Riha (Urfa) Bar Association prepared a report to contribute to the thematic report titled "Global Trends and Developments on Torture" prepared with the call of the United Nations (UN) Special Rapporteur on Torture.

 

The report will be evaluated in the thematic report to be presented by the UN Special Rapporteur on Torture at the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly in October 2025.

 

The contribution report, which includes local observations, case analyses and legal findings on torture and ill-treatment, was submitted to the UN. In the contribution report prepared by the Bar Association, it was emphasised that one of the main problems regarding torture and ill-treatment in Turkey is that, despite legal prohibitions, this prohibition is neutralised in practice and the cycle of impunity continues. The report stated that in some cases, it was observed that torture or ill-treatment was implicitly legitimised or that effective investigation mechanisms were not in place.

 

The report reminded that 55 people who were detained on 18 May 2019 in Derto rural neighbourhood of Xelfetî (Halfeti) district of Riha were subjected to torture at Yaylak Gendarmerie Station and TEM Branch, and emphasised that although 6 years have passed, there has been no progress in the file and it is still pending at the investigation stage.

 

In its contribution, the Bar Association addressed not only Xelfetî, but also the structural problems encountered throughout Turkey. These include denial of access to a lawyer in detention, failure to ensure impartiality in medical examinations, substitution of the crime of torture with lesser crimes such as "misconduct in office" in trials, and widespread decisions of non-prosecution.

 

RECOMMENDATIONS

 

The following recommendations were made by the Bar Association to the UN: “In order to ensure the effectiveness of efforts to prevent torture and ill-treatment in Turkey, the structural independence and institutional capacity of the National Preventive Mechanism (NPM) must be significantly strengthened. In this regard, the scope of regular, unannounced visits to closed institutions should be expanded, and the active participation of civil society organizations in monitoring processes must be ensured.

 

The establishment of prompt, independent, and effective mechanisms for investigating allegations of torture would demonstrate a clear commitment to combating impunity. Capacity-building programs based on the Istanbul Protocol should be widely implemented for forensic experts, members of the judiciary, and law enforcement officers. 

 

Moreover, holistic support mechanisms should be developed for survivors of torture. Ensuring access to psychosocial support, legal aid, and healthcare services constitutes a foundational step toward restorative justice.”