Human Rights Foundation of Turkey Documentation Center[1][2][3][4][5]
19 February 2025 Daily Human Rights Report
(02/185) Torture and Ill-Treatment in Custody in Istanbul…
It is learned from the news coverage of February 18, 2025 that, a person named Selda Özçelik who was detained in Istanbul Provincial Security Directorate was forced to be a police informant and was threatened by saying “We will not let you out of prison” when she rejected it.
(02/186) Torture and Ill-Treatment in Prison…
It is learned from the news coverage of February 19, 2025 that disciplinary proceedings are initiated against 3 prisoners (Kerem Bilgin, Mehmet Yazar and Şervan Muhammed) who reject to be forced to be examined in handcuffs in Urfa T Type Prison No 1.
It is learned that the letter of journalist Reyhan Hacıoğlu, who is kept in Van T Type Prison, about torture and ill-treatment of Belma Nergiz, a prisoner in the same prison, was deemed objectionable and it was decided to cross out the relevant parts so that they could not be read.
(02/187) Prisoners Prevented from Right to Health in Prison…
It is learned from news coverage of February 19, 2025 that prisoners in Mersin Tarsus Women’s Prison were not referred to infirmary and hospital.
(02/188) Interventions and Preventions Against Trustee Protests in Van…
It is learned from news coverage of February 18, 2025 that, Peoples’ Equality and Democracy Party (DEM Party) Şırnak MP Nevroz Uysal was subjected to physical violence of the police during police intervention against the protest in Van.
It is stated in the news coverage of February 18, 2025 that Democratic Regions Party (DBP) PM member Kenan İldeniz suffered fractures in his shoulder and fingers due to physical violence during police interventions against the protest in Van, and that 106 people including 16 children were injured due to torture and ill-treatment during detention.
It is learned from news coverage of February 18, 2025 that, at least 400 people were detained during police interventions against protests in Van and 40 people including 5 children were arrested.
(02/189) Detained People in Istanbul…
5 people (Cem Dursun, Bergün Varan, Merve Kurt, Sevda Kurban, Rıdvan Akbaş) including Grup Yorum members (Cem Dursun, Bergün Varan, Merve Kurt, Sevda Kurban, Rıdvan Akbaş) who were detained during the police raid to Idil Cultural Center in Istanbul on February 14, 2025 are arrested by the criminal court of peace on February 18, 2025. The reason for the arrest could not be learned.
(02/190) People on Trial in Eskişehir…
The trial of the case against 10 people who were detained during the police intervention against 2024 Eskişehir Pride March started on February 18, 2025 at Eskişehir Penal Court of First Instance No 16. The indictment demands sentence for 10 people on the charge of ‘violating Law No 2911 on Meetings and Demonstrations’. Those who testified at the hearing described the torture and ill-treatment they were subjected to during and after detention.
Simay Ada stated the following in her testimony: “I was subjected to both harassment and violence in detention. I was threatened with disappearance and rape by the complainant police officer in that hall.”
Another person named Mati stated the following: “When we arrived at the area, they tortured us without showing a restraining order and detained us. When I opened my eyes, they were rubbing my face on the asphalt and when I asked why they were doing this, they said ‘I will kill you’. At the door of the police station, the threat of “I will kill you and no one will find you” continued.
The court adjourned the hearing to April 9, 2025.
(02/191) Writer on Trial in Istanbul…
The final trial of the case against writer Sezai Sarıoğlu for his social media posts was held on Istanbul Heavy Penal Court No 35 on February 18, 2025. The court sentenced Sezai Sarıoğlu to 1 year and 6 months for ‘making propaganda for an illegal organization’ and deferred the announcement of the verdict.
(02/193) Person on Trial in Mersin…
The final trial of the case against Oktay Avcu, who was detained after making a criminal complaint against the President and was released on house confinement, is held at Mersin Penal Court of First Instance No 21 on February 19, 2025. The court sentenced Oktay Avcu to 10 months for ‘insulting the President’.
(02/192) Access Restricted Internet Content…
It is learned from news coverage of February 18, 2025 that journalist Abdurrahman Gök’s 3 social media accounts are banned to access on the grounds of protection of national security and public order in accordance with Law No 5651.
It is learned from the news coverage of February 18, 2025 that journalists Şerif Karataş and Ruşen Takva’s separate social media posts on trustee appointment to Van Metropolitan Municipality are banned to access by two separate decisions of Van Penal Court of Peace No 2 on February 15, 2025.
It is learned from news coverage of February 18, 2025 that the social media posts of a journalist, whose name is unknown, about the appointment of trustees to Van Metropolitan Municipality are banned to access by Van Penal Court of Peace No 2 on February 15, 2025.
[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.