Istanbul police have come under scrutiny for allegedly wrongfully detaining activists and subjecting them and their lawyers to mistreatment during a July 20, 2023 commemoration of a tragic Islamic State (ISIS) suicide bombing in Suruç, Turkey, back in 2015. Human Rights Watch has voiced serious concerns over the police’s actions during the event. According to the rights group, the police arbitrarily arrested approximately 45 demonstrators who were peacefully distributing fliers ahead of the protest. On the day of the commemoration, officers used excessive force to detain and assault the protesters, leading to the detention of an additional 154 people. During both incidents, the police reportedly “kettled” the demonstrators, enclosing them in a confined space and resorting to unnecessary violence to prevent them from dispersing.
The mistreatment extended to the lawyers representing the detainees. Human Rights Watch documented instances where the police restricted lawyers’ access to their clients, verbally and physically abusing them at the police station. Hugh Williamson, Europe and Central Asia director at Human Rights Watch, stressed the urgency of an impartial investigation into the alleged abusive conduct of the Istanbul police. He emphasized that demonstrators have the right to peaceful protest without facing police attacks, and those detained should have prompt access to their legal representation without any mistreatment.
The incident highlights an alarming pattern in Turkey, where the Law on Meetings and Demonstrations is often used to suppress peaceful protests. Police frequently intervene without warning, detaining protesters with little regard for their rights. Sait Çetin, one of the detainees released the day after the incident, shared his ordeal, revealing that the police hit him, resulting in a burst eardrum, which was confirmed by medical reports. He recounted how around 45 individuals were crammed into a tight police circle and subjected to insults and abuse. Çetin further alleged that police officers kicked him and deliberately delayed his access to a lawyer for a shocking 11 hours.
Nevruz Tuğçe Çelik, another protester released after the event, recounted the violent police intervention, where they surrounded and held the demonstrators despite their attempts to disperse. She described being beaten and handcuffed by the officers, highlighting how her bag was illegally searched, leading to the confiscation of her belongings. Human Rights Watch has called for a thorough investigation into the matter and urged the Turkish authorities to take appropriate measures against those responsible for the alleged abuses. The incident raises serious questions about the adherence to regulations governing arrests and detentions, making accountability and transparency crucial in safeguarding human rights and ensuring the rule of law.