Rights defenders sentenced to 24 years, 3 months in Turkey in a year

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The Human Rights Foundation of Turkey (TİHV) has made a study on the rights violations faced by rights defenders in Turkey in 2020.

According to the Foundation's report, rights defenders were sentenced to 24 years, 3 months in prison in total last year.

The members and executives of rights-based organizations were detained and arrested while events were banned and peaceful demonstrations were prevented by the interventions of the police.

Prepared as part of the Hrant Dink Foundation Grant Program with the financial support of the European Union (EU), the study of the TİHV Documentation Center has offered a 2020 panorama of Turkey in the light of the United Nations Declaration on Human Rights Defenders.

Trial, imprisonment, access blocks...

According to a series of infographics prepared by the Center, in 2020, 17 rights defenders were put on trial in 7 separate cases; seven rights defenders were sentenced to 24 years, 3 months in prison in total.

While 324 members and executives of rights-based civil society organizations were taken into custody, 90 of them were arrested.

Last year, 10 events regarding LGBTI+ and women's rights were prevented and four events were banned in Turkey.

While the law enforcement intervened in 18 meetings and demonstrations, 164 people were taken into custody by being subjected to torture and maltreatment. Several people were given administrative fines.

18 peaceful meetings and demonstrations about environmental and urban rights were also intervened by the law enforcement. 84 people were subjected to torture and ill treatment during detention.

The study has also reminded the public and the authorities that according to the United Nations Declaration on Human Rights Defenders, every person has the right to "publicize and convey their opinions, news and information as to human rights and fundamental freedoms."

As an example of the violations committed in Turkey in this context, the study has referred to the access blocks on online content. Accordingly, in 2020, access blocks were imposed on 1,079 news, 97 websites, 635 internet addresses, 10 social media accounts and 301 contents. (AS/SD)