Recently, operations led by Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya, known for his oppressive policies, have brought serious human rights violations and the erosion of the rule of law in Turkey into the spotlight. In these operations, many innocent people accused of being linked to the Gülen movement are being detained and imprisoned under “terrorism” charges, despite having committed no crimes.

Baseless Accusations and Arbitrary Arrests

Security forces are targeting a wide range of individuals, including teachers, academics, businesspeople, and former public officials. Despite the absence of any evidence linking them to violent acts, they are publicly labeled as “terrorists” by the media and subjected to lengthy pretrial detentions.

Many detainees are being punished simply for their past affiliations with certain organizations, having held accounts at a specific bank, or having worked at now-closed educational institutions. As a Gülenist myself, I have witnessed this persecution firsthand and see it as my duty to fight against it. Lawyers and human rights activists emphasize that these arrests are arbitrary and violate fundamental rights.

Growing International Reactions

The United Nations (UN) Human Rights Council has expressed concerns over the increasing mass arrests and violations of fair trial rights in Turkey. UN officials have called on the Turkish government to uphold the rule of law and end arbitrary detentions.

The European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) has also highlighted that a significant number of applications from Turkey relate to violations of the right to a fair trial. The court has stated that detaining individuals for years without concrete evidence of wrongdoing constitutes a clear human rights violation under international law.

The Rule of Law Continues to Deteriorate in Turkey

These operations are widely seen as politically motivated and part of a larger crackdown, where fundamental rights and freedoms are being systematically ignored. Justice is being used as a tool of political oppression, stripping innocent people of their freedoms.

It is heartbreaking to see how deeply justice has been undermined in Turkey. However, we must continue to raise our voices against this persecution and stand against injustice.

Author: Abidin Eroldan | January 18, 2025