainee used the KakaoTalk application for videoconference calls when he was working with a firm at the end of 2014; one of the partners of the firm downloaded KaKaoTalk from Google Play then it was deleted; detainee did download general applications such as Zaman and Bank Asya, and subsequently the others could have been downloaded from the list of recommended applications; indictment was issued only nine months after detainee’s arrest; first trial hearing occurred eleven months after his deprivation of liberty; court ignored an expert report showing Mr. Kart was not a ByLock user; detainee was convicted on the basis of findings that the Court of Cassation had previously determined cannot constitute proof for the purposes of conviction; prosecution gathered findings that were not corpus delicti in themselves and considered them evidence of the detainee’s membership of the Fethullah terrorist organization; working at a university founded and monitored by the government cannot be constitutive of a crime; detainee has been suffering from depression since his deprivation of liberty began; after the Government’s reply, the Court of Cassation reversed the judgment and sent the case back to the local court; local court deemed a thirty-three month detention period sufficient and his detention was terminated on that same day; in further proceedings a verdict was handed down and the detainee was found guilty of membership of the organization; the appeal is pending with the Court of Cassation. Government alleges that in order to restore democracy and protect the rights and freedoms of Turkish citizens since the coup attempt by the Fethullah terrorist organization in July 2016, organization members needed to be rooted out; a state of emergency was declared shortly after the attempted coup and throughout the state of emergency Turkey had acted in accordance with its human rights obligations; effective domestic legal remedies are available in Turkey and include the right to lodge individual applications with the Constitutional court; Inquiry Commission on State of Emergency Measures was established with a view to receiving applications regarding administrative acts carried out pursuant to decree laws enacted during the state of emergency; further remedies are available against the decisions of the Inquiry Commission, and the European Court of Human Rights has recognized the Inquiry Commission as a domestic remedy; even prior to the attempted coup, the Fethullah terrorist organization had been known to blackmail politicians and bureaucrats, cheat in public examinations to place its members in government posts, practice social engineering, manipulation and indoctrination, and initiate judicial proceedings against its opponents with fabricated stories; Government alleges the organization is now presenting itself as the victim of human rights violations to hide its crimes; it is the organization that has actually perpetrated grave human rights violations in Turkey, including cold-blooded killing of hundreds of innocent Turkish citizens; Government affirms that Turkey will continue to expand human rights and freedoms and maintain its long-standing cooperation with international organizations; Government provides supplementary information regarding measures taken with respect to the treatment of persons deprived of their liberty in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. The Working Group finds the Government in contravention of articles 2, 3, 8, 9, 10 and 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and articles 9,10 (1), 14, 19 and 26 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, falling under categories I, II, III and V
Opinions adopted by the Working Group on Arbitrary Detention at its eighty-ninth session, 23–27 November 2020	Working Group on Arbitrary Detention	Nermin Yasar	—	2020-11-23	A/HRC/WGAD/2020/74	Turkish citizen arrested without a warrant, charged with being a member of the Fethullah terrorist organization, installing and using the ByLock mobile application, and founding a society called the Empathy Women and Business Association, and sentenced to seven and a half years in prison. Source alleges detainee was arrested at her home by the Manisa police counter-terrorism department; the police told her they had a warrant to search her house; they seized digital materials owned by her and her family members; at the time of arrest, the police officers showed her only the search warrant, but no arrest warrant; they told her only that she was arrested in relation to the “Fethullah terrorist organization/Parallel State Structure;” detainee was then transferred to Manisa police station, to the counter-terrorism branch; she was detained in a small and unsanitary cell with thirty-three other women; she was not allowed to contact her family; she was subjected to severe sleep deprivation; she was held in custody for twenty days and only allowed one shower during that time; there was no clean drinking water; prior to her official interrogation, detainee was allowed to meet with her lawyer, but their conversation was recorded and filmed; in subsequent meetings, their conversations were similarly restricted; her lawyer was subjected to full body searches before the visits and was unable to bring in any legal documents or leave anything with the detainee; when she was interrogated for the first time, the detainee learned that the charges against her concerned her using the ByLock mobile application and attending meetings of and supporting the Hizmet movement; she was brought before a judge and was placed in detention; allegedly without any evidence being presented against her; she was not permitted to present any information in her defence or see the evidence; the judge insisted there was a suspicion that the detainee will flee, so must therefore be held in pretrial detention; during detention, she stays in an overcrowded cell together with more than twenty-five people; she has a serious illness that requires continuous treatment but has not been allowed access to it; she was allowed to see her family after two months of detention and is able to see them every two months; she is permitted to take calls on a weekly basis; all petitions for release and judicial control have been rejected; after ten months, an indictment was prepared by which she was charged with being a member of the Fethullah terrorist organization, of installing and using the ByLock mobile application and of founding a society called Empathy Women and Business Association; during the first trial hearing, she was asked about her use of the ByLock application, but denied having used it; witnesses reportedly explained that she had attended social events related to the Hizmet Movement; the judge decided to extend her detention; the evidence against her consisted of a spreadsheet sent by the Turkish intelligence service containing a list of “ByLock users” and the presence of individuals’ names in that list was reportedly sufficient to find them guilty; she was sentenced to seven and a half years in prison, having been found guilty of all the charges; the Izmir Second Regional Court of Appeal approved the decision without any hearing; her case is now pending before the Court of Cassation; detainee is imprisoned in Manisa E-type Closed Prison; the source concludes that the judgement against the detainee is not related to any terrorist action but rather to her support for the Hizmet movement; the source argues that another reason for her arrest is her social background, as there is allegedly systematic discrimination against dissident individuals who are tagged as Hizmet supporters; the source recalls that more than 150,000 individuals have been arrested for supporting the Hizmet movement; the criminal accusation against the detainee for her membership of a legally established associated, eight years prior to its post-coup criminalization, violates the elementary principle of nulla poena sine lege; acts such as attending social activities and trips and using a mobile application were not defined as criminal offences by law; she has never tried to escape or hide from justice; in light of her health issues, her imprisonment could be converted to house arrest. The Government alleges that in order to restore democracy and protect the rights and freedoms of Turkish citizens since the coup attempt by the Fethullah terrorist organization in July 2016, organization members needed to be rooted out; a state of emergency was declared shortly after the attempted coup and throughout the state of emergency Turkey had acted in accordance with its human rights obligations; effective domestic legal remedies are available in Turkey and include the right to lodge individual applications with the Constitutional court; Inquiry Commission on State of Emergency Measures was established with a view to receiving applications regarding administrative acts carried out pursuant to decree laws enacted during the state of emergency; further remedies are available against the decisions of the Inquiry Commission, and the European Court of Human Rights has recognized the Inquiry Commission as a domestic remedy; even prior to the attempted coup, the Fethullah terrorist organization had been known to blackmail politicians and bureaucrats, cheat in public examinations to place its members in government posts, practice social engineering, manipulation and indoctrination, and initiate judicial proceedings against its opponents with fabricated stories; Government alleges the organization is now presenting itself as the victim of human rights violations to hide its crimes; it is the organization that has actually perpetrated grave human rights violations in Turkey, including cold-blooded killing of hundreds of innocent Turkish citizens; Government affirms that Turkey will continue to expand human rights and freedoms and maintain its long-standing cooperation with international organizations. The Working Group finds the Government in contravention of articles 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11 (1), 19, 20 (1), 21 (1) and 25 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and articles 2 (1) and (3), 7, 9 (1), (2), (3) and (4), 10 (1), 14 (1) and (3) (b), (d) and (g), 19 (1) and (2), 22 (1), 25 (a) and 26 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, falling under categories I, II, III and V.
Special Procedures Communication - Reyhan Akcan and others	Special Procedures Mandate Holders	Reyhan Akcan, Nurullah Albayrak, Ahmet Altundag, Fahri Atmaca, Beyza Ayar, Nurhan Erdal Bahadır, Ilker Bakkal, Esra Balci, Hayrullah Beyter, Yakup Bulut, Hakan Cankurtaran, Harun Cankurtaran, Kuddüsü Cankurtaran, Taha Furkan Cetinkaya, Hanife Çiftçi, Yunus Dursun, Mustafa Gazioğlu, Derya Gül, Mumin Heybet, Demet İkinci, Dagistan Kibar, Nurdan Kibar, Muhammet Koşar, Cihan Mete, Kaya Musa, Ümit Nazik, Hadice Ogut, Ibrahim Oguz, Mustafa Özel, Veysel Öztürk, Suleyman Seydi, Ayse Taş Şeyma, Sultani Temel, Tevrat Tezin, Ayşe Topçu, Erdinç Tutu, Yahya Uludag, Ali Ünal, Fatma Urunga, Elif Uzun, Selda Devrim Yildrim, Mehmet Yilmaz, Nasih Yilmaz.	March 2016 to June 2019	2020-11-10	AL TUR 20/2020	Information received concerning the arrest detention or prosecution of 43 Turkish nationals in the aftermath of the coup d’Etat of 2016.
Special Procedures Communication - 48 Lawyers, 7 Trainee Lawyers, 4 Dismissed Judges and a Law Graduate	Special Procedures Mandate Holders	-	11 Sep 2020 to present	2020-10-14	AL TUR 18/2020	Information received concerning the arrest and detention of 48 lawyers, 7 trainee lawyers, 4 dismissed judges and a law graduate for being “members of a terrorist organisation”.
Special Procedures Communication - Amendments to the Constitution and Independence of the Judiciary	Special Procedures Mandate Holders	-	April 2017 to present	2020-09-14	OL TUR 15/2020	Information received concerning the adverse impact that the amendments to article 159 of the Constitution, introduced by Act No. 6771, have on the independence of the judiciary and the separation of powers.
Follow-up to the Recommendations on Enforced or Involuntary Disappearances in Turkey	Working Group on Enforced or Involuntary Disappearances	-	Post-2016 Coup Attempt	2020-08-28	A/HRC/45/13/Add.4	This document presents follow-up information regarding the Working Group's recommendations on enforced disappearances in Turkey. It includes observations on legislative changes, the protection of human rights, and the status of enforced disappearances, particularly in relation to the Gülen movement and anti-terror measures following the 2016 coup attempt. The report also addresses the impact of Turkey’s security policies on civil liberties.
Follow-up to the Recommendations Made by the Working Group on Enforced or Involuntary Disappearances in Its Report on Its Visit to Turkey from 14 to 18 March 2016 (A/HRC/33/51/Add.1): Comments of the Government of Turkey	Working Group on Enforced or Involuntary Disappearances	-	—	2020-08-28	A/HRC/45/13/Add.7	The Turkish Government provided comments on the follow-up report by the Working Group on Enforced or Involuntary Disappearances concerning its visit to Turkey in March 2016. The Government criticized the Working Group for exceeding its mandate by including allegations related to events such as the 2016 coup attempt and subsequent measures under the State of Emergency, claiming these were outside the scope of the original report. It argued that contributions from NGOs affiliated with FETÖ are misleading and part of an effort to manipulate international opinion. Turkey emphasized that its actions align with international human rights obligations and called for vigilance against the misuse of UN mechanisms by individuals or groups presenting baseless allegations.
Opinions adopted by the Working Group on Arbitrary Detention at its eighty-eighth session, 24–28 August 2020	Working Group on Arbitrary Detention	Arif Komis Ülkü Komiş four minors	—	2020-08-26	A/HRC/WGAD/2020/51	Family (two parents and four minor children) of Turkish nationals residing in Malaysia arrested and forcibly transferred to Turkey where one detainee is kept on pre-trial detention on unknown charges. Detainees allege they were arrested during a police raid and told they would be imminently deported to Turkey; were forcibly removed to Turkey without an opportunity to appeal the decision before a judicial authority; the Malaysian government prevented UNHCR or other agencies from intervening; the father was tortured; and the father remains in pre-trial detention without a formal indictment. Government of Malaysia alleges the family was deported after their Turkish passports were revoked and a removal order was legally issued and there is no evidence there were in danger by being returned to their country of origin. Government of Turkey alleges the detainee is detained in accordance with the decisions of competent courts; both a warrant and an indictment were issued for membership in a terrorist organization; the detainee has regular medical exams; and the detainee has access to a lawyer. The Working Group finds the government of Malaysia in contravention of articles 3, 6, 8, 9, and 10 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, falling under categories I, II, III, and V. The Working Group also finds the government of Turkey in contravention of articles 3, 6, 8, 9, 10, and 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and articles 2(1) and (3), 9, 14, 19 and 26 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, falling under categories I, II, III, and V.
Opinions adopted by the Working Group on Arbitrary Detention at its eighty-eighth session, 24–28 August 2020	Working Group on Arbitrary Detention	Kahraman Demirez, Mustafa Erdem, Hasan Hüseyin Günakan, Yusuf Karabina, Osman Karakaya ve Cihan Özkan	—	2020-08-26	A/HRC/WGAD/2020/47	Six Turkish nationals residing in Kosovo forcibly removed to Turkey for being a security risk. Detainees allege their residency permits were revoked without legal justification or the opportunity to appeal the decision; they were abducted and forcibly removed to Turkey after removal orders were issued; one of the detainees was forcibly removed even though a removal order was not issued for him; they were not informed of their rights in Turkish; they were denied access to lawyers; they were being sent to a country where they were in danger of torture; they were held incommunicado; and they there is no evidence that they were considered a security risk. Government of Turkey alleges the detainees are being prosecuted for membership in a terrorist organization; their trials were conducted in accordance with domestic and international law; their detention conditions are periodically monitored; they have not been subjected to torture; and they received regular medical exams. The Working Group finds the government of Kosovo in contravention of articles 2, 3, 8, 9, 10, and 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, falling under categories I, II, III, V. The Working Group also finds the government of Turkey in contravention of articles 2, 3, 8, 9, 10, and 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and articles 2(1) and (3), 9, 14, 19, and 26 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, falling under categories I, II, III, and V.
Special Procedures Communication - Turkey's Anti-Terror Laws: Human Rights Concerns Regarding Freedom of Expression, Fair Trial, and Arbitrary Detention	Special Procedures Mandate Holders	-	—	2020-08-26	OL TUR 13/2020	The document, authored by six UN Special Rapporteurs, critiques Turkey's counter-terrorism framework, particularly Anti-Terror Law No. 3713 and Law No. 7145. It highlights the misuse of these laws to restrict freedoms of expression, association, and peaceful assembly, targeting journalists, human rights defenders, and civil society actors. Concerns include the normalization of emergency decrees into ordinary law, arbitrary detentions, and vague definitions of terrorism that criminalize protected activities under international law. The ECHR judgment in Işıkırık v. Turkey is cited, criticizing Turkey’s overly broad definition of terrorist offenders. The Rapporteurs emphasize violations of international treaties such as ICCPR, ICERD, and CAT. They recommend revising anti-terror laws to ensure compliance with international human rights standards, restoring judicial independence, safeguarding fair trial rights, and protecting freedoms of assembly, expression, and association.
Report of the Special Rapporteur on the Independence of Judges and Lawyers, Diego García-Sayán	Special Rapporteur on the Independence of Judges and Lawyers	-	—	2020-07-17	A/75/172	The report by the UN Special Rapporteur on the Independence of Judges and Lawyers examines judicial independence and highlights issues with disguised sanctions, disciplinary actions, and attacks on judges. It describes how judges may face harassment, threats, or unjust disciplinary actions for handling politically sensitive cases or expressing critical views. In Turkey, under emergency measures, mass dismissals and arrests targeted judges accused of links to FETÖ. The report emphasizes safeguarding judicial independence through clear laws, protection from harassment, and ensuring judges' tenure and impartiality are not undermined by external pressures.
Special Procedures Communication - Taner Kılıç and others	Special Procedures Mandate Holders	Taner Kılıç, Özlem Dalkıran, İdil Eser, Nalan Erkem, İlknur Üstün, Günal Kurşun, Veli Acu, Şeyhmus Özbekli, Ali Gharavi, Peter Steudtner, Nejat Taştan	06 Jun 2017 to present	2020-06-30	UA TUR 9/2020	Information received regarding the final hearing and verdict of eleven human rights defenders in Turkey, who were arrested in 2017 for engaging in human rights activities.
Universal Periodic Review - Türkiye - Third Cycle - Views on conclusions and/or recommendations, voluntary commitments and replies presented by the State under review	Working Group on the Universal Periodic Review	-	—	2020-06-24	A/HRC/44/14/Add.1	The report is an addendum to Turkey's Third Universal Periodic Review (UPR) under the Human Rights Council. Turkey reviewed 321 recommendations made during its UPR in January 2020, supporting or noting most, while rejecting 19. Supported recommendations involve those already implemented or under implementation. Noted recommendations were either partially agreeable, misaligned with Turkey’s reform agenda, or based on inaccurate assumptions. Turkey emphasizes adherence to international obligations while explaining its stance on various human rights, equality, freedom of expression, and minority issues. The report outlines detailed responses to each recommendation and highlights ongoing reforms in areas such as combating discrimination, judicial independence, and refugee rights.
Special Procedures Communication - Torture and Ill-Treatment in the Ankara Police Headquarters of 56 Students	Special Procedures Mandate Holders	-	28 Feb 2020 to present	2020-05-11	AL TUR 6/2020	Information received concerning allegations of torture and ill-treatment in the Ankara Police Headquarters of 56 students accused of being members of a terrorist organisation.
Special Procedures Communication - State-Sponsored Abductions	Special Procedures Mandate Holders	Mustafa Ceyhan, Harun Çelik, Mesut Kaçmaz, Meral Kaçmaz, Mustafa Erdem, Yusuf Karabina, Kahraman Demirez, Cihan Özkan, Hasan Hüseyin Günakan, Osman Karakaya, Osman Özpınar, Ibrahim Akbaş, Adnan Demirönal, Osman Karaca, Ayten Öztürk, Zabit Kişi	2016 to present	2020-05-05	AL TUR 5/2020	Information received concerning what appears to be a systematic practice of state-sponsored extraterritorial abductions and forcible return of Turkish nationals from multiple States to Turkey.
Opinions adopted by the Working Group on Arbitrary Detention at its eighty-seventh session, 27 April–1 May 2020	Working Group on Arbitrary Detention	Faruk Serdar Köse	—	2020-05-01	A/HRC/WGAD/2020/30	Student arrested, charged with membership in a terrorist organization, and sentenced to six years in prison. Detainee alleges he was arrested as part of a larger crackdown on members of a banned organization; he was not informed of the charges against him; the evidence against him is circumstantial; he was kept in pre-trial detention without any evidence; he was not allowed to defend himself during a hearing on his detention; he was brought before a special tribunal specifically created to prosecute members of the banned organization and thus it lacked judicial independence; and his access to a lawyer was impeded. Government alleges the arrest and trial of the detainee were carried out in accordance with domestic and international law; the detainee was informed of his rights at every stage of the proceedings and given the opportunity to appeal with assistance of a lawyer; the proceedings have been carried out swiftly; and there is convincing evidence the detainee committed a crime based on a thorough investigation. The Working Group finds the government in contravention of articles 2, 3, 8, 9, 10, and 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and articles 2(3), 9, 19, and 26 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, falling under categories I, II, and V.
Opinions adopted by the Working Group on Arbitrary Detention at its eighty-seventh session, 27 April–1 May 2020	Working Group on Arbitrary Detention	Akif Oruc	—	2020-05-01	A/HRC/WGAD/2020/29	Teacher arrested without a warrant, charged with participating in an attempted coup, and kept in pre-trial detention. Detainee alleges he was arrested as part of a larger crackdown on members of a banned organization; was not informed of the charges against him; was held for five months without a formal indictment; held in pre-trial detention for 10 months; was prevented from providing a defense in court; was denied medical treatment; was kept in inhumane conditions; was not guilty of the alleged crime by the court’s own standards; and the evidence against him was circumstantial. Government alleges the arrest and the trial of the detainee was in accordance with domestic and international law; a warrant was produced for the detainee’s arrest; the detainee was able to freely meet with his lawyer; the detainee was notified of the charges against him; the detainee was allowed to present a defense at court as demonstrated by video of the hearing; the detainee repeatedly appealed his detention and still has appeals pending; the detainee has received medical treatment; and the detainee is kept in humane conditions. The Working Group finds the government in contravention of articles 2, 3, 8, 9, 10, 18, and 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and articles 2(3), 9, 14, 18, 19, and 26 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, falling under categories I, II, III and V.
Opinions adopted by the Working Group on Arbitrary Detention at its eighty-seventh session, 27 April–1 May 2020	Working Group on Arbitrary Detention	Abdulmuttalip Kurt	—	2020-04-29	A/HRC/WGAD/2020/2	Turkish national arrested without a warrant, charged with membership in a terrorist organization, and sentenced to six years in prison. Detainee alleges he was not informed of the charges against him; initially denied access to a lawyer; his conversations with his lawyer were recorded by the government; no evidence was presented to justify his continued pre-trial detention; he was unable to prepare a defense; he remains in pre-trial detention without an official indictment; was arrested as part of a larger crackdown on members of a banned organization; he was pressured into making statements to admit his guilt; the tribunal that heard his case was specifically created to deal with members of the banned organization and thus is not impartial; and he was denied access to his case file. Government alleges detainee was informed of the charges against him; an indictment was filed with specific charges; he was convicted; he had a lawyer present at all stages of his arrest and trial; and his arrest and trial was in accordance with domestic and international law. The Working Group finds the government in contravention of articles 2, 7, 9, 19, 20, and 23(4) of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and articles 2, 8, 9, 19, 21, 22, and 26 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, falling under categories I, II, and V.
Universal Periodic Review - Türkiye - Third Cycle - Report of the Working Group	Working Group on the Universal Periodic Review	-	—	2020-03-24	A/HRC/44/14	The Universal Periodic Review of Turkey by the UN Working Group discussed Turkey's human rights practices and challenges, covering areas such as counter-terrorism, refugee rights, freedom of expression, judicial reforms, and women's empowerment. Recommendations included ensuring judicial independence, combating gender-based violence, protecting freedom of expression, and strengthening anti-discrimination measures. Turkey's progress in hosting refugees, advancing human rights through reforms, and addressing terrorism was acknowledged, while concerns about press freedom, minority rights, and judicial impartiality were raised. Some recommendations were accepted, while others—especially regarding Cyprus and Syria—were rejected by Turkey as politically motivated or inconsistent with its international agreements.
Special Procedures Communication - Sultani Temel	Special Procedures Mandate Holders	Sultani Temel	—	2020-01-02	AL TUR 10/2019	This document, dated January 2, 2020, is a communication from Diego García-Sayán, the UN Special Rapporteur on the independence of judges and lawyers, addressing concerns about alleged human rights violations in Turkey following the failed coup attempt in July 2016. It highlights cases of judicial dismissals, arrests, and imprisonment, particularly focusing on Judge Sultani Temel's situation, including her alleged mistreatment and lack of medical care in detention. The report underscores the potential impact of these actions on judicial independence and compliance with international human rights standards, calling for further information and corrective measures from the Turkish government.
Decision adopted by the Committee under article 22 of the Convention, concerning communication No. 826/2017	Committee against Torture	Ismet Bakay	—	2019-12-04	CAT/C/68/D/826/2017	The document discusses the UN Committee Against Torture's decision regarding Ismet Bakay, a Turkish national detained in Morocco and facing extradition to Turkey. Bakay argued that his extradition would violate Article 3 of the Convention Against Torture due to the risk of torture upon return, citing political persecution for his alleged association with the Hizmet movement. The Committee noted widespread human rights violations in Turkey, including torture, following the 2016 coup attempt. It concluded that Morocco failed to conduct an adequate risk assessment and ruled that extraditing Bakay would breach the Convention. The Committee urged Morocco to release him and ensure future compliance by evaluating torture risks in extradition cases.
Opinions adopted by the Working Group on Arbitrary Detention at its eighty-sixth session, 18–22 November 2019	Working Group on Arbitrary Detention	Ercan Demir	—	2019-11-21	A/HRC/WGAD/2019/79	Teacher arrested without a warrant, charged crimes related to being a member of a terrorist organization, and was released pending trial. Detainee alleges he was not informed of the charges against him; denied access to a lawyer; a court ruled him to be kept in detention without any evidence; he was kept in detention for nearly a year without an official indictment; was denied access to his case file; and was detained for his political opinions. Government alleges detainee was notified of his rights and the charges against him during his arrest; independent judges ordered the detention based on sound evidence; the indictment contained detailed evidence and findings; and was detained for a reasonable period of time. The Working Group finds the government in contravention of articles 2, 7, 19, and 20 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and articles 2, 19, 21, and 26 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, falling under categories II and V.
Universal Periodic Review - Türkiye - Third Cycle - National Report Submitted in Accordance with Paragraph 5 of the Annex to Human Rights Council Resolution 16/21	Working Group on the Universal Periodic Review	-	—	2019-11-14	A/HRC/WG.6/35/TUR/1	Turkey's national report for the Universal Periodic Review outlines significant advancements in human rights since its last review. The report emphasizes Turkey's commitment to international standards, addressing the aftermath of the 2016 coup attempt and the State of Emergency (SoE). Key highlights include judicial reforms, enhanced protections for vulnerable groups, and cooperation with international mechanisms. Measures such as the Judicial Reform Strategy, amendments for rights protections, and social initiatives like promoting gender equality and education access have been implemented. Turkey continues to manage refugee issues effectively and combat discrimination, human trafficking, and torture while fostering transparency and institutional efficiency. Collaboration with the UN, Council of Europe, and NGOs demonstrates Turkey's dedication to improving human rights.
Universal Periodic Review - Türkiye - Third Cycle - Summary of stakeholders' information	Working Group on the Universal Periodic Review	-	—	2019-11-12	A/HRC/WG.6/35/TUR/3	The report provides a comprehensive summary of stakeholder submissions on Turkey's human rights situation for the Human Rights Council's Universal Periodic Review. Key concerns include the lack of ratification of international human rights treaties, restrictive legal frameworks during Turkey's extended state of emergency post-2016 coup attempt, and limitations on fundamental freedoms such as expression, assembly, and association. Stakeholders criticized the erosion of judicial independence, widespread arbitrary detentions, and discriminatory practices against minorities, women, and children. Recommendations highlighted the need for Turkey to align its counter-terrorism laws with international standards, improve protections for vulnerable groups, uphold press and academic freedoms, and restore confiscated properties and rights. The report also underscored systemic issues such as gender-based violence, curtailed religious freedoms, and challenges faced by refugees and displaced persons, urging Turkey to address these violations comprehensively and in line with international obligations.
Universal Periodic Review - Türkiye - Third Cycle - Compilation of UN information	Working Group on the Universal Periodic Review	-	—	2019-11-12	A/HRC/WG.6/35/TUR/2	The report, compiled by the UN Human Rights Council's Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, reviews Turkey's compliance with international human rights obligations. It highlights key areas of concern, including limitations on freedoms of expression, assembly, and judiciary independence, particularly after the 2016 coup attempt and subsequent state of emergency. The report discusses issues such as the broad application of counter-terrorism laws, restrictions on civil liberties, and violations of rights related to women, minorities, migrants, and journalists. Recommendations urge Turkey to address hate speech, human trafficking, and gender-based violence, and to strengthen its national human rights institutions and align policies with international standards. It also emphasizes the need for fair judicial processes and support for vulnerable groups like refugees and persons with disabilities.
Opinions adopted by the Working Group on Arbitrary Detention at its eighty-fifth session, 12–16 August 2019	Working Group on Arbitrary Detention	Melike Göksan Mehmet Fatih Göksan	—	2019-08-16	A/HRC/WGAD/2019/53	Two judges arrested, charged with membership in a terrorist organization, and sentenced to nine years in prison. Detainees alleges they were arrested as part of a larger crackdown on the judiciary after the July 2016 coup attempt; they were not give an opportunity to appeal the charges; the court that ordered their detention lacked jurisdiction; the indictment against them was not issued until nine months after their arrest; the evidence against them, which hinges on using a certain messaging app, is vague and not specific; they were charged with being members of the Gulen group before it was designated a terrorist organization; they were kept in pre-trial detention for 16 months; they were denied medical treatment; and they were unable to attend their court hearings. Government alleges detainees had access to lawyers; were able to contest charges against them; charges were related to a messaging app known to be used by members of a terrorist organization; the arrest and trial was in accordance with domestic and international law; and the detention facilities they are held in are humane. The Working Group finds the government in contravention of articles 2, 3, 9, 10, and 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and articles 9, 14, 19, and 26 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, falling under categories I, II, III, and V
Special Procedures Communication - Torture and Ill-Treatment of Former Turkish Diplomats and Foreign Ministry Staff at Ankara Police Headquarters	Special Procedures Mandate Holders	-	2019-05-31 00:00:00	2019-06-12	UA TUR 6/2019	Information received concerning allegations of torture and ill-treatment of former Turkish diplomats and staff from the Turkish foreign ministry in the Ankara police Headquarters
Decision adopted by the Committee under article 22 of the Convention, concerning communication No. 845/2017	Committee against Torture	Mustafa Önder	—	2019-05-10	CAT/C/66/D/845/2017	The document outlines the United Nations Committee Against Torture's decision regarding Mustafa Onder, a Turkish national, who contested his extradition from Morocco to Turkey, arguing it violated Article 3 of the Convention Against Torture due to the risk of torture upon return. Onder, accused of ties to the Hizmet movement linked to the 2016 coup attempt, claimed political persecution and provided evidence of systemic human rights abuses in Turkey, including torture of political dissidents. The Committee concluded that Morocco failed to adequately assess the risk of torture he faced and ruled that his extradition would violate the Convention, urging Morocco to refrain from extraditing him and release him from detention.
Decision adopted by the Committee under article 22 of the Convention, concerning communication No. 846/2017	Committee against Torture	Elmas Ayden	—	2019-05-10	CAT/C/66/D/846/2017	The document is a decision by the UN Committee Against Torture concerning Elmas Ayden, a Turkish businessman detained in Morocco and facing extradition to Turkey for alleged ties to the Hizmet movement. Ayden argued his extradition would violate Article 3 of the Convention Against Torture due to the risk of torture in Turkey, citing political persecution and inadequate legal safeguards in Turkish proceedings. The Committee concluded that Morocco failed to assess the real risk of torture Ayden might face, determined the extradition would breach the Convention, and urged Morocco to release him and ensure future compliance with individualized risk assessments for extraditions.
Decision adopted by the Committee under article 22 of the Convention, concerning communication No. 827/2017	Committee against Torture	Ferhat Erdoğan	—	2019-05-10	CAT/C/66/D/827/2017	The document concerns a decision by the UN Committee Against Torture regarding Ferhat Erdoğan, a Turkish businessman detained in Morocco and facing extradition to Turkey. Erdoğan argued that his extradition would violate Article 3 of the Convention Against Torture, as he risked being subjected to torture due to his alleged association with the Hizmet movement, considered a terrorist organization in Turkey. He also highlighted the widespread human rights violations in Turkey following the 2016 coup attempt, including arbitrary detentions and torture of dissidents. The Committee found that Morocco failed to properly assess the risk of torture Erdoğan might face and concluded that his extradition would breach the Convention. It urged Morocco to release Erdoğan and prevent similar violations by thoroughly evaluating risks in future extradition cases.
Opinions adopted by the Working Group on Arbitrary Detention at its eighty-fourth session, 24 April–3 May 2019	Working Group on Arbitrary Detention	Mustafa Ceyhan	—	2019-04-25	A/HRC/WGAD/2019/10	Turkish citizen residing in Georgia arrested while traveling to Azerbaijan where he served a one-year prison sentence for illegal border crossing. He was later taken to Turkey and detained on charges of terrorism. Detainee alleges his Turkish passport was cancelled without his knowledge; he had requested asylum before being extradited; he was forcibly removed to Turkey; he was tortured; he was held incommunicado; and he has been held in pre-trial detention for a lengthy period. Government of Azerbaijan alleges that the detainee’s passport appeared to be forged and his trial and detention was in accordance with international law. Government of Turkey alleges the detainee was subjected to two arrest warrants; he was given access to a lawyer; there is concrete evidence he was involved in terrorism-related activities; and he has the rights to file appeals and complaints but has not done so. The Working Group finds the government of Azerbaijan in contravention of articles 6, 8, 9, and 10 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and 2, 9, 13, 14, 16, and 26 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, falling under categories I, III, and V. The Working Group finds the government of Turkey in contravention of articles 3, 7, 9, 11, and 13 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and articles 9, 13, 14, and 26 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, falling under categories I, III, and V.
Views adopted by the Committee under article 5 (4) of the Optional Protocol, concerning communication No. 2980/2017	Human Rights Committee	İsmet Özçelik, Turgay Karaman and I.A	—	2019-03-26	CCPR/C/125/D/2980/2017	The document contains the decision of the UN Human Rights Committee under Article 5(4) of the Optional Protocol regarding the case of İsmet Özçelik, Turgay Karaman, and I.A., who were unlawfully detained and extradited from Malaysia to Turkey in 2017. The authors claimed violations of their rights under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), including arbitrary detention, lack of access to justice, and risk of torture. They were accused of connections to the Gülen movement, labeled a terrorist organization by Turkey, and detained under harsh conditions without proper legal representation. The Committee found that Turkey violated the authors' rights under Article 9 (arbitrary detention) of the ICCPR, as their detention was arbitrary, they were not promptly brought before a judge, and their continued detention lacked justification. It recommended their release, adequate compensation, and measures to prevent similar violations in the future.
Special Procedures Communication - Murat Arslan	Special Procedures Mandate Holders	Murat Arslan	August 2015 to present	2019-01-30	AL TUR 2/2019	Information received concerning the allegedly arbitrary arrest, detention and conviction of the President of the Independent Turkish Judges Association YARSAV, judge Murat Arslan.
Opinions adopted by the Working Group on Arbitrary Detention at its eighty-third session, 19–23 November 2018	Working Group on Arbitrary Detention	Andrew Craig Brunson	—	2018-11-23	A/HRC/WGAD/2018/84	Pastor and citizen of the United States of America arrested, charged with membership in a terrorist organization, and kept in pre-trial detention. Detainee alleges he was initially told he would be deported for being a national security threat; he was not given any explanation or documentation to support the deportation order; he was denied consular access; he was denied access to a lawyer; he signed a document in a language he did not read that was later amended; he was detained for two months without a formal indictment; all his conversations with his lawyer were recorded by the government; and he was denied access to his case file. Government alleges an investigation was initiated based on evidence and the detainee’s own statements; pre-trial detention was necessary to ensure the investigation could be completed and the detainee did not flee the country; the detainee’s detention was repeatedly reviewed by judicial bodies; neither the detainee nor his lawyer filed complaints regarding his arrest or detention; his detention was based on substantial evidence gathered by the government; and he was given medical treatment. The Working Group finds the government in contravention of articles 3, 9, and 10 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and articles 9 and 14 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, falling under categories I, III, and V.
Opinions adopted by the Working Group on Arbitrary Detention at its eighty-third session, 19–23 November 2018	Working Group on Arbitrary Detention	Hamza Yaman	—	2018-11-21	A/HRC/WGAD/2018/78	Judge arrested without a warrant, charged with membership in a terrorist organization, and kept in pre-trial detention. Detainee alleges he was kept in pre-trial detention for 17 months before a formal indictment was filed; he was kept in inhumane conditions; the pre-trial detention order was not legal as he did not pose a flight risk; his arrest effectively ended his career in government; his lawyers were denied access to his case file; he was not present at any of his pre-trial hearings and could not defend himself; he was denied medical treatment; and he was arrested for his role as a judge. Government alleges detainee was informed of the charges against him; had access to a lawyer; was ordered to be kept in pre-trial detention because of the seriousness of the crime; his detention was reviewed several times by competent judicial bodies; he has several domestic remedies to challenge his detention; he is kept in humane conditions with regular access to his family; he was brought promptly before a judge after he was first detained; and his detention is based on solid evidence. The Working Group finds the government in contravention of articles 2, 7, 8, 9, 10, and 11(1) of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and articles 2(1) and (3), 9, 14, and 26 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, falling under categories I, III, and V.
Opinions adopted by the Working Group on Arbitrary Detention at its eighty-second session, 20–24 August 2018	Working Group on Arbitrary Detention	Muharrem Gençtürk	—	2018-08-21	A/HRC/WGAD/2018/44	Teacher arrested, charged with membership in a terrorist organization, and kept in pre-trial detention. Detainee alleges he was kept incommunicado; initially denied access to a lawyer; his conversations with his lawyer were monitored; kept in pre-trial detention for 11 months before his first hearing; was unable to present a defense; the evidence against him was circumstantial; his appeals for bail were repeatedly denied without legal justification; he was denied medical treatment; he was kept in inhumane conditions; and he was discriminated against for his religious affiliation. Government alleges there are special circumstances because of a national emergency; the detainee was allowed access to his relatives and lawyer; an arrest warrant was issued for the detainee; the detainee’s lawyer was able to participate in all hearings and provide a defense; neither the detainee or his lawyer challenged the lawfulness of the detention; all judicial reviews of the detention have been independent; and the detention was based on concrete evidence. The Working Group finds the government in contravention of articles 8, 10, and 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and articles 2(3), 9(3), 14, 19, and 26 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, falling under categories I, II, III, and V.
Opinions adopted by the Working Group on Arbitrary Detention at its eighty-second session, 20–24 August 2018	Working Group on Arbitrary Detention	Ahmet Caliskan	—	2018-08-21	A/HRC/WGAD/2018/43	Academic arrested without a warrant and charged with membership in a terrorist organization. Detainee alleges he was kept incommunicado, denied access to lawyer, order to be kept in pre-trial detention during a hearing where no evidence was presented, was prevented from presenting a defense, none of the activities he was detained for constitute a criminal act, his fair trial rights were violated, and he was detained for supporting a political movement. Government alleges the imprisonment of detainee falls within national security derogations, detainee was presented with a warrant, he was informed of the charges against him, all his rights were respected, he was able to communicate with his family and lawyer, and his pre-trial detention was periodically reviewed by a judicial body. The Working Group finds the government in contravention of articles 3, 9, 10, 19, 23, and 26 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and articles 9, 14, 19, 24, and 26 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, falling under categories I, II, III, and V.
Opinions adopted by the Working Group on Arbitrary Detention at its eighty-second session, 20–24 August 2018	Working Group on Arbitrary Detention	Mestan Yayman	—	2018-08-21	A/HRC/WGAD/2018/42	Former government official arrested without a warrant and charged with membership in a terrorist organization. Detainee alleges he was not informed of the charges against him, was denied access to a lawyer, interrogated without the presence of a lawyer, was held in extended pre-trial detention and denied the opportunity to challenge it before a judicial body, prevented from presenting a defense at his trial, was convicted solely on the evidence that his name appeared in a spreadsheet created by the government of secure message app users, and his was discriminated against for being the member of a religious group. Government alleges the imprisonment of detainee falls within national security derogations, detainee’s rights were respected, detainee was able to appeal his detention, treatment of detainee abides by international standards, and additional evidence was used to convict the detainee. The Working Group finds the government in contravention of articles 3, 9, 10, 19, and 20 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and articles 9, 14, 19, 21, 22, and 26 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, falling under categories I, II, III, and V.
Special Procedures Communication - Arbitrary Arrest and Detention in Kosovo and Illegal Deportation to Turkey	Special Procedures Mandate Holders	Mustafa Erdem, Yusuf Karabina, Kahraman Demirez, Cihan Özkan, Hasan Hüseyin Günakan, Osman Karakaya	29 Mar 2018 to present	2018-05-18	AL TUR 6/2018	Information received concerning the arbitrary arrest and detention in Kosovo and illegal deportation to Turkey of six Turkish nationals working for educational institutions allegedly link to the Hizmet/Gulen movement
Special Procedures Communication - Muhittin Akman and others	Special Procedures Mandate Holders	Muhittin Akman, Fatma Alan, Muhammet Turgay Baskan, Nesrin Cavus, Savas Demirel, Suat Durgun, Hasan Gemi, Gülnur Gemi, Nuh Görgün, Bekir Karayel, Bahtiyar Öztürk, Hasan Yasar, Sinan Yilmaz	July 2016 to present	2018-05-04	UA TUR 7/2018	Information received concerning the alleged arbitrary arrest and detention under accusations of membership of a terrorist organization of 13 individuals
Opinions adopted by the Working Group on Arbitrary Detention at its eighty-first session, 17–26 April 2018	Working Group on Arbitrary Detention	Mesut Kaçmaz Meral Kaçmaz	—	2018-04-19	A/HRC/WGAD/2018/11	Four Turkish citizens with asylum seeker status (married couple and their children) arrested in Pakistan by plain clothes police officers without charges. Detainees allege they were beaten during the arrest, held incommunicado and forcibly deported to Turkey. The Government of Pakistan submitted a late response that was not considered by the Working Group. The Government of Turkey alleges that its detention of suspected terrorists is in response to an attempted coup and that the case should be rejected for non-exhaustion of domestic remedies. The Working Group finds the government of Pakistan in contravention of articles 5, 6, 8, 9, and 10 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and articles 2, 2 (3), 7, 9, 13, 14, and 16 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, falling under categories I, III, and V. The Working Group finds the government of Turkey in contravention of articles 5, 6, 8, 9, 10, and 11 (1) of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and articles 2, 2 (3), 7, 9, 13, 14, and 16 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, falling under categories I, III, and V.
Report on the Impact of the State of Emergency on Human Rights in Turkey	Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR)	-	January 2017 to December 2017	2018-03-31	—	This report outlines human rights concerns in Turkey from January to December 2017, focusing on the effects of the state of emergency following the 2016 coup attempt. It highlights issues including the erosion of judicial independence, mass dismissals, restrictions on freedom of expression, arbitrary detentions, and reports of torture. Special attention is given to the impact on civil servants, journalists, academics, and women detainees.
Special Procedures Communication - Torture and Ill-Treatment in Police Custody and Lack of Investigations in Turkey	Special Procedures Mandate Holders	-	12 Dec 2018 to present	2018-02-23	AL TUR 5/2018	Information received concerning the alleged torture and ill-treatment of persons in police custody and the lack of effective investigation into these allegations of torture.
Special Procedures Communication - Prolonged State of Emergency in Turkey: Impact on Human Rights, Education, and Freedom of Expression	Special Procedures Mandate Holders	-	July 2016 to present	2018-02-20	OL TUR 2/2018	In a letter dated February 20, 2018 (OL TUR 2/2018), UN Special Rapporteurs and the Working Group on Arbitrary Detention addressed concerns over Turkey's extended state of emergency and its impact on human rights. The communication raised issues of inadequate justification for the ongoing emergency, potential violations of international human rights obligations under the ICESCR, lack of transparency, and limitations on effective remedies for affected individuals. The experts criticized arbitrary dismissals, restrictions on education, and insufficient evidence for counter-terrorism measures, urging Turkey to align actions with international legal standards. They requested detailed responses to specific questions regarding the state of emergency's justification, dismissed civil servants' welfare, and procedural transparency, emphasizing the need for proportionality, necessity, and due process in all measures.
Special Procedures Communication - Arbitrary Re-Arrest and Detention of Mr. Taner Kılıç	Special Procedures Mandate Holders	Taner Kılıç	06 Jun 2017 to present	2018-02-09	UA TUR 1/2018	Information received concerning the alleged arbitrary re-arrest and detention of Mr. Taner Kiliç
Report of the Special Rapporteur on Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment on His Mission to Turkey: Comments by the State	Special Rapporteur on Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment	-	—	2017-12-21	A/HRC/37/50/Add.2	The document provides the Turkish Government's response to the report of the UN Special Rapporteur on Torture following his visit to Turkey. Turkey acknowledges the role of the Special Rapporteur but highlights concerns regarding the terminology and unsubstantiated claims in the report. The Government emphasizes its commitment to a "zero tolerance" policy against torture and details measures to combat impunity and improve complaint mechanisms. It critiques references to FETÖ and PKK, insisting they be recognized as terrorist organizations. Turkey also outlines its compliance with international anti-torture conventions and legal safeguards.
Report of the Special Rapporteur on Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment on His Mission to Turkey	Special Rapporteur on Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment	-	Post-2016 Coup Attempt	2017-12-18	A/HRC/37/50/Add.1	This report details the findings of the Special Rapporteur on Torture following a mission to Turkey from November 27 to December 2, 2016. It provides an assessment of torture and ill-treatment in the context of Turkey's state of emergency after the 2016 coup attempt and the escalating violence in the southeast. The report highlights severe concerns regarding torture allegations, conditions of detention, legal safeguards, and the overall impact of emergency decrees, especially in cases linked to the Gülen movement. It includes recommendations for Turkey to address these issues.
Special Procedures Communication - Osman Kavala	Special Procedures Mandate Holders	Osman Kavala	18 Oct 2017 to present	2017-11-02	UA TUR 12/2017	Information received concerning the arrest and detention of Mr. Osman Kavala under yet unspecified charges, which may be related to his activism in favor of dialogue between the Turkish Government and minorities within the country, as well as with neighboring countries, such as Armenia and Greece.
Special Procedures Communication - Taner Kılıç	Special Procedures Mandate Holders	Taner Kılıç	Jun 2017 to present	2017-07-04	UA TUR 7/2017	Information received concerning Mr. Taner Kiliç (Chair of Amnesty International Turkey) who was arrested on 06 June 2017 on the basis of a warrant against him and 22 other lawyers in the city of Izmir in Western Turkey
Report of the Special Rapporteur on the Promotion and Protection of the Right to Freedom of Opinion and Expression on His Mission to Turkey	Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Opinion and Expression	-	Post-2016 Coup Attempt	2017-06-21	A/HRC/35/22/Add.3	This report reflects the findings of the Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Opinion and Expression, focusing on restrictions to freedom of speech and expression in Turkey after the 2016 coup attempt. Conducted from November 14-18, 2016, the mission highlights censorship, arrests, media closures, and other restrictions stemming from emergency decrees. The report particularly discusses impacts on journalists, academics, and civil society, addressing the pressures faced by those accused of ties to the Gülen movement. It calls for urgent reform to protect expression rights in alignment with international standards.
Written Statement Submitted by Amnesty International, a Non-Governmental Organization in Special Consultative Status	Non-Governmental Organization (NGO)	-	—	2017-06-12	A/HRC/35/NGO/140	Amnesty International submitted a report to the UN Human Rights Council during its 35th session in June 2017, addressing the deterioration of human rights in Turkey following the 2016 coup attempt. The report highlights widespread arbitrary detentions, torture allegations, mass dismissals of public sector employees, and severe restrictions on media freedom, including the imprisonment of over 120 journalists and the closure of 156 media outlets. Amnesty International urges the restoration of rights, transparent mechanisms to address dismissals, and independent monitoring to ensure accountability and adherence to human rights norms.
Report of the Special Rapporteur on the Promotion and Protection of the Right to Freedom of Opinion and Expression on His Mission to Turkey: Comments by the State	Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Opinion and Expression	-	—	2017-06-07	A/HRC/35/22/ADD.6	The United Nations Human Rights Council transmitted Turkey's response to the Special Rapporteur's report on freedom of expression. Turkey's government addressed several points, including terminology corrections regarding FETO, emphasizing Turkey's security challenges from FETO and PKK terrorism. It highlighted measures to safeguard freedom of expression under its constitution, citing progress aligning with the European Convention on Human Rights. The report critiqued laws restricting expression, internet access, and emergency measures after the 2016 coup attempt. Turkey defended these actions as proportional responses to threats, emphasizing adherence to international obligations, and noted progress like reduced custody durations and reopening closed institutions. Legal actions against media outlets were linked to terrorism, not journalism, according to Turkey.
Special Procedures Communication - Kemal Gün and others	Special Procedures Mandate Holders	Kemal Gün, Nuriye Gülmen, Semih Özakça, Sultan Özakça, Esra Özakça	—	2017-06-01	UA TUR 6/2017	Information received concerning the recent arrest of Ms. Nuriye Gülmen and Mr. Semih Özakça, two teachers protesting on hunger strike against the dismissal from their jobs under the state of emergency measures adopted in 2016, as well as the one-day arrest of Ms. Sultan Özakça and Ms. Esra Özakça, mother and wife of Mr. Özakça, who were conducting a hunger strike opposing his arrest. Also, information concerning the hunger strike conducted by Mr. Kemal Gün in Tunceli for over three months, which has now ended.
Joint written statement submitted by Committee to Protect Journalists, International PEN, Human Rights Watch, International Press Institute, Reporters Without Borders International, and ARTICLE 19 - International Centre Against Censorship	Non-Governmental Organization (NGO)	-	—	2017-05-29	A/HRC/35/NGO/59	A coalition of organizations, including PEN International, ARTICLE 19, the Committee to Protect Journalists, Human Rights Watch, the International Press Institute, Reporters Without Borders International, the Association of European Journalists, the European Federation of Journalists, and Index on Censorship, submitted a joint statement to the UN Human Rights Council highlighting the severe deterioration of freedom of expression and human rights in Turkey. Since the 2016 coup attempt, Turkish authorities have enacted an unprecedented crackdown on critics, closing over 160 media outlets and imprisoning 165 journalists, making Turkey the largest jailer of journalists globally. Pro-Kurdish politicians, activists, and journalists have been disproportionately targeted, with many arrested or prosecuted for alleged terrorism links. Restrictions on freedoms intensified during the 2017 constitutional referendum, marked by an "unlevel playing field." The statement urges Turkey to end the state of emergency, release all imprisoned for exercising free expression, reopen independent media outlets, investigate allegations of torture, and reject any proposal to reintroduce the death penalty.
Special Procedures Communication - Mass Dismissals, Arrests, and Detentions of Judges, Prosecutors, and Lawyers	Special Procedures Mandate Holders	-	—	2017-05-23	OL TUR 5/2017	Information received concerning the dismissal, arrest and detention of a high number of judges and prosecutors, and the arrest, detention and criminal investigation of a number of lawyers, which have taken place since the failed coup attempt of 15 July 2016 and which seem to constitute serious interferences in the independence of the judiciary and the legal profession.
Opinions adopted by the Working Group on Arbitrary Detention at its seventy-eighth session, 19-28 April 2017	Working Group on Arbitrary Detention	Önder Çelik, Turhan Günay, Mustafa Kemal Güngör, Kadri Gürsel, Hakan Kara, Haci Musa Kart, Murat Sabuncu, Bülent Utku, Güray Tekin Öz, Akin Atalay	—	2017-04-28	A/HRC/WGAD/2017/41	10 individuals associated with a newspaper are arrested and detained under allegations that the news organization and its journalists have been engaging in propaganda for terrorist organizations. The detainees allege that: their detention was based on their exercise of their right to freedom of expression; they have been denied their right to pretrial release; they are held without charge; they have been denied access to counsel; and they have had limited access to prosecution files. The Turkish government responds that: the detention was proper because an independent court made a determination that the newspaper had acted in line with the purposes of a terrorist organization because the paper had run a number of articles “in favor of terrorist organizations;” the detainees had access to adequate legal safeguards; they were properly informed of the charges against them; that they had access to lawyers; and the extent of pre-trial detention was reasonable. The Working Group finds the government in contravention of articles 10, 11, and 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and articles 14, 15, and 19 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, falling within categories II and III.
Opinions adopted by the Working Group on Arbitrary Detention at its seventy-eighth session, 19-28 April 2017	Working Group on Arbitrary Detention	Kursat Çevik	—	2017-04-28	A/HRC/WGAD/2017/38	Police officer is arrested for alleged ties with the Gulen movement and is being held in pre-trial detention while a secret investigation is being conducted. The detainee alleges that: no charges have been brought against him; he has been detained without any evidence to support a criminal charge; he has been denied access to a court; and he has been denied the right to pre-trial release. The Turkish government replies to the allegations stating that an indictment was filed against the detainee alleging his membership in a terrorist organization and that there was reasonable suspicion that he had committed a crime. The WGAD finds the government in contravention of articles 9 and 10 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and articles 9 and 14 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, falling under categories I and III.
Opinions adopted by the Working Group on Arbitrary Detention at its seventy-eighth session, 19-28 April 2017	Working Group on Arbitrary Detention	Rebii Metin Görgeç	—	2017-04-19	A/HRC/WGAD/2017/1	Turkish businessman who runs a travel agency that specializes in arranging religious pilgrimages around the world is arrested without a warrant in the context of the government’s post-coup crackdown on the Gülenist movement and convicted of charges relating to the financing terrorism. Detainee alleges that: there was no basis justifying his detention; the terrorism laws under which he was convicted were vague and overbroad; the government lacked any evidence that he violated a law; he was arrested without a warrant or explanation for his arrest; he was held without charge; he was not tried by an independent and impartial tribunal; the government interfered with his right to prepare a defense and to call and examine witnesses; the government withheld key evidence from his defense; the government violated his right to presumption of innocence; the government interfered with his right to access counsel; the government failed to provide equality before the law; and the government denied him medical treatment while in detention. The government of Turkey failed to respond within a timely manner, and accordingly the Working Group did not consider its response. The Working Group finds the government in contravention of articles 9, 10, and 11 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and articles 9, 10, and 14 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, falling under categories I and III.
Special Procedures Communication - Emergency Measures and Their Impact on Economic, Social, and Civil Liberties in the Aftermath of the Coup Attempt	Special Procedures Mandate Holders	-	—	2017-04-11	AL TUR 4/2017	Information received concerning alleged violations of economic and social rights caused by the exercise of emergency powers and the implementation of emergency measures by the Government in the aftermath of the coup attempt of 15 July 2016 and the consequent situation of poverty that many of the affected individuals and their families reportedly suffer.
Concluding observations on the fourth periodic report of Turkey - Information received from Turkey on follow-up to the concluding observations	Committee against Torture	-	—	2016-11-11	CAT/C/TUR/CO/4/Add.1	Turkey’s response to the Committee Against Torture's concluding observations highlights its commitment to combatting torture and protecting human rights, especially amidst counter-terrorism efforts and following the 15 July 2016 coup attempt. Turkey emphasized the establishment of the Law Enforcement Monitoring Commission to enhance transparency and accountability in handling allegations against law enforcement. It defended its counter-terrorism operations in southeastern Anatolia and measures against the PKK and FETÖ, citing adherence to international obligations, including the European Convention on Human Rights. The report detailed actions taken under the state of emergency, including dismissals of public officials linked to terrorism and mechanisms for judicial review. Turkey reiterated its zero-tolerance policy for torture, efforts to uphold legal safeguards, and cooperation with international mechanisms like the European Committee for the Prevention of Torture.
Special Procedures Communication - Alp Çetiner	Special Procedures Mandate Holders	Alp Çetiner	—	2016-09-09	UA TUR 8/2016	Information received concerning the alleged arbitrary detention of Mr. Alp Çetiner, M.D. under the legal framework of the state of emergency in connection with his work providing healthcare to prisoners.
Special Procedures Communication - Human Rights Concerns in Turkey Post-2016 Coup: Arbitrary Detention, Torture, Judicial Challenges	Special Procedures Mandate Holders	-	—	2016-08-19	UA TUR 7/2016	Following the attempted coup in Turkey on 15 July 2016, the Working Groups on Arbitrary Detention and Enforced Disappearances, along with various Special Rapporteurs, raised concerns regarding widespread reports of arbitrary detention, torture, and ill-treatment of detainees, as well as the erosion of fundamental rights under the declared state of emergency. Allegations include detainees being held in inhumane conditions, denial of due process, and intimidation against healthcare workers and human rights defenders. The experts emphasized Turkey’s obligations under international human rights law, urging the government to halt violations, ensure accountability, and safeguard detainees' rights, including access to legal counsel and medical care, while adhering strictly to the limitations on derogations allowed during states of emergency.
Special Procedures Communication - Orhan Kemal Cengiz, Sibel Semira Hurtas	Special Procedures Mandate Holders	Orhan Kemal Cengiz, Sibel Semira Hurtas	—	2016-07-28	UA TUR 6/2016	Information received concerning a series of repressive measures taken following the attempted coup on 14 July 2016, hereunder the arrest of human rights lawyer, journalist, and former President of the Human Rights Agenda Association, Mr. Orhan Kemal Cengiz, and his wife, Ms. Sibel Semira Hurtas, a journalist writing on issues of women’s rights and state crimes.
Report of the Working Group on Enforced or Involuntary Disappearances on its mission to Turkey	Working Group on Enforced or Involuntary Disappearances	-	—	2016-07-27	A/HRC/33/51/Add.1	The United Nations Working Group on Enforced or Involuntary Disappearances conducted a mission to Turkey, highlighting critical gaps in addressing past and ongoing cases of enforced disappearances. The report emphasizes that Turkey has not taken comprehensive measures in areas such as truth, justice, reparations, and memorialization. Many families still lack information about their missing loved ones, and there have been few legal prosecutions or reparations. The report calls for urgent reforms, including criminalizing enforced disappearances as an autonomous offense, improving investigations, creating a national reparations program, and providing public memorials. The Working Group also stresses the need for Turkey to ratify international conventions and ensure accountability to prevent future occurrences.
Concluding observations on the fourth periodic reports of Turkey	Committee against Torture	-	—	2016-06-02	CAT/C/TUR/CO/4	The Committee against Torture reviewed Turkey's fourth periodic report in April 2016, acknowledging positive developments such as legislative amendments eliminating the statute of limitations for torture and efforts to protect refugees and asylum-seekers. However, concerns were raised over allegations of torture, ill-treatment, and extrajudicial killings, particularly in counter-terrorism operations. The Committee criticized impunity for such acts, excessive use of force during demonstrations, gender-based violence, poor detention conditions, and abuse of military conscripts. Recommendations include establishing independent investigative bodies, improving legal safeguards, addressing overcrowding in prisons, protecting human rights defenders, and enhancing protections for vulnerable groups. Turkey is urged to strengthen compliance with the Convention and report progress by May 2017.
Special Procedures Communication - Feza Medya Grubu, Zaman Gazetesi, Today's Zaman, Cihan Haber Ajansı	Special Procedures Mandate Holders	-	—	2016-03-08	AL TUR 2/2016	Allegation of Government takeover of a media group in Turkey. According to the information received, a court order issued on 4 March 2016 placed the Feza Media Group, which includes the newspaper Zaman, its English language sister-publication, Today’s Zaman, as well as two television stations, under Government control. This is a media group which reportedly takes an editorial line critical of the Government. The alleged basis for the court order is that the media group is illicitly financing a terrorist organization. Concern is raised at the impact of the decision on the freedom of the media in Turkey.
Universal Periodic Review - Türkiye - Second Cycle - Views on conclusions and/or recommendations, voluntary commitments and replies presented by the State under review	Working Group on the Universal Periodic Review	-	—	2015-06-10	A/HRC/29/15/Add.1	The document is an addendum to Turkey's Universal Periodic Review (UPR) under the United Nations Human Rights Council during its second cycle in 2015. It outlines Turkey's responses to recommendations made in January 2015, accepting some, implementing others, and rejecting those deemed inconsistent with its laws or policies. Key topics include freedom of expression, rights of minorities, anti-discrimination measures, and refugee policies. Turkey highlights reforms, such as judicial updates and anti-discrimination initiatives, while defending its legal framework as aligned with international standards. Notable rejections involve concerns about terrorism laws and the scope of freedom of expression regulations.
Universal Periodic Review - Türkiye - Second Cycle - Report of the Working Group	Working Group on the Universal Periodic Review	-	—	2015-05-13	A/HRC/29/15	The 2015 Universal Periodic Review (UPR) of Turkey by the UN Human Rights Council highlighted Turkey's constitutional amendments and legislative reforms aimed at enhancing judicial independence, gender equality, and freedoms of expression and assembly. Key initiatives included establishing the Ombudsman and the National Human Rights Institution (NHRI) to strengthen human rights protections. However, concerns were raised about restrictions on media, judicial independence, and excessive force during protests. Turkey accepted several recommendations, including measures to combat domestic violence and discrimination, while rejecting others, such as ratifying the Rome Statute of the ICC and expanding rights for religious minorities. The review emphasized Turkey's need for further alignment with international human rights standards.
Consideration Of Reports Submitted By States Parties Under Article 19 Of The Convention Pursuant To The Optional Reporting Procedure Fourth Periodic Reports Of States Parties Due In 2014	Committee against Torture	-	—	2015-01-26	CAT/C/TUR/4	The document provides extensive details about various legal, administrative, and humanitarian measures taken by Turkey. Key topics include reforms to judicial processes ensuring fair trials and transparency, handling cases of missing persons in Cyprus under the CMP and MPU framework, and addressing asylum and detention cases with updated regulations. The document also mentions Turkey’s compliance with international standards on human rights, such as establishing the Turkish Human Rights Institution and Ombudsman Institution. Efforts to support families of missing persons and address human rights violations feature prominently.
Special Procedures Communication - Hidayet Karaca, Ekrem Dumanlı	Special Procedures Mandate Holders	Hidayet Karaca, Ekrem Dumanlı	—	2015-01-16	UA TUR 1/2015	The document highlights the arrests and detention of 31 individuals, including prominent journalists Hidayet Karaca (CEO of Samanyolu TV) and Ekrem Dumanlı (editor-in-chief of Zaman newspaper), on December 14, 2014, in Turkey. The arrests were linked to alleged ties to the Gülen movement, accused by the Turkish government of attempting to overthrow the administration. The charges against Karaca and Dumanlı were based on anti-terror laws, with Karaca accused of leading a terrorist organization and Dumanlı charged with publishing articles critical of the government. The UN Special Rapporteurs expressed concerns over the lack of credible evidence supporting the charges, violations of ICCPR Articles 9, 19, and 22 regarding arbitrary detention, freedom of expression, and association, as well as the denial of due process, including restricted access to legal counsel and undisclosed charges. They called on Turkey to ensure fair trials, protect media freedom, and prevent the criminalization of dissent.
Universal Periodic Review - Türkiye - Second Cycle - Compilation of UN information	Working Group on the Universal Periodic Review	-	—	2014-11-12	A/HRC/WG.6/21/TUR/2	The present report is a compilation of the information contained in reports of the treaty bodies and special procedures, including observations and comments by the State concerned, in reports of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, and in other relevant official United Nations documents. It is presented in a summarized manner owing to word-limit constraints. For the full texts, please refer to the documents referenced. The report does not contain any opinions, views, or suggestions on the part of the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights other than those contained in public reports and statements issued by the Office. It follows the general guidelines adopted by the Human Rights Council in its decision 17/119. Information included herein has been systematically referenced in endnotes. The report has been prepared taking into consideration the periodicity of the review, and developments during that period.
Universal Periodic Review - Türkiye - Second Cycle - National Report Submitted in Accordance with Paragraph 5 of the Annex to Human Rights Council Resolution 16/21	Working Group on the Universal Periodic Review	-	—	2014-10-30	A/HRC/WG.6/21/TUR/1	Turkey’s Universal Periodic Review (2015) highlighted comprehensive reforms in human rights, including constitutional amendments ensuring positive discrimination, judicial improvements enhancing fair trial rights, and broader protections for minorities, women, and children. Key institutions like the Ombudsman Institution and Human Rights Institution of Turkey were established, and significant steps were taken in education, combating violence, and promoting freedom of expression. Turkey remains committed to advancing human rights through international cooperation and ongoing reforms.
Universal Periodic Review - Türkiye - Second Cycle - Summary of stakeholders' information	Working Group on the Universal Periodic Review	-	—	2014-10-27	A/HRC/WG.6/21/TUR/3	The present report is a summary of 28 stakeholders’ submissions to the universal periodic review. It follows the general guidelines adopted by the Human Rights Council in its decision 17/119. It does not contain any opinions, views, or suggestions on the part of the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), nor any judgment or determination in relation to specific claims. The information included herein has been systematically referenced in endnotes and, to the extent possible, the original texts have not been altered. As provided for in Human Rights Council resolution 16/21, where appropriate, a separate section is provided for contributions by the national human rights institution of the State under review that is accredited in full compliance with the Paris Principles. The full texts of all submissions received are available on the OHCHR website. The report has been prepared taking into consideration the periodicity of the review and developments during that period.
Universal Periodic Review - Türkiye - First Cycle - Views on conclusions and/or recommendations, voluntary commitments and replies presented by the State under review	Working Group on the Universal Periodic Review	-	—	2010-09-15	A/HRC/15/13/Add.1	The document is an addendum to Turkey's Universal Periodic Review (UPR) conducted by the UN Human Rights Council in 2010. It outlines Turkey's responses to various recommendations, accepting some, implementing others, and rejecting those inconsistent with its policies or priorities. Key points include Turkey's steps toward ratifying international treaties, enhancing anti-discrimination laws, and addressing freedom of expression, religious rights, and minority issues. Some recommendations, such as removing the geographical limitation on refugee rights and amending certain laws, were not accepted, citing national sovereignty or ongoing legislative priorities. Progress in education, combating discrimination, and asylum regulations is highlighted, reflecting Turkey's alignment with international standards where feasible.
Universal Periodic Review - Türkiye - Fırst Cycle - Report of the Working Group	Working Group on the Universal Periodic Review	-	—	2010-06-17	A/HRC/15/13	The Universal Periodic Review (UPR) of Turkey, held during the Human Rights Council's 15th session, evaluated Turkey's progress in human rights reforms. Turkey presented advancements such as constitutional amendments, legislative reforms, and improved compliance with international standards, including the abolition of the death penalty and efforts against torture. The review highlighted Turkey's challenges in addressing violence against women, minority rights, and freedom of expression, while commending its progress in education and judicial reforms. Recommendations included establishing a national human rights institution, combating discrimination, and improving protections for minorities and vulnerable groups. Turkey expressed commitment to continuing reforms and pledged to examine the recommendations.
Universal Periodic Review - Türkiye - First Cycle - National Report Submitted in Accordance with Paragraph 15 (a) of the Annex to Human Rights Council Resolution 5/1	Working Group on the Universal Periodic Review	-	—	2010-02-22	A/HRC/WG.6/8/TUR/1	The national report by Turkey, submitted under the Universal Periodic Review, details advancements in human rights since 2001. Significant reforms include abolishing the death penalty, ensuring equality, expanding freedom of expression, and implementing anti-discrimination measures. The report highlights Turkey's judicial reform strategy, human rights education, efforts against torture, and policies supporting children, women, and disabled persons. It also addresses cooperation with international human rights mechanisms, asylum policies, and measures combating human trafficking. The government underscores its commitment to aligning domestic laws with international human rights standards.
Universal Periodic Review - Türkiye - Fırst Cycle - Compilation of UN information	Working Group on the Universal Periodic Review	-	—	2010-02-19	A/HRC/WG.6/8/TUR/2	The present report is a compilation of the information contained in the reports of treaty bodies, special procedures, including observations and comments by the State concerned, and other relevant official United Nations documents. It does not contain any opinions, views or suggestions on the part of the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), other than those contained in public reports issued by OHCHR. It follows the structure of the general guidelines adopted by the Human Rights Council. Information included herein has been systematically referenced in endnotes. The report has been prepared taking into consideration the four-year periodicity of the first cycle of the review. In the absence of recent information, the latest available reports and documents have been taken into consideration, unless they are outdated. Since this report only compiles information contained in official United Nations documents, lack of information or focus on specific issues may be due to non-ratification of a treaty and/or to a low level of interaction or cooperation with international human rights mechanisms.
Universal Periodic Review - Türkiye - Fırst Cycle - Summary of stakeholders' information	Working Group on the Universal Periodic Review	-	—	2010-02-17	A/HRC/WG.6/8/TUR/3	The present report is a summary of 25 stakeholders’ submissions to the universal periodic review. It follows the structure of the general guidelines adopted by the Human Rights Council. It does not contain any opinions, views or suggestions on the part of the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), nor any judgment or determination in relation to specific claims. The information included herein has been systematically referenced in endnotes and, to the extent possible, the original texts have not been altered. Lack of information or focus on specific issues may be due to the absence of submissions by stakeholders regarding these particular issues. The full texts of all submissions received are available on the OHCHR website. The report has been prepared taking into consideration the four-year periodicity of the first cycle of the review.

UN Human Rights Documents Related to Türkiye since 2010

Number of Reports by Year