Human Rights Foundation of Turkey Documentation Center[1][2][3][4][5]
27 February – 9 March 2026 Daily Human Rights Report
(03/001) Male Violence Monitoring Report…
According to Bianet’s “Male Violence Register,” at least 16 women and 22 children were killed by men across Turkey in January 2026. The statement also stated that men inflicted violence on at least 43 women, harassed 9 women, abused 65 children and forced 168 women to sex work.
(03/002) Migrants/Refugees Died in Antalya…
It is learned that at least 14 migrants/refugees lost their lives and 20 people got wounded due to sinking of a boat with migrants/refugees off the coast of Finike district of Antalya on March 9, 2026.
(03/003) Trans Woman Subjected to Torture and Ill-Treatment in Izmir…
It is learned from news coverage of March 2, 2026 that, trans woman Samira was detained by the police using physical violence while she was stopped on the road in Izmir on February 24, 2026 and was subjected to torture and ill-treatment under custody.
Samira stated the following in her statement to the press “Three police cars approached me and said, ‘Get out of here now!’ I told them that of course I would leave, I would call a taxi and leave immediately (…) I said that if I am being detained right now, I want to know the reason as my legal right. They said, ‘Are we going to explain to you, there is a prosecutor’s order.’ When I asked, ‘What is the content of the prosecutor’s order? ‘ I was harshly detained (…) I was subjected to harsh and ill-treatment at the beginning of my detention. I was subjected to psychological violence by male police officers who kept saying ‘your biological sex is male’. They wanted to do a body search before my lawyer arrived (…) When I was transferred to the courthouse, I was not provided with food, water and toilet needs.”
(03/004) People Subjected to Forced Spying in Izmir…
It is learned from the news coverage of February 27, 2026 that Narlıdere district co-chair of Peoples’ Equality and Democracy Party (DEM Party) in Izmir was forced to be a spy.
DEM Party Izmir Provincial Presidency made a statement on the issue and stated the following “Three police officers contacted him without any official notification, prosecutor’s office order or proper call with a request for an ‘external interview’; during the interview, they openly resorted to threats, pressure and discrediting methods. Our district co-chair was forced to cooperate; otherwise he was threatened that immoral and baseless allegations would be brought to the agenda.”
(03/005) People Subjected to Forced Spying in Van…
Human Rights Association (IHD) Van Branch made a declaration on March 3, 2026 and stated that 14 people in Van applied to the association on the grounds of being forced to be spies.
(03/006) Torture and Ill-Treatment in Prison…
It is learned from the news coverage of March 6, 2026 that wards in Erzurum Dumlu High Security Prison No 1 are given 150 liters of cold and 100 liters of hot water per day. It is also stated in the news reports that cold water was not supplied to wards due to malfunction and prisoners’ objection was rejected.
(03/007) Interventions and Bans to March 8 International Women’s Day Protests and Events…
It is learned from the news coverage of March 5, 2025 that the screening of 2 films on feminist struggle and LGBTI+ themes, “Portrait of a Lady on Fire” and “One Sings, the Other Doesn’t”, which were to be screened by Istanbul Technical University Cinema Club on March 6, 2026, were prevented by Student Activities Coordination Board (ÖFKK) on the grounds of “not suitable for collective screening in public places”.
On March 6, 2026, it is learned that private security units intervened the students of Ankara University Faculty of Language and History-Geography (DTCF) campus who were hanging a banner about March 8 and seized the banner.
On March 8, 2026, it is learned that the banner of Women’s Defence Network was not allowed to the press declaration in Kadıköy district of Istanbul, on the grounds of having rainbow colours. It is also reported that 1 LGBTI+ activist was detained by the police.
On March 8, 2026, 6 people are detained by the police after Feminist Night March on Istiklal Street in Beyoğlu district of Istanbul and are released after statement procedures on the same day.
On March 8, 2026, an event was organized in Tunceli with a sign of Human Rights Association (IHD) with the slogan “Neither disease, nor crime, nor sin! LGBTI+ rights are human rights” and the monthly women’s magazine Ekmek ve Gül were not allowed in the event.
On March 8, 2026, it is learned that 1 LGBTI+ activist was detained by physical violence for raising the rainbow flag during a march in Kocaeli. Detained person is released after statement procedures at the police on the same day.
On March 8, 2026, it is learned that the police intervened the rainbow flags carried during Feminist Night March in Izmir. It is reported that no one was detained during the intervention.
On March 8, 2026, it is learned that the police intervened the rainbow flags being carried during the march in Samsun. It is reported that no one was detained during the intervention.
(03/008) Trade Unionists and Other People Detained for Work Stoppage in Izmir…
Gökay Çakır, chairman of the Independent Mine Workers Union, Başaran Aksu, organizing specialist, Volkan Çetin and Öncü Çetin, head office executives of the union, who were detained by the gendarmerie on 27 February 2026 on the order of the prosecutor’s office in connection with the work stoppage at a company in Kınık district of Izmir, were released on 28 February 2026.
The gendarmerie intervened the protest organized in front of the same company on 2 March 2026 and detained Başaran Aksu, Independent Mine Workers Union organizing expert, union lawyer Abdurrahim Demiryürek and 2 workers. 4 people are released by the criminal court of peace on judicial control conditions on March 3, 2026.
(03/009) Police Intervention to a Protest in Diyarbakır…
The police intervened the protest on March 3, 2026, against a power plant project in Sur district of Diyarbakır and detained 15 people by using physical violence. It is learned that 4 people were wounded during the intervention. 12 people are released after statement procedures at the police. 3 people are released by the criminal court of peace on judicial control conditions on March 4, 2026.
(03/0010) Investigation Against News Agency and Detained Journalists…
On February 28, 2026, it is learned from news coverage of February 28, 2026 that Adana Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office initiated an investigation against ANKA News Agency for the coverage on Incirlik Military Base in Adana following the US attacks on Iran.
It is reported that ANKA News Agency executive editor Kenan Şener, Koza TV reporter Sergen Ölçer, Koza TV general manager Mehlika Bilen and Adana Metropolitan Municipality staff Güral Bıçakçı were detained through the investigation and were released by the criminal court of peace on March 2, 2026 on judicial control conditions including signing in once a week and ban on leaving the country.
(03/011) Arrested Mayor…
13 people including Bolu Mayor Tanju Özcan were detained on February 28, 2026 due to ‘extortion’ allegations. Tanju Özcan and Deputy Mayor Süleyman Can are arrested by the criminal court of peace on March 2, 2026. 11 people are released on judicial control conditions.
(03/012) Journalist on Trial in Van…
The trial of the case against journalist Reyhan Hacıoğlu is held at Van Heavy Penal Court No 2 on March 3, 2026. The indictment demands sentence for Reyhan Hacıoğlu on the charge of ‘being an illegal organization member’. The court decided to lift the judicial control measure on Reyhan Hacıoğlu’s signature, to continue the ban on leaving the country and adjourned the trial to May 14, 2026.
Reyhan Hacıoğlu was arrested on January 20, 2025 and was released at the first hearing of the case on June 13, 2025.
(03/013) Journalist on Trial in Diyarbakır…
The trial of the case against journalist Nurcan Yalçın continued on March 3, 2025 at Diyarbakır Heavy Penal Court No 9. The indictment demands sentence for the journalist on the charges of ‘being an illegal organization member’ and ‘making propaganda for an illegal organization’. The court decided to continue the judicial control measure of ban on leaving the country and adjourned the trial to September 22, 2026.
(03/014) Journalist and Other People on Trial in Istanbul
The trial of the case against ETHA reporter Züleyha Müldür, Socialist Women Assemblies (SKM) member Ezgi Gürbüz, Socialist Youth Associations Federation (SGDF) FMC member Simay Ada Kart, continued on February 27, 2025 at Istanbul Heavy Penal Court No 14.
The indictment demands sentence for 3 people on the charges of ‘being an illegal organisation member’ and ‘making propaganda for an illegal organisation’.
The court decided to lift the judicial control measure of house confinement for Ezgi Gürbüz and Simay Ada Kart, to continue the judicial control measure of ban on leaving the country for Züleyha Müldür and adjourned the trial to May 14, 2026.
Züleyha Müldür, Ezgi Gürbüz and Simay Ada Kart were arrested on January 25, 2025. Züleyha Müldür was released on house confinement and judicial control conditions on June 25, 2025, Ezgi Gürbüz and Simay Ada were released on house confinement and judicial control conditions on September 18, 2025.
(03/015) Investigation Against Journalist…
It is learned that Muş Public Prosecutor’s Office initiated an investigation against journalist Ceylan Şahinli, on the grounds of participating in a banner hanging protest, and that the journalist gave official statement at Muş Provincial Security Directorate on March 6, 2026.
(03/016) Investigation Against Journalist…
On March 6, 2026, it is learned from news coverage of March 6, 2026 that Istanbul Public Prosecutor’s Office initiated an investigation on the grounds of a news report made by journalist Ercan Küçük and seized his phone and SIM card.
(03/017) Journalists on Trial in Istanbul
The trial of the case against Ramazan Yurttapan, managing editor of Demokratik Modernite Magazine, Haydar Ergül, editor of the magazine, and 3 writers, on the charge of insulting the President, continued on March 5, 2026 at Istanbul Penal Court of First Instance No 2. The court adjourned the trial to December 3, 2026.
(03/018) Journalist on Trial in Istanbul…
The trial of the lawsuit filed against journalist Furkan Karabay on March 3, 2026 at Istanbul Civil Court of First Instance No 32 with the complaint of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s former lawyer on the grounds of ‘unjustified attack on personal rights’ due to a social media post, continued. The court adjourned the trial to September 15, 2026.
(03/019) Journalist on Trial in Şırnak…
It is learned from the news coverage of March 7, 2026 that, Şırnak Heavy Penal Court No 1 accepted the indictment of Şırnak Public Prosecutor’s Office against journalist Nedim Oruç and 9 people who were detained and arrested in Cizre district of Şırnak on January 14, 2026. The indictment demands sentence for 10 people on the charges of ‘unauthorized possession of dangerous substances’, ‘covering face completely or partially to hide their identities during meetings and demonstrations’, ‘making propaganda for an illegal organization’, ‘resisting to prevent duty’. The first hearing of the case will be held on April 24, 2026.
(03/020) Journalist on Trial in Istanbul…
The final hearing of the case against journalist Zafer Arapkirli on the grounds of a social media post was held at Istanbul Criminal Court of First Instance No 60 on March 3, 2026. The court acquitted Zafer Arapkirli on the charge of ‘insulting the President’.
(03/021) Journalist on Trial in Istanbul…
The final hearing of the lawsuit filed on the grounds of Feyza Nur Çalıkoğlu, the Karar reporter, for her news reports on torture and ill-treatment of migrants/refugees in removal centers was held on February 26, 2026 at Istanbul Penal Court of First Instance No 2. The court acquitted the journalist on the charge of ‘publicly disseminating misleading information’.
(03/022) Journalist and Other People on Trial in Istanbul…
The final trial of the case against 35 people including journalist Engin Deniz İpek, on the grounds of the protests at Saraçhane Square in Fatih district of Istanbul on July 1, 2025, on the 100th day of the arrest of Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality Mayor, is held at Istanbul Heavy Penal Court No 64 on March 4, 2026. The court acquitted 35 people on charges of ‘violating Law No 2911 on Meetings and Demonstrations’ and ‘insulting the President’.
(03/023) Journalist and Other People on Trial in Batman…
The case against 31 people including journalist Sonya Bayık, who were detained in police intervention against the press declaration of People’s Democratic Party (HDP) Youth Assembly to protest flooding of Hasankeyf district of Batman on June 12, 2019, is held on Batman Penal Court of First Instance No 1 on March 3, 2026. The indictment demands sentence for 13 people on the charge of ‘violating Law on Demonstrations and Marches No 2911’. The court adjourned the trial to June 9, 2026.
(03/024) Journalist on Trial in Istanbul…
The final hearing of the case against journalist Oğuz Bakır, on the grounds of his social media post about Republican People’s Party (CHP) chair Özgür Özel’s remarks on a prosecutor investigating Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality, was held at Istanbul Criminal Court of First Instance No 34 on March 3, 2026. The court acquitted the journalist on the charge of ‘publicly insulting a public official for his duty’.
(03/025) Investigation Against Journalist…
It is learned that Mardin Midyat Public Prosecutor’s Office initiated an investigation on the grounds of Zeynep Durgut’s news report titled “Slaughtering trees for building a police station in a Yazidi village” and that she gave her official statement at April 2 police station in İpekyolu district of Van on March 6, 2026.
(03/026) Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality Mayor on Trial…
At the final hearing of the lawsuit filed against IstanbulMetropolitan Municipality (IBB) Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu at Istanbul Bakırköy Criminal Court of First Instance No. 33 on March 5, 2026, the court decided to dismiss the lawsuit on the grounds of prepayment.
The previous hearing of the case was held on February 27, 2026.
(03/027) Investigation Against CHP Chairman…
It is learned from the news coverage of February 28, 2026 that, Istanbul Public Prosecutor’s Office initiated an investigation against Republican People’s Party (CHP) chair and Manisa MP Özgür Özel, on the grounds of ‘insulting a public officer for his duty’, for his speech at his party’s rally in Burdur.
(03/028) Association Executives on Trial in Istanbul
The final hearing of the case against Orhan Turan, former President of Turkish Industry and Business Association (TÜSİAD) and Ömer Aras, Chairman of TÜSİAD High Advisory Council was held on March 6, 2026 at Istanbul Criminal Court of First Instance No 28. The court sentenced 2 people to 1 year 3 months and 18 days each for ‘publicly disseminating misleading information’ and deferred the announcement of the verdict. The court acquitted both people on the charge of ‘attempting to influence a fair trial’.
(03/029) Academic on Trial in Istanbul…
The final hearing of the lawsuit filed on the grounds of a social media post made by academic Emrah Gülsunar was held at Istanbul Criminal Court of First Instance No 51 on February 27, 2026. The court acquitted Emrah Gülsunar on the charge of ‘publicly inciting to commit a crime’.
Emrah Gülsunar was arrested on October 13, 2025 and was released at the first hearing of the case on November 17, 2025.
(03/030) Lawyer on Trial in Diyarbakır…
The final trial of the case against lawyer Adile Salman is held at Diyarbakır Heavy Penal Court No 5 on March 3, 2026. The court acquitted the lawyer on the charge of ‘being an illegal organization member’.
(03/031) Lawyer on Trial in Ankara…
The first hearing of the lawsuit filed on the grounds of a social media post made by lawyer Ömer Kavili about former Ekol TV Board Member and former Gendarmerie General Commander, started on February 25, 2026 at Ankara Criminal Court of First Instance No 61. The indictment demands the lawyer to be sentenced for ‘insulting a public official’. The court decided to refer the lawyer to a full-fledged state hospital to determine whether he is mentally ill or not and adjourned the trial to July 1, 2026.
(03/032) People on Trial in Istanbul…
The final trial of the case against 19 people who were detained during the police intervention to the “standing man” protest at Taksim Square in Beyoğlu district of Istanbul on May 28, 2025, on the 12th anniversary of Gezi Park protests, is held at Istanbul Penal Court of First Instance No 5 on March 4, 2026. The court acquitted 19 people on charges of violating Law No 2911 on Meetings and Demonstrations.
(03/033) People on Trial in Kocaeli…
The final trial of the case against 7 people, on the grounds of protesting detention and arrest of IBB Mayor, is held at Kocaeli Penal Court of First Instance No 7 on February 27, 2026. The court acquitted 7 people on the charge of opposing to Law on Meetings and Demonstrations No 2911.
(03/034) Person on Trial in Antalya…
The final trial of the case against feminist activist Ayşe Panuş through the investigation against Peoples’ Democratic Congress (HDK) is held at Antalya Heavy Penal Court No 2 on March 5, 2026. The court acquitted Ayşe Panuş on the charge of ‘being an illegal organization member’.
Ayşe Panuş was arrested on February 21, 2025 and was released at the first hearing of the case on July 29, 2025.
(03/035) Investigations Against People…
On February 28, 2026 it is learned from news coverage of February 28, 2026 that Ankara Public Prosecutor’s Office initiated an investigation against 168 people including academicians, writers and artists, who signed the petition titled ‘We Defend Secularism Together’ published on February 17, 2026.
(03/036) Investigation Against Singer…
It is learned from the news coverage of February 7, 2026 that Muğla Public Prosecutor’s Office initiated an investigation against singer Hande Yener on the grounds of ‘targeting the constitutional order’ and ‘insulting the president’, on the grounds of accompanying the slogans allegedly chanted at her concert in Muğla on May 15, 2025 and allegedly singing “We will overthrow this revolution very well” on stage.
(03/037) Investigation Against…
On March 1, 2026, it is learned from news coverage of March 1, 2026 that Istanbul Public Prosecutor’s Office initiated an investigation against a person named Ece Ronay, on the grounds of her social media posts, on the charge of ‘insulting the military organization of the state’.
(03/038) The Case Against CHP Istanbul Congress…
On February 27, 2026, the trial of the lawsuit filed at Istanbul Civil Court of First Instance No 45 regarding the annulment of CHP Istanbul Provincial Congress held on October 8, 2023 continued. The court decided to continue the trustee committee appointed to CHP provincial administration and adjourned the trial to May 15, 2026.
(03/039) Onur Yaser Can Case…
The retrial of the case against 2 police officers (S.B. and S.G.) on the charge of ‘corrupting, destroying or concealing an official document’ in the case on Onur Yaser Can’s death by suicide after being subjected to torture and ill-treatment under custody in 2010, continued on February 27, 2026. The court adjourned the hearing to April 10, 2026.
(03/040) Suspended Mayor…
On March 3, 2026, Ministry of Interior suspended Bolu Mayor Tanju Özcan, who was arrested on March 2, 2026.
(03/041) Districts with Prohibition of Protests and Events…
It is learned from the news coverage of March 7, 2026 that, Silivri Sub-Governorate banned all events such as demonstrations, press declarations, meetings, press declarations, filming with cameras and mobile phones, opening banners, chanting slogans, setting up tents/stands, coming to the court area with symbolic clothes and similar events in the area within 1 kilometer of Istanbul Marmara (Silivri) Campus Prison between March 1 and March 31, 2026.
Istanbul Beyoğlu District Governorate made a declaration on March 7, 2026 and banned all open-door meetings, demonstrations, press declarations, leaflet distribution, sit-in protests and similar events for 1 day as of March 8, 2026.
(03/042) Access Restricted Internet Contents…
It is learned that https://onefootball.com/ website, which covers news about football, was banned to access by the decision of the President of Information and Communication Technologies Authority (BTK) dated February 26, 2026.
It is learned that a news report about a business person on https://www.yenicaggazetesi.com/ website and the social media post of the journalist who covered the news report were banned to access by Hatay İskenderun Penal Court of Peace No 2 on the grounds of violation of privacy on February 27, 2026.
It is learned from news coverage of March 6, 2026 that 41 social media accounts and 75 content were banned to access and deleted.
[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.
[2]To subscribe to the e-mail group: please write ‘daily human rights reports subscription application’ to the title of your e-mail and sent it to dokumantasyon@tihv.org.tr.
[3]https://www.facebook.com/TIHV.HRFT
[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.