The Crackdown on Humanitarian Aid in Turkey

The Crackdown on Humanitarian Aid in Turkey

This report, issued by the Advocates of Silence Turkey (AST), details an alarming misuse of counterterrorism laws in Turkey to systematically target and dismantle philanthropic efforts supporting the Gülen Movement.

It demonstrates how the government’s relentless crackdown on these humanitarian activities not only violates basic human rights but also showcases a broader intolerance towards any form of support for the movement. Through detailed analysis of specific cases, this document highlights the severe consequences of these actions, including arbitrary detentions, legal overreach, and the stifling of essential philanthropic work.

Among the numerous cases analyzed, the stories of individuals like Halime Gülsu, Nihat Toktar, Hatice Yıldız, and Halit Dumankaya exemplify the profound personal tragedies behind these statistics. Halime Gülsu, denied essential medical treatment while imprisoned, tragically lost her life, underscoring the dire human cost of these policies.

Nihat Toktar, arrested for simply distributing bread to students in need, and Hatice Yıldız, detained for aiding her imprisoned daughter, highlight the indiscriminate targeting of those providing basic humanitarian support. Halit Dumankaya’s case, where a respected business leader was imprisoned for alleged affiliations, further illustrates the scope of the crackdown.

These stories, along with hundreds of others not detailed in this report, paint a vivid picture of the widespread human cost of this crackdown. Each narrative underscores the devastating impact of Turkey’s misuse of counterterrorism measures on ordinary lives, compelling an urgent need for a reconsidered approach that respects human rights and the rule of law.