Human Rights Foundation of Turkey Documentation Center[1][2][3][4][5]
8 January 2026 Daily Human Rights Report
(01/026) Torture and Ill-Treatment in Prison…
It is learned from the news coverage of January 7, 2026 that, after trans prisoner Poyraz died in Ankara Sincan Prison, trans prisoners were put under “controlled prisoner” status and therefore were not given bleach, tablecloths, bed linen, clothesline, prisoners were forced to make sound once per hour, the ward where trans prisoners are kept is not hygienic, cultural, social and sportive rights of trans prisoners are restricted.
It is learned from the news coverage of January 8, 2026 that, Avşin Esma Başkale, a prisoner in Urfa Hilvan Women’s Prison was not allowed to attend the condolence of her father who died on January 3, 2026, on the grounds of “security”.
(01/027) Trans Prisoner on Hunger Strike in Prison…
It is learned from the news coverage of January 7, 2026 that Utku Devrim, a trans prisoner in Ankara Sincan Prison, went on a hunger strike demanding an end to discriminatory practices against trans prisoners in prison.
(01/028) Journalists on Trial in Istanbul…
The final hearing of the lawsuit filed against Dinçer Gökçe, Managing Editor of halktv.com.tr, Nilay Can, Managing Editor of gazetepencere.com, journalist Veysi Dündar, lawyer İrem Çiçek and 1 unidentified person, on the grounds of the news article titled “The prosecutor who broke down the Yenidoğan gang was dismissed” and social media posts related to this news article, was held on January 8, 2026 at Istanbul Bakırköy Penal Court of First Instance No 2. The court acquitted 5 people on the charge of ‘publicly spreading misleading information’.
(01/029) People on Trial in Istanbul…
The trial of the case against Grup Yorum members Bergün Varan, Merve Kurt, Muharrem Cengiz, Eser Çelik and Rıdvan Akbaş is held at Istanbul Heavy Penal Court No. 13 on January 7, 2026. The indictment demands sentence for 5 people on the charges of ‘being an illegal organization member’ and ‘violating the Law on Prevention of Financing of Terrorism’. The court decided to continue detention of 5 people and adjourned the trial to April 1, 2026.
(01/030) People on Trial in Ankara…
The final trial of the case against 9 people on the grounds of participating in protests against detention of Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality Mayor, is held at Ankara Penal Court of First Instance No 24 on January 8, 2025. The court acquitted 9 people on the charge of ‘opposing to Law No 2911 on Meetings and Demonstrations’.
(01/031) No Prosecution Decision on Torture and Ill-Treatment Allegation…
On January 8, 2025 it is learned from the news coverage of January 8, 2025 that Urfa Public Prosecutor’s Office decided not to prosecute the criminal complaint about Democratic Regions Party (DBP) Co-Chair Çiğdem Kılıçgün Uçar’s injury due to physical violence during police intervention to a march in Urfa on February 14, 2024.
(01/032) Journalists Prevented from Following News in Istanbul…
It is learned that journalists who wanted to follow the trial of Swedish citizen journalist Kaj Joakim Medin on January 8, 2026, were not allowed to enter Istanbul Çağlayan Courthouse.
(01/033) Access Ban on Social Media Accounts…
It is learned that on January 7, 2026, 27 social media accounts of Halkevleri were banned to access on the grounds of national security and protection of public order, in accordance with Article 8/A of Law No 5651.
[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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[4] https://twitter.com/insanhaklari
[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.