Human Rights Foundation of Turkey Documentation Center[1][2][3][4][5]
25 – 26 March 2025 Daily Human Rights Report
(03/169) Operations and Attacks…
It is learned from the news coverage of March 25, 2025 that 1 militant died in a clash between Turkish Armed Forces units and HPG militants in Gare area of Iraqi Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) on February 26, 2025.
(03/170) No Response to Meeting Request with Abdullah Öcalan…
It is learned that the appeal made on March 20, 2025 to chief public prosecutor’s office in Bursa by lawyers in order to visit their clients PKK leader Abdullah Öcalan, Ömer Hayri Konar, Hamili Yıldırım and Veysi Aktaş in İmralı Prison was not responded.
(03/171) Interventions and Detentions against Protests against the Detention of the Mayor of Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality…
The police intervened the march from Beşiktaş to join the rally to be held at Saraçhane Square in Fatih district on March 24, 2025 to protest the arrest of Istanbul Metropolitan Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu on Galata Bridge. It is not known whether anyone was detained during the intervention.
It is learned that the police used water cannons, tear gas, chemical agents and physical violence to intervene the rally at Saraçhane Square in Fatih district of Istanbul for the same cause on March 24, 2025. It is learned that Republican People’s Party (CHP) Aydın MP Evrim Karagöz was wounded in his eye during the intervention. It is unknown how many people were injured and detained during the intervention.
On March 25, 2025, 55 people are detained in Istanbul on the allegations of ‘insulting the President’, ‘opposing to Law No 2911 on Meetings and Demonstrations’ and ‘opposing a police officer’.
4 of 5 members of SOL Party who were detained in house raids in Istanbul on March 24, 2025, are released by the criminal court of peace on judicial control conditions on March 25, 2025. SOL Party FMK Member Deniz Demirdöğen was released after statement procedures at the police on March 24, 2025.
14 people including Esenyalı Women’s Solidarity Association President Adile Doğan who were detained on March 24, 2025 in Esenyalı, Istanbul were released by the criminal court of peace on judicial control conditions on March 25, 2025.
On March 25, 2025 it is learned from the news coverage of March 25, 2025 that American citizen Michael Anthony Ganoe, who was detained for participating in the protest at Saraçhane Square in Fatih district of Istanbul, is deported.
On March 25, 2025, it is learned from the news coverage of March 25, 2025 that, subway stations in Taksim and Şişhane and Kabataş-Taksim Funicular Line are closed by Istanbul Governorate’s decision.
It is learned that the police used tear gas and chemical agents and physical violence to intervene the rally at Saraçhane Square in Fatih district of Istanbul for the same cause on March 25, 2025. It is unknown how many people were detained during the intervention.
On March 26, 2025, Levent Dölek, the chief representative of Eğitim-Sen Istanbul University, is detained in Istanbul. 7 TKP members are also detained in house raids in Istanbul.
According to Progressive Lawyers Association (ÇHD) Istanbul Branch, as of 23.30 on March 25, 2025, 179 of 464 people who were detained in house raids and interventions against protests in Istanbul between March 22 and March 25, 2025, 179 of them were arrested, 111 people were released (37 on house confinement and 60 on judicial control conditions) and 174 people are still under custody.
The police intervened the march for the same cause in Konak district of Izmir on March 24, 2025, using tear gas, water cannons and physical violence. It is learned that at least 10 people were detained during the intervention.
The police used water cannons, tear gas cannons and physical violence to intervene the people who wanted to march to AKP provincial office in Bornova district of Izmir for the same cause on March 25, 2025. It is not known whether anyone was detained during the intervention.
On March 25, 2025, 1 person (Çağdaş Yazıcı) is detained in a house raid in Izmir.
10 of 64 people who were detained in Izmir are arrested by the Criminal Judgeship of Peace on March 25, 2025. The names of the arrested people are: Emre Sarıkaya, Yusuf Metin Karakaya, Selda Salman, Mert Gökdeniz Ün, Diyar Fındık, Serdar Aktürk, Cemal Kara, Hasip Erkan Gökber, Birkan Polat, Oğuzhan Salman. 54 people are released on judicial control conditions.
The police used water cannons to intervene the march for the same cause in Izmit district of Kocaeli on March 24, 2025 and detained 10 people.
The police used water cannons to intervene the march for the same cause at Akdeniz University campus in Antalya on March 24, 2025 and detained 25 people.
The police used water cannons to intervene the march for the same cause at Akdeniz University campus in Antalya on March 25, 2025 and detained 15 people. The names of detained people could not be learned.
10 people including Workers’ Party of Turkey (TİP) Antalya provincial chair Enes Keskin who were detained in Antalya are arrested by the Criminal Court of Peace on March 26, 2025. The names of the arrested people could not be learned.
It is learned that 15 people were detained by the police after a march for the same cause in Aydın on March 24, 2025. The names of detained people are unknown.
The police intervened the silent protest of one person in Aksaray for the same reason on May 24, 2025 and detained this person. The detained person was released after statement procedures at the police on the same day.
It is learned that the police intervened the march for the same cause in Elazığ on March 24, 2025 and prevented the chanting of “Erdoğan without a diploma”.
It is learned that on March 24, 2025, private security units intervened the people who wanted to hang banners at Hacettepe University in Ankara, for the boycott protests in several universities in Turkey, for the same reason.
It is learned that another group attacked the forum protest at Cebeci campus of Ankara University on March 24, 2025 for the same cause. It is learned that no one was injured due to the attack.
On March 24, 2025, it is learned from the news coverage of March 24, 2025 that, it is banned by Ankara Governorate to stop the subway and bus stops near Kızılay Square and METU campus as of 19.00.
The police used tear gas and water cannons to intervene the march for the same reason at Kızılay Square in Çankaya district of Ankara on March 24, 2025. It is unknown how many people were injured and detained during the intervention.
24 people who were detained in Ankara on March 22, 2025 are released by the Criminal Judgeship of Peace on March 24, 2025. 21 of them are released on judicial control conditions and 3 of them are released on house confinement for 1 week.
On March 25, 2025, it is learned from the news coverage of March 25, 2025 that subway and bus stops near Kızılay Square and METU campus are banned by Ankara Governorate as of 19.00. It is also stated in the news reports that Atatürk Boulevard in Kızılay is also closed to vehicle traffic.
The police used water cannons, tear gas, chemical agents and physical violence to intervene the protest for the same reason at Kızılay Square in Çankaya district of Ankara on March 25, 2025. It is not known how many people were detained during the intervention.
On March 25, 2025, Ceren Kökoğlu, provincial chair of Labour Party and 2 party members are detained in Eskişehir.
14 people who were detained in Eskişehir were released by the Criminal Court of Peace on judicial control conditions and with a ban on leaving the country on March 25, 2025.
The police intervened the march for the same cause in Adana on March 25, 2025 with water cannons. It is not known whether anyone was detained during the intervention.
It is learned that 5 of 31 people who were detained in Kayseri are arrested by the criminal court of peace on March 25, 2025, on the charges of ‘violating Law on Meetings and Demonstrations No 2911’, ‘damaging public property’ and ‘resisting to prevent duty’. 26 people are released provided that 11 of them will be on judicial control conditions.
On March 26, 2025, at least 3 people are detained in house raids in Bursa. The names of detained people are unknown.
Ministry of Interior made a declaration on March 25, 2025 and announced that 1418 people were detained in Turkey between March 19 – 24, 2025.
(03/172) Journalist Detained in Izmir While Following News…
Journalist Yağız Barut was detained by the police on March 24, 2025 in Izmir while covering a protest against the arrest of Istanbul Metropolitan Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu.
(03/173) Journalists Detained in Istanbul…
7 journalists who were detained on March 24, 2025 in Istanbul are arrested by the Criminal Judgeship of Peace on March 25, 2025 on the charge of ‘violating Law No 2911 on Meetings and Demonstrations’. The arrested journalists are: Bülent Kılıç, Kurtuluş Arı, Yasin Akgül, Ali Onur Tosun, Zeynep Kuray, Hayri Tunç, Gökhan Kam.
(03/174) Romanian Journalist Detained in Istanbul…
It is learned from news coverage that Romanian journalist Daniel Aleksander Loktus, who was detained after covering the protest at Saraçhane Square in Fatih district of Istanbul, was deported afterwards.
(03/175) Police Intervention to a Protest in Diyarbakır…
On March 24, 2025, gendarmerie intervened the people protesting the cutting down of trees for a sand quarry in Husikan rural neighbourhood of Çınar district of Diyarbakır. It was not learned whether anyone was detained during the intervention.
(03/176) Detained Mayor in Isparta…
Mustafa Özmen, Independent Mayor of Gelendost district of Isparta, was detained on March 24, 2025. Mustafa Özmen is arrested by the criminal court of peace on March 26, 2025 on the charges of ‘bribery’ and ‘qualified fraud’.
(03/177) People’s House Executive Detained in Antalya for Social Media Posts…
Antalya Halkevi Executive Board Member Kutay Meriç was detained on March 24, 2025 in Antalya due to his social media posts. Kutay Meriç is arrested by the criminal court of peace on March 25, 2025 on the charge of ‘publicly inciting people to commit a crime’.
(03/178) Detained Director in Istanbul…
Director İlker Canikligil is detained in Istanbul on March 25, 2025 on the allegations of ‘public incitement to commit crime’ and ‘public incitement to hatred and hostility’ due to his remarks in a social media broadcast.
(03/179) Person Arrested in Istanbul for Social Media Posts…
B.G.Y. who was detained in Istanbul on the grounds of insulting the President in his social media posts, is arrested by the criminal court of peace on March 25, 2025.
(03/180) Journalist on Trial…
The final hearing of the case against journalists Tunca Öğreten and Murat Baykara for their documentary “Met Dead End” was held on March 25, 2025 at Istanbul Bakırköy Criminal Court of First Instance No 13. The court acquitted Tunca Öğreten and Murat Baykara on charges of ‘encouraging drug use’ and ‘not reporting a crime’.
(03/181) MP and Members and Executives of Associations on Trial in Van…
The final hearing of the case against 7 members and executives of MEBYA DER Van branch, including Peoples’ Equality and Democracy Party (DEM Party) Van MP Mahmut Dindar, is held on March 25, 2025 at Van Heavy Penal Court. It is learned from news coverage that the court sentenced Gülistan Önver, Cihat Aksu, Seracettin Bayhar and Ceyda Dindar to 7 years and 6 months, Şevket Kaplan to 6 years and 10 months, Mahmut Dindar to 6 years and 3 months, Nebi Kaçak to 4 years and 2 months on the charge of ‘being an illegal organisation member’.
(03/182) Party Executive on Trial in Istanbul…
The first trial of the case against Sevtap Akdağ, DEM Party Deputy Co-Chair Sevtap Akdağ, started on March 25, 2025 at Istanbul Heavy Penal Court No 25. After defenses the court decided to continue detention of Sevtap Akdağ and adjourned the trial to May 27, 2025.
Sevtap Akdağ was detained on November 26, 2024 and was arrested by the criminal court of peace on November 30, 2024.
(03/183) House Confinement Decision Against Trade Unionist…
Mehmet Türkmen, chair of United Textile, Weaving and Leather Workers Union (BİRTEK SEN), who was detained in Antep on February 16, 2025 and arrested on February 17, 2025, is released by the court on March 24, 2025. It is learned that Mehmet Türkmen is sentenced to house confinement upon the prosecutor’s appeal on March 25, 2025.
(03/184) Suspended Teacher in Istanbul…
It is learned from the news coverage of March 25, 2025 that, Cansu Karyemez, Women’s Secretary of Istanbul Eğitim-Sen Branch No 3, was suspended indefinitely on March 11, 2025, with the approval of Sarıyer Sub-Governorate, on the grounds of “gender equality lecture” she gave on March 8, International Women’s Day.
(03/185) Investigation Against Trade Union…
On March 25, 2025, it is learned from news coverage of March 25, 2025 that, Istanbul Public Prosecutor’s Office initiated an investigation against members of Eğitim-Sen Central Executive Board and social media account users on the grounds of ‘publicly inciting to commit crime’, on the grounds of Eğitim-Sen’s call for not attending classes in support of the boycott announced in various universities across Turkey to protest arrest of Istanbul Metropolitan Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu.
(03/186) Access Ban on Internet Contents…
It is learned from news coverage of March 24, 2025 that access to 3 social media accounts of Vesaire, Bianet and Mezopotamya news agency is banned on the grounds of national security and protection of public order.
It is learned from the news coverage of March 24, 2025 that, https://vesaire.org/ website is banned to access by Ankara Penal Court of Peace No 12 on March 24, 2023.
On March 25, 2025, it is learned from the news coverage of March 25, 2025 that the social media account of CHP Bodrum district organization was banned to access.
On March 26, 2025, it is learned from news coverage of March 26, 2025 that https://mezopotamyaajansi42.com/ website is banned to access by Adıyaman Penal Court of Peace No 1.
(03/187) Ban on Protests and Events in Provinces…
Ankara Governorate made a declaration on March 25, 2025 and banned all open-door and closed-door meetings, demonstrations, press declarations, tents, stands, sit-in protests, petitions and similar events for 6 days between March 26 and April 1, 2025.
Following the detention of Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality Mayor, Izmir Governorate made a declaration on March 25, 2025 and banned all meetings, demonstrations and press declarations for 4 days from March 26 to March 29, 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.
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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.