In recent weeks, as part of its crackdown on social and political opposition, the Turkish government has intensified its systematic repression, increasing pressure on civil society organizations, political parties, human rights defenders, activists, artists, and independent journalists. These actions constitute a severe violation of freedom of expression and freedom of association, further weakening Türkiye’s social and political landscape. EuroMed Rights condemns this ongoing oppressive political operation against opposition voices in Türkiye. The Turkish government’s approach aims to paralyze the opposition by shaping the country’s political landscape through judicial means.
On February 15th, as part of its ongoing trustee policy, the Turkish government dismissed the elected co-mayors of Van (Wan) Municipality, Abdullah Zeydan and Neslihan Şedal, and appointed a trustee in their place. This move is part of a broader pattern over the past 11 months, during which 14 mayors — 10 from the Democratic Party and 4 from the Republican People’s Party — have been removed from office and replaced with trustees. In addition, dozens of municipal officials and workers have been detained, with many facing arrest. And on 18th of February, a politically motivated operation was conducted against the People’s Democratic Congress (HDK) related persons, where almost 52 persons were detained; including journalists Yıldız Tar, Nevşin Mengü, Elif Akgül, and Ercüment Akdeniz. On the next day, the chairman of the Turkish Industrialists and Businessmen’s Association (TÜSİAD), Orhan Turan, with the chairman of TÜSİAD’s High Advisory Council, Mehmet Omer Arif Aras, were also taken into custody after criticizing the Turkish government’s economic policies, the imposed political crackdown and the legal actions against opposition figures. Furthermore, the newly introduced legislation on the “agents of influence” with its vague and undefined terms, could severely undermine the freedom of expression, assembly and association, as the law may enable the targeting of donors, human rights defenders and independent media. In addition, a newly proposed bill threatens LGBTI+ rights by criminalizing the “promotion” of LGBTI+ identities and imposing prison sentences for same-sex marriage ceremonies. The bill would also raise the minimum age for gender reassignment to 21 and restrict changes to gender markers on official documents. If enacted, this law would severely endanger the lives and rights of LGBTI+ individuals in Türkiye.
These actions could significantly restrict the capacity of civil society organizations as well as independent journalists and human rights defenders, to operate freely and safely within the country, with opposition voices increasingly accused of disseminating terrorist propaganda or being affiliated with terrorist groups.
We call for the European Union (EU) and the EU member states to urge the Turkish authorities to guarantee the independence of judiciary, the fair trial, and to strengthen the EU support for independent civil society actors, human rights defenders and independent journalists at risk in Türkiye, through increased financial assistance and protection mechanisms. We urge the EU and EU MS to oppose the implementing of the proposed “agents of influence” legislation and the leaked legislation act, both of which pose serious threats to fundamental rights and freedoms. Additionally, we urge the immediate release of all individuals imprisoned for their political beliefs, activism, or expression and demand an end to the judicial harassment of dissenting voices.