Judicial harassment of human rights defenders persists
A lawsuit was launched against Osman SÜZEN, who is a lawyer and served as a member of the Executive Board, deputy chairperson, and branch chairperson of the Human Rights Association (İHD) in Adıyaman, at various times. In addition to his public activities on behalf of the İHD during the 2013-2015 resolution process, Osman Süzen has been charged with “membership of an illegal organization” due to events he participated in as an executive member of the İHD and certain investigations and prosecutions he followed as part of his legal profession. The first hearing of the trial, will be held at Heavy Penal Court No.2 in Adıyaman, on 18 December 2025.
In the indictment prepared for Osman Süzen, almost all activities and events he participated in or took part on behalf of the İHD in 2014-2015 have been deemed as criminal evidence. According to the indictment, the allegations against our colleague Osman Süzen are listed as follows:
- To participate in a meeting organised by thirty CSOs to support the resolution process,
- to participate in the march organized on December 10, 2014, for Human Rights Week,
- to participate in the meeting organised by Labour and Democracy Platform,
- to participate in Saturday Mothers’ demonstration,
- to participate in Newroz celebrations,
- to participate in a statement in front of the courthouse in 2015 for drawing attention to the situation of prisoners and
- to make a statement regarding isolation conditions of Abdullah Öcalan.
The fact that activities carried out on behalf of the Adıyaman branch of İHD are the subject of an indictment ten years later, and that our colleague is accused of “membership of an organisation”, is the result of a policy of pressure and intimidation against human rights defenders rather than a legal requirement. İHD will continue its struggle for peace and human rights with determination today, just as it has done in the past. The “crime” allegedly committed by Osman Süzen has been committed by all İHD members and executives, and will continue to be committed.
This case, which represents the most recent and exemplary evidence of judicial harassment against human rights defenders in the person of Osman Süzen, must be concluded immediately with the acquittal of our friend.
Human Rights Association