• Turkey: Coup Trial Offers Chance for Justice
    Press release
    Apr 4, 2012
    The trial of the two surviving leaders of the September 12, 1980 military coup in Turkey should focus not only on the illegality of the coup but also on the evidence of gross human rights abuses in its aftermath.
  • Syria: Army Planting Banned Landmines
    Press release
    Mar 13, 2012

    Syrian forces have placed landmines near the borders with Lebanon and Turkey in recent weeks and months, based on reports and confirmations from witnesses and Syrian deminers. Civilian casualties have already resulted, the witnesses said.

  • Turkey: Adopt Strong Domestic Violence Law
    Press release
    Mar 7, 2012
    Turkey’s parliament should adopt a strong, comprehensive law to curb domestic violence. Parliament is debating a draft bill and is likely to vote on March 7, 2012. The draft law would replace Turkey’s existing domestic violence law and improve the systems to provide protection against domestic violence and offer enhanced support for victims.
  • Turkey: Draft Reform Law Falls Short
    Press release
    Feb 13, 2012
    A major legal reform package to be introduced by the Turkish government leaves key problems with free speech and arbitrary detention unresolved.
  • Turkey: Credibility Depends on Rights at Home
    Press release
    Jan 22, 2012
    Turkey's international credibility as a rising regional power will be compromised as long as it imprisons journalists, Kurdish political activists, and other government critics.
  • Turkey: Court Protects Journalist’s Killers
    Press release
    Jan 18, 2012

    A Turkish court’s verdict on January 17, 2012, that there was no state involvement or organized plot behind the 2007 shooting of the Turkish Armenian journalist Hrant Dink is a travesty of justice.

  • Iran/Turkey: Recent Attacks on Civilians in Iraqi Kurdistan
    Press release
    Dec 20, 2011

    Iran and Turkey’s cross-border attacks in Iraqi Kurdistankilled more than a dozen civilians and displaced thousands between mid-July and November 2011, including in areas that did not appear to have military targets.

  • Turkey's human rights challenges
    Commentary
    Dec 19, 2011
    Turkey's standing in the region is growing, but its international credibility should be in doubt as long as it fails to address its human rights record, especially in regard to the large Kurdish minority.
  • Turkey: Arrests Expose Flawed Justice System
    Press release
    Nov 1, 2011
    An Istanbul court’s decision on November 1, 2011, to imprison a publisher and a political science professor pending their trial on terrorism charges exposes the huge deficiencies of Turkey’s criminal justice system.
  • Iraqi Kurdistan: Cross-Border Attacks Should Spare Iraqi Civilians
    Press release
    Sep 2, 2011
    Iran and Turkey’s cross-border attacks in Iraqi Kurdistan have killed at least 10 civilians and displaced hundreds since mid-July 2011. Some of the attacks may have been carried out without sufficient attempts to ensure minimal impact on civilians.