law

  • Prison sentence against Ayşe Gökkan: “The ruling party wants to give a message to women” 

    Free Women’s Movement Term Spokesperson Ayşe Gökkan was sentenced to 30 years in prison by a court. Commenting on the prison sentence against Ayşe Gökkan, lawyer Özüm Vurgun said, “The ruling party wants to give a message to women. But the women’s struggle cannot be intimidated with prison sentences.

  • Discriminatory decision of Lebanese Rectorate sparks outrage: “Everyone should be equal” 

    The Lebanese Rectorate and Ministry of Education and Higher Education decided to demand foreign currency from foreign students studying in Lebanon. According to the decision, Lebanese women, who cannot obtain Lebanese nationality because they are married to a foreign national, will have to give foreign currency to the state. The decision sparks outrage in the country and a campaign has been launched in the country against the decision with the motto, “Everyone should be equal.”

  • “40% of applications are about sexual assault” 

    Lawyer Diren Elif Vurgun, a member of the Diyarbakır Bar Association Women's Rights Center, spoke to our news agency and said that most of the applications to the center are about sexual assault and violence against women since the beginning of 2021. She drew attention to the rulings of courts in favor of the perpetrators, “Recently, we observe a more male-dominated judiciary.”

  • Yemeni activists demand immediate release of journalist Amatullah al-Hammadi 

    Yemeni human rights activists demand the immediate release of journalist Amatullah al-Hammadi, who has been unlawfully held in prison for nearly a month without any reason.

  • Divorce rates increase in Iraq: Women protest “Article 57” 

    Thousands of women filed for divorces in Iraq due to violence against them. 200 couples sought a divorce every day in September, according to a report. While human rights defenders draw attention to the increasing divorce rate in the country, the campaign launched against the proposed amendments to Article 57 of the 1959 Personal Status Law continues.

  • Evin Cuma: Turkey should be punished for using chemical weapons 

    Evin Cuma, the executive of the Human Rights Association in Cizre Region, accuses Turkey of committing a war crime by using banned chemical weapons, “We have documented the crimes committed by the Turkish state. Turkey should be punished for using chemical weapons.”

  • Musician Dilan Demir sentenced to 9 years in prison 

    Musician Dilan Demir has been sentenced to nine years in prison on charges of “being a member of a terrorist organization” based on statements of anonymous witnesses.

  • “Prisoners are not safe in Urfa, we will file a criminal complaint” 

    Association of Lawyers for Freedom (ÖHD) Urfa Branch Co-chair Ayşe Şehriban Demirel draws attention to the recent rights violations and torture against prisoners in the Urfa No.2 T-Type Closed Prison, “We are going to file a criminal complaint about torture against prisoners. All national and international organizations should immediately take action.”

  • Families of executed people in Iran: This inhuman practice should be abolished 

    World Day Against the Death Penalty has been annually observed on October 10. In Iran, thousands of people were executed for their thoughts in 41 years. Families, whose relatives were executed, point out that the dead bodies of their relatives weren’t given to them. “This inhuman practice should be abolished,” they say.

  • “Prisoners are punished again without being tried by new amendment” 

    Hundreds of prisoners haven’t been released from prison for “not maintaining good behavior” due to the new amendment made to the Law on the Execution and Security Measures. Lawyers Association for Freedom (ÖHD) General executive Rengin Ergül pointed out that prisoners are punished without being tried by the new amendment. She thinks the criteria in the amendment are not objective.

  • Man arrested for causing death of Aleyna 

    Gökhan Argın, who is accused of causing the death of 18-year-old Aleyna Ağgül after raped her in Iğdır province, has been sent to prison. Aleyna Ağgül left a note and blamed Gökhan Argın and his son Göktürk Argın for her death.

  • Gurbet Fida subjected to violence for days before being killed! 

    According to the preliminary autopsy done on the body of Gurbet Fida, who was killed by Ali Fida in the Lice district of Amed (Diyarbakır) province, there were bruises and wounds on her body. The lawyers pointed out that there are findings revealing that Gurbet Fida was subjected to violence before being killed. “The case should be investigated in detail to identify those involved in this crime.”

  • Yemeni activists: Women are being isolated from the world 

    The Houthis ban Yemeni women from holding meetings, driving, wearing colored clothes, using mobile phones, and making up. Human rights advocates react to bans on women, “They want to isolate women from the world.”

  • 70-year-old Peace Mother Şükriye Kızıldağ detained 

    At least 16 people, including 70-year-old Peace Mother Şükriye Kızıldağ, have been taken into custody in the house raids conducted in Izmir and Manisa provinces.

  • Yemeni model Intisar al-Hammadi appears in hearing 

    11th hearing of the trial opened against Yemeni model Intisar Al Hammadi and her two colleagues, Yasmine and Yusra Al-Mokadam, who have been held in Sanaa prison since last February, was held by the Court of First Instance of the Houthis. Their lawyers demanded the criminal charges against their clients be dropped.

  • Criminal complaint against Farah Zeynep Abdullah 

    A criminal complaint has been reportedly filed against actress Farah Zeynep Abdullah for supporting actress Ezgi Mola, who was fined for insulting Musa Orhan, who caused İpek Er's death.

  • Journalists Ayşe Kara and Ruken Demir appear in court 

    Journalists Ayşe Kara and Ruken Demir appeared in court today. Ayşe Kara faces up to 15 years in prison while the hearing of the trial against journalist Ruken Demir has been adjourned.

  • For first time Turkish Constitutional Court finds state fault in femicide case 

    The Turkish Constitutional Court has ruled that public officials should stand trial over their negligence to take protective measures to prevent the murder of Serpil Erfındık, who was killed by her ex-husband.

  • “Aysel Tuğluk should be immediately released from prison” 

    Lawyer Reyhan Yalçındağ Baydemir called for the immediate release of Kurdish politician Aysel Tuğluk, who has had serious health problems in prison for a year. Reyhan Yalçındağ Baydemir stated that if something happens to Aysel Tuğluk in prison, the Council of Forensic Medicine in Istanbul will be responsible for preparing a health report reading, “She can stay in prison”. Stating that they objected to the report, Reyhan Yalçındağ Baydemir also reported that they will take all legal actions.

  • 12 years pass: No one stand trial for killing 12-year-old Ceylan Önkol 

    12 years ago, 12-year-old Ceylan Önkol was killed by a howitzer fired by the Turkish army while she was pasturing sheep. Even if 12 years have passed, no one has stood trial for killing her. Lawyer Derya Yıldırım stated that the investigation launched into the incident resulted in non-prosecution despite all evidence. “The policy of impunity will cause new violations,” she said.