In a tumultuous tale of injustice, Nimet Tanrıkulu, a respected human rights defender, finds herself ensnared in a web of absurd charges in Türkiye. Currently languishing in pre-trial detention since 29 November 2024, she faces allegations of “membership to a terrorist organization.” Milena Buyum, Amnesty International’s Senior Türkiye Campaigner, decries these accusations as unfounded and insists that Tanrıkulu should be released without delay after enduring more than three months in confinement.
Buoyed by an arcane legal landscape, Buyum articulates the chilling effect of Türkiye’s vague anti-terrorism laws, which are weaponized against those who dare to speak out for human rights. She emphasises that such tactics serve to stifle dissent, crafting a climate of fear among activists and defenders of civil liberties. The misuse of the legal system, she argues, must be halted to preserve the sanctity of human rights.
Tanrıkulu, imprisoned at Sincan women’s prison in Ankara, was indicted in December 2024 despite the court having no jurisdiction regarding her residence in Istanbul. By January 2025, her prosecution transferred to the Istanbul Heavy Penal Court No. 24, where her case continues to unfold. Amnesty’s investigation scrutinised her interrogation and the indictment’s logic, finding that the claims, from her participation in civil society events to unreliable witness statements, lack substantive evidence connecting her with any armed group.
The accusations against her appear to weave a narrative based more on conjecture than credible evidence, prompting Amnesty International to assert that they are little more than ambiguous allegations. As the rollercoaster of this trial proceeds, the first hearing is set for 4 March at the Istanbul Heavy Penal Court No. 24, carrying profound implications for Tanrıkulu and the future of human rights advocacy in Türkiye.
Nimet Tanrıkulu, a human rights defender, has been unjustly detained in Türkiye under dubious charges of terrorism. Amnesty International criticises these accusations as baseless and echoes calls for her immediate release. Her case highlights the misuse of anti-terrorism laws to threaten advocates for human rights in Türkiye. The first court hearing is scheduled for 4 March 2025.
This sorrowful saga surrounding Nimet Tanrıkulu serves as a reminder of the perilous landscape for human rights defenders in Türkiye. The charges against her, frail and speculative, underscore the disquieting trend of using legal frameworks to silence dissent. With her trial underway, the importance of international attention and support for human rights defenders remains critical.
Original Source: www.amnesty.org.au
