Turkey

Turkish lawmakers and civil society are locked in a confrontation over democratic norms. A Turkish MP currently jailed has issued a public statement arguing that her imprisonment “contradicts Parliament’s very existence” [132284]. Separately, a parliamentary report reveals that 1,052 legal files are targeting 145 current MPs, raising questions about the independence of the legislature [133742]. Children and youth are actively pushing back against political violence. In a media workshop, young participants demanded peace, equality, and safety [132289]. Meanwhile, the main opposition party leader, Özel, threatened revenge against “honor executioners” following a contested parliamentary vote on controversial laws [132992]. Turkey is making a decisive move to reclaim control over its digital space. The government announced a “cyber sovereignty” doctrine, vowing to secure national data and infrastructure against rising digital threats [132636]. To fund this, the defense industry will build drone centers in every province using revenues from defense expos [132892]. Human rights violations continue inside Turkish prisons. Sick inmates are protesting the detention of Karsu and Derse, demanding their release [132993]. A suspicious death of an inmate has prompted Amnesty International to call for a formal investigation [132569]. In a separate case, police seized a SIM card and hospital records during a probe into journalist Gülistan Doku [132785]. Turkey is also taking a confrontational stance on historical and international disputes. The Armenian intellectual losses of 1915 were commemorated with a pledge: “We will not forget” [132783]. President Erdogan honored the 1915 Çanakkale victory, which is a foundational national narrative [133206]. On foreign policy, Turkey declared Israel a “direct threat to global security” [132471] and signaled that an Iran nuclear deal is possible, though the risk from the Hormuz Strait remains [132457]. Economic reforms and foreign investment are top policy goals. Turkey unveiled a massive investment reform package aimed at boosting exports and attracting capital, positioning itself as a “stable and predictable” partner for investors [134135], [134144]. A Turkish mining deal has been legally labeled “void” by lawyers, sparking protests in the town of Varto [132995], [133745]. The EU has formally criticized Turkey, which the Turkish foreign minister called “unfortunate” [132466]. Turkey also warned other nations to stop using history for political purposes [132467]. <a href='/news/132284'>Turkish MP Calls for Justice from Jail: "This Contradicts Parliament's Very Existence"</a> <a href='/news/132289'>Children Demand Peace, Equality, and Safety in Media Workshop</a> <a href='/news/132636'>Türkiye vows to claim 'cyber sovereignty' amid rising digital threats</a> <a href='/news/132892'>Turkey to Build Drone Centers in Every Province Using Defense Expo Revenue</a> <a href='/news/132993'>Sick inmates in Turkey protest: "Release Karsu and Derse"</a> <a href='/news/132569'>Inmate Dies in Suspicious Fall, Amnesty Calls for Probe</a> <a href='/news/132785'>Turkey SIM card, hospital records seized in Gülistan Doku probe</a> <a href='/news/132783'>Armenian Intellectuals’ 1915 Loss: ‘We Will Not Forget’</a> <a href='/news/133206'>Erdogan honors Turkish victory at Canakkale, 111 years on</a> <a href='/news/132471'>Title: Israel now a 'direct threat to global security,' says Turkey</a> <a href='/news/132457'>Turkey: Iran nuclear deal possible, but Hormuz risk remains</a> <a href='/news/134135'>Türkiye unveils massive investment reform to boost exports and attract capital</a> <a href='/news/134144'>Türkiye targets investors: 'Stable and predictable' partner</a> <a href='/news/132995'>Turkish Mining Deal Legally “Void,” Warns Lawyer</a> <a href='/news/133745'>Thousands protest mining in Turkish town of Varto</a> <a href='/news/132466'>EU criticises Turkey; minister calls comments 'unfortunate'</a> <a href='/news/132467'>Turkey: Stop Using History for Politics</a> <a href='/news/133742'>Turkish Parliament Report: 1,052 Legal Files Target 145 MPs</a> <a href='/news/132992'>Özel Threatens Revenge Against ‘Honor Executioners’ After Vote</a>