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Memorandum
Türkiye: Council of Europe Commissioner calls for reforms to protect freedom of expression, peaceful assembly, and judicial independence
Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights, Michael O'Flaherty, released a memorandum today addressing freedom of expression, peaceful assembly and association, and aspects of the administration of justice in Türkiye, following his visit to the country in December 2025. Ensuring freedom of...
Third party intervention
Commissioner O’Flaherty intervenes in the ECtHR case of Osman Kavala v Türkiye (no.2)
Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights, Michael O’Flaherty participated today in the Grand Chamber Hearing of the European Court of Human Rights in the case of Osman Kavala v Türkiye (no.2). This case concerns the detention of Mr. Kavala after the judgment of the Court delivered on 10...
Country visit
Türkiye: Authorities should ensure the implementation of human rights standards on freedom of expression, peaceful assembly and association
The Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights, Michael O’Flaherty, conducted a visit to Türkiye from 1-5 December 2025, during which he discussed the rights to freedom of expression, peaceful assembly, association, and aspects of the administration of justice. The Commissioner expresses his...
Statement
Turkish authorities should uphold the right to freedom of assembly and expression in the context of ongoing protests
“I am following with concern the reports about disproportionate use of force by the police and widespread restrictions of the right to receive and impart information in Türkiye in the context of the protests of the last days. These have followed the arrest and detention of Istanbul’s mayor Ekrem...
Country memorandum
Türkiye: reverse a critically hostile environment for freedom of expression and for journalists, human rights defenders and civil society
“Freedom of expression is in peril in Türkiye, with journalists, human rights defenders and civil society operating in a critically hostile environment, marked by systematic pressure and legal action against them”, said the Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights, Dunja Mijatović,...
Statement
The Turkish authorities must protect democratic freedoms
The Turkish authorities should put an end to the hostile environment affecting human rights defenders, journalists, NGOs and lawyers and stop silencing them by means of administrative and judicial action. Ahead of elections, the pressure on these important actors in a democratic society has...
Written comments
Commissioner Mijatović intervenes in the infringement proceedings before the European Court of Human Rights in the case of Osman Kavala v. Turkey
Today the Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights published her written comments, submitted on 6 April 2022 to the European Court of Human Rights, in the infringement proceedings in the case of Osman Kavala v. Turkey. These proceedings concern the question referred to the Court by the...
Statement
Turkey: prolongation of detention of Osman Kavala displays contempt for human rights and the rule of law
Yesterday’s decision of the Istanbul 13th Assize Court to prolong the detention of Mr Osman Kavala perpetuates the violation of both his human rights and of Turkey’s obligation to abide by a final judgment of the European Court of Human Rights. Mr Kavala has been in detention for 46 months...
Letter
Turkish authorities should stop the stigmatisation of LGBTI people
In a letter addressed to the Minister of Interior and the Minister of Justice of Turkey, published today, the Commissioner calls on the authorities to fulfil the commitments enshrined in the national Action Plan on Human Rights, stop the stigmatisation of LGBTI people, and uphold their freedoms...
Statement
Turkey’s announced withdrawal from the Istanbul Convention endangers women’s rights
“Turkey’s Presidential Decree published on 20 March announcing the withdrawal from the Council of Europe Convention on preventing and combating violence against women and domestic violence is an ill-advised decision. It undermines women’s rights and sends the wrong signal to all women in Turkey...
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* All reference to Kosovo, whether to the territory, institutions or population, shall be understood in full compliance with United Nations Security Council Resolution 1244 (1999) and without prejudice to the status of Kosovo.
1 On 16 March 2022, the Committee of Ministers adopted a decision by which the Russian Federation ceased to be a member of the Council of Europe, after 26 years of membership.