EN – HRD

Torture in Türkiye

This summary is generated based on the report titled “Torture in Turkey: Crime Against Humanity,” compiled by Human Rights Defenders e.V. (HrD) for submission to the United Nations Committee Against Torture (CAT).

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I. Introduction and the Systematic Nature of Torture

This report was meticulously prepared by Human Rights Defenders e.V (HrD), an autonomous, non-profit, non-governmental organization established in Germany in 2018 by Turkish lawyers, former bureaucrats, and entrepreneurs who sought political asylum in Europe. The report aims to provide comprehensive information to the United Nations Committee Against Torture (CAT) concerning the occurrences of torture, cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment, and enforced disappearances targeting sympathizers of the Hizmet (Gülen) Movement in Türkiye. HrD contends that these incidents constitute crimes against humanity. Various United Nations Commissions have recognized the systematic and organized actions targeting Hizmet Movement members since 2016 as “acts reaching the level of crimes against humanity”. Türkiye is a party to the 1987 Convention against Torture, which explicitly states that no extraordinary circumstances, including a state of war, internal political unrest, or public crisis, can be used to legitimize torture.

II. The Post-July 15 Authoritarian Shift and Purges

The Turkish Government utilized the alleged military coup attempt of July 15, 2016, as justification for the subsequent authoritarianization of political power and the elimination of all social opposition groups. This led to the declaration of a State of Emergency (OHAL), resulting in mass surveillance, detentions, and the systematic persecution of dissenting citizens charged as “terrorist organisation member/traitor/collaborator/foreign agent”.

Despite pre-emptive accusations, the Gülen Movement was singled out as the scapegoat for the coup. The obstruction of a thorough parliamentary investigation, including the blocking of testimonies from key figures, undermined the possibility of a fair inquiry. Furthermore, military personnel later testified in court that their initial confessions were extracted through extreme torture. Many asserted they were manipulated as pawns in a “government-engineered scheme”. Accounts from officers implicated in the coup suggest they were convinced by Hulusi Akar (then Chief of General Staff) to confront corrupt political leadership, only to be abandoned and accused of orchestrating the coup.

The State of Emergency ushered in widespread purges. By 2017, 130,000 public officials were dismissed, including over 33,500 from educational institutions and more than 31,500 police personnel. It is crucial to note that none of these individuals had substantiated links to the events of July 15, 2016.

III. Mass Detention and Incarceration Crisis

Türkiye exhibits one of the highest incarceration rates globally. As of May 2024, there were 329,151 individuals detained or serving sentences in 396 correctional facilities, resulting in an overall prison occupancy rate of 117.8%. The country’s incarceration rate stands at 267 per 100,000 individuals, drastically higher than the Western European average of 73 per 100,000.

Between 2016 and 2021, a cumulative count of 1,768,530 investigations related to terrorist organization membership were initiated. In coup-related trials, 1,634 individuals received aggravated life sentences, a penalty the UN considers to contravene anti-torture and humane treatment principles.

IV. The Culture of Impunity and Subversion of Legal Process

The persistence of torture as an unpunished state tradition is significantly attributed to the absence of a precise and definitive definition of torture in Article 94 of the Turkish Criminal Code. This ambiguity allows Turkish law enforcement, intelligence agencies, and prison authorities to refuse to acknowledge their actions as torture, ensuring routine acts remain unprosecuted.

The complexity of substantiating torture claims stems from an intricate framework established by law enforcement to conceal and obliterate these acts. Victims are often taken to health centers long after the incidents, where torture practices are covered up with ready-made and printed medical reports without allowing the doctor and patient to be alone. The case of Ahmet Asik, where initial medical assessments missed severe torture (including rape and fractures), demonstrated this institutional failure; yet, no inquiries were initiated against the officials or medical professionals who failed to document the abuse.

V. Documented Torture Practices

Evidence of widespread, systematic torture comes from official figures and legal bodies:

Mustafa Yeneroğlu, former head of the Parliamentary Human Rights Commission, resigned over the severe violations he witnessed and reported that 60 torture cases he submitted to prosecutors received no action. He described the current era as a “dark period in which fundamental rights are ignored… and torture and ill-treatment have become widespread”.
The Social Cost Report by MP Ömer Faruk Gergerlioğlu documented severe abuse, including being searched completely naked, threats of family rape, being beaten for days, and being subjected to rape with a baton. Victims were coerced into signing fabricated statements during “pre-interviews” conducted without lawyers in rooms without cameras.
Ankara Bar Association reports (2022) detailed abuse against Gülen Movement members, including being stripped naked for prolonged periods, doused with cold water, and threatened with sexual assault. Victims reported being subjected to invasive acts involving a broom handle and threats involving the insertion of an olive oil bottle.

VI. Enforced Disappearances and International Abductions

The Turkish State continues to employ “mafia methods” to abduct political dissidents from abroad, subjecting them to intense torture during these operations. Orhan İnandı, abducted from Kyrgyzstan in May 2021, was forcibly disappeared for 37 days. Upon his reappearance in Türkiye, he was found to have fractures in three places on his arm.

In his chilling courtroom testimony, İnandı described being held in a small, coffin-like room for 37 days. He endured constant insults, loud, scratchy music, and was strictly forbidden from praying or crying. He was threatened with various forms of sexual torture, including electrocution, castration, and insertion of a soaped baton. Intelligence officials pressured him to publicly state he came voluntarily, threatening to tell the public he killed Eşref Bitlis or warning that his children would “end up on the streets” or “become prostitutes”.

VII. Legal Shield for Perpetrators and HRFT Findings

A significant factor promoting torture is the legal immunity afforded to public officials. Decree-Laws (KHKs No. 667, 668, 690, 696) enacted during the State of Emergency stipulated that individuals involved in counter-coup and anti-terror activities are exempt from legal, administrative, financial, and criminal responsibility. This legal framework has effectively sanctioned murder, torture, and lynching, providing a shield for “crimes against humanity”.

Data from the Human Rights Foundation of Türkiye (HRFT) 2022 report revealed that 1,201 individuals sought assistance for torture. Common physical and non-physical torture methods documented were: Insult/Assault (835 affected), Rough Beatings (692), Reverse Clamp (397), Verbal Sexual Harassment (312), Asphyxiation (112), and Electrification (45).

When victims lodge complaints against law enforcement for torture, counterclaims are promptly filed against the victims, citing offenses like “insulting the officer,” or “resisting arrest,” to hinder torture investigations and intimidate survivors. This systematic disparity is stark: in 2020, 34,972 investigations were opened for ‘resisting a public officer,’ compared to only 887 investigations for torture (TCK 94). This wide difference demonstrates the prevailing culture of impunity.

The treatment of ailing inmates, exacerbated by COVID-19 protocols and the lack of autonomy of the Forensic Medicine Institution (which is politically influenced), also transforms incarceration into a harrowing ordeal and a form of torment for sick political prisoners.

The reports conclude that the prevalence of torture and inhumane treatment in Türkiye’s state security institutions is evident, and the state system shields those responsible, emboldening offenders rather than deterring them.

EN Rapor

HRD Statement: Court Rulings Expose Turkey-Linked Espionage Structures – Our Commitment to Human Rights and Democracy Continues

Recent rulings by courts in Germany and Austria have once again shed light on the alarming scope of espionage activities carried out by Ankara-linked institutions against dissidents in Europe. In Cologne, two separate asylum decisions highlighted Turkey’s systematic human rights violations and the transnational surveillance of critics abroad. Likewise, in Austria, a court ruling explicitly referred to institutions such as YTB, TIKA, Diyanet, UID, and SETA as being directly involved in monitoring and profiling dissidents and forwarding information to Turkish intelligence services . turkishminute

As Human Rights Defenders e.V. (HRD), we have consistently raised these issues for years. Through our detailed reports and persistent advocacy, we have documented how Turkish state-linked networks engage in unlawful surveillance, intimidate critics, and violate the basic rights of individuals residing in Europe. These new court decisions confirm the findings we have long presented to European institutions and policymakers, showing that our relentless efforts have contributed to greater recognition of this problem.

HRD President Prof. Dr. Hüseyin Demir underlined this point in his statement:
“For years we have been warning European decision-makers about Ankara’s use of state-linked organizations to conduct espionage operations abroad. Seeing these concerns now acknowledged in official German and Austrian court rulings is a significant development. These structures do not only target members of the Gülen movement but also Kurdish activists, democrats, journalists, and all critical voices. Their aim is to intimidate, to silence, and ultimately to pave the way for persecution in Turkey. HRD will continue to pursue these unlawful structures and will never compromise on defending human rights and democracy.”

These rulings make it clear that dissidents in Europe remain under serious threat despite living in democratic countries. The Turkish government exploits religious, cultural, and civil society organizations abroad to track, intimidate, and punish opponents. Such practices represent a direct attack on the values of democracy, human dignity, and freedom of expression.

HRD reiterates its determination to expose these violations and ensure accountability. We will continue to expand our documentation, to share victims’ testimonies, and to bring evidence-based reports to international institutions such as the European Parliament, the Council of Europe, and the United Nations. Our mission remains the same: to give a voice to the silenced, to defend the rule of law, and to strengthen democratic values across Europe.

We therefore call on European institutions and governments to take stronger measures. Ankara-linked organizations that act as extensions of state repression should be subject to transparent scrutiny, their covert operations should be limited, and effective protection mechanisms for victims must be implemented. Remaining silent in the face of such violations means becoming complicit in them.

The message of HRD is clear: our struggle will continue against any structure that violates human rights, engages in espionage abroad, and seeks to suppress free societies. These recent rulings are not the end of the road, but rather a beginning. We will stand firm, side by side with victims, and continue to defend democracy and human rights without hesitation.

Mass Arrests Of Members Of The Gülen Movement

AS A METHOD OF COLLECTIVE GUILT AND PUNISHMENT
HRD is an esteemed non-governmental organisation established in Germany in 2018 by Turkish lawyers, former bureaucrats, and entrepreneurs who are political asylum seekers in Germany and Europe. With a deep understanding of the prevailing human rights violations and the culture of impunity in countries like Türkiye, HRD diligently employs diverse strategies at the national, regional, and international levels to effect lasting change and enhance the circumstances of the victims.
The association “Action for Refugee Aid e.V.” was founded in 2018 by Berliners and refugees who fell victim to political discrimination in Turkey. The aim of the association is, on the one hand, to support refugees in the asylum process and, on the other hand, to help refugees integrate into local society. Another task of the association is to make legal violations (such as persecution) and discrimination in the countries of origin public.

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In Turkey, politically motivated detentions and arrests are carried out against Kurds and members of the Gülen Movement through mass trials and mass arrests. In these cases, suspects or defendants are detained and arrested collectively based on their membership of a particular group, not based on concrete acts committed. There is no individualisation of crimes and punishments. Merely belonging to a specific group is sufficient to be accused of being a ‘traitor’ and ‘enemy of the state’, and evidence and documents of guilt are produced and obtained after the arrest.
The members of the group are considered guilty in advance from the beginning. Therefore, it does not matter which act they have committed concretely. The individual is eliminated, and guilt is created against a group with a collective prejudice. The accusations are directed collectively against all defendants, and they are accused of destroying the country, collaborating with foreign enemies, attempting a coup d’état and being members of a terrorist organisation. It does not matter with which actions they have committed this offence. Although there must be an act, an act of an individual and that act must constitute a violation of the law in terms of criminal law, the completely legal activities of individuals, the books they read, their social media posts, how many children they have, whether they have had an abortion, whether 3 they have disabled children, with whom they chat, with whom they are housemates can be considered sufficient evidence to be shown as a member of a terrorist organisation.
A person’s right to liberty and security is considerably narrowed against political opponents, and even the most natural behaviour can be interpreted as a criminal offence through political interpretation. In many decisions by the United Nations Human Rights organisations so far, it has been found that ‘widespread and systematic imprisonment or other serious deprivation of liberty’ against members of the Gülen Movement has reached the level of crimes against humanity1.
Indeed, the United Nations Working Group on Arbitrary Detention emphasises that mass detentions, mass arrests and mass sentences in Turkey are imposed collectively against a group without individualisation of offences and punishments. In its judgment on 94 military students sentenced to life imprisonment in relation to the events of 15 July 2016, it stated that ‘mass trials are contrary

EN Rapor

We Answered the Questions of Our Friends Whose Asylum Applications Were Rejected – And Helped Clarify Their Roadmap

The asylum process in Germany presents not only legal but also emotional and social challenges for many individuals. In such a difficult and uncertain time, we consider it both a human and institutional responsibility to stand by our friends whose asylum applications have been rejected — to offer them guidance, support, and renewed hope.

To that end, we organized an online seminar specifically tailored for individuals facing rejection in the asylum process. The seminar focused on the complex structures of the German asylum system, the legal possibilities available after a negative decision, and concrete next steps they could take moving forward.

Rejection does not necessarily mean the end of the road. In fact, many individuals are not rejected because they lack valid grounds, but because they encountered procedural barriers: some did not understand the formal requirements, others struggled to present their experiences clearly due to emotional trauma, and many were unable to provide sufficient evidence or missed critical deadlines. As a result, the denial of asylum can lead to feelings of despair and helplessness — and it is precisely at this point that we stepped in to offer support.

In our seminar, we went beyond simply presenting general legal information. We helped participants assess their individual situations, understand their options, and make informed decisions. We explained how to file appeals, what is required during legal proceedings, how to prepare supporting documents, and the timelines involved. In addition, we presented alternative pathways such as the Ausbildungsduldung (tolerated stay for vocational training), residence permits through marriage, and other options under §25a and §25b of the Residence Act.

The event greatly benefited from the insights of our distinguished speakers. Our association’s chairperson, Prof. Dr. Hüseyin Demir, opened the seminar with encouraging remarks, emphasizing the importance of unity and collective strength. Legal expert Prof. Dr. Mehmet Özcan provided a comprehensive yet accessible overview of German asylum and immigration law. Attorney Atilla Öztürk focused on the procedural aspects of dealing with the BAMF (Federal Office for Migration and Refugees) and the administrative courts, sharing practical advice and answering participants’ specific legal questions.

However, the seminar was more than just an informational session — it was an act of solidarity. Many participants shared their personal experiences, encouraged one another, and discovered the power of standing together. Events like this are crucial in overcoming isolation and rebuilding confidence among those navigating an uncertain legal journey.

As an organization, we reaffirm our commitment to being present in every field and continuing to support the victims of human rights violations. We will keep providing legal education, information sessions, and guidance to those in need. A rejection does not mean someone is undeserving — it only means that the path to justice must be pursued further. And we will walk this path together.

Press release: “The Council of Europe must now take concrete action against Turkey”

In Strasbourg, France, Prof. Dr. Hüseyin Demir made a remarkable press statement on behalf of Human Rights Defenders (HRD) as part of the “March for Justice” against Turkey, which is failing to implement the rulings of the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR). In his statement before the Council of Europe, Demir explained that Turkey has systematically refused to implement the decisions of the ECHR for years, causing not only a legal crisis but also a moral one.

Prof. Dr. Hüseyin Demir addressed the assembled crowd after handing over a letter on behalf of HRD to the representatives of the Council of Europe. Demir began his speech with the words: “We will not wait any longer. Our demand for justice cannot be postponed. Turkey is taking advantage of the Council of Europe’s patience. The disregard for the judgments of the ECtHR threatens not only the victims in Turkey, but also the integrity of the European legal system.”

“Turkey is playing for time and testing the seriousness of the Council of Europe.”

In his press statement, Prof. Dr. Demir emphasized that Turkey, particularly in view of the binding decisions of the ECtHR, no longer acts as a “playmaker” but as a “perpetrator trying to gain time.” Dr. Demir emphasized in his press statement that, in view of the binding decisions of the ECtHR, Turkey no longer acts as a ‘playmaker’ but as a “perpetrator trying to gain time.” “In an environment where the Constitutional Court has been suspended and the judiciary has been politicized, the decisions from Strasbourg are either ignored in Turkey or rendered ineffective by years of delaying tactics,” he said.

Demir pointed out that the Council of Europe’s Committee of Ministers must apply more effective mechanisms in this regard. “The monitoring procedure of the Committee of Ministers should not be limited to reporting violations; in cases of repeated violations, sanction mechanisms must be applied urgently,” he said.

“The suspension of membership must be put on the agenda.”

Demir continued: “If the Council of Europe remains inactive in the face of this blatant disregard for its own decisions, it will set a dangerous precedent not only for Turkey but for all member states. The Council must consider all possible measures against Turkey, which is failing to implement the decisions of the ECtHR, including the suspension of its membership. For silence in the face of legal violations means that these violations are legitimized,” he explained.

Legal basis outlined

In his speech, Prof. Dr. Hüseyin Demir referred to Article 46 of the European Convention on Human Rights and explained: “Every contracting state has recognized the decisions of the ECtHR as binding. Turkey is clearly violating this article and is systematically resisting it,” he said.

Demir also recalled the proceedings 46/4 initiated by the Committee of Ministers against Azerbaijan in 2017 for failing to implement the decisions of the ECtHR, and reiterated his call for concrete steps, saying, “A similar process has now become inevitable for Turkey as well.”

“Thousands of victims, dozens of violations”

In his press statement, Demir also summarized the most important decisions of the ECtHR in Turkey and described the failure to implement the decisions on Selahattin Demirtaş and Osman Kavala in particular as unlawful political resistance. “Even though these two examples are symbolic, in reality thousands of people are suffering from injustice. Journalists, academics, civil society representatives, and even teachers are unjustly imprisoned. The ECtHR’s rulings on violations of rights point to a systematic problem,” he said.

“The conscience of Europe must see this crisis”

Demir concluded by appealing to the European public and civil society: “Today, we are raising our voices not only for the victims in Turkey, but also for the future of the European legal order. If these judgments are not implemented, the justice of Strasbourg will remain purely symbolic. The conscience of Europe must recognize this crisis.”

After Demir’s speech, the crowd applauded loudly and at length. Human rights activists continued their march and held up banners in front of the ECHR building with the slogan “Justice Delayed is Justice Denied.”

This statement is seen as a turning point, a loud reminder of the steps that European institutions must take in response to Turkey’s violation of its international obligations.

HRD e.V. Makes a Powerful Stand in Strasbourg: Human Rights Organizations Call for Sanctions Against Turkey

We are determined!

On June 25, 2025, numerous international human rights organizations gathered in Strasbourg for a historic protest march — and we at HRD – Human Rights Defenders e.V. actively participated as one of the leading umbrella organizations. This determined action sent a clear signal against the ongoing disregard of the judgments of the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) by Turkey.

For years, HRD e.V. has been documenting and analyzing systematic human rights violations, particularly regarding political trials, freedom of expression, torture, and arbitrary detentions in Turkey. The Turkish government’s failure to implement final ECtHR rulings is an alarming example of how the rule of law and European core values are being undermined.

A Protest with Impact – Our Role in Strasbourg

The demonstration in Strasbourg was more than a symbolic protest — it was the result of months of civil society collaboration and intensive preparation. HRD e.V. played a key role in conceptualizing and organizing the event. Together with our partner organizations, we not only helped coordinate logistics but also contributed substantial content: We were among the few specialized organizations to prepare and submit official letters and legally grounded demands to the bodies of the Council of Europe and the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE).

Our delegation handed over several dossiers documenting Turkey’s systematic non-implementation of ECtHR rulings. Particularly highlighted were prominent cases like Osman Kavala and Selahattin Demirtaş, whose continued detention despite ECtHR decisions represents a clear breach of the European Convention on Human Rights.

For Justice and International Law – Our Demand

In our statements, together with our partners, we call on the Council of Europe and its member states to initiate concrete sanction mechanisms against Turkey as long as these ECtHR rulings are ignored. This is not only a legal necessity but a matter of justice and solidarity with the countless victims of political repression.

However, our work does not end with this demonstration. The Strasbourg action is part of a larger HRD e.V. strategy to raise awareness about human rights violations in Turkey at the European level. Through our ongoing “Human Rights Monitor” project, continuous analyses, and targeted lobbying activities, we advocate for a Europe where respect for human rights is non-negotiable.

A Strong Network – A Strong Commitment

Participation in the Strasbourg demonstration marks another milestone in HRD e.V.’s history — and a clear sign of our growing international network. The visibility and recognition of our work within European institutions and media confirm our course and motivate us to stand even more resolutely for the rights of the oppressed.

We thank all supporters, volunteers, and partner organizations who made this action possible. Together we show: Human rights are indivisible — and their defense knows no borders.

EN Strasbourg

International Day in Support of Victims of Torture, 26 June

Press Release: International Day in Support of Victims of Torture
26.06.2023

BERLIN – As the world observes the International Day in Support of Victims of Torture on 26 June, HRD e.V. stands in solidarity with survivors of torture, reaffirming our commitment to the prevention and eradication of this heinous crime.

Torture is a grave violation of human rights, a deplorable act that inflicts severe physical and psychological pain on individuals. It leaves lasting scars, traumatizing victims and undermining the very fabric of society. On this important day, we raise our collective voices to advocate for the rights and dignity of torture survivors and to condemn torture in all its forms.

Our organization recognizes that the eradication of torture requires a multi-faceted approach. We call upon governments worldwide to uphold their obligations under international law, particularly the United Nations Convention Against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment. We urge states to implement robust legal frameworks, strengthen oversight mechanisms, and hold perpetrators accountable for their actions.

In the context of Turkey, we note with concern the reports of human rights violations and allegations of torture. It is crucial for the Turkish government to ensure the protection of human rights and to thoroughly investigate any allegations of torture or ill-treatment. We call upon the authorities to take swift and transparent action to address these concerns and to provide justice and reparations to the victims.

We also emphasize the crucial role of civil society organizations, healthcare providers, and human rights defenders in supporting survivors of torture in Turkey. It is imperative to create a conducive environment where survivors can access comprehensive and specialized rehabilitative services, including medical care, psychological support, legal aid, and social reintegration programs.

Education and awareness play vital roles in preventing torture. HRD e.V. is dedicated to raising public awareness about the consequences of torture and the urgent need to combat it, including in Turkey. We encourage educational institutions, media outlets, and online platforms in Turkey to join us in promoting human rights education, fostering empathy, and challenging the culture of impunity that allows torture to persist.

On this International Day in Support of Victims of Torture, let us come together as a global community and reaffirm our commitment to promoting human dignity, justice, and compassion. We stand in solidarity with survivors of torture, supporting their healing journey and advocating for a world free from this abhorrent practice, including in Turkey.

HRD e.V.

TURKEY: ARBITRARY MASS DETENTIONS AS AN INSTRUMENT OF CRIME AGAINST HUMANITY

That authoritarian regimes intimidate, threaten or even carry out (or commission) assassinations against critical voices is no secret.

Silencing opposition or disagreeable figures such as journalists, human rights activists is of immense importance to autocrats and dictators for whom they are a thorn in the flesh. They are a threat to the arbitrariness of these rulers. The rulers have various apparatuses at their disposal to meet their aspirations in this regard.

One of these instruments, which the Turkish state implements today, is the mass wave of arrests, which is mainly directed at the Gülen movement.

Since 2014, the Turkish state apparatus has been targeting the Gülen movement and its sympathizers. One of the main tools used by the Turkish security authorities and judiciary is the daily waves of arbitrary arrests of people accused of being inspired by Gülen.

In total, more than 6,140 waves of mass arrests were carried out between 2014 and 2022, and more than 140,000 people were detained. On average, up to 60 people are detained every day in at least three operations.

In addition, we observe that more and more people are arrested for humanitarian aid. For example, on October 18, 2022, a new stage of unlawful arrests was initiated against 704 people -men, women, young and old- on the grounds that they were “trying to help the families of those in prison or released from prison”. This has unfortunately been the case for more than 3 years regarding the Gülen movement.

In our HRDfactsheet we have summarized facts and figures why this is to be judged as a crime against humanity and made various recommendations to remedy these human rights violations.

Erdbeben in der Türkei & Syrien

Wir unterstützen die Spendenaktion des karitativen Vereins Time to Help e.V., der seit vielen Jahren in unterschiedlichen Krisengebieten humanitäre Hilfe leistet. Aktuell wurde ein Spendenkonto eingerichtet, um mit Spenden den Betroffenen vor Ort so schnell wie möglich zu helfen. Spenden Sie jetzt und unterstützen Sie diese Arbeit!

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Die Weltweite Hexenjagd

Nirgends sicher vor Präsident Erdogan und seinem Machtapparat

Dass autoritäre Regime kritische Stimmen auch im Ausland einschüchtern, bedrohen oder gar gegen diese Attentate ausüben (oder in Auftrag geben) ist kein Geheimnis.

Oppositionelle oder unliebsame Persönlichkeiten wie Exiljournalisten grenzüberschreitend zum Schweigen zu bringen, ist für Autokraten und Diktatoren, denen sie ein Dorn im Auge sind, von immenser Bedeutung. Sie sind eine Gefahr für die Willkür in den jeweiligen Heimatländern. Die Machthaber verfügen über verschiedene Apparate, um ihren diesbezüglichen Bestrebungen nachzukommen. Wir stellen auch fest, dass Regierungen, die für grenzüberschreitende Unterdrückung bekannt sind, sich gegenseitig dabei unterstützen, Aktivisten und andere Exilanten einzuschüchtern, zu belästigen und zu schädigen.

Die grenzüberschreitende Repressionskampagne des türkischen Staates ist nicht nur wegen ihrer Intensität in den letzten Jahren, sondern auch wegen ihrer geographischen Ausdehnung im negativen Sinne bemerkenswert. In dem Maße, in dem sich die Türkei unter Präsident Erdoğan immer mehr zu einem gefestigten autoritären Staat entwickelt hat, in dem sich die überwältigende Macht im Präsidentenamt konzentriert, ist auch die Praxis der grenzüberschreitenden Repression extremer geworden.

Die türkische Regierung hat in ihren transnationalen Repressionsoperationen vor allem zwei Gruppen im Visier: die PKK, im weiteren Sinne regierungskritische Kurdinnen und Kurden, sowie die Gülen-Bewegung – und damit auch deren Sympathisantinnen und Sympathisanten.

In unserem HRDpaper werden wir die Politik und die Methoden der AKP-Regierung und Präsident Erdogans im Zusammenhang mit der kürzlich aktualisierten „Fahndungsliste für mutmaßliche Terroristen“ des türkischen Innenministeriums unter die Lupe nehmen. Wie Sie sehen werden, finden sich auf den aktualisierten, farblich kodierten Listen nun auch Exil-Journalisten wie Cevheri Güven und Can Dündar. Auch deutsche StaatsbürgerInnen, die hier geboren, aufgewachsen, studiert und beruflich erfolgreich sind, stehen auf der Liste.