Below you’ll find breaking news as well as reports, updates on our campaigns, and victories.
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Press Release
Re-Arrest of Osman Kavala in Turkey Smacks of Calculated Cruelty
The decision to detain Osman Kavala on new charges merely hours after a court-ordered his release must be immediately reversed and he must immediately set free, said Amnesty International.
February 19, 2020
![Yellow and white graphic with the Amnesty international logo on the bottom left and the word](/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/Breaking-Twitter.jpg)
Press Release
Osman Kavala and two others face aggravated life sentences in Turkey as landmark verdict expected in Gezi trial
Ahead of tomorrow’s expected verdict in the so-called ‘Gezi trial’ where civil society leader Osman Kavala and 15 others are on trial on trumped-up charges of ‘attempting to overthrow the government’, Amnesty International’s Turkey Campaigner, Milena Buyum said: “The outcome of this case will show the rest of the world whether respect for human rights has any part to play in the Turkish justice system.” “Despite failing to produce a shred of evidence to support their claim that Osman Kavala, Mücella Yapıcı and Yiğit Aksakoğlu were involved in any criminal activity let alone conspiring to overthrow the government, the prosecution is seeking to condemn them…
February 14, 2020
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Press Release
Turkey’s Prosecution Call for Jail Term of Up to 15 Years for Six Human Rights Defenders, Including Amnesty’s Honorary Chair and Former Director, Defies Logic
“Today’s vindictive request by the State Prosecutor for jail terms of up to 15 years ignores the evidence and defies all logic."
November 27, 2019
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Press Release
Amnesty’s Ex-Director and Honorary Chair in Turkey Must be Acquitted in Absurd “Terror” Trial
More than two years after they were first detained, the honorary chair, the former director of Amnesty International and nine other human rights defenders must be acquitted of the absurd charges they still face, said Amnesty International ahead of their next trial hearing which resumes tomorrow in Istanbul.
November 25, 2019
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Press Release
Decision to Re-Arrest Writer Ahmet Altan in Turkey a Scandalous Injustice
Following a court decision to re-arrest writer Ahmet Altan just a week after he was released from jail following more than three years in pre-trial detention, Amnesty International’s Europe Director, Marie Struthers said:
November 12, 2019
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Press Release
A Dark Day for Press Freedom in Turkey After Politically Motivated Trial Injustice
Following trial court’s decision to sentence Nazlı Ilıcak and Ahmet Altan to 10-and-a-half, and 8 years and 9 months in prison, on ludicrous charges of “knowingly and willingly assisting a terrorist organization,” Sara Hall, Deputy Regional Director of Campaigns for Amnesty International, said:
November 4, 2019
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Press Release
Turkey Illegally Deported Syrians Into War Ahead of Anticipated ‘Safe Zone’
Turkey spent the months leading up to its military incursion into northeast Syria forcibly deporting refugees to the war-torn country, in advance of attempting to create a so-called “safe zone” on the Syrian side of the border, new Amnesty International research has revealed.
October 24, 2019
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Press Release
Turkish Military Offensive Risks a Humanitarian Catastrophe in Syria
The military offensive by Turkey in northeast Syria risks devastating humanitarian consequences and a further destabilization of the region, warned Amnesty International’s Europe Director, Marie Struthers, reiterating the call on Turkey to respect international law.
October 11, 2019
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Press Release
Civilians at risk in Syria as Turkish military offensive looms
Responding to the Turkish government’s statements that its forces are set to cross into northeast Syria “shortly” as part of an offensive to move US-backed Kurdish forces away from its border, Amnesty International’s Middle East Research Director Lynn Maalouf said: “As the Turkish military gears up to attack Kurdish forces in northeast Syria, it is imperative that all parties to this conflict respect international humanitarian law, including by refraining from carrying out attacks on civilians and civilian objects, as well as indiscriminate and disproportionate attacks. “As in other parts of Syria, scores of civilians in northeast Syria have already suffered…
October 9, 2019
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Press Release
Turkish Judicial Farce Must End With Acquittal Of Human Rights Defenders
More than two years after they were first detained, the honorary chair and the former Director of Amnesty International Turkey and nine other human rights defenders must be acquitted of the absurd charges they still face, said Amnesty International ahead of their trial which resumes tomorrow in Istanbul.
October 8, 2019
![Yellow and white graphic with the Amnesty international logo on the bottom left and the word](/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/Breaking-Twitter.jpg)
![Yellow and white graphic with the Amnesty international logo on the bottom left and the word](/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/Breaking-Twitter.jpg)
![Yellow and white graphic with the Amnesty international logo on the bottom left and the word](/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/Breaking-Twitter.jpg)
Press Release
‘Appalling’ violence used against students holding Pride march in Turkey
Reacting to the news that a Pride march organized by students at the Middle East Technical University (METU) in Ankara has been violently broken up by police and 25 students arrested, Fotis Filippou, Campaigns Director for Europe at Amnesty International, said: “It is heartbreaking to hear that today’s Pride march, which should have been a celebration of love and solidarity, was so violently broken up by police using pepper spray, plastic bullets and tear gas, and that at least 25 people have reportedly been unlawfully detained. Reports of excessive use of force by the police must be urgently investigated.” “Amnesty International condemns…
May 10, 2019
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Press Release
Courts in Turkey being used to strangle media freedom
Responding to the decision of a Turkish first instance appeals court to uphold the conviction of journalists and executives from the Cumhuriyet newspaper, Amnesty International’s Turkey Strategy and Research Manager, Andrew Gardner said: “Today’s ruling to send the former Cumhuriyet staff back to prison exposes yet again the way in which politically motivated trials and unsound court decisions are simply rubber stamped by an equally biased appeals process. “The prosecution of scores of journalists and other media workers is an ongoing affront to press freedom and to justice. By using the courts to increase their stranglehold on the media, the authorities have once again displayed the ugly side of…
February 19, 2019