Ayşegül Başar

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Human Rights Editor at bianet since April 2025. Began journalism career in 2016 at Cumhuriyet newspaper. Worked as an editor at Tele1, Artı TV, and Halk...

Human Rights Editor at bianet since April 2025. Began journalism career in 2016 at Cumhuriyet newspaper. Worked as an editor at Tele1, Artı TV, and Halk TV. Holds degrees in History from Karadeniz Technical University and in Journalism from Mersin University. Currently pursuing a master’s degree in the Department of History at Mersin University, focusing on women’s newspapers during the Ottoman period for her thesis.

Ayşegül Başar

Release of Mehmet Sait Yıldırım blocked for second time after 30 years in prison

Release of Mehmet Sait Yıldırım blocked for second time after 30 years in prison

"Even if I die here, I will leave with my honor intact. I won’t leave in any other way. Everyone should know that the will of a revolutionary who has dedicated his entire life to the freedom of his people cannot be broken," says Yıldırım.

1 December 2025

Ayşegül Başar

Former high-level judge outlines legal issues with İmamoğlu indictment

Former high-level judge outlines legal issues with İmamoğlu indictment

"Publishing the indictment while it is still under confidentiality and the related acts of misconduct by the prosecutors, deputy chief prosecutors, and the chief prosecutor should be grounds for filing criminal complaints," says Eminağaoğlu.

17 November 2025

Ayşegül Başar

Azerbaijani student activist deported from Turkey alleges mistreatment, coercion

Azerbaijani student activist deported from Turkey alleges mistreatment, coercion

Nana Babazade, who was detained during a university protest in August, was deported to her home country after allegedly facing mistreatment. Her lawyer described the 48‑day deportation process as "suspiciously fast," noting that such procedures normally take much longer.

13 November 2025

Ayşegül Başar

Pursuits of justice rise with temperatures: Climate lawsuits are redefining rights

Pursuits of justice rise with temperatures: Climate lawsuits are redefining rights

The latest advisory opinion by the United Nations’ International Court of Justice expands the legal framework for combating the climate crisis and transforms “climate justice” from an abstract concept into a concrete one. In Turkey, it was young people who brought the climate crisis before the high court.

5 November 2025

Ayşegül Başar

Two prisoners on hunger strike against ‘well-type’ prisons reportedly near death

Two prisoners on hunger strike against ‘well-type’ prisons reportedly near death

Fifteen prisoners have been conducting an hunger strike against what they describe as extreme isolation in Turkey's new "high-security" prisons.

29 October 2025

Ayşegül Başar

Turkey’s prison population has increased sevenfold under AKP rule

Turkey’s prison population has increased sevenfold under AKP rule

“There is a direct connection between prison overcrowding and the state’s penal policies,” says Hürrem Sönmez, secretary general of the İstanbul Bar Association

22 October 2025

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Conscientious objectors receive prison sentences after repeated prosecutions

Conscientious objectors receive prison sentences after repeated prosecutions

Rights advocates described the treatment of conscientious objectors as “judicial harassment that has turned into torture.”

21 October 2025

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‘De facto detentions’ without court orders becoming increasingly common in Turkey

‘De facto detentions’ without court orders becoming increasingly common in Turkey

Lawyer Hüseyin Ersöz said the detention procedure is clearly defined in law, and that practices outside these limits amount to a violation of the right to liberty and security.

23 September 2025

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Council of Europe urges Turkey to ensure ‘right to hope’ for life-sentenced prisoners

Council of Europe urges Turkey to ensure ‘right to hope’ for life-sentenced prisoners

In an interim resolution, the Council of Europe Committee of Ministers called on Turkey to implement the ECtHR's rulings swiftly and effectively.

18 September 2025

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İmamoğlu to be defended by jailed lawyer in 'university diploma' case

İmamoğlu to be defended by jailed lawyer in 'university diploma' case

İmamoğlu appeared before a judge for the first time in the so-called 'diploma trial,' where he faces a political ban and up to eight years in prison. The hearing was adjourned to Oct 20.

12 September 2025

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‘Peace Mothers’ barred from speaking Kurdish at parliament committee

‘Peace Mothers’ barred from speaking Kurdish at parliament committee

Kurdish Studies Association Co-Chair Remziye Alparslan and Kurdish linguist Zana Farqînî criticize the ban on speaking Kurdish at the committee formed for the peace process, stressing that issues related to the mother tongue lie at the core of the Kurdish question.

Ayşegül Başar

Crimes against humanity charge dismissed in 2015 Ankara bombing case

Crimes against humanity charge dismissed in 2015 Ankara bombing case

The acquittal of a defendant on charges of crimes against humanity was upheld, raising concerns that the statute of limitations may eventually apply, as only crimes against humanity are exempt from such limits.

Ayşegül Başar

Emine Ocak, symbol of Saturday Mothers, laid to rest in İstanbul

Emine Ocak, symbol of Saturday Mothers, laid to rest in İstanbul

“Mother, you weren’t just our mother. You became a beacon of hope for millions. Even in sorrow, you found hope. Even in darkness, you never wavered," said Ocak's daughter.

Ayşegül Başar

DEM official outlines expectations for legislative steps after PKK lays down arms

DEM official outlines expectations for legislative steps after PKK lays down arms

Öztürk Türkdoğan, DEM Party's deputy co-chair, spoke to bianet about the legal steps that must be taken in the peace process, from the possible release of imprisoned politicians to the judicial treatment of those laying down arms.

Ayşegül Başar

'Diyarbakır Mothers’ express support for peace process

'Diyarbakır Mothers’ express support for peace process

“As Diyarbakır Mothers, we fully support this process and are pleased with the steps taken,” says a member of the group.

Ayşegül Başar

'All mothers’ tears are the same color': Peace Mothers reflect on PKK weapon-burning ceremony

'All mothers’ tears are the same color': Peace Mothers reflect on PKK weapon-burning ceremony

“The state still considers them terrorists. They are Kurdish children. The state must act immediately and extend its hand for peace. Let no Kurdish or Turkish mothers cry," says one of the mothers.

Ayşegül Başar

PKK’s ‘farewell to arms’: What is ending, and what is beginning?

PKK’s ‘farewell to arms’: What is ending, and what is beginning?

Perhaps we witnessed the most concrete and tangible steps ever taken toward peace; top-down and bottom-up. Despite its weight, making peace, is possible, as we "witnessed."

Ayşegül Başar

'We witnessed a historical moment'

ATTENDEES OF PKK CEREMONY

'We witnessed a historical moment'

Three of the limited number of attendees spoke to bianet, sharing their reflections on the PKK’s disarmament ceremony.

Ayşegül Başar

Initial takeaways from PKK's disarmament ceremony

Initial takeaways from PKK's disarmament ceremony

The PKK stated that it would continue its struggle through legal means under the name “Group for Peace and Democratic Society” and called on the state to introduce legal regulations in line with the peace process.

Ayşegül Başar

PKK holds disarmament ceremony to end four-decade armed struggle

PKK holds disarmament ceremony to end four-decade armed struggle

The PKK took the first step for disarmament as part of a peace process with Turkey.

Ayşegül Başar

DEM Party-led group departs Diyarbakır for PKK disarmament ceremony in Iraqi Kurdistan

DEM Party-led group departs Diyarbakır for PKK disarmament ceremony in Iraqi Kurdistan

A large group including politicians, intellectuals, and journalists will be in Sulaymaniyah as the PKK holds a symbolic disarmament ceremony tomorrow in Iraq’s semi-autonomous Kurdish region.

Ayşegül Başar

'We should all take our place in the boat of peace and row'

Q&A WITH ÇİĞDEM KILIÇGÜN-UÇAR

'We should all take our place in the boat of peace and row'

Democratic Regions Party Co-Chair Kılıçgün-Uçar emphasizes that all segments of society must be involved in the new peace process.

Ayşegül Başar

Emine Şenyaşar to mothers of soldiers: Let’s stand arm in arm

Emine Şenyaşar to mothers of soldiers: Let’s stand arm in arm

A mother who buried her husband and two sons, and whose other son spent over six years in prison, Şenyaşar called out: “We lost our loved ones. From now on, no mother should have to cry for her child.”

Ayşegül Başar

DEM Party's motion to 'investigate missing people' rejected in parliament

DEM Party's motion to 'investigate missing people' rejected in parliament

For 31 years, Menekşe Aydınlar has been searching for her missing son. "Peace can only come with justice," she says. "Justice doesn't come through silence or forgetting – it comes through speaking out and remembering. We haven't forgotten. We haven't forgiven."

Evrim Kepenek & Ayşegül Başar & Ali Dinç

Two sides of May Day in İstanbul: Police crackdown and celebrations under control

Two sides of May Day in İstanbul: Police crackdown and celebrations under control

Police detained hundreds as leftist groups attempted to reach Taksim despite bans, while thousands joined a permitted May Day rally in Kadıköy under heavy security.