In a pressing letter dated 13 December, UN special rapporteurs voiced deep concerns regarding the treatment and incarceration of human rights lawyers in Turkey, labelling the charges against them as politically motivated. They highlighted the plight of members from the Progressive Lawyers’ Association (ÇHD) who advocate for the rights of victims of police brutality and state repression. Prominent figures such as Özgür Yılmaz and Behiç Aşçı are among those affected, facing an impending storm of international scrutiny.
The rapporteurs Mary Lawlor, Ben Saul, and Alice Jill Edwards outlined that these lawyers are subjected to arbitrary detention and brutal abuse, and condemned the exploitation of Turkey’s counterterrorism laws, which have been wielded to stymie human rights advocacy. Specifically, they pointed out the Anti-Terror Code’s misuse that effectively brands human rights defenders as criminals for their noble work.
Amidst grave concerns, the report addresses the ÇHD trials, which led to staggering prison sentences spanning from three to 18 years for several lawyers. The UN experts noted that Turkey’s Supreme Court showed little remorse over these sentences, upholding them despite widespread accusations of unfair proceedings and biases in the legal system.
Reports from inside the prisons paint a grim picture of their reality, particularly for Ünsal and Canpolat, who have suffered abuse and inhumane conditions. A shocking incident on 3 September, 2024, detailed guards beating Ünsal during a contentious inspection. Furthermore, Canpolat endured solitary confinement for over two years without formal justification, raising alarms of grave human rights violations.
The rapporteurs detailed Canpolat’s harrowing ordeal, coerced into signing a confession under duress, threatening his transfer to a more accommodating facility. This psychological torment exemplifies the inhumane treatment meted out to him, illustrating a broader pattern of suppression targeting dissenters under the guise of counterterrorism.
The backdrop of these detentions links back to Turkish President Erdoğan’s infamous crackdown on the Gülen movement, labelled terrorist entities following failed coup attempts. Canpolat’s arrest stemmed from dubious accusations that were recanted by the complainant, alleging police coercion in the process.
Calling for urgent action, the special rapporteurs urged Turkish authorities to respond to these accusations and amend counterterrorism legislation to comply with international human rights standards. Additionally, they demanded transparency regarding investigations into the alleged mistreatment endured by the lawyers, highlighting a significant gap in legal protections that hinders their accessibility to justice.
These pleas echo amid a broader cry for justice and acknowledgment of human rights violations prevalent in Turkey, particularly targeting journalists and political dissenters. Rights organisations have become increasingly vocal, accusing the Erdoğan government of weaponising anti-terror laws to suppress opposition and free speech.
The UN experts cautioned that if substantiated, Turkey’s alleged practices could breach several international agreements that safeguard civil and political rights and protect against torture. As the fate of the imprisoned lawyers hangs in the balance amidst ongoing appeals, advocacy groups remain resolute in their campaign for their freedom.
UN special rapporteurs voiced deep concerns regarding the treatment of human rights lawyers in Turkey, citing politically motivated charges and unfair trials. The letter highlights severe mistreatment and the misuse of counterterrorism laws targeting human rights advocates. Specific cases of abuse, particularly involving lawyers from the Progressive Lawyers’ Association, illustrate the troubling human rights landscape within Turkey. Calls for legislative reform and investigation into these mistreatments underline the urgent need for justice.
The alarming situation surrounding the treatment of human rights lawyers in Turkey underscores a dire need for international intervention and reform. UN special rapporteurs have highlighted serious allegations of political motivation behind arrests, unfair trials, and mistreatment in prisons. With calls for changes to counterterrorism laws and improved judicial processes, the road ahead remains fraught with challenges for defenders of democracy and human rights in Turkey.
Original Source: stockholmcf.org
