content tagged with ECtHR

From ‘public morality’ to ‘My Family Is Safe’: 20 years of repression against Kaos GL

From ‘public morality’ to ‘My Family Is Safe’: 20 years of repression against Kaos GL

Twenty years ago, the Kaos GL magazine was seized on the grounds of “obscenity” and “public morality.” Ten years ago, the ECtHR ruled that Turkey had violated Kaos GL’s freedom of expression. Today, those same concepts are at the center of an investigation in which the association's leaders have been arrested.

18 September 2026 Hikmet Adal

Osman Kavala: Compliance with ECtHR rulings is an obligation under the rule of law

Osman Kavala: Compliance with ECtHR rulings is an obligation under the rule of law

The Gezi Park protester urged Turkey to hold its obligation to the ECtHR. This is ECtHR’s third ruling on the subject, all of which have been in favor of Kavala’s release.

A comprehensive legal summary of the ECtHR Grand Chamber’s judgment in Kavala v. Türkiye (No. 2)

A comprehensive legal summary of the ECtHR Grand Chamber’s judgment in Kavala v. Türkiye (No. 2)

The European Court of Human Rights’ Grand Chamber ruled that Osman Kavala’s entire deprivation of liberty since Dec. 10, 2019, was incompatible with the European Convention on Human Rights. The court ordered Turkey to secure his release at the earliest possible date and eliminate the consequences of his conviction.

ECtHR: Osman Kavala must be released as soon as possible

ECtHR: Osman Kavala must be released as soon as possible

The philanthropist and businessman was initially arrested over his role in the Gezi Park protests. His case has drawn global attention from human rights organizations. In addition to ruling 15-2 for Kavala, the ECtHR said that Kavala’s case indicates a larger systemic problem in Turkey around politically motivated detentions.

ECtHR rules 2016 detention of Kurdish politician Ayla Akat Ata unlawful

ECtHR rules 2016 detention of Kurdish politician Ayla Akat Ata unlawful

The European court ruled that there was no concrete evidence to justify Ata's detention, finding violations of the right to liberty and security and the right to freedom of expression.

ECtHR notifies Turkey regarding İmamoğlu application

ECtHR notifies Turkey regarding İmamoğlu application

The opposition leader has been behind bars for over a year.

Minister’s statement on Turkey’s ECtHR compliance rate ‘misleading,’ says MP

Minister’s statement on Turkey’s ECtHR compliance rate ‘misleading,’ says MP

MP Yeneroğlu challenges the statement that Turkey complies with 91% of European court rulings, citing lower implementation rates for landmark judgments and lack of legal reforms in key human rights cases.

10 November 2025

ECtHR rules Kurdish politician Aysel Tuğluk’s detention was politically motivated

ECtHR rules Kurdish politician Aysel Tuğluk’s detention was politically motivated

Tuğluk, a prominent figure in the pro-Kurdish political movement, was detained in 2016 and spent six years in prison before her release due to severe illness.

14 October 2025

Turkey tells Council of Europe it will not extend ‘right to hope’ to Öcalan

Turkey tells Council of Europe it will not extend ‘right to hope’ to Öcalan

The country’s ruling bloc initiated the ongoing new Kurdish peace process by offering Abdullah Öcalan the right to hope in exchange for the PKK’s disbandment.

European court finds 2019 ruling for Demirtaş’s 2019 detention arbitrary

European court finds 2019 ruling for Demirtaş’s 2019 detention arbitrary

The ruling stated that Turkey’s Constitutional Court had failed to provide effective oversight, contributing to the violation of Demirtaş’s rights.

European court demands response from Turkey over imprisoned MP Can Atalay

European court demands response from Turkey over imprisoned MP Can Atalay

The court has asked whether the government has violated provisions of the ECHR by incarcerating Atalay.

16 September 2024

ECtHR to examine LGBTI+ event bans in Turkey

ECtHR to examine LGBTI+ event bans in Turkey

The European court has asked Turkey to clarify the legal basis for the bans between 2016 and 2018.

Justice Ministry rejects Kavala’s retrial request

Justice Ministry rejects Kavala’s retrial request

Kavala’s lawyers had argued that shift to an executive presidential system in Turkey had rendered previous charges against him obsolete, as the office of the prime minister, the supposed victim of the crime, was abolished in the 2017 referendum.

ECtHR sentences Turkey for violation of right to a fair trial

ECtHR sentences Turkey for violation of right to a fair trial

Orhan Şahin had received life sentence.

12 March 2024 Ayça Söylemez

ECtHR: Criticizing employer cannot be a reason for dismissal

ECtHR: Criticizing employer cannot be a reason for dismissal

Concluding the case unanimously, the European court recognized the incident as a fundamental right within the scope of freedom of expression and stated, "Criticizing top management cannot be a cause for dismissal or disciplinary action."

Ayça Söylemez

ECtHR: Deportation of Iraqi Family fleeing ISIS constitutes violation of right to life

ECtHR: Deportation of Iraqi Family fleeing ISIS constitutes violation of right to life

The European court has ruled that local courts and the Constitutional Court did not adequately consider the claims of fear of persecution and the situation in Iraq when deciding on the deportation of the Iraqi family.

8 February 2024 Ayça Söylemez

'ECtHR's decision on LGBTI+ rights in Poland also binds Turkey'

'ECtHR's decision on LGBTI+ rights in Poland also binds Turkey'

Dr. Serkan Köybaşı, Head of the Constitutional Law Department at Bahçeşehir University Faculty of Law, provided commentary for bianet on the significance of the decision for Turkey.

13 December 2023 Evrim Kepenek

'ECtHR cannot issue a violation decision by conducting evidence examination'

JUSTICE MINISTER CLAIMS:

'ECtHR cannot issue a violation decision by conducting evidence examination'

Justice Minister Yılmaz Tunç claimed that the ECtHR has opted for evaluating evidence when it comes to FETÖ trials, and "has shown from the outset that it will not conduct an impartial trial and has made a decision contrary to the law and the European Convention on Human Rights."

27 September 2023

ECtHR rules against waiting period for remarriage of divorced women in Turkey

ECtHR rules against waiting period for remarriage of divorced women in Turkey

The European court has concluded that the practice is discriminatory and infringes upon the right to privacy.

ECtHR convicts Turkey in case of imprisoned HDP politicians

ECtHR convicts Turkey in case of imprisoned HDP politicians

The most recent European court ruling adds to the previous judgments against Turkey concerning Selahattin Demirtaş and Figen Yüksekdağ.

ECtHR rules in favor of Amnesty International against Turkey

ECtHR rules in favor of Amnesty International against Turkey

An administrative fine had been imposed on Amnesty Turkey for allegedly failing to inform the government before using funds from other countries.

9 May 2023 Ayça Söylemez

Woman actor wins the right to privacy case in ECtHR against Türkiye

Woman actor wins the right to privacy case in ECtHR against Türkiye

Berrak Tüzünataç filed a suit first in Türkiye in 2010 against a television channel that filmed her "kissing" another Turkish celebrity "on the terrace" at her home.

Highest number of applications to ECTHR was from Türkiye in 2022

Highest number of applications to ECTHR was from Türkiye in 2022

More than one-fourth of the 45,500 applications in a year were from Türkiye.

27 January 2023

ECtHR: Arrest of 13 HDP deputies was 'politically motivated'

ECtHR: Arrest of 13 HDP deputies was 'politically motivated'

Twelve of the politicians were arrested in 2016. A lawyer for the MPs has said that they should be released immediately.

8 November 2022 Ayça Söylemez

Kavala says 'prosecutors knew I didn't eat dinner with Henri Barkey'

Kavala says 'prosecutors knew I didn't eat dinner with Henri Barkey'

The professor revealed years after an indictment accusing Kavala of espionage that it wasn't Kavala but a journalist whom he ate dinner with. The prosecutors had already known that, said Kavala.

Kavala responds to foreign minister's claims about Gezi protests

Kavala responds to foreign minister's claims about Gezi protests

During a joint press conference in Ankara, Minister Çavuşoğlu accused his counterpart from Germany of "funding and supporting" Kavala during the Gezi Park protests.

Kavala to 'send ECtHR decision to all MPs'

Kavala to 'send ECtHR decision to all MPs'

An opposition deputy visited Osman Kavala and other convicts of the Gezi trial at Silivri Prison.

Kavala says ECtHR decision will 'give strength' to judges, prosecutors in Turkey

Kavala says ECtHR decision will 'give strength' to judges, prosecutors in Turkey

The imprisoned businessperson commented on the ECtHR Grand Chamber decision that Turkey violated a binding ruling by not releasing him.

Turkey says Kavala decision 'calls into question' European human rights system

INFRINGEMENT PROCEEDINGS

Turkey says Kavala decision 'calls into question' European human rights system

The ECtHR Grand Chamber today concluded that Turkey failed to abide by a 2019 ruling of the European court for the release of the businessperson.

ECtHR Grand Chamber concludes Turkey failed to abide by Kavala judgment

INFRINGEMENT PROCEEDINGS

ECtHR Grand Chamber concludes Turkey failed to abide by Kavala judgment

The Grand Chamber's verdict comes as part of the infringement proceedings launched against Turkey for its failure to implement a 2019 decision for the release of the businessperson and rights advocate Osman Kavala.

ECtHR Grand Chamber to hear Kavala case on July 11

ECtHR Grand Chamber to hear Kavala case on July 11

The Grand Chamber will determine whether Turkey has abided by a 2019 ruling of the European court for Kavala's release.

Condemning the journalist to univocality? Not that easy!

BIA MEDIA MONITOR / JANUARY-FEBRUARY-MARCH 2022

Condemning the journalist to univocality? Not that easy!

According to the BİA Media Monitoring Report, at least six journalists and one media outlet were attacked and Ses Kocaeli Newspaper’s owner Arslan was killed in an armed attack in the first 3 months of 2022. Happy World Press Freedom Day!

3 May 2022 Erol Önderoğlu

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