IHD: At least 144 people were kidnapped and threatened in Turkey in 2021

The Human Rights Association (IHD) issued a report in its headquarters in Ankara on 2021 cases of testimony, espionage, and kidnapping by means of pressure and intimidation methods. Öztürk Türkdoğan, IHD Co-Chair, stated that the practices described in the report became the state’s oppressive policy with the implementation of the State of Emergency (OHAL) declared following the 15 July Coup Attempt, and added, “It is understood from the increasing number of applications to our association and media reports that rigths violations increased, complaints were not investigated effectively and the perpetrators were not punished.”

Türkdoğan stated that according to IHD data for January-November 2021, at least 13 people were abducted and exposed to threats and impositions to spy, and at least 66 people were abducted and exposed to such treatment. Threats posted on social media are generally directed towards political party employees, university students, and media workers. Minority group members are frequently subjected to these threats as a result of their minority status.

According to Türkdoğan, statistics showed that at least 144 persons were subjected to kidnapping, espionage, and threats in the first eleven months of 2021.

Noting that victims were hesitant to apply to the prosecutor’s office and human rights organizations because they believed the results would be inconclusive, Türkdoğan stressed that even with the data they have, violations are increasing day by day.

Türkdoğan noted the following: “The release of Gökhan Güneş in January 2021, just five days after he was kidnapped and tortured in Istanbul, demonstrated that public pressure worked. In both situations, there were international applications of the IHD. However, the fate of Yusuf Bilge Tunç, who has been missing since August 2019, remains unknown.”

Türkdoğan emphasized that pressure was applied against students, political party members, press workers, prisoners or their families, and continued as follows:

“They gain access to information about people’s private lives through state power and use this information to exploit people’s sensitivities. They are threatened with kidnapping, execution, or torture if they do not agree to work as spies. In some circumstances, people are intimidated with detained family members, friends, and relatives. Spying and kidnapping, which are more prevalent in major cities such as Istanbul, Ankara, and Izmir, are widespread throughout Turkey.”