As part of our ongoing efforts to defend human rights, we have taken significant steps to raise awareness about the case of Ms. Melek İpek, a 78-year-old philanthropist currently imprisoned in Turkey under dubious charges. Her detention is emblematic of the continued misuse of the judiciary to target individuals based on tenuous allegations, particularly under the guise of combating terrorism.
Youth Engagement in Advocacy: Amplifying Voices Through Panels at United Nations
We are proud to highlight the impactful work of our youth team through two recently organized panels: “Beyond Boundaries: Exploring Health, Gender, and Social Marginalization in Conflict and Poverty-Affected Contexts” and “Navigating Gendered Conflict and Displacement: Ukraine, Turkey, Afghanistan, and Palestine.” These panels reflect our commitment to fostering youth involvement in advancing social justice and advocating for human rights.
Women’s Rights Documentary: “Metamorphosis: Women’s Resilience to Oppression in Turkey” Premieres on March 11 in New York
Advocates of Silenced Turkey (AST) proudly announces the world premiere of its first women’s rights documentary, Metamorphosis: Women’s Resilience to Oppression in Turkey. The screening will take place on March 11, 2025, in New York as a private event, marking a powerful moment of resistance, hope, and human dignity.
The Death of Fethullah Gülen: A Discourse Analysis in Turkish and International Media
On October 20, 2024, Fethullah Gülen, the founder of the Hizmet Movement/Fethullah Gülen Community, passed away in the United States. The passing of such an influential global figure garnered widespread attention in both Turkish and international media. The language, tone, and structure of the reports published in international and Turkish media were significantly different. Upon comparing the reports in these two spheres, one might get the impression that they are describing two entirely different events or individuals.
Exhibition of Silent Screams: Held for the First Time in Three Major Cities on the U.S. West Coast
The Exhibition of Silent Screams was held in Seattle on December 21, San Francisco on December 22, and San Diego on December 26. The exhibition, which attracted over 1,000 visitors in total, became the voice of millions of silenced people by sharing the mementos and stories of those who have struggled under oppression.
The Teenage Girls Case: A Call for Justice
1. Background of the Operation
In May 2024, a large-scale anti-terrorism operation took place in Istanbul, where 48 individuals, including high school students and university-aged women, were detained by Turkish authorities. The Turkish government, under the guise of fighting terrorism, arrested these individuals on fabricated charges. Among those arrested were several mothers, taken into custody when authorities could not locate their daughters. The young girls, some of them still minors, were subjected to irrational accusations based on their routine social activities, such as going to the cinema, studying together, and even praying.
RE: The “Case of the Minor Girls” (Kiz Cocuklari Davasi) Trial Highlights Systemic Flaws in Türkiye’s Judiciary
New York, December 3, 2024 – The “Case of the Minor Girls” trial, held from September 23 to 27, 2024, at the İstanbul 24th High Criminal Court, has drawn international scrutiny to Türkiye’s judicial practices. The case involves 41 defendants—37 women and 4 men—charged under Article 314-2 of the Turkish Penal Code for alleged membership in an armed terrorist organization. Among the defendants are minors aged 13 to 17, whose treatment raises significant concerns about human rights violations and judicial independence.
Grave Violations of Children’s Rights Under Turkey’s Repressive Regime Post-2016 Coup
Introduction
A period in which justice was suspended began in Turkey on July 15, 2016. During this process, 952 individuals were identified as having lost their lives, 152,000 civil servants were dismissed, more than 500,000 people were arrested, and over 3,000 children were forced to grow up in prison with their mothers. According to the latest official figures, 552 children are still in prison with their mothers. Problems such as job loss, deprivation of liberty, ostracization by the state and society, exclusion, and condemnation to absolute poverty have caused the disintegration of thousands of families.
Call to action for detention of minors in Istanbul, Turkey – 8/19/2024
ISTANBUL, MAY 7, 2024 – A CONTROVERSIAL OPERATION RESULTS IN THE DETENTION OF MINORS
We urge human rights activists, journalists, politicians, and lawyers to attend the trial on September 23, 2024, at the Istanbul 24th High Criminal Court to monitor the legal process and help bring global attention to this case.
Advocates of Silenced Turkey ve Humankind Production tarafından hazırlanan “Öteki Çocuklar” belgeseli, Cannes World Film Festival’de En İyi İnsan Hakları Ödülü’ne layık görüldü
Üç yıl önce, OHAL ve KHK mağduru ailelerin çocuklarının yaşadıkları zorlu süreci tüm dünyaya duyurmayı amaç edindiler. Bu amaçla, KHK’lı ailelerin çocukları ile görüşmelere başladılar ve belgeselin startını verdiler.