Torture and ill-treatment cases increased by 22 percent in Turkey

The Human Rights Foundation of Turkey (HRFT) released its 2022 report. According to the report, cases of torture and ill-treatment increased by 22 percent compared to the previous year. The report states that 1201 people applied to HRFT’s treatment centres due to torture and ill-treatment in 2022.

Significant increase in recent decades

The report states: “After the highest number of applications in 2001, the number of applications reached the second highest number in 32 years.” According to the HRFT, 422 (39,1 percent) of the applicants who applied to the HRFT for aid due to torture and ill-treatment they had experienced or witnessed were women, 614 (56,9 percent) were men and 43 (4 percent) were LGBTIQ+ persons.

Children among the applicants 

The HRFT notes that the youngest age of applicants to torture treatment centres in 2022 was three years old and the oldest was 76 years old. The rate of children applying to torture treatment centres in Turkey was reported to be 2,1 percent. It also states that 66 children under the age of 18 applied to HRFT in 2022.

The report reveals the following findings with regard to methods of torture: “551 (96,2 per cent) of the applicants detained in 2022 stated that torture methods involving physical violence and torture methods not involving physical violence were combined, while 16 applicants (2,8 per cent) stated that they were subjected to torture methods not involving physical violence.”

Journalists also exposed to violence

The report further states that 988 (91,6 percent) of the 1079 applicants in 2022 declared that they had been imprisoned for their political thoughts, identity or actions. According to the HRFT Documentation Center, law enforcement forces intervened in 482 peaceful meetings and demonstrations held under the right to freedom of assembly and prevented 54 events.

The center reports that at least 5148 people, including 143 children, were detained under torture and ill-treatment, and at least 42 people were injured. The report also notes that 15 journalists, mostly covering peaceful demonstrations and marches, were physically assaulted by law enforcement officers while reporting the news.