Yesterday marked 30 years since the Saturday Mothers (Cumartesi Anneleri), first gathered at Galatasaray Square in Istanbul, demanding truth and justice for loved ones forcibly disappeared by the Turkish state. Since 27 May 1995, the Saturday Mothers have gathered at Galatasaray Square in Istanbul, despite periods of state-imposed bans and interruptions, demanding truth and justice for relatives forcibly disappeared while in state custody during the 1980s and 1990s.
This repression reflects a broader authoritarian trend: from the detention of Istanbul Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu to sweeping civil society restrictions, Türkiye’s democratic backsliding continues to deepen.
Despite ongoing repression, the Saturday Mothers continue to peacefully resist state denial and impunity, standing every Saturday with photos of their disappearance. Their struggle has been repeatedly met with criminalisation and police violence, including arbitrary detentions condemned by human rights organisations. In a joint statement, the Human Rights Association (İHD) and Human Rights Foundation of Turkey (TİHV) demanded the release of detained protestors and an apology from the Turkish government, underscoring the legitimacy of the Saturday Mothers’ demands.
Their experience is representative of the broader trend of civic repression and crackdown on peaceful protest in Türkiye. As highlighted by EuroMed Rights, authorities have increasingly resorted to arbitrary bans, excessive police force, and the criminalisation of dissent, undermining fundamental freedoms and targeting human rights defenders. The Saturday Mothers stand as a strong example of the resilience of grassroots movements confronting authoritarian pushback.
The Saturday Mothers emerged in the aftermath of the March 1995 Gazi Mahallesi massacre, where police violence left 15 civilians dead and dozens injured. Among the victims of state brutality that month was Hasan Ocak, who disappeared into police custody and was later found tortured and buried in an unmarked grave.
Between the 1980 coup and 2013, over 1,353 individuals were forcibly disappeared in Türkiye. In 1994 alone, 299 such cases were recorded.
Repression of the Saturday Mothers intensified in the past 15 years, mirroring broader democratic erosion in the country. In August 2018, police violently dispersed the 700th vigil, detaining 46 participants. Despite being charged, all were acquitted in March 2025, with the court confirming the peaceful nature of their protest. Nonetheless, similar crackdowns continue. In June 2023, 20 more were arrested during the 950th gathering, and in March 2024, only ten participants were permitted under police watch.
On the 30th anniversary of their first vigil, EuroMed Rights calls on Turkish authorities to end all restrictions on the Saturday Mothers’ peaceful gatherings and ensure full access to Galatasaray Square, in line with domestic and international legal obligations. Authorities must also investigate all documented cases of enforced disappearance and prosecute those responsible. Türkiye should ratify the International Convention on Enforced Disappearances to demonstrate its commitment to justice and truth.
The European Union and its Member States must raise these concerns in all political dialogue with Türkiye and reinforce support for civil society groups working to protect victims’ rights and preserve collective memory.