Turkey in Turmoil: Turkey’s Largest Protests in a Decade Met with Brutal Repression
- Human Rights Research Center
- Apr 2
- 4 min read
April 2, 2025
HRRC condemns the arrests and harassment of protestors and journalists by the Turkish government under President Erdoğan. Freedom of speech, freedom of the press, and the right to assembly are human rights and must be protected.
![Supporters of Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu protest in front of the Istanbul Municipality headquarters after his arrest, March 19, 2025. [Image credit: EPA-EFE/TOLGA BOZOGLU]](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/e28a6b_03df1b971f5b43159e11db52ede0874c~mv2.png/v1/fill/w_980,h_553,al_c,q_90,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_avif,quality_auto/e28a6b_03df1b971f5b43159e11db52ede0874c~mv2.png)
Turkey has been rocked by widespread unrest following the arrest of Istanbul’s popular mayor, Ekrem İmamoğlu. His detention has ignited the country’s largest anti-government protests in over a decade, highlighting deepening political tensions. İmamoğlu, a key rival of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan—who has held power for 22 years—faces charges of corruption, aiding the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK), and leading a criminal organization. While terrorism-related charges were initially filed, they have since been dropped, though they remain under review.
The protests have led to the arrest of over 1,000 people, including 11 journalists. Seven of them were released, but three—award-winning Agence France-Presse photojournalist Yasin Akgül, Bulent Kılıç, and Zeynep Kuray—remain in pretrial detention. Despite possessing valid press credentials, they were arrested in police raids, accused of violating Law No. 2911 on public demonstrations. The Media and Law Studies Association (MLSA) has filed an appeal on their behalf, stating, “These detentions are not only a violation of press freedom but also of the right to liberty and security, the right to a fair trial, and the right to peaceful assembly.” İzel Sezer, a board member of DISK Basin-İş, emphasized that ‘the common factor among the seven journalists detained in house raids and later arrested is that they had documented police brutality during the protests.’
The Turkish government has intensified its crackdown on dissent by censoring the media and using excessive force against protesters, including members of the press. In addition to physical suppression, authorities have blocked 700 social media accounts linked to civil society organizations and independent news outlets on X. Platforms owned by Meta also faced restrictions for two days when protests first erupted. In a further escalation, BBC reporter Mark Lowen, who had lived in Turkey for five years, was detained and deported on March 27, with authorities labeling him a ‘threat to public order.’
Turkey has long struggled with media freedom, but recent developments have exacerbated the situation. Reporters Without Borders ranks Turkey 158th out of 180 countries in its 2024 Press Freedom Index, with a score of 31.6—making journalism a high-risk profession. An estimated 90% of Turkish media is controlled by the government, forcing the public to turn to independent outlets for unbiased information. In response, authorities have aggressively targeted these media sources. The Radio and Television Supreme Council (RTÜK), the government’s media regulator, has imposed record-breaking penalties, including a 10-day broadcast suspension—the harshest measure before license revocation—on four TV channels for airing footage of the mass protests. A spokesperson justified the crackdown by accusing these outlets of “inciting hatred and enmity among the public.”
HRRC stands in solidarity with the Turkish Journalists’ Association (TGC), DISK Basin-İş, and other civil society organizations advocating for press freedom and the right to information under Law No. 4982 of Turkey’s constitution. HRRC condemns the arrest of peaceful protesters and the ongoing harassment of journalists whose only crime is fulfilling their professional duty.
Unrest is spreading across the Balkans, where countries face similar challenges under authoritarian rule. The people are making their voices heard—will their governments listen? As tensions escalate, is the region on the brink of its own Arab Spring? The Balkans should certainly be on the world’s watch list.
Glossary
Authoritarian – A form of governance characterized by strong central control, limited political freedoms, and suppression of opposition.
Civil Society Organizations – Non-governmental groups that work to promote social, political, or humanitarian causes, often advocating for human rights and democracy.
Credentials – Official documents or qualifications that verify a person’s identity, authority, or expertise in a certain field.
Dissent – The act of expressing opinions or actions that go against the established authority or government policies.
Enmity – A state of hostility or deep-seated opposition between individuals or groups.
Exacerbated – Made a situation worse or more severe, often by adding tension or conflict.
Harassment – Unwanted and persistent behavior intended to intimidate, harm, or pressure an individual or group.
Ignited – To spark or set something in motion, often referring to a movement, protest, or conflict.
License Revocation – The official cancellation of a permit or authorization, often used in reference to media outlets or professionals losing their legal right to operate.
Media Regulator – A government or independent body responsible for overseeing and enforcing laws related to media organizations and broadcasting.
Peaceful Assembly – The right of people to gather publicly or privately to express opinions, protest, or advocate for change without violence.
Repression – The act of using force or strict measures to control or silence opposition, dissent, or social movements.
Solidarity – Unity and mutual support among individuals or groups, especially in pursuit of a common cause.
Suppression – The act of preventing or forcibly stopping an activity, expression, or movement, often associated with political or social control.
Turmoil – A state of great disturbance, chaos, or uncertainty, often resulting from political or social unrest.
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