Türkiye

The authoritarian and highly centralized presidential government of Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has set back Türkiye’s human rights record by decades, targeting perceived government critics and political opponents, profoundly undermining the independence of the judiciary, and hollowing out democratic institutions. Türkiye has withdrawn from the Council of Europe Convention on Preventing and Combating Violence against Women and Domestic Violence (the Istanbul Convention) and is subject to a Council of Europe infringement procedure for its failure to implement a judgment of the European Court of Human Rights ordering the release of jailed human rights defender Osman Kavala. Türkiye hosts 3.7 million Syrian refugees and asylum seekers from Afghanistan and other countries.

Middle East/North Africa

A drone strike by the Türkiye-Syrian National Army (SNA) coalition that hit a Kurdish Red Crescent ambulance on January 18, 2025, in northern Syria is an apparent war crime.

January 30, 2025
News Release
Northeast Syria: Apparent War Crime by Türkiye-Backed Forces
Refugees and Migrants

January 21, 2025
Dispatches
A Landmark Ruling on Greek Border Pushbacks

Bill Frelick

Director, Refugee and Migrant Rights Division
Europe/Central Asia

January 16, 2025
News Release
Türkiye: Regional Influence Shouldn’t Eclipse Crackdown

Videos

Watch more

Reports

More reports

November 11, 2024 Report

“It’s Like I Live in a Cage”

Turkmen Authorities’ Denial of Passports to Turkmen Citizens in Türkiye
September 2, 2024 Report

Türkiye: Plans for Harmful Coal Expansion

Toxic Air Affects Health in Surrounding Community
March 27, 2024 Report

Türkiye: Stonewalling on Charges for Officials in Earthquake Deaths

Authorities Refuse to Provide Information About Investigations
February 29, 2024 Report

“Everything is by the Power of the Weapon”

Abuses and Impunity in Turkish-Occupied Northern Syria