IPS Communication Foundation – Bianet

Bianet’s shadow report on Turkey highlights threats to freedom of expression from several sources and gender-based violence.

Authorities raided the journalist’s home after she reported on an alleged criminal gang in the Kurdish-populated eastern city of Hakkari.

In 2023, the Human Rights Foundation of Turkey received 781 reports of torture or ill-treatment. There was a spike in reports in June and July, correlating with increased police interventions during Pride Week events.

The Court of Cassation has overturned a 10-month prison sentence handed down to journalist Sinan Aygül in March 2023 on “spreading disinformation” charges.

The courts have blocked access to articles about corruption allegations against Bilal Erdoğan, and the 1998 car accident death of a singer, for which Burak Erdoğan stood trial.

After 13 months behind bars without appearing in court, the journalists were freed pending trial on terrorism-related charges.

According to a new report by the Coalition for Women in Journalism, Kurdish women journalists are targeted the most, with the authorities frequently using anti-terrorism legislation to persecute them.

LGBTI+ organizations have expressed their concerns over President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s homophobic statements following his election victory.