Turkey prisons record over 24,000 rights violations in 2025

The Human Rights Association (IHD) released its 2025 Turkey Prisons Rights Violations Report, documenting at least 24,207 breaches of detainees' rights based on 889 complaints. The report details 2,945 instances of torture and ill‑treatment, 9,592 violations of health rights, and thousands of infringements on communication, visitation and personal dignity, such as naked searches, forced standing, phone monitoring, military‑style marching and isolation.

IHD also highlighted severe health neglect: 1,412 prisoners were reported seriously ill, including 335 in critical condition, with many lacking essential medical care. Official statistics show 1,001 prisoner deaths in 2025, but IHD could verify only 62, underscoring a transparency gap. Additionally, 26 suicides were recorded between January and early May 2026. The association criticised the Ministry of Justice for insufficient data sharing and the Administration and Observation Boards for arbitrary decisions that delay conditional releases.

The findings call for urgent reforms to ensure humane treatment, adequate medical services, and transparent reporting within Turkey’s correctional system.