https://observatoryfordefenders.org/fr/ Sat, 20 Dec 2025 13:33:55 +0000 fr-FR hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.9.4 https://observatoryfordefenders.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/cropped-OB-eye-orange-32x32.png https://observatoryfordefenders.org/fr/ 32 32 https://observatoryfordefenders.org/fr/alert/turkey-arbitrary-dissolution-of-the-young-lgbti-association/ Fri, 19 Dec 2025 13:24:30 +0000 https://observatoryfordefenders.org/?post_type=alert&p=24285 Young LGBTI+ Association - Genç LGBTİ+ Derneği) was established in Izmir in 2016, with the aim of researching the challenges faced by LGBTQIA+ youth, bringing them to public attention, offering solutions, and creating spaces for LGBTQIA+ persons to express themselves. On 11 December 2025, the Izmir 3rd Civil Court of First Instance ruled to dissolve the Young LGBTI+ Association, on the basis of five social media posts shared by the association in 2019, 2020, and 2022. These social media posts were illustrations shared by the association on Lesbian Visibility Day in 2019 and 2022, and on the occasion of the 4th LGBTI+ Youth Festival in 2020. The court ruled that the posts containing “obscene” images were viewed by many people and reached a wide audience, that they could encourage and promote lesbian, gay, bisexual, transvestite, or trans-sexuality, and that the association was not in line with the moral values of society and Article 41 of the Constitution of the Republic of Turkey (Protection of the family, and children’s rights). The Young LGBTI+ Association will be appealing this decision. The Observatory recalls that on 10 December 2024, the Izmir Governor's Office reported the Young LGBTI+ Association to the Izmir Chief Public Prosecutor's Office due to the five illustrations shared by the association on social media, and requested that a criminal investigation be launched for obscenity and that a lawsuit be filed to dissolve the association. As a result, an investigation was launched on charges of “facilitating the publication of obscene material” (Article 226/2 of the Penal Code of Turkey) and “establishing an association for prohibited purposes or to commit criminal acts” (Articles 30(b) and 32(p) of the Associations Law), with reference to Article 41 of the Constitution concerning the protection of the family. On 3 February 2025, a dissolution case was filed against the association in the Izmir 3rd Civil Court of First Instance (case no. 2025/41 E.) on the grounds that it encouraged society to adopt LGBTI+ identities by sharing obscene content, and the trial opened on 11 March 2025. In parallel with these civil proceedings, the Izmir Chief Public Prosecutor's Office Cybercrime Bureau launched a criminal investigation on 10 December 2024 against 11 individuals, including members of the Young LGBTI+ association's board of directors and supervisory board, and two employees, on the basis of the same five social media posts. A repetitive criminal investigation on the same social media posts was launched on 24 March 2025 by the Izmir Press Prosecutor's Office. Although the Cybercrime Bureau eventually decided on 14 August 2025 not to prosecute the 11 individuals for obscenity, the Press Prosecutor’s Office proceeded to file a criminal case against these 11 individuals under the Associations Law. The first hearing in this case is scheduled for 8 April 2026. As previously documented by the Observatory and its partner organisations in Turkey, the Human Rights Association (İnsan Hakları Derneği - IHD) and the Human Rights Foundation of Turkey (Türkiye İnsan Hakları Vakfı - TİHV) in their report “‘Uncertain and Eerie’: Closure Cases Against Associations in Turkey”, closure cases against associations are increasingly being used by the authorities in Turkey to hinder the work of human rights defenders and civil society organisations, particularly that of women’s and LGBTQIA+ rights organisations and organisations working on the Kurdish issue. Among other forms of harassment, the drastic measure of involuntary dissolution of associations, which the cases can lead to, is increasingly abused by the authorities to silence, discredit and sanction associations in retaliation for their work. Since 2021, at least six associations have faced closure cases in Turkey. Of these, only the dissolution case against the We Will Stop Femicide Platform (KCDP) was dismissed in 2023. The Religious Scholars Mutual Aid and Solidarity Association (DİAYDER) was dissolved in 2022 and the Migration Monitoring Association (GÖÇİZDER) was dissolved in 2024, whereas the dissolution case against the Tarlabaşı Community Centre (TTM) and the Mutual Aid, Solidarity, Unity and Culture Association with Families Who Lost Relatives in the Cradle of Civilizations (MEBYADER) are ongoing. The involuntary dissolution of the Young LGBTI+ Association represents yet another example of this worrisome trend. The Observatory notes with concern that the dissolution of the Young LGBTI+ Association takes place against a backdrop of increasing attacks against LGBTQIA+ people and rights defenders in Turkey. In October 2025, a government draft law was leaked to the press revealing plans to criminalise “attitudes and behaviours contrary to biological sex from birth and general morality” as well as those deemed to “openly encourage, praise, or promote such attitudes and behaviours”. The proposal also sought to restrict gender-affirming care by raising the minimum age to 25 and introducing burdensome requirements. These provisions were not included in the bill that was recently submitted to Parliament, following criticism from a wide range of domestic and international actors that the initial proposal was a clear violation of the rights of LGBTQIA+ people. However, the involuntary dissolution of the Young LGBTI+ Association on grounds that it “encourages” being LGBTQIA+ raises an alarm regarding possible future attempts to criminalise LGBTQIA+ persons and content. That the association was shut down on grounds of obscenity by the civil court despite the prosecution’s decision not to prosecute association executives for obscenity further demonstrates that existing laws are weaponised against LGBTQIA+ defenders in line with the spirit and aims of the draft law. That both the dissolution and the criminal case rely on five illustrations shared on social media also point to undue restrictions of artistic freedom protected under the right to freedom of expression. The Observatory strongly condemns the arbitrary dissolution of the Young LGBTI+ Association and the criminal proceedings against its members, which appear to be aimed solely at preventing and criminalising the organisation and its employees from exercising their legitimate human rights work. The dissolution violates the right to freedom of association, recognised by international human rights law, particularly under Article 22 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), and under Article 11 of the European Convention on Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms (ECHR), to which Turkey is a party. Under these provisions, the dissolution of an association should be considered as a last resort, applied only in exceptional cases where lesser sanctions fail and when there is evidence of an imminent, severe and proven threat to public order. Even then, dissolution is permissible only when it is lawful, strictly necessary, proportionate and when it pursues a legitimate aim. It cannot be used to suppress dissent or target individuals or organisations who are critical of or promote views contrary to the ones supported by the government. The Observatory urges the authorities in Turkey to immediately quash the dissolution of the Young LGBTI+ Association, to drop all criminal charges against the 11 association’s members, and to guarantee, in all circumstances, the rights to freedom of association and expression.]]> Young LGBTI+ Association - Genç LGBTİ+ Derneği) was established in Izmir in 2016, with the aim of researching the challenges faced by LGBTQIA+ youth, bringing them to public attention, offering solutions, and creating spaces for LGBTQIA+ persons to express themselves. On 11 December 2025, the Izmir 3rd Civil Court of First Instance ruled to dissolve the Young LGBTI+ Association, on the basis of five social media posts shared by the association in 2019, 2020, and 2022. These social media posts were illustrations shared by the association on Lesbian Visibility Day in 2019 and 2022, and on the occasion of the 4th LGBTI+ Youth Festival in 2020. The court ruled that the posts containing “obscene” images were viewed by many people and reached a wide audience, that they could encourage and promote lesbian, gay, bisexual, transvestite, or trans-sexuality, and that the association was not in line with the moral values of society and Article 41 of the Constitution of the Republic of Turkey (Protection of the family, and children’s rights). The Young LGBTI+ Association will be appealing this decision. The Observatory recalls that on 10 December 2024, the Izmir Governor's Office reported the Young LGBTI+ Association to the Izmir Chief Public Prosecutor's Office due to the five illustrations shared by the association on social media, and requested that a criminal investigation be launched for obscenity and that a lawsuit be filed to dissolve the association. As a result, an investigation was launched on charges of “facilitating the publication of obscene material” (Article 226/2 of the Penal Code of Turkey) and “establishing an association for prohibited purposes or to commit criminal acts” (Articles 30(b) and 32(p) of the Associations Law), with reference to Article 41 of the Constitution concerning the protection of the family. On 3 February 2025, a dissolution case was filed against the association in the Izmir 3rd Civil Court of First Instance (case no. 2025/41 E.) on the grounds that it encouraged society to adopt LGBTI+ identities by sharing obscene content, and the trial opened on 11 March 2025. In parallel with these civil proceedings, the Izmir Chief Public Prosecutor's Office Cybercrime Bureau launched a criminal investigation on 10 December 2024 against 11 individuals, including members of the Young LGBTI+ association's board of directors and supervisory board, and two employees, on the basis of the same five social media posts. A repetitive criminal investigation on the same social media posts was launched on 24 March 2025 by the Izmir Press Prosecutor's Office. Although the Cybercrime Bureau eventually decided on 14 August 2025 not to prosecute the 11 individuals for obscenity, the Press Prosecutor’s Office proceeded to file a criminal case against these 11 individuals under the Associations Law. The first hearing in this case is scheduled for 8 April 2026. As previously documented by the Observatory and its partner organisations in Turkey, the Human Rights Association (İnsan Hakları Derneği - IHD) and the Human Rights Foundation of Turkey (Türkiye İnsan Hakları Vakfı - TİHV) in their report “‘Uncertain and Eerie’: Closure Cases Against Associations in Turkey”, closure cases against associations are increasingly being used by the authorities in Turkey to hinder the work of human rights defenders and civil society organisations, particularly that of women’s and LGBTQIA+ rights organisations and organisations working on the Kurdish issue. Among other forms of harassment, the drastic measure of involuntary dissolution of associations, which the cases can lead to, is increasingly abused by the authorities to silence, discredit and sanction associations in retaliation for their work. Since 2021, at least six associations have faced closure cases in Turkey. Of these, only the dissolution case against the We Will Stop Femicide Platform (KCDP) was dismissed in 2023. The Religious Scholars Mutual Aid and Solidarity Association (DİAYDER) was dissolved in 2022 and the Migration Monitoring Association (GÖÇİZDER) was dissolved in 2024, whereas the dissolution case against the Tarlabaşı Community Centre (TTM) and the Mutual Aid, Solidarity, Unity and Culture Association with Families Who Lost Relatives in the Cradle of Civilizations (MEBYADER) are ongoing. The involuntary dissolution of the Young LGBTI+ Association represents yet another example of this worrisome trend. The Observatory notes with concern that the dissolution of the Young LGBTI+ Association takes place against a backdrop of increasing attacks against LGBTQIA+ people and rights defenders in Turkey. In October 2025, a government draft law was leaked to the press revealing plans to criminalise “attitudes and behaviours contrary to biological sex from birth and general morality” as well as those deemed to “openly encourage, praise, or promote such attitudes and behaviours”. The proposal also sought to restrict gender-affirming care by raising the minimum age to 25 and introducing burdensome requirements. These provisions were not included in the bill that was recently submitted to Parliament, following criticism from a wide range of domestic and international actors that the initial proposal was a clear violation of the rights of LGBTQIA+ people. However, the involuntary dissolution of the Young LGBTI+ Association on grounds that it “encourages” being LGBTQIA+ raises an alarm regarding possible future attempts to criminalise LGBTQIA+ persons and content. That the association was shut down on grounds of obscenity by the civil court despite the prosecution’s decision not to prosecute association executives for obscenity further demonstrates that existing laws are weaponised against LGBTQIA+ defenders in line with the spirit and aims of the draft law. That both the dissolution and the criminal case rely on five illustrations shared on social media also point to undue restrictions of artistic freedom protected under the right to freedom of expression. The Observatory strongly condemns the arbitrary dissolution of the Young LGBTI+ Association and the criminal proceedings against its members, which appear to be aimed solely at preventing and criminalising the organisation and its employees from exercising their legitimate human rights work. The dissolution violates the right to freedom of association, recognised by international human rights law, particularly under Article 22 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), and under Article 11 of the European Convention on Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms (ECHR), to which Turkey is a party. Under these provisions, the dissolution of an association should be considered as a last resort, applied only in exceptional cases where lesser sanctions fail and when there is evidence of an imminent, severe and proven threat to public order. Even then, dissolution is permissible only when it is lawful, strictly necessary, proportionate and when it pursues a legitimate aim. It cannot be used to suppress dissent or target individuals or organisations who are critical of or promote views contrary to the ones supported by the government. The Observatory urges the authorities in Turkey to immediately quash the dissolution of the Young LGBTI+ Association, to drop all criminal charges against the 11 association’s members, and to guarantee, in all circumstances, the rights to freedom of association and expression.]]> https://observatoryfordefenders.org/fr/alert/pakistan-the-authorities-must-end-crackdown-on-baloch-human-rights-defenders/ Tue, 27 May 2025 15:10:56 +0000 https://observatoryfordefenders.org/?post_type=alert&p=23518 Bebarg Zehri and another HRD were arrested on 20 March. Bebarg Zehri, a person with disability, remains detained to date under the MPO—a law which has been used against most of the detained Baloch activists and restricts access to bail. On 21 March, Balochistan police opened fire on peaceful protesters who were calling for his release. Three people were killed and at least seven injured due to police violence against protesters. In the early hours of 22 March, woman human rights defenders (WHRDs), Mahrang Baloch and Beebow Baloch, were arrested from a peaceful sit-in in Quetta against police violence and calling for Bebarg’s release. The women are detained at the Hudda Jail, Quetta under the MPO. For several hours following their arrest, there was no information about their whereabouts, and the WHRDs were denied access to legal counsel of family members causing concern for their safety, a pattern which is repeated in many of the arrests of Baloch HRDs and family members. Family members have also repeatedly raised concerns regarding detention conditions and lack of access to adequate medical facilities. On 24 March, BYC leader Sammi Deen Baloch and several other HRDs were arrested during a peaceful demonstration in Karachi against the targeting of BYC members and HRDs. Despite being granted bail by a judicial magistrate in Karachi the following day (25 March), Sammi Deen Baloch was re-arrested under the MPO, a deliberate strategy to prevent release and prolong detention by several means. These harassment tactics reflect the intention of Pakistan authorities to intimidate and dismantle the BYC and the work of Baloch HRDs. On 1 April, Sammi Deen Baloch was released following a decision by the Sindh government to remove her name from the MPO detention order. On 18 April, the home of Israr Baloch – a lawyer in Quetta representing BYC HRDs – was raided and law enforcement officers threatened his family with consequences if Israr did not stop his human rights work. The authorities also moved WHRD Beebow Baloch from Hudda Jail to Pishin Prison on 23 April where her medical condition severely deteriorated. After being transferred to a hospital on 2 May she was sent back to Hudda Jail, despite her condition not having improved. Her family has reported that she was subject to physical torture while being moved. The Balochistan authorities continued the crackdown on the BYC leadership and members by arresting human rights defenders Shah Jee Sibghat Ullah on 30 March and Gulzadi Baloch on 7 April, and by detaining family members of other BYC leaders as part of a pattern of intimidation of activists to psychologically and socially pressure HRDs into silence. WHRD Sabiha Baloch, whose father was detained on 5 April and his whereabouts remain unknown, faces threat of imminent arrest on baseless charges. Participants of a peaceful protest organised by BYC on 25 April in Karachi were subject to arbitrary detention on charges of unlawful assembly, public nuisance, and sedition. Similarly on 20 May, 20 protesters in Quetta were detained by security forces and 5 remain under arrest after they gathered for a peaceful protest. This severe crackdown on Baloch activists violates Pakistan’s international human rights obligations and its own Constitutional safeguards. The Pakistani Constitution guarantees the right to assemble peacefully under Article 16 and the right to freedom of speech and expression under Article 19. Article 10 provides the right to life and liberty and Article 10A the right to fair trial and due process. Pakistan has ratified the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), and in its treaty body review last year the Human Rights Committee expressed concerns about the frequent use of the Exit Control Lists, particularly in late 2024, and the Anti-Terrorism Act to arbitrarily restrict the freedom of movement of dissenting persons, including WHRDs such as Sammi Deen Baloch and Mahrang Baloch. The BYC and Baloch HRDs follow a non-violent, rights based approach, and the crackdown on their work including false criminalisation erodes space for meaningful engagement with human rights and the rights of the Baloch community. These developments come against a backdrop of harassment of journalists and a clampdown on freedom of expression. In March, journalist Waheed Murad was arrested simply for reporting on a statement by a Baloch politician. Last month, a case was filed under the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act against advocate Jalila Haider for expressing online support for Mahrang Baloch. On 24 May, Baloch journalist Abdul Latif Baloch, who reported on enforced disappearances, was shot dead at his family home during an alleged attempted abduction. His son previously disappeared and was found dead a few months ago. Frequent internet shutdowns in Balochistan further compromise the free flow of information and has worsened the security situation for HRDs, their families and at-risk communities. Digital censorship, internet shutdowns, surveillance and other forms of restriction on freedom of expression are yet another core tactic of silencing dissent and further isolating and endangering Baloch voices. It is imperative that human rights are upheld and never sacrificed in the name of security. We call on the Pakistani authorities to: - Immediately and unconditionally release all Baloch HRDs and their family members arbitrarily detained solely for peacefully exercising their rights in line with the right to liberty and safety. - Drop all charges against HRDs based solely on the exercise of their rights. - Pending their release, ensure the safety of HRDs and family members, including by sharing accurate information about their whereabouts, providing effective access to family members, legal counsel and medical treatment. - Conduct a thorough, impartial, effective and transparent investigation into the allegations of torture and mistreatment by Pakistani authorities of Baloch HRDs under detention. - End the crackdown against HRDs, journalists, protesters and dissidents by ensuring their right to freedom of expression and peaceful assembly are fully protected. - Cease all forms of reprisals against family members of HRDs. - Conduct an effective, prompt, thorough and impartial investigation into the unlawful use of force against protesters on 21 March in Quetta and bring those suspected of responsibility to justice through fair trials.]]> Bebarg Zehri and another HRD were arrested on 20 March. Bebarg Zehri, a person with disability, remains detained to date under the MPO—a law which has been used against most of the detained Baloch activists and restricts access to bail. On 21 March, Balochistan police opened fire on peaceful protesters who were calling for his release. Three people were killed and at least seven injured due to police violence against protesters. In the early hours of 22 March, woman human rights defenders (WHRDs), Mahrang Baloch and Beebow Baloch, were arrested from a peaceful sit-in in Quetta against police violence and calling for Bebarg’s release. The women are detained at the Hudda Jail, Quetta under the MPO. For several hours following their arrest, there was no information about their whereabouts, and the WHRDs were denied access to legal counsel of family members causing concern for their safety, a pattern which is repeated in many of the arrests of Baloch HRDs and family members. Family members have also repeatedly raised concerns regarding detention conditions and lack of access to adequate medical facilities. On 24 March, BYC leader Sammi Deen Baloch and several other HRDs were arrested during a peaceful demonstration in Karachi against the targeting of BYC members and HRDs. Despite being granted bail by a judicial magistrate in Karachi the following day (25 March), Sammi Deen Baloch was re-arrested under the MPO, a deliberate strategy to prevent release and prolong detention by several means. These harassment tactics reflect the intention of Pakistan authorities to intimidate and dismantle the BYC and the work of Baloch HRDs. On 1 April, Sammi Deen Baloch was released following a decision by the Sindh government to remove her name from the MPO detention order. On 18 April, the home of Israr Baloch – a lawyer in Quetta representing BYC HRDs – was raided and law enforcement officers threatened his family with consequences if Israr did not stop his human rights work. The authorities also moved WHRD Beebow Baloch from Hudda Jail to Pishin Prison on 23 April where her medical condition severely deteriorated. After being transferred to a hospital on 2 May she was sent back to Hudda Jail, despite her condition not having improved. Her family has reported that she was subject to physical torture while being moved. The Balochistan authorities continued the crackdown on the BYC leadership and members by arresting human rights defenders Shah Jee Sibghat Ullah on 30 March and Gulzadi Baloch on 7 April, and by detaining family members of other BYC leaders as part of a pattern of intimidation of activists to psychologically and socially pressure HRDs into silence. WHRD Sabiha Baloch, whose father was detained on 5 April and his whereabouts remain unknown, faces threat of imminent arrest on baseless charges. Participants of a peaceful protest organised by BYC on 25 April in Karachi were subject to arbitrary detention on charges of unlawful assembly, public nuisance, and sedition. Similarly on 20 May, 20 protesters in Quetta were detained by security forces and 5 remain under arrest after they gathered for a peaceful protest. This severe crackdown on Baloch activists violates Pakistan’s international human rights obligations and its own Constitutional safeguards. The Pakistani Constitution guarantees the right to assemble peacefully under Article 16 and the right to freedom of speech and expression under Article 19. Article 10 provides the right to life and liberty and Article 10A the right to fair trial and due process. Pakistan has ratified the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), and in its treaty body review last year the Human Rights Committee expressed concerns about the frequent use of the Exit Control Lists, particularly in late 2024, and the Anti-Terrorism Act to arbitrarily restrict the freedom of movement of dissenting persons, including WHRDs such as Sammi Deen Baloch and Mahrang Baloch. The BYC and Baloch HRDs follow a non-violent, rights based approach, and the crackdown on their work including false criminalisation erodes space for meaningful engagement with human rights and the rights of the Baloch community. These developments come against a backdrop of harassment of journalists and a clampdown on freedom of expression. In March, journalist Waheed Murad was arrested simply for reporting on a statement by a Baloch politician. Last month, a case was filed under the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act against advocate Jalila Haider for expressing online support for Mahrang Baloch. On 24 May, Baloch journalist Abdul Latif Baloch, who reported on enforced disappearances, was shot dead at his family home during an alleged attempted abduction. His son previously disappeared and was found dead a few months ago. Frequent internet shutdowns in Balochistan further compromise the free flow of information and has worsened the security situation for HRDs, their families and at-risk communities. Digital censorship, internet shutdowns, surveillance and other forms of restriction on freedom of expression are yet another core tactic of silencing dissent and further isolating and endangering Baloch voices. It is imperative that human rights are upheld and never sacrificed in the name of security. We call on the Pakistani authorities to: - Immediately and unconditionally release all Baloch HRDs and their family members arbitrarily detained solely for peacefully exercising their rights in line with the right to liberty and safety. - Drop all charges against HRDs based solely on the exercise of their rights. - Pending their release, ensure the safety of HRDs and family members, including by sharing accurate information about their whereabouts, providing effective access to family members, legal counsel and medical treatment. - Conduct a thorough, impartial, effective and transparent investigation into the allegations of torture and mistreatment by Pakistani authorities of Baloch HRDs under detention. - End the crackdown against HRDs, journalists, protesters and dissidents by ensuring their right to freedom of expression and peaceful assembly are fully protected. - Cease all forms of reprisals against family members of HRDs. - Conduct an effective, prompt, thorough and impartial investigation into the unlawful use of force against protesters on 21 March in Quetta and bring those suspected of responsibility to justice through fair trials.]]> https://observatoryfordefenders.org/fr/alert/turkey-selcuk-kozagacli-and-other-chd-lawyers-on-trial-once-again/ Mon, 26 May 2025 16:40:13 +0000 https://observatoryfordefenders.org/?post_type=alert&p=23519 Geneva – Paris - Ankara – 26 May 2025. Former chair of the Progressive Lawyers Association (ÇHD) and lawyer Selçuk Kozağaçh, and five other lawyers from ÇHD (Barkın Timtik, Oya Aslan, Özgür Yılmaz, Güçlü Sevimli and Gülvin Aydın Savran), are on trial for alleged "Propaganda for an Illegal Organisation" under Article 7/2 of the Anti-Terror Law (Law No. 3713). The Observatory has been informed that the new trial, which has been scheduled for 27 May 2025, is based on previous accusations of “propaganda” for which convictions had been reversed by higher courts. It is expected that, on Tuesday, the Court will reassess the validity of the charges and then establish a new judgment based on the merits and on the statute of limitations. The Observatory recalls that the judicial harassment against members of the ÇHD has been ongoing for over a decade. In January 2013, 22 lawyers, including Selçuk Kozağaçlı, were charged with “membership in an armed terrorist organisation” and “making propaganda for a terrorist organisation”. Although they were released in March 2014, the case remained open. While the trial was ongoing, a second wave of arrests in 2017 led to a second case, targeting many of the same lawyers. The cases were later merged, and on 11 November 2021, the Court convicted all defendants of “membership in an armed terrorist organisation”. Several lawyers, including Kozağalıç, were also convicted of “making propaganda for a terrorist organisation”, based on activities such as making press statements after the deaths of their clients in police custody or attending their funerals. They were convicted and sentenced to prison terms ranging from 3 to 18 years. Selçuk Kozağaçlı received a sentence of 11 years and 3 months. More recently, he was granted conditional release on 17 April 2025 after nearly 8 years in arbitrary detention and was re-arrested the following day, on 18 April, after the prison’s Administrative and Observation Board abruptly revoked its own decision. This has raised serious concerns regarding its legal basis and procedural fairness, reflecting broader issues with the parole system in Turkey; namely, its vague criteria, inconsistent application, and frequent use as a tool to extend detention in an arbitrary manner. These ongoing judicial processes evidence the continuity of Turkish authorities’ abusive use of law, especially of counter terrorism law, as a means to keep human rights defenders in long-term detention. This practice was denounced by the United Nations Special Rapporteur on Human Rights Defenders, Mary Lawlor, in her 18 January 2025 declaration in which she calls for Turkish authorities to respect international human rights law and to uphold due process to allow human rights defenders a fair trial in all circumstances. We call upon the Turkish authorities for: - The immediate cessation of all civil and criminal proceedings as well as the dropping of all charges against the Progressive Lawyers Association’s leadership and members; and - The respect of due proceedings and the end of the arbitrary implementation of conditional release for Selçuk Kozağaçlı. We call on the international community to: - Publicly condemn the Turkish authorities’ misuse of the justice system to suppress independent legal professionals and institutions and undermine public confidence in the rule of law; - Insist on the immediate and unconditional release of Selçuk Kozağaçlı, Barkın Timtik, Oya Aslan, Özgür Yılmaz, and all other lawyers detained solely for carrying out their professional duties; and - Urge international mechanisms, including the Council of Europe, United Nations, and European Union bodies, to take robust and effective actions to uphold the independence of the legal profession, human rights and the rule of law in Turkey.]]> Geneva – Paris - Ankara – 26 May 2025. Former chair of the Progressive Lawyers Association (ÇHD) and lawyer Selçuk Kozağaçh, and five other lawyers from ÇHD (Barkın Timtik, Oya Aslan, Özgür Yılmaz, Güçlü Sevimli and Gülvin Aydın Savran), are on trial for alleged "Propaganda for an Illegal Organisation" under Article 7/2 of the Anti-Terror Law (Law No. 3713). The Observatory has been informed that the new trial, which has been scheduled for 27 May 2025, is based on previous accusations of “propaganda” for which convictions had been reversed by higher courts. It is expected that, on Tuesday, the Court will reassess the validity of the charges and then establish a new judgment based on the merits and on the statute of limitations. The Observatory recalls that the judicial harassment against members of the ÇHD has been ongoing for over a decade. In January 2013, 22 lawyers, including Selçuk Kozağaçlı, were charged with “membership in an armed terrorist organisation” and “making propaganda for a terrorist organisation”. Although they were released in March 2014, the case remained open. While the trial was ongoing, a second wave of arrests in 2017 led to a second case, targeting many of the same lawyers. The cases were later merged, and on 11 November 2021, the Court convicted all defendants of “membership in an armed terrorist organisation”. Several lawyers, including Kozağalıç, were also convicted of “making propaganda for a terrorist organisation”, based on activities such as making press statements after the deaths of their clients in police custody or attending their funerals. They were convicted and sentenced to prison terms ranging from 3 to 18 years. Selçuk Kozağaçlı received a sentence of 11 years and 3 months. More recently, he was granted conditional release on 17 April 2025 after nearly 8 years in arbitrary detention and was re-arrested the following day, on 18 April, after the prison’s Administrative and Observation Board abruptly revoked its own decision. This has raised serious concerns regarding its legal basis and procedural fairness, reflecting broader issues with the parole system in Turkey; namely, its vague criteria, inconsistent application, and frequent use as a tool to extend detention in an arbitrary manner. These ongoing judicial processes evidence the continuity of Turkish authorities’ abusive use of law, especially of counter terrorism law, as a means to keep human rights defenders in long-term detention. This practice was denounced by the United Nations Special Rapporteur on Human Rights Defenders, Mary Lawlor, in her 18 January 2025 declaration in which she calls for Turkish authorities to respect international human rights law and to uphold due process to allow human rights defenders a fair trial in all circumstances. We call upon the Turkish authorities for: - The immediate cessation of all civil and criminal proceedings as well as the dropping of all charges against the Progressive Lawyers Association’s leadership and members; and - The respect of due proceedings and the end of the arbitrary implementation of conditional release for Selçuk Kozağaçlı. We call on the international community to: - Publicly condemn the Turkish authorities’ misuse of the justice system to suppress independent legal professionals and institutions and undermine public confidence in the rule of law; - Insist on the immediate and unconditional release of Selçuk Kozağaçlı, Barkın Timtik, Oya Aslan, Özgür Yılmaz, and all other lawyers detained solely for carrying out their professional duties; and - Urge international mechanisms, including the Council of Europe, United Nations, and European Union bodies, to take robust and effective actions to uphold the independence of the legal profession, human rights and the rule of law in Turkey.]]> https://observatoryfordefenders.org/fr/alert/russian-federation-designation-of-amnesty-international-as-undesirable-organisation/ Fri, 23 May 2025 17:10:28 +0000 https://observatoryfordefenders.org/?post_type=alert&p=23506 announced that it had declared Amnesty International an “undesirable organisation”, accusing the organisation of being a “center for the preparation of global Russophobic projects" and “justifying the crimes of Ukrainian neo-Nazis”. The designation as “undesirable” effectively bans Amnesty International’s activities in Russia, exposing anyone affiliated with, supporting, or even disseminating information from the organisation to significant risks of administrative liability and prosecution. Previously, shortly after the beginning of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, the authorities had closed down Amnesty International’s Moscow Office, and blocked access to its website. The Observatory recalls that under the repressive law on “undesirable organisations”, adopted in 2015 and further tightened in 2021 and 2024, the Prosecutor General’s Office, in cooperation with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, has the power to declare as “undesirable” any foreign or international organisation that is deemed “a threat to the foundations of the constitutional order of the Russian Federation, the defense capability of the country or the security of the state”. “Undesirable organisations” are banned from engaging in any activities inside Russia, including the publication or dissemination of any information, carrying out financial transactions, and providing financial or other assistance to local organisations and individuals. The “participation in the activities” of an organisation declared “undesirable” leads to administrative liability and fines of up to 15,000 Russian rubles (about 167 Euros), under Article 20.33 of Russian Code of Administrative Offences. In practice, the vague wording of the law has led to the punishment of individuals simply for reposting information disseminated by an “undesirable organisation” on social media platforms, even if the original posts predated the organisation's designation as “undesirable”. Additionally, repeated violations lead to criminal liability of up to four years of imprisonment, while those donating to or managing an organisation declared “undesirable” face up to four and six years of imprisonment, respectively (Article 284.1 of Russian Penal Code). Any Russian citizen or organisation cooperating with an “undesirable organisation”, even if residing outside Russia, faces administrative penalties and, in the case of individuals, criminal liability. The list of “undesirable organisations”, maintained by the Russian Ministry of Justice, currently features over 200 organisations, including leading independent media outlets and human rights organisations. The Observatory condemns in the strongest terms the designation of Amnesty International as an “undesirable organisation”, which constitutes a blatant attempt to retaliate against the organisation for its leading role in promoting accountability for the war crimes and crimes against humanity committed by the Russian armed forces in Ukraine, and for its vocal stance on Russia’s crackdown against dissenting voices. It is also an attempt to further intimidate and punish Russian citizens cooperating with independent civil society organisations, and to further restrict the access of Russian nationals inside the country to independent and reliable information about Russia’s war against Ukraine. The Observatory urges the Russian authorities to immediately reverse the decision and to respect in all circumstances the right to freedom of association, ensuring that human rights organisations, including foreign and international NGOs, are able to carry out their legitimate activities without any hindrance and fear of reprisals. The Observatory also urges the international community to stand in solidarity with Amnesty International and all human rights defenders in Russia.]]> announced that it had declared Amnesty International an “undesirable organisation”, accusing the organisation of being a “center for the preparation of global Russophobic projects" and “justifying the crimes of Ukrainian neo-Nazis”. The designation as “undesirable” effectively bans Amnesty International’s activities in Russia, exposing anyone affiliated with, supporting, or even disseminating information from the organisation to significant risks of administrative liability and prosecution. Previously, shortly after the beginning of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, the authorities had closed down Amnesty International’s Moscow Office, and blocked access to its website. The Observatory recalls that under the repressive law on “undesirable organisations”, adopted in 2015 and further tightened in 2021 and 2024, the Prosecutor General’s Office, in cooperation with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, has the power to declare as “undesirable” any foreign or international organisation that is deemed “a threat to the foundations of the constitutional order of the Russian Federation, the defense capability of the country or the security of the state”. “Undesirable organisations” are banned from engaging in any activities inside Russia, including the publication or dissemination of any information, carrying out financial transactions, and providing financial or other assistance to local organisations and individuals. The “participation in the activities” of an organisation declared “undesirable” leads to administrative liability and fines of up to 15,000 Russian rubles (about 167 Euros), under Article 20.33 of Russian Code of Administrative Offences. In practice, the vague wording of the law has led to the punishment of individuals simply for reposting information disseminated by an “undesirable organisation” on social media platforms, even if the original posts predated the organisation's designation as “undesirable”. Additionally, repeated violations lead to criminal liability of up to four years of imprisonment, while those donating to or managing an organisation declared “undesirable” face up to four and six years of imprisonment, respectively (Article 284.1 of Russian Penal Code). Any Russian citizen or organisation cooperating with an “undesirable organisation”, even if residing outside Russia, faces administrative penalties and, in the case of individuals, criminal liability. The list of “undesirable organisations”, maintained by the Russian Ministry of Justice, currently features over 200 organisations, including leading independent media outlets and human rights organisations. The Observatory condemns in the strongest terms the designation of Amnesty International as an “undesirable organisation”, which constitutes a blatant attempt to retaliate against the organisation for its leading role in promoting accountability for the war crimes and crimes against humanity committed by the Russian armed forces in Ukraine, and for its vocal stance on Russia’s crackdown against dissenting voices. It is also an attempt to further intimidate and punish Russian citizens cooperating with independent civil society organisations, and to further restrict the access of Russian nationals inside the country to independent and reliable information about Russia’s war against Ukraine. The Observatory urges the Russian authorities to immediately reverse the decision and to respect in all circumstances the right to freedom of association, ensuring that human rights organisations, including foreign and international NGOs, are able to carry out their legitimate activities without any hindrance and fear of reprisals. The Observatory also urges the international community to stand in solidarity with Amnesty International and all human rights defenders in Russia.]]>