The Association of Lawyers for Freedom (ÖHD) Diyarbakır (Amed) branch presented a report about the violations experienced by people who took to the streets to protest the attacks on Rojava between 1 January and 2 February.
The ÖHD said the report was prepared based on field observations, interviews with detainees, lawyers, and family members, as well as hospital and courthouse records and visual documentation. The report underlined that the violations were not isolated from incidents, but part of a systematic practice extending from the moment of detention through the judicial process.
According to the report, at least 842 people were detained during this period, 118 people, 25 of them children, were formally arrested, and 106 people were subjected to beating and ill-treatment.
Violations against children
According to the report, at least 99 children were detained during the protests, and 25 children were formally arrested. It stated that children were beaten, subjected to reverse handcuffing, and held in custody together with adults, noting that these practices violate the fundamental principles of the juvenile justice system.
Violence, bans, and digital pressure
ÖHD said that most detentions and arrests were carried out solely on the grounds of participation in peaceful press statements and protests. The report noted that broad bans imposed by governors’ offices in many provinces effectively suspended the right to assembly and demonstration, with even the distribution of posters, banners, and leaflets being blocked.
The report also underlined that journalists were beaten and detained, news coverage was obstructed, and the public’s right to receive information was violated. It further drew attention to an increase in detentions and attacks targeting lawyers.
Rights violations as a political choice
ÖHD said the incidents amount to grave violations of the right to liberty and security, stating that the detentions and arrests reflect a political choice aimed at suppressing public opposition that emerged against the attacks on Rojava.
The association called on national and international institutions to take action, urging an end to arbitrary detentions and arrests and demanding that allegations of torture be investigated independently.
Mehmet Öner, an executive at the ÖHD headquarters, said: “Bans on the right to peaceful assembly and demonstration must be lifted, arbitrary detentions and arrests must be stopped immediately, and independent and effective investigations must be carried out into allegations of torture and ill-treatment. Those responsible for serious rights violations against children must be held accountable. As ÖHD, we once again declare that we will continue to document rights violations, stand with victims, and bring the truth to the public.”