Opinions - Turkey

Turkey Tribunal: A Citizens’ Tribunal Presided by Judge Tulkens, the Former Vice-President of ECtHR, Adjudicates the Gross Human Rights Violations of Turkey

Turkey Tribunal: A Citizens’ Tribunal Presided by Judge Tulkens, the Former Vice-President of ECtHR, Adjudicates the Gross Human Rights Violations of Turkey

by Mehmet Bozkaya, published on October 19, 2021
Turkey Tribunal (Tribunal), a Belgium-based independent civil society organization established by academics, former international judges and lawyers, held a series of hearings in Geneva between 20-24 September 2021. The Tribunal is a citizens’ tribunal designed to serve as a forum to assess the grave human rights violations taking place in Turkey, similar to the Russell Tribunal and the World Tribunal on Iraq.
The EU-Turkey Statement and the Evaluation of the Refugee “Deal”

The EU-Turkey Statement and the Evaluation of the Refugee “Deal”

by Muhammed Sevim, published on September 9, 2021
Along with the “Arab Spring” that broke out at the end of 2010 and the escalation of the civil war in Syria after 2011, the countries in the region, notably Turkey, and Europe faced an unprecedented influx of migration, resulting in a refugee crisis in the EU in 2015.
The Rapprochement Between Turkey and Egypt: The Reasons and Possible Outcomes

The Rapprochement Between Turkey and Egypt: The Reasons and Possible Outcomes

by Mustafa Enes Esen, published on 25 April, 2021
The rapprochement efforts between Turkey and Egypt are not just important for these two countries. They have also imminent consequences for Libya and the Brotherhood. An agreement between Turkey and Egypt would boost the chances of the viability of Libya’s unity government.
US-EU Forge a New Strategy to Deal with Turkey's Democratic Backsliding

US-EU Forge a New Strategy to Deal with Turkey's Democratic Backsliding

by Erkan Yıldız, published on 1 April 2021
Meetings of the European Council and the NATO foreign affairs ministers gave hints of the US-EU strategy on their relations with Turkey and NATO’s increasing role as a platform where Turkey’s democratic backsliding will be discussed in line with US President Joe Biden’s transatlantic partnership vision.
INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY, GENDER EQUALITY AND WOMEN’S RIGHTS IN TURKEY

INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY, GENDER EQUALITY AND WOMEN’S RIGHTS IN TURKEY

by Mehmet Bozkaya, published on 8 March 2021
While the celebration of women’s day dates back to the first decade of the 20th century, more action is still to be taken by all countries to eradicate all forms of discrimination against women and to materialize the equality of men and women.
The Legitimacy Issue in Turkey’s Military Interventions in Syria and Libya

The Legitimacy Issue in Turkey’s Military Interventions in Syria and Libya

by Mustafa Enes Esen, published on 17 February 2021
To justify its military operations in Syria, Turkey has referred to self-defense and counterterrorism, and vaguely invoked humanitarian intervention and responsibility to protect civilians. In Libya, however, Turkey invoked UN resolutions and bilateral security agreements for its operations.

Reports - Turkey

ENFORCED DISAPPEARANCES BY THE ERDOGAN GOVERNMENT

ENFORCED DISAPPEARANCES BY THE ERDOGAN GOVERNMENT

by instituDE, published in June 2024
This submission highlights the ongoing systematic actions and omissions by Turkish authorities against the so-called members of the Gulen Group, framed as crimes against humanity. It demonstrates the violations of recommendations that even Türkiye has supported.
UNVEILING THE BRUTAL REALITY: SYSTEMATIC TORTURE OF FORMER DIPLOMATS

UNVEILING THE BRUTAL REALITY: SYSTEMATIC TORTURE OF FORMER DIPLOMATS

by instituDE, published on May 2024
This report offers an update to the United Nations Committee against Torture (the Committee) regarding the obstacles to implementing the Convention against Torture (the Convention) in Turkey. As a coalition formed by a collective of former Turkish diplomats, our focus is on the systematic torture faced by former diplomats detained at Ankara Police Headquarters. We delve into the Turkish context and present insights from our organization.
SUCCESSION: THE QUESTION OF POWER TRANSITION IN ERDOGAN’S TURKEY

SUCCESSION: THE QUESTION OF POWER TRANSITION IN ERDOGAN’S TURKEY

by Haşim Tekineş, published on 6 December 2023
His electoral victory in May 2023 gave President Erdoğan five more years to further consolidate his power, eviscerate institutions, fill the bureaucracy with yes-men and expand his corruption network. This, of course, raises questions about the Turkish political system’s chances of recovery, the prospects for democratization after Erdogan and the regime’s tolerance for his demise.
PERSECUTORY CONFISCATION AMOUNTING TO CRIMES AGAINST HUMANITY: CASE OF THE GÜLEN GROUP

PERSECUTORY CONFISCATION AMOUNTING TO CRIMES AGAINST HUMANITY: CASE OF THE GÜLEN GROUP

by Yasir Gökçe, Hakan Kaplankaya, Harun Reşit Halisoğlu and Mehmet Bozkaya, published on 6 November 2023
This report aims to reveal and analyze the criminal acts and/or omissions of the Turkish authorities against individuals alleged to be affiliated with, connected to, or members of the Gülen Group in the context of violations of the right to property as crimes against humanity.
EURASIANISTS IN TURKEY AND THEIR MEDIA ON THE WAR IN UKRAINE

EURASIANISTS IN TURKEY AND THEIR MEDIA ON THE WAR IN UKRAINE

by Enes Esen, Servet Akman, Ahmet Kalafat and Bahadır Gülle, published on 27 February 2023
Most of the Russian propaganda in Turkey is not overtly conducted by Russian state-affiliated media outlets. Eurasianists in Turkey carry out the Kremlin’s bidding to influence Turkish public opinion in favor of Russian war efforts. They blame the West, specifically NATO and the US, for instigating the war in Ukraine and causing regional instability. They also attack Turkey's political opposition for their milder views on NATO and the US and recommend that the Turkish government prioritize its relations with Russia.
MUHALEFET PARTİLERİNİN KHK SORUNUNA YAKLAŞIMI: ADİL ÇÖZÜM İÇİN YOL HARİTASI

MUHALEFET PARTİLERİNİN KHK SORUNUNA YAKLAŞIMI: ADİL ÇÖZÜM İÇİN YOL HARİTASI

by instituDE, published on 20 June 2022
Türkiye’nin KHK sorununa muhalefet partilerinin yaklaşımlarının ne düzeyde yeterli olduğu sorgulamasından yola çıkarak hazırlanan bu rapor, muhalefet partileri başta olmak üzere bu sorunun üzerine gitme vaadinde bulunan her türlü oluşuma analitik ve hukuksal bir çerçeve sunmayı amaçlamaktadır. Bu bağlamda rapor KHK mağdurlarını, maruz kaldıkları idari ve/ veya adli işlemleri gözönünde bulundurarak kategorize etmekte ve her bir kategoriyi kendi şartları çerçevesinde irdeleyerek çözüm önerileri sunmaktadır.

Videos - Turkey

Is a Turkey-Israel Clash Coming?

April 9, 2025
by Haşim Tekineş, published on 9 April 2025
In this video, we break down the rising tensions between Turkey and Israel following the fall of the Assad regime in Syria. As Ankara emerges as the dominant power in post-war Syria, Israel grows increasingly concerned about Turkish influence spreading across the region.

Erdogan’s Biggest Blunder: Is This the Beginning of the End?

March 26, 2025
by Haşim Tekineş, published on 26 March 2025
In this video, we break down why Imamoglu’s arrest is backfiring on Erdogan, the growing resistance in Turkey, and what might come next. Will Erdogan tighten his grip with more force, or is he facing an unstoppable wave of change?

Türkiye Sokaklarda!

March 24, 2025
by Mehmet Demirbaş and Haşim Tekineş, published on 24 March 2025
Erdoğan sarayında, İmamoğlu hapiste, Türkiye sokaklarda! Türkiye nereye gidiyor? Gösteriler nereye varacak? Dünyanın tepkisi nasıl?

Sivil Darbenin Uluslararası Konjonktürü

March 19, 2025
by Haşim Tekineş, published on 19 March 2025
Uluslararası dengeler tek adam rejimini sağlamlaştırması konusunda Erdoğan'a ciddi bir avantaj sağladı.

What is the PKK? Inside Turkey’s Recent Peace Talks

March 12, 2025
by Haşim Tekineş, published on 12 March 2025
Turkey has initiated a new round of talks with the Kurdistan Workers' Party, a.k.a. PKK. PKK's founding leader called the group to lay down their weapons and dissolve the organization. The PKK has declared a ceasefire. Turkey seems to be closer to peace more than ever. Yet, ironically, the country is getting more and more authoritarian every passing day. The question is whether the authoritarian peace is possible?

Ve Ticaret Savaşları Başladı!

March 5, 2025
by Mehmet Demirbaş and Haşim Tekineş, published on 5 March 2025
Amerikan Başkanı Donald Trump Kanada, Meksika ve Çin'e gümrük vergileri koydu. Trump AB'ye de vergi koyacağını belirtiyor. Bu vergiler Amerika'yı, dünya ekonomisini ve Türkiye'yi nasıl etkileyecek?