Human Rights Foundation of Turkey Documentation Center[1][2][3][4][5]
29 March – 7 April 2025 Daily Human Rights Report
(04/001) Refugees Died in Çanakkale…
It is learned that 9 refugees lost their lives and 25 refugees got wounded due to sinking of a boat carrying refugees off Çanakkale on April 3, 2025.
(04/002) Turkmenistan Citizen Wounded Due to Fire Opened by a Watchman in Istanbul…
It is learned that on April 1, 2025 in Beyoğlu district of Istanbul, a watchman (Y.S.B.) intervened Bayram Mehrimanov, a Turkmenistan citizen, who committed physical violence against a woman on the street. It is reported that Bayram Mehrimanov and the watchman had a quarrel and Bayram Mehrimanov was wounded in his leg due to the shot opened by the watchman.
(04/003) Torture and Other Ill-Treatment in Prison…
It is learned from the news coverage of March 28, 2025 that 1 prisoner in Van High Security Prison was subjected to physical violence of the wardens. It is reported that 2 prisoners reacted to this and were subjected to physical and verbal violence of the wardens. It is learned that 3 prisoners were wounded in various parts of their bodies. It is also stated in the news reports that prisoners who were subjected to physical violence were not immediately transferred to infirmary or hospital despite of their demands, and were transferred at least 3 days after the incident. It is learned that disciplinary proceedings are initiated against prisoners.
it is learned from news coverage of March 29, 2025 that some prisoners in Samsun Çarşamba S Type Prison were subjected to disciplinary proceedings for dancing halay during Newroz. It is unknown how many prisoners were subjected to disciplinary proceedings.
It is learned from news coverage of March 30, 2025 that, prisoners arrested in Izmir for participating in protests against the arrest of Istanbul Metropolitan Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu were subjected to verbal and physical violence of wardens in Izmir Menemen T Type Prison.
It is learned from news coverage of April 3, 2025 that, prisoners in Kırşehir High Security Prison were forced to speak Turkish in family visits and phone calls, prisoners were sentenced to 4 months family visit ban and 20 months visit ban in disciplinary proceedings for protests they made, the food given to prisoners and the water flowing from taps are not hygienic, and the book titled “Diplomacy in Kurds Throughout History” sent to a prisoner named Özgür Sevim was not given to him.
(04/004) Prevention of Right to Health in Prison…
It is learned from the news coverage of April 3, 2025 that, a prisoner who was arrested in Istanbul for participating in the protests against the arrest of Istanbul Metropolitan Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu and was taken to Marmara (Silivri) Prison, was not given his medication by the prison administration.
(04/005) Prisoners whose Release was Postponed by Prison Administration and Observation Board…
It is learned from the news coverage of March 29, 2025 that, the release of Ahmet Temiz, a prisoner in Tekirdağ F Type Prison No 1, who completed the execution of his life sentence, was postponed for 6 months by the Prison Administration and Observation Board (CİGK) on the grounds of “not being ready to integrate with society”.
It is learned from news coverage of March 29, 2025 that, the release of Kadir Aydemir, a prisoner in Elazığ High Security Prison No 1, who completed the execution of his prison sentence, was postponed by CİGK for 6 months on the grounds of “not being in good behaviour” and “not showing remorse”. Kadir Aydemir’s execution was postponed for 6 months twice before on March 26, 2024 and September 26, 2024.
(04/006) People Subjected to Torture and Ill-Treatment by the Police in Urfa…
Is learned from news coverage of March 29, 2025 that, Tacettin Kalgı, a person who was detained in Siverek district of Urfa, after his sentence of 10 years and 6 months was approved, was subjected to torture and ill-treatment at Siverek District Security Directorate and was wounded in various parts of his body. It is reported that Tacettin Kalgı’s lawyer Sabri Güngen, who documented the torture and ill-treatment to which he was subjected at the District Security Directorate, was also subjected to physical violence of the police.
(04/007) People Subjected to Physical Violence of the Police in Urfa…
It is learned from the news coverage of April 2, 2025 that, lawyer Yılmaz Birden, who wanted to meet his client who was subjected to physical violence of the police while being detained at Regional Traffic Directorate in Suruç district of Urfa, was subjected to physical violence of special operation police officers and was wounded in the head.
(04/008) Torture and Ill-Treatment Under Custody in Kocaeli…
It is learned from news coverage of March 31, 2025 that, 4 women who were detained by physical violence during the police intervention to the protest in Kocaeli against the arrest of Istanbul Metropolitan Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu, were subjected to torture and ill-treatment under custody.
- E. stated the following in her statement to the press “The first night we were detained, they did not even give us blankets. We were 4 women in detention. There were 2 wooden seats. 2 people slept there, 2 people slept on the floor. We asked for medicine for our friend with migraine, they didn’t give it to her. On top of that, a police officer said, ‘You are immoral’. One of our friends cried because of the tension. He said ‘you are not even human, why are you crying’. Because we reacted, they said ‘we will process you last’. I was on my period when I was detained. I didn’t have a pad with me. I needed a pad. I told the police about this. They said, ‘There are no pads, we can manage. However, the lawyers had sent us pads. They didn’t give them to us. On the first day we were in the custody of the security branch. On the second day they took us to the custody of TEM. The police officer on duty came and said, ‘If you get thirsty, drink from the toilet. There is no water. There was no toilet paper, soap, water, nothing. On the day we were taken to the courthouse, one of the police officers threatened us again, saying, ‘If you raise your voice, if you try to shout slogans, I will slam your head against the sidewalk and crush it with my foot’.”
(04/009) Interventions and Detentions Against Protests Against the Detention of the Mayor of Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality…
Governorate of Ankara made a declaration on March 28, 2025 and announced that 4 of 355 people who were detained as of March 28, 2025, 4 of them are arrested, 231 of them are released provided that 89 of them will be on judicial control conditions, and 120 people are still under custody.
It is learned that 52 people who were detained for participating in protests in Ankara were released on March 28, 2025, at least 10 of them on judicial control conditions.
33 people who were detained for participating in the protests in Ankara were released on March 29, 2025, 4 of them on house confinement for three weeks and 15 of them on judicial control conditions.
53 of 134 people who were detained for participating in the protests in Istanbul for the same reason, were arrested by the court on March 28, 2025. 81 people were released, 18 of them on house confinement and 63 of them on judicial control conditions.
Defne Cemali, who was detained on March 27, 2025 in Şişli district of Istanbul, on the grounds of “boycott to pro-capitalist capital” banner in her bag, is released by the criminal court of peace with a ban on leaving the country on March 29, 2025.
5 of 120 people who were detained for participating in protests in Istanbul for the same cause, are arrested by the criminal court of peace on March 30, 2025. 115 people are released 27 of them on house confinement and 88 of them on judicial control conditions. 268 people are arrested in Istanbul.
Çağdaş Yazıcı who was detained on March 25, 2025 in Izmir was released on March 28, 2025.
Emre Gökmen, Labour Party Izmir provincial executive Emre Gökmen who was detained on March 27, 2025 in Izmir was arrested by the Criminal Judgeship of Peace on March 28, 2025.
It is learned that the police prevented the march for the same cause in Izmir on April 2, 2025.
9 people who were detained for participating in the protests in Adana for the same cause, are released by the criminal court of peace on judicial control conditions on March 28, 2025.
15 of 27 people who were detained for participating in the protests in Bursa for the same reason, are arrested by the criminal court of peace on March 29, 2025. 12 people were released on judicial control conditions.
On April 3, 2025, 1 person (F.A.) was wounded in a knife attack to the signature stand of CHP Youth Branch in Ortahisar district of Trabzon. 1 person named B.G. who was detained in connection with the incident was arrested by the criminal court of peace on April 4, 2025.
It is learned from the news coverage of April 3, 2025 that, at least 316 people (268 people in Istanbul, 19 people in Izmir, 19 people in Bursa, 19 people in Izmir, 19 people in Bursa, 4 people in Ankara, 3 people in Kocaeli, 3 people in Adana, 3 people in Ankara, 3 people in Kocaeli and 3 people in Adana) are arrested for participating in protests and demonstrations across Turkey to protest detention and arrest of Istanbul Metropolitan Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu.
(04/010) Swedish Journalist Detained in Istanbul…
Swedish citizen journalist Kaj Joakim Medin, who came to Turkey to follow the protests against the arrest of Istanbul Metropolitan Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu, was detained on March 28, 2023 through an investigation launched in connection with a demonstration in Stockholm, Sweden on January 11, 2023. He was arrested by the criminal court of peace on the same day on charges of ‘insulting the President’ and ‘membership of an illegal organization’.
(04/011) Detained Journalists in Istanbul…
2 journalists [Etkin News Agency (ETHA) reporter Elif Bayburt and Evrensel newspaper reporter Nisa Sude Demirel] who were detained in Istanbul on March 28, 2025 are released by the criminal court of peace on judicial control conditions on March 29, 2025.
(04/012) People Detained for Social Media Posts…
11 people, including actor Cem Yiğit Üzümoğlu and psychiatrist Muhammet Enes Özel, who called for a boycott on social media as part of the protests against the arrest of Istanbul Metropolitan Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu, were detained on April 3, 2025. 11 people were released by the criminal court of peace on judicial control conditions on the same day.
(04/013) Detained Municipality Executive in Istanbul…
Şişli Deputy Mayor Ebru Özdemir, who was detained at Istanbul Çağlayan Courthouse where she came to give official statement through the investigation against Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality for ‘aiding an illegal organization’, is arrested by the criminal court of peace on March 28, 2025.
(04/014) Business Person Detained in Cyprus…
Business-person Kaan Ketenci was detained on April 6, 2025 in Cyprus within the scope of the investigation initiated against Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality with the allegations of ‘being a criminal organization manager’, ‘being a member of a criminal organization’, ‘bribery’, ‘qualified fraud’, unlawful acquisition of personal data, bid rigging’. Kaan Ketenci, who was brought to Istanbul, was arrested by the criminal court of peace on the same day.
(04/015) Academic Investigated…
It is learned from news coverage of March 30, 2025 that Istanbul Public Prosecutor’s Office initiated an investigation against Assoc. Prof. Dr. Onur Alp Yılmaz, on the grounds of ‘hate and discrimination’ and ‘inciting hatred and hostility among people’, for his remarks about boycott in a TV show.
(04/016) People on Trial in Istanbul…
On March 28, 2025, Istanbul 62nd Criminal Court of First Instance accepted the indictment prepared by Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office against 74 people for participating in protests against the arrest of Istanbul Metropolitan Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu. The indictment demands sentence for 74 people on the charge of ‘violating Law No. 2911 on Meetings and Demonstrations’. The first hearing of the case will be held on April 18, 2025.
(04/017) Dismissed Players…
It is learned from news coverage of April 3 and 4, 2025 that Aybüke Pusat, actress of the TV series ‘Teşkilat’ on TRT, was dismissed from her job for making a social media post supporting the boycott protest against the arrest of Istanbul Metropolitan Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu. It is also stated in the news reports that Başak Gümülcinelioğlu and Furkan Andıç, the actors of the TV series “Muhabir” aired on TRT Tabii, who made a social media post in support of Aybüke Pusat; Boran Kuzum, the actor of the TV series “A Spirit Adventure” also aired on TRT Tabii; Eray Ertüren, the actor of the TV series “Kara Kış” also aired on TRT Tabii, were also dismissed.
(04/018) Police Intervention to a Protest in Istanbul…
It is learned that the march of women’s organisations from Eminönü Square to Karaköy Square in Istanbul on April 5, 2025, about the allegations of torture and ill-treatment under custody of some people detained for participating in protests against arrest of Istanbul Metropolitan Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu, was prevented by the police.
(04/019) Police Intervention to a Protest in Ankara…
It is learned that the police prevented the march to the Ministry of Justice in Ankara on April 3, 2025, as part of the justice watch started by Pir Sultan Abdal Cultural Association (PSAKD) to protest the release of 2 convicts of Madımak Massacre by the President on the grounds of health problems.
(04/000) Gendarmerie Intervention to March in Urfa…
It is learned that people who wanted to march to Halfeti district of Urfa to celebrate Abdullah Öcalan’s birthday were stopped by gendarmerie at the entrance of the district and the group was intervened by using water cannons and tear gas. It is not known whether anyone was detained during the intervention.
(04/020) German Citizen Musician Detained in Istanbul and Deported…
On April 3, 2025, it is learned from news coverage of April 3, 2025 that, German citizen musician Davide Martello was detained and his piano was seized before a concert at Mehmet Ayvalıtaş square in Kadıköy district of Istanbul. It is reported that Davide Martello was deported after detention.
(04/021) Arrested Person in Bursa…
It is learned that on April 3, 2025, a person named A.A. was detained and arrested in Yıldırım district of Bursa for stealing a bust of Atatürk in a school garden.
(04/022) People on Trial in Mardin..
On March 28, 2025, Mardin Heavy Penal Court No 2 accepted the indictment prepared by Mardin Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office against 26 people for protests against the appointment of trustees to Mardin Metropolitan Municipality. The indictment demands sentence for 26 people on the charges of ‘resisting to prevent duty’, ‘committing crime on behalf of an illegal organization without being a member of an illegal organization’, ‘violating Law on Meetings and Demonstrations No 2911’.
(04/023) MPs Against Whom Proceedings are Prepared…
It is learned from news coverage of March 28, 2025 that 13 proceedings demanding lift of impunity of 11 parliamentary members of parliament are sent to Grand National Assembly of Turkey (TBMM).
Members of parliament against whom proceedings have been prepared:
CHP Group Deputy Chairman and Mersin MP Ali Mahir Basarir
CHP Trabzon MP Sibel Suiçmez
CHP Istanbul MP Cemal Enginyurt (2 proceedings)
CHP Izmir MP Mahir Polat
DEM Party Co-Chair and Siirt MP Tuncer Bakırhan
DEM Party Group Deputy Chairperson and Kars MP Gülistan Kılıç Koçyiğit
DEM Party Ağrı MP Nejla Demir
DEM Party Mardin MP Beritan Gunes Altin
DEM Party Mardin MP Salihe Aydeniz (2 fezleke)
TİP Istanbul MP Ahmet Şık
Independent Ankara MP Koray Aydın.
(04/024) Provinces with Prohibited Demonstrations and Events…
Urfa Governorate made a declaration on March 29, 2025 and banned all open-door events, press declarations, meetings, marches, hunger strikes, sit-ins, vigils, rallies, opening stands, setting up tents, distributing leaflets, hanging banners and similar events for 5 days as of April 1, 2025.
(04/025) Access Restricted Internet Content…
It is learned that http://itaatet.me/ website, which shows on a map the businesses that support and oppose the protests against the arrest of Istanbul Metropolitan Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu, is banned to access on the grounds of ‘national security and protection of public order’ by Ankara 11th Criminal Judicature of Peace on March 29, 2025.
It is learned that https://ozgurlukharitasi.com/ website, which shows the locations and information of protests against the arrest of Istanbul Metropolitan Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu on a map, is banned to access by Ankara Penal Court of Peace No 11 on March 29, 2025, on the grounds of ‘protecting national security and public order’.
It is learned that http://boykotyap.net/ and https://boykotla.app/ websites, which published the boycott list of Republican People’s Party (CHP), are banned to access by Istanbul Penal Court of Peace No 2 on April 2, 2025.
It is learned from news coverage of April 2, 2025 that 3 social media accounts named BPT, Boşuna Tıklama and ZAM Haber are banned to access on the grounds of protection of national security and public order, through Article 8/A of Law No 5651.
It is learned from news coverage of April 3, 2025 that access to a social media post of SOL Party about boycott was banned by a court decision upon the notification of Information Technologies Authority.
It is learned that social media accounts of artists Rojda Demirer, Berna Laçiner and Alican Yücesoy are banned to access on the grounds of ‘protection of national security and public order’ by Istanbul Penal Court of Peace No 2 on April 2, 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.