As Human Rights Watch publishes its 2025 World Report, its findings on Turkey reveal entrenched corruption, systemic defiance of the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR), and the persistent persecution of dissenters. Under President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and his Justice and Development Party (AKP)-led coalition, the erosion of judicial independence and rule of law continues, compounding human rights abuses and deepening authoritarian control. Despite opposition gains in local elections, the year was marked by widespread repression, economic challenges, and institutional decay.
Corruption and Defiance of ECtHR Judgments
Corruption scandals and institutional weaknesses within Turkey’s judiciary and state apparatus were recurring themes in 2024. Political interference and power struggles among Turkey’s top courts undermined the justice system, while increasing reports of corruption at high levels of government highlighted the lack of accountability.
Turkey’s disregard for ECtHR rulings remained a critical issue. Authorities continued to ignore binding judgments, perpetuating severe rights violations. In one notable case, a local court reconvicted Yüksel Yalçınkaya, a former teacher accused of using the ByLock messaging app allegedly linked to the Gülen movement, despite an ECtHR ruling that his initial conviction violated the principle of legality and fair trial rights. Around 8,000 similar cases are pending before the ECtHR, as Turkish courts repeatedly refuse to implement required remedies.
In January 2024, the judicial crisis deepened when the Court of Cassation rejected Constitutional Court rulings to release imprisoned human rights lawyer Can Atalay, instead calling for criminal investigations into members of the Constitutional Court. This unprecedented challenge exposed the fragility and politicization of Turkey’s judicial institutions.
Persecution of Gülenists
The persecution of individuals alleged to be linked to the Gülen movement continued unabated in 2024. Thousands remained in arbitrary detention, with many subjected to unfair trials and prolonged imprisonment. By mid-year, the justice minister reported that 13,251 people accused of ties to the movement were in custody.
The ECtHR’s ruling on Yalçınkaya, which identified systemic violations in prosecuting individuals based on tenuous evidence, has done little to shift the government’s approach. Arbitrary arrests and abductions from abroad also persisted, often with the collusion of foreign governments lacking robust rule-of-law protections. The UN Committee against Torture highlighted widespread allegations of ill-treatment in detention centers, noting that such abuses are often reclassified as lesser crimes to avoid accountability.
This systemic crackdown not only targets alleged Gülenists but also their legal representatives. Lawyers defending these individuals frequently face intimidation, surveillance, and criminal charges, further eroding access to fair trials.
Freedom of Expression Under Siege
Government control over Turkey’s media landscape remains extensive, with public broadcasters TRT and Anadolu Agency functioning as propaganda tools for the ruling party. Independent journalism is confined to online platforms, which are increasingly subjected to censorship. By March 2024, over one million websites had been blocked since the introduction of the 2007 internet law.
Courts frequently issue blanket blocking orders. In August, Turkish authorities blocked Instagram for eight days without explanation, following criticism of the platform’s removal of condolence messages for Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh. Foreign outlets such as Deutsche Welle and Voice of America remain inaccessible due to licensing disputes. Kurdish journalists face disproportionate targeting, with eight sentenced to prison terms on terrorism charges in July and at least 21 journalists detained by year’s end.
Erosion of Local Governance and Political Repression
The March 2024 local elections marked significant gains for the opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP), which secured 37.8 percent of the vote nationally and retained control of Istanbul and Ankara. However, the AKP-MHP coalition retaliated by removing opposition mayors in Kurdish-majority regions, citing terrorism charges. By November, two CHP and five Peoples’ Equality and Democracy Party (DEM) mayors had been removed from office, with some detained under dubious pretexts.
Kurdish activists and politicians face ongoing repression, with hundreds imprisoned for non-violent political activities. Selahattin Demirtaş and Figen Yüksekdağ remain incarcerated despite ECtHR judgments demanding their release.
Economic Crisis and Refugee Challenges
Turkey’s cost-of-living crisis persisted, with inflation reaching 47 percent by November 2024. Economic hardship further fueled xenophobia and violence against refugees, particularly Syrians, who remain the largest refugee population globally. Reports of unlawful deportations to northern Syria and mass summary pushbacks at Turkey’s borders continued unabated. Refugees face a hostile environment, with political parties weaponizing anti-refugee sentiment to bolster support.
Women’s Rights
Gender-based violence remains a pervasive issue. Despite official figures citing 166 femicides by mid-2024, independent reports suggest the number is significantly higher. The withdrawal from the Istanbul Convention has left women vulnerable to violence with inadequate government intervention.
Conclusion: Corruption and Repression Persist
As documented in HRW’s 2025 report, Turkey’s government continues to undermine democratic institutions and human rights while ignoring binding international obligations. The persistence of corruption, defiance of ECtHR judgments, and systemic persecution of dissenters underscore the urgent need for international accountability measures. Despite these challenges, Turkey’s civil society and opposition movements demonstrate resilience, offering a faint hope for a future grounded in justice and human rights.
Categories: Situation in Turkey, Turkey Human Rights Blog