Human Rights Foundation of Turkey Documentation Center[1][2][3][4][5]
8 – 24 August 2026 Daily Human Rights Report
(08/046) Labor Killings…
In a statement issued by the Council for Occupational Health and Safety (İSİG), it was reported that in July 2026, at least 214 workers lost their lives while on the job, including 11 women, 14 refugees/migrants, and 12 children.
(08/047) Racist Attack in Zonguldak…
According to news reports on August 23, 2026, it was learned that Kurdish seasonal agricultural workers in the village of Bektaşlı, in the Alaplı district of Zonguldak, were subjected to racist attacks by racist groups on two separate occasions. It was reported that four people, including one child, who were detained in connection with theses attacks were released, three of them under judicial supervision.
(08/048) Racist Attack in Düzce…
According to news reports on August 23, 2026, it was learned that Kurdish seasonal agricultural workers in Düzce were attacked by a racist group. It was reported that a person named M.A., who was detained in connection with the attack, was arrested by the magistrate’s court to which he was referred on August 24, 2026.
One of the victims stated in a media interview: “We were sitting in our backyard because it was evening. Suddenly, a group approached our yard. One of them pulled out a knife and started hurling insults at us. He said we had to leave and that they didn’t want us there. We were frightened at that moment and called the police. The police arrived and took that person into custody.”
(08/049) Attack on a Member of Parliament…
It was reported that Melih Meriç, a member of parliament from the New Party representing Gaziantep, was the victim of a knife attack in Gaziantep on August 18, 2026. It was reported that Melih Meriç was injured as a result of the attack. It was reported that two individuals (Ahmet Keleş and Hakan Keleş) detained in connection with the attack were arrested by the magistrate’s court to which they were referred.
(08/050) Allegations of Torture and Other Ill-Treatment at a Deportation Center in Istanbul…
According to news reports published on August 12, 2026, Paula Maier—a woman who had arrived in Turkey from Germany in January 2026 in connection with attacks against Kurds in Syria—was detained in Mardin and subsequently taken to a deportation center in Istanbul to be deported. It was alleged that she was subjected to torture, other ill-treatment, and sexual assault at the center.
In her statement published in the press, Paula Maier said: “We were not allowed to close our eyes, sleep, lean back, or sit down. They kicked us, insulted us, and spat on us. Our braided hair was rubbed between the police officers’ legs or pulled out (…) While I was held in a solitary confinement cell, I was raped by a Turkish official.”
(08/051) Torture and Other Ill-Treatment in Custody in Diyarbakır…
According to news reports published on August 14, 2026, it was learned that four individuals detained on August 13, 2026, in the Sur district of Diyarbakır were subjected to physical violence by the police at the hospital where they were taken for a medical examination.
(08/052) Journalists Subjected to Physical Violence by the Police in Ankara…
According to news reports published on August 20, 2026, journalists covering a protest held on August 20, 2026, in front of the Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources in Ankara by workers of Eti Gümüş and Doruk Madencilik regarding their unpaid wages and compensation claims were subjected to physical violence by the police. The number of journalists subjected to physical violence could not be determined.
(08/053) Torture and Other Ill-Treatment in Prison…
According to news reports published on August 18, 2026, it was learned that on August 13, 2026, political prisoners at the Antalya S-Type Prison who refused to comply with an order to stand during a roll call were subjected to torture and other ill-treatment by correctional officers. It was reported that the prisoners subjected to torture and other ill-treatment were taken from their ward and transferred to another ward, where they continued to be subjected to torture and other ill-treatment. In a statement issued by the Antalya Branch of the Association of Contemporary Lawyers (ÇHD), which visited the Antalya S-Type Prison following these allegations, the following was noted: “The prisoners were taken out of their cell and dragged on the ground for about 200 meters to a place referred to by prison administrators as a ‘temporary cell,’ where the torture continued. Traces of torture are still visible and have been documented and recorded by our branch.”
According to news reports published on August 19, 2026, it was learned that Nevzat Öner, a prisoner held at the Van F-Type Prison, was subjected to physical violence by gendarmerie personnel on August 11, 2026, at the hospital to which he had been transferred for treatment, on the grounds that he refused to undergo an examination while handcuffed, and was returned to prison without receiving treatment
(08/054) Prisoner Denied Access to Healthcare in Prison…
According to news reports published on August 8, 2026, it was learned that a prisoner named Aydın Oğuz, who reportedly broke his leg while exercising on July 19, 2026, at the Giresun Espiye L-Type Prison, has not been taken to the hospital since that date because he refused to submit to an “in-mouth search.”
According to news reports published on August 13, 2026, it was learned that inmates who were poisoned on August 7 and 11, 2026, at the Burdur High-Security Prison were not taken to the hospital. No information was available regarding the number of inmates who were poisoned.
(08/055) Inmate Whose Release Was Adjourned by the Prison Administration and Observation Board…
According to news reports published on August 21, 2026, it was learned that the release of Nuriye Adet, an prisoner held at the Ankara Sincan Women’s Prison who completed her life sentence in 2024, was adjourned for one year by the Prison Administration and Observation Board (CİGK). The reports noted that the prisoner’s release had previously been adjourned five times.
(08/056) Police Intervention in Protests in Ankara…
On August 10, 2026, police intervened in a protest held by workers from Eti Gümüş and Doruk Madencilik in front of the Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources in Ankara regarding unpaid wages and compensation, detaining 80 people. Those detained were released the same day.
It was also reported that on August 10, police prevented a march that Doruk Madencilik workers had intended to hold on Sakarya Street in Ankara’s Çankaya district.
On August 13, police intervened in a protest held by Eti Gümüş and Doruk Mining workers in front of the Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources in Ankara regarding their unpaid wages and compensation, detaining 84 people, including Gökay Çakır, General President of the Independent Miners’ Union, and Başaran Aksu, an organizing specialist. It was reported that the detention period was extended by one day. While 83 people were released on August 14, 2026, Başaran Aksu was released on August 15, 2026.
On August 17, 2026, police intervened in a protest held by workers from Eti Gümüş and Doruk Madencilik in front of the Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources in Ankara regarding their unpaid wages and compensation claims, and detained Gökay Çakır, General President of the Independent Miners’ Union, and Organizing Specialist Başaran Aksu. On August 18, 2026, Gökay Çakır and Başaran Aksu were released by the magistrate’s court to which they were referred, subject to a judicial control measure requiring them to sign in periodically.
On August 20, 2026, police intervened in a protest held in front of the Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources in Ankara by workers from Eti Gümüş and Doruk Madencilik regarding their unpaid wages and compensation claims, detaining 100 people, including Başaran Aksu, an Organizing Specialist at the Independent Mining Workers’ Union. All those detained were released on August 21, 2026.
(08/057) Gendarmerie Intervention at a Protest in Rize…
On August 18, 2026, in the village of Balıkçı, which is part of the Pazar district of Rize, the gendarmerie intervened against protesters opposing a planned cage fishing facility off the coast of Zelek Port and detained four people. The four were released the same day without being questioned, following instructions from the prosecutor’s office.
(08/058) Police Intervention at a Protest in Ankara…
It was reported that on August 19, 2026, police intervened in a sleep-in protest being held at Güven Park in Ankara’s Çankaya district by relatives of soldiers killed in combat and by injured soldiers and their relatives; the police took those present in the park to the Bilkent Gazi Rehabilitation Center and closed off the park with barriers.
It was also reported that a march planned for August 19, 2026, in front of the Ministry of the Interior in Ankara to protest the intervention was blocked by police.
(08/059) Journalist Detained in Istanbul…
Journalist Burhan Can Terzi, who was detained on August 10, 2026, on charges of “publicly disseminating misleading information” as part of an investigation launched by the Istanbul Bakırköy Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office regarding a news report on a reported transfer by the Galatasaray soccer team, was released the same day following his questioning at the prosecutor’s office.
(08/060) Mayor and Others Detained in İzmir…
Of the 16 people detained as part of an investigation targeting the Menderes Municipality in İzmir, 10—including Mayor İlkay Çiçek—were arrested on August 7, 2026, by the magistrate’s court to which they were referred, on charges of “bribery,” “extortion,” “forgery of official documents,” “abuse of office,” and “causing urban planning violations.” Six others were released under judicial supervision.
(08/061) City Council Member Detained in Istanbul…
Hülya Şimşek, an elected municipal council member from the Republican People’s Party (CHP) representing the Sultangazi district, was detained in Istanbul on August 15, 2026, and was subsequently remanded in custody by the magistrate’s court to which she was referred that same day on charges of “threats” and “aggravated robbery.”
(08/062) Party Executive Taken into Detention in Manisa…
On August 5, 2026, İlksen Özalper, the Manisa Provincial Chairperson of the New Party, was taken into custody as part of an investigation launched by the Ankara Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office and transported to Ankara. On August 8, 2026, she was remanded in custody by the magistrate’s court to which she was brought on charges of “bribery” and “membership in a criminal organization.”
(08/063) Kurdish Artist Detained in Adana…
On August 10, 2026, Kurdish artist Nuarin was detained at Çukurova Airport upon her arrival from Europe on allegations of “being a member of an organization.” On August 13, 2026, she was released by the magistrate’s court to which she was referred, subject to judicial supervision.
(08/064) Halkevi Member Detained in Ankara…
On August 9, 2026, at the Ankara in connection with a banner hung regarding the NATO Summit held there, was taken into custody at the Ankara Courthouse while going to give a statement as part of an investigation initiated by the Yozgat Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office and subsequently transported to Yozgat. It was reported that Leylanur Mavili, a Halkevi member, was released on August 13, 2026, by the magistrate’s court to which she was referred, subject to judicial supervision.
(08/065) Retired Officer Arrested in Istanbul…
Retired Rear Admiral Türker Ertürk, who was detained on August 17, 2026, on the grounds of a social media post he made, was arrested by the magistrate’s court to which he was referred on the same day on charges of “threats” and “incitement to commit a crime.”
(08/066) Individuals Arrested in Istanbul…
As part of an investigation launched by the Istanbul Küçükçekmece Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office targeting the Avcılar Municipality, 12 people detained in four provinces (Istanbul, Ankara, Balıkesir, and Bitlis) were arrested on August 8, 2026, by the magistrate’s court to which they were referred, on the charge of “disrupting public order.”
(08/067) Individuals Detained in Van…
It was reported that on August 14, 2026, seven people—including one child—were detained in Van’s Hacıbekir Neighborhood on the grounds of hanging a banner reading “No to Drugs” there.
(08/068) Person Detained in Istanbul…
According to news reports on August 9, 2026, an unidentified person was detained on the grounds of allegedly insulting the President in social media posts.
(08/069) Person Arrested in Zonguldak…
According to news reports on August 12, 2026, it was reported that Ufuk Ören—who had been detained on allegations of removing a banner bearing the President’s portrait that was hanging on an overpass in the Devrek district of Zonguldak, and who had been released under judicial supervision by the magistrate’s court to which he was referred—was re-detained following an objection by the prosecutor’s office and subsequently arrested by the magistrate’s court to which he was referred.
(08/070) Person Detained in Istanbul…
It was reported that Mustafa Malo, against whom the Istanbul Anatolia Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office launched an investigation on the grounds of social media posts, was arrested on August 22, 2026, by the magistrate’s court to which he was referred on the charge of “insulting the President.”
(08/071) Individuals Detained as Part of an Investigation into the Kuşadası Municipality…
As part of an investigation launched by the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office targeting the Aydın Kuşadası Municipality, 14 of the 17 individuals detained in three provinces (Izmir, Aydın, and Antalya) were arrested on charges of “bribery” and “extortion,” while three were released under judicial supervision.
(08/72) Individuals Detained as Part of an Investigation into the Furkan Foundation…
On August 19, 2026, as part of an Adana-based investigation targeting the Furkan Foundation, 56 people were detained during operations conducted in six provinces. Of these, 35—including the foundation’s founding president, Alparslan Kuytul, and his wife—were referred to a magistrate’s court on August 23, 2026, where they were charged with “establishing, leading, and being a member of an organization,” “laundering assets derived from crime,” “aggravated fraud,” “forgery of official documents,” and “violation of the Tax Procedure Law”; 21 others were released, 18 of whom were subject to judicial supervision.
On August 19, 2026, news reports revealed that trustees had been appointed to five companies as part of the same investigation.
(08/073) Individuals Detained as Part of the Investigation into the “Süleymancılar” Community…
On August 13, 2026, as part of an Ankara-based investigation targeting the community known as the “Süleymancılar,” 38 people were detained during operations conducted in 17 provinces. Of these, 32—including Alihan Kuriş, reported to be the community’s leader—were referred to the magistrate’s court on August 16, 2026, where they were charged with “corruption,” “forming, leading, or being a member of a criminal organization,” “laundering assets derived from crime,” “fraud,” and “violation of the Tax Procedure Law,” while 6 others were released under judicial supervision.
It was reported that, as part of the same investigation, 12 more individuals were detained during operations conducted on August 22, 2026, in four provinces (Istanbul, Konya, Mersin, and Muğla).
On August 13, 2026, as part of the same investigation, it was reported that trustees were appointed to 31 companies on the grounds that they were affiliated with the movement; subsequently, the trustee decision regarding one company was revoked, and a 13 percent stake in that company was seized.
(08/074) Member of Parliament Under Investigation…
According to news reports on August 9, 2026, it was reported that the Ankara Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office had launched an investigation into Turhan Çömez, Deputy Group Chair of the İYİ Party, on the grounds of “publicly disseminating misleading information,” citing a speech he had given.
(08/075) Musician Under Investigation…
According to news reports on August 13, 2026, it was reported that the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office had launched an investigation into musician Mabel Matiz on charges of “obscenity” due to her song titled “Ha Leylim.” Mabel Matiz, who testified on August 21, 2026, as part of the investigation, was released by the magistrate’s court to which she was referred, subject to the judicial control measure of a travel ban.
(08/076) Individuals Under Investigation Due to Social Media Posts…
According to news reports on August 10, 2026, the Konya Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office launched an investigation into eight individuals who posted on social media claiming that a riot had broken out at the Konya Type E Prison, and arrest warrants were issued for these individuals.
(08/077) Members of Parliament Against Whom Indictments Have Been Prepared…
According to news reports on August 12, 2026, it was learned that a total of three indictments prepared against three members of parliament—seeking the lifting of their parliamentary immunity—had been submitted to the Grand National Assembly of Turkey (TBMM).
Members of Parliament for whom indictments were prepared:
Özgür Özel, Chairman of the New Party/Parliamentary Group Leader and Member of Parliament for Manisa
Veli Ağbaba, Member of Parliament for Malatya from the New Party
Serra Kadıgil, Member of Parliament for Istanbul from the Turkish Workers’ Party (TİP)
(05/078) Nurse Expelled from the Profession…
According to news reports published on August 19, 2026, it was learned that a nurse named İkra Avcı—who was detained on the grounds that she shared a video on social media in which she braided her hair to protest attacks against Kurds in Syria, subsequently released under judicial supervision, and later suspended from her position—was expelled from the profession despite an acquittal in the case filed against her.
(08/079) Platforms Fined by RTÜK…
According to news reports on August 13, 2026, the Radio and Television Supreme Council (RTÜK) imposed administrative fines on Netflix for the documentary “Bang My Box: The Robin Byrd Story” and on Disney+ for the series “Spartacus: House of Ashur,” as well as on Netflix for the film “Heartstopper: Forever,” and Disney+ for the series “A Teacher.”
(08/080) Mayor Removed from Office…
İlkay Çiçek, the mayor of the Menderes district of İzmir, who was arrested on August 7, 2026, was removed from office by the Ministry of the Interior on August 8, 2026.
(08/081) Social Media Accounts and Internet Content Subject to Access Restrictions…
According to news reports on August 10, 2026, access to 21 social media accounts was restricted on the grounds of posts regarding a riot at Konya Type E Prison.
According to news reports on August 14, 2026, the official music video for Mabel Matiz’s song “Ha Leylim,” published on YouTube, was blocked as part of an investigation launched regarding the song.
According to news reports published on August 14, 2026, access to three separate X social media accounts belonging to Etkin Haber Ajansı (ETHA), Medya Haber, and Jin News Türkçe was blocked under Article 8/A of Law No. 5651 on the grounds of protecting national security and public order.
Regarding Rojin Kabaiş: https://www.cumhuriyet.com.tr/, https://www.evrensel.net/ (2 news articles), https://www.gazetepencere.com/, https://halktv.com.tr/, https://www.vanhaber.tr/—it has been reported that the Van 2nd Criminal Court of Peace issued a decision on August 14, 2026, blocking access to these six news articles on the aforementioned websites on the grounds of protecting national security and public order.
According to news reports published on August 14, 2026, access to three X social media accounts was blocked under Article 8/A of Law No. 5651 on the grounds of protecting national security and public order due to posts related to Rojin Kabaiş.
As part of the investigation into the Furkan Foundation, it was reported that access to a total of 23 social media accounts—including 2 on X, 1 on Instagram, and 1 on YouTube—as well as 4 websites was blocked by a decision of the Adana 6th Criminal Peace Court dated August 19, 2026, on the grounds of protecting national security and public order. News reports indicate that a total of 349 social media accounts have been blocked as part of the investigation.
According to news reports published on August 20, 2026, access to 3 social media accounts belonging to journalists Nasuh Bektaş and Fırat Fıstık, as well as the Mezopotamya Agency, was blocked under Article 8/A of Law No. 5651 on the grounds of protecting national security and public order.
According to news reports published on August 21, 2026, access to three news articles and three social media posts regarding the former Minister of Health, published on the website https://haberalternatif.com/, was blocked under Article 8/A of Law No. 5651 on the grounds of protecting national security and public order.
[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.