• Letter to Arab League on Syrian Refugees
    Human Rights Watch welcomes the Council of the League of Arab States’ February 12 call on Syria to end all forms of violence against Syrian civilians and to grant access to Arab and international relief organizations to bring humanitarian assistance to affected populations, and respectfully urges the ministers of the LAS Council to adopt a further resolution that calls upon all member states to provide at least temporary asylum to Syrian civilians fleeing conflict and persecution.
    Mar 15, 2012
  • Letter to Turkish Prime Minister, Mr Erdoğan, Regarding Human Rights Priorities for the New Government
    In its second term, your government pursued an ambitious foreign policy, showing resolve in raising Turkey’s international role and regional prominence. At home, the government took steps to bring to an end the system of military tutelage which has held sway in Turkey throughout the Republic and to secure better civilian oversight of the military, a precondition for any democratizing country.
    Jun 20, 2011
  • Letter to Turkish ministers in regards to treatment of human rights defenders from Pembe Hayat LGBTT
    Five international human rights organizations wrote to express concern over the treatment of five Turkish human rights defenders from the transgender human rights organization Pembe Hayat LGBTT.
    Oct 18, 2010
  • Letter to Turkish Government on Violence and Murders Targeting Transgender People
    A letter written on behalf of Pembe Hayat, Human Rights Watch (HRW), the European Region of the International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Intersex Association (ILGA-Europe), and the International Gay and Lesbian Human Rights Commission (IGLHRC), writing to express concern over the recent violence and murders targeting transgender people in Turkey.
    Feb 22, 2010
  • Letter to Greek Minister of Interior and Public Order Regarding Migration Policies in Greece
    Human Rights Watch received reports from a credible source that, in mid-July 2009, police transferred a group of Arabic-speaking people from Chios Island to the Evros border region, where some were secretly forced to cross the border into Turkey.
    Aug 5, 2009
  • Letter to the Turkish Authorities Regarding the Policing of the May 1 Demonstrations
    I am writing to you today specifically regarding the policing of the May 1 demonstrations to be held in cities across Turkey. We hope that steps will be taken to prevent some of the most serious police abuses that have marred previous such May 1 events.
    Apr 30, 2009
  • Letter to President Obama in advance to his trip to Turkey
    Your forthcoming visit to Turkey comes at a critical moment in that country's history. After a hopeful period of progress under the previous Justice and Development Party (AKP) government, political and human rights reforms in Turkey have stalled, and there has been backtracking on a number of key human rights concerns.
    Mar 25, 2009
  • Letter to the Government of Turkey in Advance of President al-Bashir's Visit
    Human Rights Watch wishes to express our concern that you have chosen this moment to welcome President al-Bashir, who is currently subject to a request for a warrant at the International Criminal Court (ICC) for genocide, war crimes and crimes against humanity. We would ask you to use this opportunity to make it clear to the government of Sudan that Turkey does not, nor will ever, support impunity for such crimes.
    Aug 15, 2008
  • Letter to Turkish Government concerning Harassment of Lambda Istanbul
    Human Rights Watch writes to express concern regarding the recent incursion by Istanbul city police into the headquarters of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) human rights organization Lambda Istanbul. We urge the Turkish government to respect the right to freedom of expression and association, and to halt harassment of legitimate human rights organizations.
    Apr 15, 2008
  • Organisation of the Islamic Conference: Improve and Strengthen the 1999 OIC Convention on Combating International Terrorism
    Human Rights Watch writes to urge Dr. Ihsanoglu to use his position as Secretary General of the Organisation of the Islamic Conference to support measures at the upcoming Summit of the Organisation of Islamic Conference in Dakar, Senegal on March 13-14 that would improve and strengthen the 1999 OIC Convention on Combating International Terrorism.
    Mar 11, 2008