UN experts drew attention to the fact that accusations against human rights defenders in Turkey are largely based on anti-terrorism legislation, noting that members of the Human Rights Association (İHD) in particular are being openly targeted. The statement emphasized that the association’s members have faced judicial harassment for core activities such as advocating for prisoners’ rights, fighting against torture, and seeking a peaceful solution to the Kurdish issue.
The experts illustrated the pressure on human rights defenders with the following concrete examples:
Hatice Onaran: She was sentenced to 4 years and 2 months in prison for “financing terrorism” on the grounds of sending small amounts of humanitarian aid to prisoners in need. She was released in February 2026 due to health problems.
Suna Bilgin: She received a prison sentence of 6 years and 3 months for “membership in an armed terrorist organization” over her work as a defense attorney. The experts expressed deep concern that, in addition to Bilgin, Tuğba Kahraman and Mehmet Acettin also face similar charges.
Sabri Güngen: Lawyer Güngen, who faced police violence and harassment by prosecutors while trying to document torture against a client, was highlighted as a symbol of attacks against the right to defense.
İsmail Boyraz: He is under investigation for “unlawful assembly” for participating in a labor union protest. (Osman Süzen, who was tried in the same case, was acquitted.)
The UN Special Rapporteurs recalled that the misuse of anti-terrorism laws is not a new issue, and that it was also raised with Turkish authorities in 2020, 2021, 2022, and 2023.
Experts call for compliance with international standards
The experts called on the Turkish Government to revise the definition of terrorism in accordance with international law—so that it is narrow and clear within the framework of legality, necessity, and proportionality principles; to ensure that legislation is not instrumentalized to restrict freedom of expression, assembly, or association, or to legitimize arbitrary detentions; and to fulfill the state’s responsibility to protect lawyers and human rights defenders from all forms of intimidation, retaliation, and violence.
UN Experts
- Mary Lawlor, Special Rapporteur on the Situation of Human Rights Defenders
- Margaret Satterthwaite, Special Rapporteur on the Independence of Judges and Lawyers
- Ben Saul, Special Rapporteur on the Promotion and Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms while Countering Terrorism
- Tlaleng Mofokeng, Special Rapporteur on the Right of Everyone to the Enjoyment of the Highest Attainable Standard of Physical and Mental Health
- Gina Romero, Special Rapporteur on the Rights to Freedom of Peaceful Assembly and of Association