Human Rights Foundation of Turkey Documentation Center[1][2][3][4][5]
15 -17 February 2025 Daily Human Rights Report
(02/137) No Response to Applications for Meeting with Abdullah Öcalan…
It is learned that the appeal made on February 14, 2025 to PKK leader Abdullah Öcalan’s family and guardian by Ömer Hayri Konar, Hamili Yıldırım and Veysi Aktaş’s families and guardians in İmralı Prison was not responded by Bursa Public Prosecutor’s Office.
(02/138) Interventions and Preventions Against Trustee Protests in Van…
The police used tear gas and rubber bullets to intervene the vigil in front of Van Municipality after the appointment of a trustee to Van Metropolitan Municipality on February 15, 2025 and detained 121 people, including Diyarbakır Co-Mayor Doğan Hatun, using physical violence. Doğan Hatun was later released. 93 people were released on the same day after statement procedures at the police. It is learned that 28 people are still under custody.
On February 15, 2025, the police intervened the protests in Hacibekir, Şabaniye, Yüniplik and Seyit Fehim Arvasi neighbourhoods of Van, using pressurized water, tear gas and rubber bullets. It is not known whether anyone was detained during the interventions.
On February 15, 2025, it is learned that the police forcibly took down the banner saying “We came with elections, we won’t will leave with trustees” which was hung on the municipality building in Karakoçan district of Elazığ to protest the appointment of trustees to Van Metropolitan Municipality. It is reported that the police also intervened the people who opposed the banner.
On February 16, 2025 in Van, a group including Peoples’ Equality and Democracy Party (DEM Party) Co-Chairs Tülay Hatimoğulları and Tuncer Bakırhan and Democratic Regions Party (DBP) Co-Chair Çiğdem Kılıçgün Uçar wanted to hold a press declaration but the police prevented the press declaration. The police intervened against those who wanted to watch or participate in the press statement and detained some people using physical violence. It is not known how many people were detained in total.
On February 16, 2025, the police intervened the protests in Akköprü, Kalecik Toki, Şabaniye, Bostaniçi, Yüniplik, Seyyid Fehim Arvasi neighborhoods of Van by using pressurized water, tear gas and rubber bullets. It is not known whether anyone was detained during the interventions.
is learned from the news coverage of February 17, 2025 that, at least 300 people were detained during police interventions against protests in Van between February 15 and 17, 2025; at least 216 of them were released and 20 people were arrested by the criminal court of peace.
(02/139) Journalists Detained in Van…
On February 15, 2025, 6 journalists (JİNNEWS reporter Rabia Önver, Mezopotamya Agency reporters Bilal Babat and Mehmet Güleş, journalists Behçet Bayhan, Ruşen Takva and Medine Mamedoğlu) were detained using physical violence and handcuffed behind their backs during the police intervention against the vigil in front of the Municipality after the appointment of trustees to Van Metropolitan Municipality. Rabia Önver, Medine Mamedoğlu, Ruşen Takva, Mehmet Güneş were released the same day after statement procedures at the police. Bilal Babat and Behçet Bayhan were released by the criminal court of peace on February 17, 2025 on judicial control conditions.
(02/140) Journalists Prevented from Following News in Van…
It is learned that the police prevented journalists from recording the police intervention to the press declaration in Van on February 16, 2025 to protest trustee appointment to Van Metropolitan Municipality.
(02/141) Police Intervention Against a Protest in Istanbul…
On February 14, 2025, the police intervened the press statement organized by Women Together Strong in Kadıköy district of Istanbul and detained at least 20 people on the grounds of chanting “Trans murders are political” and “Lesbian, mezbian, there is such a thing”. Detained people were released the same day after statement procedures at the police.
(02/142) Prevented Protest in Antep…
The police intervened the press declaration of workers of Başpınar Organized Industrial Zone, demanding wage increase, at Democracy Square in Antep on February 14, 2025, on the grounds of Governorate’s ban. It is learned that no one was detained during the intervention.
(02/143) Prevented Event in Izmir…
It is learned that DEM Party’s Peace Chain event in Izmir on February 14, 2025 was prevented by the police. The police intervened the people marching to DEM Party’s provincial office on the grounds of chanting slogans. It is learned that no one was detained during the intervention.
(02/144) March Prevented by the Police in Istanbul…
It is learned that the march of market vendors on February 16, 2025, to protest the closure of a neighborhood market in Avcılar district of Istanbul, is prevented by the police.
(02/145) Detained Co-Mayor in Bitlis…
Mümin Erol, DEM Party elected co-mayor of Tatvan district of Bitlis, is detained on February 17, 2025 on the allegations of ‘insulting the President’.Mümin Erol was released on the same day after statement procedures at the prosecutor’s office.
(02/146) Detained Party Members and Executives in Izmir…
On February 14, 2025, DBP Party Assembly member Gönül Yalçın, DEM Party PM member Sabri Gül and a person named Koray Türkay were detained in house raids in Izmir. Detained 3 people were arrested by the Criminal Court of Peace on February 17, 2025 on the charge of ‘being an illegal organization member’.
(02/147) Trade Union Executive Detained in Antep…
Mehmet Türkmen, chairman of United Textile, Weaving and Leather Workers’ Union (BİRTEK SEN) was detained on February 16, 2025 in Antep during a meeting with workers at the union building. Mehmet Türkmen was arrested by the criminal court of peace on February 17, 2025. Mehmet Türkmen was also detained on February 14, 2025 and was released on the same day after statement procedures at the police.
(02/148) Journalist Detained in Mersin…
Journalist Sami Yılmaz, who was detained on February 12, 2025 in Mersin through an Urfa based investigation and was taken to Urfa, is released by the criminal court of peace on judicial control conditions on February 14, 2024.
(02/149) Lawyers and Other Persons Detained in a Diyarbakır Based Investigation…
ÖHD member lawyer Volkan Bilece who was detained on 14 February 2025 in Mersin through a Diyarbakır based investigation was arrested by the court on 15 February 2025 on the charge of ‘being an illegal organization member’. Hebun Akkaya, who was detained in Istanbul through the same investigation, was released by the criminal court of peace on February 17, 2025 on judicial control conditions. 5 of 23 people detained through the investigation were arrested; 18 people were released, 5 of them on judicial control conditions.
(02/150) Detained People in Osmaniye…
On 14 February 2025, DEM Party Osmaniye provincial co-chair Celal Eker and 2 people (Mustafa Çoban and Sabri Çoban) were detained in house raids in Osmaniye on the grounds of a yellow, red, green handkerchief in their hands during a halay at a wedding. Mustafa Çoban was arrested by the criminal court of peace on the same day on the allegation of ‘making propaganda for an illegal organization’. The other 2 people were released on judicial control conditions.
(02/151) Detained People in Mardin…
2 of 11 people (Abdurrahman Gezer, Mehmet Yılmaz) who were detained through an investigation against trustee protests in Mardin on February 13, 2025, are released on judicial control conditions on February 14, 2025.
(02/152) Detained People in Mardin…
On February 14, 2025, 12 people are detained in house raids in Mardin on the allegations of ‘making propaganda for an illegal organization’. The names of detainees could not be learned.
(02/153) Detained People in Istanbul…
On February 14, 2025, the police raided İdil Cultural Center in Istanbul and detained 5 people (Cem Dursun, Bergün Varan, Merve Kurt, Sevda Kurban, Rıdvan Akbaş) including Grup Yorum members. Reason for detention not known
(02/154) Detained Person Due to Social Media Posts…
It is learned from the news coverage of February 14, 2025 that, an anonymous person was detained on the grounds of ‘publicly spreading misleading information’ on the grounds of his social media post about Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) chairman and was released after statement procedures.
(02/155) Detained People in Iğdır for Social Media Posts…
On February 15, 2025, 7 people are detained in house raids in Iğdır on the allegations of ‘making propaganda for an illegal organization’ in social media posts. 4 of detained people whose names are unknown are released after procedures at the police on the same day.
(02/156) CHP Chairperson on Trial in Istanbul…
On February 16, 2025, it is learned from news coverage of February 16, 2025 that, İstanbul Anadolu Civil Court of First Instance No 8 dismissed the case against Republican People’s Party (CHP) chair Özgür Özel, on the grounds of “publicly insulting the President” and “slander”, upon the complaint of the President’s lawyers, for the statements he made in his speech at a rally held at Esenyurt Square to protest the arrest of Ahmet Özer, mayor of Avcılar district of Istanbul.
(02/157) Istanbul Metropolitan Mayor on Trial…
On February 17, 2025, it is learned from news coverage of February 17, 2025 that Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office prepared an indictment against Istanbul Metropolitan Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu, on the grounds of his statement on expert witnesses in the cases he is on trial. The indictment demands sentence for Ekrem İmamoğlu on the charge of ‘attempting to influence a judicial officer, expert or witness’.
(02/158) Party Chair on Trial in Istanbul…
On February 17, 2025, it is learned from news coverage of February 17, 2025 that Istanbul Public Prosecutor’s Office prepared an indictment against Ümit Özdağ, chair of Zafer Party, for a speech he made. The indictment demands sentence for Ümit Özdağ on the charge of ‘insulting the President’.
(02/159) Journalist on Trial in Istanbul…
On February 15, 2025, it is learned from news coverage of February 15, 2025 that Istanbul Public Prosecutor’s Office prepared an indictment against journalist Reyhan Hacıoğlu. The indictment demands sentence for Reyhan Hacıoğlu on the charge of ‘being an illegal organization member’.
(02/160) Journalist on Trial in Diyarbakır…
The final hearing of the case against journalist Şehriban Aslan for a news report she made is held at Diyarbakır Penal Court of First Instance No 16 on February 17, 2025. The indictment demands sentence for the journalist on the charge of ‘violating the right to privacy’. The court acquitted Şehriban Aslan.
(02/161) Journalists on Trial in Istanbul…
The indictment prepared by the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office against journalists Barış Pehlivan, Kürşad Oğuz, Suat Toktaş, Seda Selek and Serhan Asker on the grounds of sharing the phone calls of the expert mentioned by Istanbul Metropolitan Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu in his press statement was accepted by the Istanbul High Criminal Court on February 17, 2025. The indictment calls for the journalists to be sentenced for ‘interception and recording of conversations between individuals’ and ‘attempting to influence a judicial officer, expert or witness’. The first hearing of the case will be held on March 4, 2025.
(02/162) People on Trial in Istanbul…
The trial of the case against Gülsüm Elvan, mother and Sami Elvan, father of Berkin Elvan who was killed by a gas canister fired by the police during Gezi Park protests, continued on February 14, 2025 at Istanbul Penal Court of First Instance No 43.The indictment demands sentence for both defendants on the charge of ‘insulting the President’.The court adjourned the hearing to April 9, 2025.
(02/163) Investigation Against TÜSİAD YİK Chairperson…
On February 14, 2025, it is learned from news coverage of February 14, 2025 that Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office initiated an investigation against Mehmet Ömer Arif Aras, Chairperson of Turkish Industry and Business Association (TÜSİAD) High Advisory Council (YİK), on the grounds of a statement he made, on the charges of ‘attempting to influence fair trial’ and ‘publicly spreading misleading information’.
(02/164) Investigation Against a Person in Mardin…
It is learned from the news coverage of February 16, 2025 that Mardin Public Prosecutor’s Office initiated an investigation against Mürüvvet Çam, who read the press declaration of Mardin Labour and Democracy Platform in Mardin on February 8, 2025, about detention of journalist Öznur Değer, on the grounds of ‘provoking hatred and hostility among people’ and that Mürüvvet Çam gave her official statement at Mardin Provincial Security Directorate through the investigation.
(02/165) Trustee Appointed Municipality…
On February 15, 2025, Ministry of Interior dismissed Van Metropolitan Municipality Co-Mayor Abdullah Zeydan and appointed Van Governor as trustee in his place.
(02/166) Cultural Center Raided by the Police in Istanbul…
Idil Cultural Center in Istanbul was raided by the police on February 14, 2025. The reason for the raid could not be learned.
(02/167) Cultural Center Raided by the Police in Izmir…
Jin Art Art House in Izmir was raided by the police on February 14, 2025. It is learned that books, magazines and computers in the building were seized during the search without an official from Jin Art Art House.
(02/168) Banned Movie Poster…
On February 14, 2025, it is learned from news coverage of February 14, 2025 that the billboards of Gani Şavata’s film “Invasion of Bats” in Malatya and Batman were not allowed by Malatya Metropolitan Municipality Mayor and Batman Governor who was appointed as trustee to Batman Municipality.
(02/169) Access Ban on Internet Contents…
It is learned that 3 news reports about former sub-governor of Kızıltepe district of Mardin, which were published on https://www.gazeteduvar.com.tr/, https://www.birgun.net/, https://artigercek.com/ websites, are banned to access by Nevşehir Penal Court of Peace on February 11, 2025 on the grounds of protection of right to life and security of life and property.
(02/170) People Detained in “Clamp-39” Operations…
On February 15, 2024, the Ministry of Interior announced that in the last week, 39 provinces (Adana, Adıyaman, Amasya, Ankara, Antalya, Aydın, Balıkesir, Bilecik, Bolu, Bursa, Çanakkale, Denizli, Edirne, Eskişehir, Elazığ, Erzincan, Gaziantep, Hatay, İstanbul, İzmir, Kahramanmaraş, Karabük, Kayseri, Kırıkkale, İstanbul, İstanbul, İzmir, Kahramanmaraş, Karabük, Kayseri, Kırıkkale) have been closed, It is announced that 103 people in total were detained in “Kıskaç-39” operations in Kocaeli, Konya, Kütahya, Malatya, Mersin, Muğla, Ordu, Osmaniye, Samsun, Sivas, Sinop, Şanlıurfa, Tekirdağ, Tokat and Yozgat on the allegations of ‘being an illegal organization member’, ‘making propaganda for an illegal organization’ and ‘using ByLock’.
(02/171) People Detained Through an Istanbul Based Investigation…
On February 17, 2025, 17 people, including physicians, were detained in operations conducted in 10 provinces (Kastamonu, Bursa, Diyarbakır, Malatya, Erzurum, Hatay, Mardin, Ankara, Karaman, Konya and İstanbul) as part of an İstanbul based investigation.
[1]The reports on the human rights violations of the Documentation Center are claims unless they are certified. The claim of violation either is certified through thoroughly investigations of HRFT Documentation Center, including by judicial verdicts, and becomes a definite data or it is not included to the annual report.
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[5] Daily Human Rights Reports are prepared on the information gathered by the Documentation Center from its own network and the following dailies and internet portals: Vatan, Milliyet, Hürriyet, Habertürk, Evrensel, Birgün, Cumhuriyet, Fırat Haber Ajansı, Jinnews, ETHA, Mezopotamya Ajansı, Yurt, Yeni Yaşam, NTV, Yeni Asya, Bianet, Halkinsesi.tv, Cnnturk, Tr724, İleri Haber, Siyasi Haber, Alınteri, Kızılbayrak, Sendika.org, Yüksekova Haber, T24, Diken, Gazete Karınca, Gazete Duvar. Haber Sol, El Cezire, BBC, Deutsche Welle, Reuters, AFP.