Skip to main content
Accessibility
Freedom House Logo - Torch next to words Freedom House

Primary Navigation

  • Our Issues
  • Perspectives
  • Policy Recommendations
  • Explore the Map
Expanding Freedom and Democracy

Quicklinks

  • Events
  • Perspectives Blog
  • Find A Country
  • Explore The Map
  • Careers

Mega Menu

  • Our Issues
    • Authoritarian Reach
    • Technology & Democracy
    • Promoting U.S. Leadership
    • Democracies in Decline
    • Election Integrity
    • Equality & Human Rights
    • Government Accountability & Transparency
    • Strengthening Civil Society
    • Media Freedom
    • Religious Freedom
    • Freedom of Expression
    • Freedom of Assembly
    • Democracy During Pandemic
  • Programs
    • Afghanistan Human Rights Coordination Mechanism
    • Political Prisoners Initiative
    • Regional Programs
    • Emergency Assistance and Thematic Programs
  • Countries
  • Events
    • Reimagining American Democracy
  • Policy Recommendations
    • Testimony and Advocacy Letters
  • Reports
    • Freedom in the World
    • Freedom on the Net
    • Nations in Transit
    • Beijing’s Global Media Influence
    • China Media Bulletin
    • Hong Kong Media Bulletin
    • Election Watch for the Digital Age
    • Transnational Repression
    • Archives
  • Perspectives Blog
  • News Releases & Statements
  • About Us
    • History
    • Our Experts
    • Board and Leadership
    • Ways to Give
    • Financials
    • Careers
    • Contact Us
  • Manage Subscriptions
Demonstration against Russian Invasion of Ukraine at Place de la Republique in Paris

Fundamental Freedoms in Turkey

Freedom House works to assist civil society to defend and advance fundamental freedoms and rights enshrined in Turkey’s national and international obligations.

Advancing Fundamental Freedoms in Turkey

Turkey remains one of most challenging places in the European region to exercise fundamental freedoms. In this challenging environment, Freedom House seeks to empower civil society to contribute to the improvement of fundamental freedoms in Turkey and to advocate with national and international decision makers to uphold the country’s human rights commitments.

This project aims to create a common ground for different civil society actors to address human rights issues in the country. Freedom House and its partners intend to respond threats to fundamental freedoms by providing litigation support, research and analysis, support for grassroots initiatives, and advocacy.

Partner organizations: 

  • Media and Law Studies Association (MLSA)
  • Freedom Research Association (FRA)
  • Civic Space Studies Association (CSSA)

 

Key Initiatives

Policy Brief Series: Call for Proposals for Advancing Fundamental Freedoms in Turkey

Freedom House seeks perspectives from independent researchers on issues concerning the upcoming Turkish presidential and parliamentary elections scheduled to be held in June 2023. Although the elections are not to be held for almost another year, political parties in Turkey are already in preparation for what is expected to be an arduous campaign. In March 2022, Turkey’s parliament passed a comprehensive and controversial new election law in a party-line vote. Although the law lowered the election threshold from 10% of the national vote to 7%, it raised some concerns over election security and fair representation. According to the Venice Commission, the law harms smaller, newer, and opposition parties’ chances in elections. The recent changes to the law raised the eyebrows of elections experts and international organizations. The policy brief will help identify challenges and possible solutions and build public awareness about them.

 

Learn more

 

 

Featured Program Publications

 Policy Brief 

The Impact of Turkey’s Recent Amendments to the Electoral Laws on Fundamental Freedoms and Electoral Integrity

The fifth policy brief of the “Advancing Fundamental Freedoms in Turkey” policy series, focuses on the amendments to the Law on Elections before the June 2023 elections. “The Impact of Turkey’s Recent Amendments to the Electoral Laws on Fundamental Freedoms and Electoral Integrity” discusses the problematic changes that have been adopted by the Turkish Parliament undermining fundamental freedoms and electoral participation in Turkey. Expert Başak Bozkurt offers recommendations to civil society organizations, the media, opposition parties, international organizations, and social media companies on how to protect electoral integrity following the adoption of these amendments.

  • Download PDF (English)

 

Policy Brief 

The Systematic Decline of the Freedom of Expression in Turkey

Policy Brief_4 Turkey

In the fourth policy brief of the “Advancing Fundamental Freedoms in Turkey,”  author İpek Z. Ruacan investigates the systematic decline of freedom of expression in Turkey through the lens of anti-terrorism legislation and culture wars.

  • Download PDF (English)
  • Download PDF (Turkish)

 

 

 

Policy Brief 

"Smart" Repression at work: Shrinking Space for Academic Freedom in Turkey

Turkey Policy Brief Cover "Smart" Repression at work

The third brief of the “Advancing Fundamental Freedoms in Turkey” policy series focuses on the increasing crackdown on academia and shrinking space for academic freedom in Turkey. Political scientist İlker Kalın places the government’s attempts to silence academia and civil society into a broad perspective by introducing the concept of “smart” repression. The brief investigates the government’s systematic repression through simulated democratic actions and discusses its implications.

  • Download PDF (English)
  • Download PDF (Turkish)

 

 

Policy Brief 

Withdrawal from the Istanbul Convention:
War on Gender Equality in Turkey

Turkey Policy Brief Cover Withdrawal from the Istanbul Convention

The second policy brief of the “Advancing Fundamental Freedoms in Turkey” policy series, focuses on the reasons behind Turkey’s attempted withdrawal from the Istanbul Convention while also analyzing the withdrawal decision from a legal perspective. Experts Berfu Şeker and Ezel Buse Sönmezocak reveal the ruling AKP’s long-lasting anti-gender policies and examine potential impacts of the attempted withdrawal from the Istanbul Convention on women’s rights and LGBT+ rights.

  • Download PDF (English)
  • Download PDF (Turkish)

 

Policy Brief

Stifling Lawyers and Bar Associations:
Restrictions undermining the right to legal defense in Turkey

turkey policy brief bar associations lawyers right to legal defense

Experts Benan Molu and İdil Özcan examine the increasing attacks on lawyers and their right to free association in Turkey since the state of emergency in 2016. This brief provides a comprehensive analysis of how the recent government policies and legislation create obstacles for lawyers to fully perform their fundamental duties of legal counsel and defense.

  • Download PDF (English)
  • Download PDF (Turkish)

 

 

Past Programming in Turkey

Protection of Freedom of Expression in Turkey (2019-2020)

Featured Report: Perceptions towards Freedom of Expression in Turkey

Perceptions Towards Freedom of Expression in Turkey cover

In July 2020, Freedom House, together with RIWI Corp, released a new report on freedom of expression and the media in Turkey. The presence of a vibrant landscape for free expression may seem contradictory, given that Turkey regularly tops global charts for the number of journalists jailed, and is ranked as Not Free in Freedom in the World. This report reveals opportunities for free expression among Turkey's dynamic population, where preferences are shifting from traditional outlets to online platforms. From these contradictions rise not only a clearer picture of the contours of expression, but also hope that this fundamental right can still be exercised.

Download PDF  — English

News & Perspectives on Turkey

Freedom House

Interventions for the 2022 OSCE Warsaw Human Dimension Conference

Testimony and remarks

September 26, 2022

Cumartesi Anneleri / Saturday Mothers gather in Galatasaray Square, Istanbul, Turkey

Turkey: Detention of Saturday Mothers Represents Arbitrary, Unlawful Crackdown on Peaceful Dissent

Press release

June 27, 2022

2022 TNR cover no text

Transnational Repression Threatens Freedom Worldwide

Perspectives

June 2, 2022

Turkey’s Gezi Trial Verdict a Travesty of Justice

Joint statement

April 26, 2022

Khashoggi

Turkey: Authorities Abdicate Responsibility, Deny Justice in Khashoggi Case

Press release

April 8, 2022

In the high-stakes battle between states and technology companies, the rights of internet users have become the main casualties. Illustration by Mitch Blunt

NEW REPORT: Global Battle over Internet Regulation Has Major Implications for Human Rights

Press release

September 21, 2021

Featured Experts

Marc Behrendt Expert Photo

Marc Behrendt

Director, Europe and Eurasia programs

Be the first to know what's happening.

Join the Freedom House weekly newsletter

Subscribe

Footer Main Menu

  • Our Issues
  • Countries
  • Policy Recommendations
  • Explore the Map
  • Donate
  • News & Perspectives
  • Reports
  • Events
  • About
  • Careers

Address

1850 M St. NW Floor 11
Washington, DC 20036

(202) 296-5101

General Inquiries

[email protected]

Press & Media

[email protected]

Footer Social Menu

Follow

  • Facebook
  • Twitter

Footer

  • Manage Subscriptions
  • Contact Us
  • Privacy Policy
  • Content Permissions
  • Site Map
@2023 FreedomHouse