Torture in Turkey
What Counts as Torture
According to the 3rd article of the European Convention on Human Rights titled "Prohibition of Torture," no one shall be subjected to torture or to inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment. Torture includes:
- Physical abuse: Beating, electric shock, stress positions, suspension, deprivation of food/water/sleep
- Psychological torture: Threats of rape or death, mock executions, forced witnessing of others' torture
- Sexual violence: Rape, sexual assault, forced nudity, threats of sexual violence
- Denial of medical treatment: Withholding necessary medical care, preventing treatment for existing conditions
- Environmental manipulation: Extreme temperatures, prolonged isolation, sensory deprivation
As a member of the Council of Europe, Turkey has ratified the European Convention on Human Rights. Even under Article 15 permitting suspension of certain obligations during emergencies, the prohibition against torture cannot be suspended under any circumstances.
Why Your Report Matters
There is no time limitation for reporting torture. International law defines torture as a grave human rights violation requiring investigation and prosecution without statute of limitations.
Documented torture cases create the evidentiary foundation for:
- Criminal prosecution of individual perpetrators
- Diplomatic pressure on governments enabling systematic torture
- Compensation claims for survivors
- Policy reforms to prevent future violations
- Establishes historical accountability through permanent records
Evidence You Should Gather
Gather as much evidence as possible before reporting:
Essential documentation:
- Medical reports documenting injuries and psychological trauma
- Arrest warrant, detention order, and court documents
- Names and contact information of witnesses (fellow detainees, family, lawyers)
Supporting evidence:
- Photographs of injuries taken immediately after release
- Timeline of detention with dates, locations, and torture methods used
- Evidence of perpetrators' identities (names, ranks, physical descriptions)
Where to Report
Arbitrary Detention and Imprisonment
What Counts as Arbitrary Detention
The UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention defines arbitrary detention as detention without legal basis or due process. Under Turkish government practices since 2016, this includes:
- Mass arrests without individualized evidence based solely on alleged association with opposition groups
- Prolonged pre-trial detention exceeding international standards (often 2-5 years before trial)
- Detention based on protected activities: Journalism, human rights advocacy, religious practice, peaceful assembly
- Denial of fair trial guarantees: Restricted access to lawyers, closed trials, reliance on coerced confessions
- Post-acquittal re-arrest: Immediate re-detention after court orders release
Since July 15, 2016, more than 300,000 individuals have been subjected to detention in Turkey. As of 2024, Turkish prisons operate at 134% capacity, violating UN Mandela Rules requiring adequate living space and humane conditions.
Why Your Report Matters
Documented detention cases establish:
- UN pressure on Turkey to release political prisoners
- Evidence for asylum claims demonstrating persecution risk
- Compensation pathways through ECHR judgments
- Public awareness highlighting systemic violations
- Creates historical records that prevent denial of mass detention
Evidence You Should Gather
Gather as much evidence as possible before reporting:
Essential documentation:
- Arrest warrant, detention order, or record of arrest circumstances
- Indictment, charge sheet, and court documents
- Timeline showing detention duration and denied bail applications
Supporting evidence:
- Documentation of cell conditions and due process violations
- Evidence your detention resulted from journalism, activism, or religious practice
- Witness statements from family, lawyers, or fellow detainees
Where to Report
Enforced Disappearance and Abductions
What Counts as Enforced Disappearance
The UN Working Group on Enforced or Involuntary Disappearances defines enforced disappearance as arrest, detention, or abduction by state agents followed by refusal to acknowledge deprivation of liberty or concealment of the person's fate or whereabouts.
Turkish government operations include:
- Abductions from third countries: Turkey has conducted renditions from over 30 countries, forcibly returning individuals to Turkey
- Secret detention facilities: Holding individuals without acknowledging detention
- Denial of family contact: Refusing to confirm person's location or status
- Unacknowledged transfers: Moving detainees between facilities without notification
AST has documented that no other state conducted as many renditions during the post-2016 period as Turkey, according to Freedom House's Transnational Repression report.
Why Your Report Matters
Time is critical. Immediate reporting can trigger urgent international intervention to locate and protect disappeared persons. Each report:
- Activates UN urgent action mechanisms
- Creates diplomatic pressure for disclosure of whereabouts
- Establishes timeline protecting against falsified detention records
- Documents family separation and psychological harm
Evidence You Should Gather
Act immediately — time-sensitive information:
Essential documentation:
- Exact date, time, and last known location of disappeared person
- Circumstances of disappearance (witnessed arrest, abduction details, vehicle descriptions)
- Full name, date of birth, recent photograph, and contact information
Supporting evidence:
- Witness names and contact information
- Documentation of official inquiries to police/detention facilities that were denied
- Evidence of why person was targeted (activism, journalism, employment)
Where to Report
Surveillance and Transnational Repression
What Counts as Transnational Repression
Transnational repression occurs when foreign governments reach across borders to threaten, harass, or harm individuals outside their territorial jurisdiction. Turkish government operations targeting diaspora communities include:
- Surveillance networks: Turkish intelligence operatives and proxy agents monitoring Turkish communities abroad
- Harassment and intimidation: Threatening phone calls, social media threats, unwanted visits to homes or workplaces
- Threats against family in Turkey: Coercing individuals abroad by threatening relatives still in Turkey with arrest, job loss, or property seizure
- False Interpol notices: Misusing international law enforcement mechanisms to target political opponents
- Cyber harassment: Hacking, doxxing, online threats coordinated by Turkish intelligence
- Impersonation of authorities: Posing as US law enforcement to intimidate targets
- Attempted kidnapping: Plots to forcibly return individuals to Turkey
Why Your Report Matters
Transnational repression violates both international human rights law and the domestic criminal laws of host countries. The FBI has successfully prosecuted foreign agents conducting transnational repression, resulting in arrests and prison sentences. Your report:
- Triggers federal investigation that can result in criminal prosecution
- Creates protective record if Turkish government attempts forced return
- Establishes patterns helping FBI identify operative networks
- Protects other community members facing similar targeting
Evidence You Should Gather
Preserve all communication evidence — do not delete anything:
Essential documentation:
- Screenshots of threatening messages with full headers (phone numbers, dates, times)
- Physical surveillance evidence (photos, vehicle descriptions, dates/times/locations)
- In-person incident details (date, time, location, exact quotes, physical descriptions)
Supporting evidence:
- Evidence of threats made against relatives in Turkey
- Timeline showing escalation and pattern of threats
- Perpetrator information (names, phone numbers, email addresses, social media profiles)
Where to Report
Press Freedom and Journalist Persecution
What Counts as a Press Freedom Violation
Since 2014, the Erdoğan regime has systematically dismantled independent media in Turkey through:
- Mass closures: 149 media outlets closed by emergency decree since 2016
- Journalist imprisonment: Dozens of journalists remain imprisoned on terrorism charges for their reporting
- Press card revocations: Hundreds of journalists stripped of credentials, preventing professional work
- Criminal prosecution: Journalists charged with "terrorist propaganda" or "insulting the president" for critical reporting
- Cyber censorship: Over 1 million websites blocked in Turkey
- Government takeovers: Trustees appointed to opposition media organizations, converting them to state propaganda
As of 2024, Turkey ranks 158th out of 180 countries in Reporters Without Borders' World Press Freedom Index.
Why Your Report Matters
Documented press freedom violations:
- Support asylum claims for journalists fleeing persecution
- Create evidentiary record for international pressure
- Establish systematic patterns demonstrating government policy
- Provide foundation for ECHR cases seeking compensation and policy reform
- Amplify international awareness of Turkey's media crackdown
Evidence You Should Gather
Gather as much evidence as possible before reporting:
Essential documentation:
- Portfolio of published work and press credentials
- Articles or reports that led to persecution
- Criminal charges, arrest warrant, or press card revocation notice
Supporting evidence:
- Outlet closure decree or trustee appointment documentation
- Threatening messages or government statements targeting you
- Court documents and evidence of unfair trial
Where to Report
Property Seizures and Mass Dismissals
What Counts as a Property Rights Violation
Since July 15, 2016, the Erdoğan regime has conducted systematic economic persecution through:
- Mass dismissals: Over 150,000 public sector workers dismissed by emergency decree without due process
- Property confiscation: Assets of dismissed workers, opposition members, and alleged Gülen Movement affiliates seized
- Passport cancellations: Preventing travel and access to employment
- Blacklisting: Preventing employment in both public and private sectors
- Business closures: Thousands of businesses shut down and assets transferred to government control
- Bank account freezes: Denying access to personal savings
These measures have pushed families into poverty, forced dangerous migration, and destroyed livelihoods built over decades.
Why Your Report Matters
Documented cases establish:
- Systematic discrimination violating property rights
- Collective punishment targeting family members of accused individuals
- Due process violations in dismissal and confiscation procedures
- Foundation for compensation claims
- Evidence of state-sponsored economic destruction
Evidence You Should Gather
Gather as much evidence as possible before reporting:
Essential documentation:
- Official dismissal decree with your name and decree number
- Appeal documentation (Emergency Decree Commission, court decisions)
- Property deeds, business registration, or bank account freeze notifications
Supporting evidence:
- Evidence of financial impact (pay stubs, bank statements, unpaid bills)
- Passport cancellation or blacklisting evidence
- Context of why you were targeted (employment, union membership, political opposition)
Where to Report
Quick Reference: Which Authority Handles What
| Violation Type | FBI | DHS | UN | ECHR | AST |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Torture | If in US + transnational threats | If perpetrator in US | ✓ All cases | ✓ Turkish citizens (after domestic remedies) | ✓ All cases |
| Arbitrary Detention | If in US + transnational threats | If perpetrator in US | ✓ All cases | ✓ Turkish citizens (after domestic remedies) | ✓ All cases |
| Enforced Disappearance | If in US or involves US | If perpetrator in US | ✓ All cases (URGENT) | ✓ Turkish citizens (after domestic remedies) | ✓ All cases |
| Transnational Repression | ✓ PRIMARY (if in US) | If perpetrator in US | ✓ All cases | — | ✓ All cases |
| Press Freedom | If in US + threats | — | ✓ All cases | ✓ Turkish citizens (after domestic remedies) | ✓ All cases |
| Property Seizures | — | — | — | ✓ Turkish citizens (after domestic remedies) | ✓ All cases |
Key:
- FBI: Only if you're physically in the United States
- DHS: Only if perpetrator is physically in the United States
- UN: Accepts all cases globally
- ECHR: Requires exhausting Turkish court appeals first
- AST: Accepts all cases, provides documentation support
What AST Does With Your Report
Documentation and Evidence Collection
When you report a violation to AST, we conduct confidential interviews documenting:
- Your personal background and professional history
- Detailed chronology of events leading to violation
- Specific individuals, agencies, and government actions involved
- Physical, psychological, and economic impacts on you and your family
- Supporting evidence you possess (documents, medical records, witness accounts)
We understand that recounting traumatic experiences is difficult. Our documentation process respects your dignity while creating the comprehensive record necessary for accountability.
Pattern Analysis and Systematic Documentation
Your individual case becomes part of AST's comprehensive documentation of systematic violations. We analyze patterns across thousands of cases to demonstrate:
- Government policy and coordinated campaigns of persecution
- Targeting of specific groups (journalists, teachers, public servants, alleged Gülen Movement members)
- Systematic torture methods used across detention facilities
- Institutional complicity in violations
This pattern evidence strengthens not only your individual case but establishes the systematic nature required for crimes against humanity prosecutions.
Report Production and International Advocacy
AST produces comprehensive reports submitted to:
- UN Special Rapporteurs on Torture, Arbitrary Detention, Enforced Disappearances, Freedom of Expression, and Human Rights Defenders
- US State Department for annual Country Reports on Human Rights Practices
- European Court of Human Rights as third-party interventions supporting cases
- Council of Europe monitoring bodies overseeing Turkey's compliance with human rights obligations
- International Criminal Court (documenting potential crimes against humanity for future jurisdiction)
Your testimony contributes to these advocacy efforts while maintaining confidentiality if you request it.
Asylum Documentation Support
AST provides documentation essential for asylum applications, including:
- Comprehensive victim statements
- Expert declarations on Turkish government persecution patterns
- Statistical evidence of systematic targeting
- Corroborating testimonies from other victims with similar experiences
- Contextual background on emergency decrees, legal framework violations, and policy persecution
Multiple countries including the United States, United Kingdom, Germany, Canada, and France have recognized AST's documentation as authoritative evidence in asylum proceedings.
Public Awareness and Community Support
AST raises awareness through:
- Exhibitions: "Exhibition of Silent Screams" has brought victim testimonies to audiences across multiple countries
- Publications: Books, reports, and case studies documenting violations
- Conferences: International convenings bringing together victims, advocates, and policymakers
- Media engagement: Press releases and interviews raising awareness of ongoing violations
- Community support: Connecting victims with resources, legal aid, and solidarity networks
Financial Support and Services
AST is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. We provide all documentation and advocacy services at no cost to victims. We understand the economic devastation many families face and do not charge for our assistance.
Confidentiality and Safety
We understand the risks faced by individuals reporting Turkish government violations. AST maintains strict confidentiality protocols:
- Encrypted communication channels
- Secure document storage
- Anonymized reporting when requested
- Careful consideration of family safety in Turkey before public advocacy
- Protection of witness identities in reports submitted to international bodies
If you face immediate threats or urgent safety concerns, we can coordinate with appropriate authorities while respecting your wishes regarding disclosure.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to hire a lawyer to report violations?
No. AST, FBI, and UN mechanisms accept reports directly from individuals without legal representation. However, ECHR applications are highly technical—98% of self-filed applications are rejected for incomplete forms or missed deadlines. Legal representation is strongly recommended for ECHR cases.
Will reporting put me or my family in Turkey in danger?
This is a legitimate concern. The FBI treats transnational repression reports seriously and can provide guidance on safety measures. The UN accepts confidential complaints—you can request anonymity in your submission. ECHR applications generally become public unless you request confidentiality with justification.
Before reporting, consider:
- Whether family members remain in Turkey and could face retaliation
- Your current immigration status and security situation
- Whether you've already received threats suggesting authorities know your location
AST can discuss these considerations confidentially before you report.
Can I report anonymously?
FBI: You can report anonymously via tips.fbi.gov, but the FBI cannot follow up without contact information.
UN: Yes, you can request confidentiality when submitting complaints.
ECHR: Applications are generally public, but you can request anonymity by explaining specific security threats.
AST: Yes, we can document your case confidentially and anonymize your information in reports to international bodies.
How long does it take to get a response?
AST: We respond to all submissions within 48-72 hours.
FBI: May contact within days/weeks for urgent threats; investigations take months to years.
UN: Urgent cases reviewed within 24-48 hours; standard cases within weeks to months.
ECHR: Initial review 6-12 months; full process 2-5 years from application to judgment.
What if I don't have documents or evidence?
Report anyway. Provide as much detail as possible—dates, names, descriptions, locations. Your testimony is evidence. AST can help gather corroborating evidence from other cases with similar patterns. Medical examinations after release from detention can document torture even without photos from the time. Witness statements from fellow detainees or family members strengthen cases.
Will these authorities actually hold perpetrators accountable?
FBI has arrested and prosecuted foreign agents conducting transnational repression, including Turkish operatives. Recent cases have resulted in convictions and prison sentences.
The UN creates diplomatic pressure through public reporting and communications with governments. While the UN cannot prosecute, findings influence sanctions, international pressure, and future ICC prosecutions.
ECHR issues legally binding judgments requiring Turkey to pay compensation and implement policy reforms. However, Turkey's compliance record is poor—the government has repeatedly ignored ECHR orders (Kavala v. Turkey, Demirtaş v. Turkey).
AST cannot prosecute but creates the permanent record that future accountability mechanisms will rely upon. Our documentation has been cited in asylum decisions, US State Department reports, and international advocacy campaigns.
I was dismissed from my job by emergency decree. Where do I report this?
Start by reporting to AST so we can document systematic dismissal patterns. For potential compensation, you must:
- Appeal through Emergency Decree Commission
- If rejected, appeal to administrative courts
- If rejected, appeal to Constitutional Court
- Only after exhausting all Turkish remedies can you apply to ECHR
This process typically takes 2-4 years before ECHR application becomes possible. AST can provide documentation throughout this process.
Can I file with multiple authorities simultaneously?
Yes. You can report to AST, FBI, and UN simultaneously. ECHR requires a separate process because you must exhaust Turkish domestic courts first, but you can prepare your ECHR case while reporting to other authorities.
What happens after I report?
AST: We schedule a confidential interview, collect supporting documentation, and begin incorporating your case into our systematic documentation. We keep you informed about reports submitted to international bodies.
FBI: Your report routes to the appropriate field office and Transnational Repression Cell. If federal law violations exist, the FBI may contact you for additional information and begin investigation.
UN: Expert reviews your submission against their mandate. If accepted, they may send an allegation letter or urgent appeal to Turkey demanding explanation. These communications become public.
ECHR: Initial screening for admissibility takes 6-12 months. If admissible, Turkey must respond. The case then proceeds through merits phase, possible hearing, and eventual judgment.
I'm not a US citizen. Can I still report to the FBI?
Yes. FBI protects anyone in the United States regardless of citizenship or immigration status. Constitutional protections extend to all persons on US soil. The FBI investigates transnational repression targeting anyone within US jurisdiction.
Does AST charge for documentation support?
No. AST is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to advocating for victims of government persecution. All documentation, advocacy, and support services are provided at no cost.
However, we rely on donations to continue this work. If you are able, consider supporting AST's mission so we can serve more victims.
My family member disappeared in Turkey. What should I do immediately?
Act immediately:
- Contact AST: [email protected] | +1 (646) 480-2377
- File urgent action with UN Working Group on Enforced Disappearances: [email protected]
- If US citizen or resident disappeared: Contact FBI: 1-800-225-5324
Provide:
- Full name, age, photo of disappeared person
- Last known location and date
- Circumstances (witnessed arrest, phone call cut off, etc.)
- Names of any suspected perpetrators
Time is critical for triggering international intervention.
I experienced violations years ago. Is it too late to report?
No. There is no time limitation for reporting grave human rights violations like torture. Even if violations occurred years ago:
- Your case contributes to establishing systematic patterns
