In a report released by the Human Rights Association (İHD) and its partners, closure cases against associations are identified as a new method to hinder critical work in Turkey. The report comes on the eve of the sixth hearing in the closure case against the We Will Stop Femicides Platform (KCDP) before the Istanbul 13th Civil Court of First Instance on 13 September.
The report, released on 12 September, reveals a pattern of systematic use of closure cases as a tool to crack down on civil society. “Closure cases against associations are becoming a new method to hinder the critical work of civil society in Turkey, particularly in relation to women’s and LGBT+ rights and the Kurdish issue,” stated the İHD. This tactic is part of a broader oppressive system aimed at silencing critics, particularly those advocating for women’s rights, LGBT+ rights and the Kurdish issue.
The İHD argues that these closure cases contribute to a climate of fear among civil society organisations. “Being targeted with a closure case is inherently stigmatizing and isolating for associations,” the report highlighted. In a country that still pretends to be considered as a candidate for EU accession, such practices are disgraceful, according to Reyhan Yalçındağ, Vice-President of International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH) and İHD representative.
The report also documents the impact of these closure cases on individual associations and their communities. “It is disgraceful that we are still talking about serious violations of the rights to freedom of association and freedom of expression,” Yalçındağ added. The Human Rights Foundation of Turkey (THİV) Chairman Metin Bakkalcı urged that these practices must immediately cease in light of universal values.
“Smear campaigns labelling associations as ‘terrorist’ or ‘immoral’ aim to delegitimise the contributions of civil society,” said World Organisation Against Torture (OMCT) Secretary General Gerald Staberock.
The report follows a three-part series on the shrinking civic space in Turkey, painting a worrisome picture for human rights defenders and civil society. It aims to contribute to a transformative human rights struggle through advocacy, solidarity, capacity and network building, media activities, sub-granting and support programs.
