UN Human Rights bodies,

namely Mandates of the Special Rapporteur on torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment; the Special Rapporteur on the rights to freedom of peaceful assembly and of association; and the Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms while countering terrorism, urge Turkey to respond its communication dated 11 May 2020 about the information they have received concerning torture and ill-treatment in the Ankara Police Headquarters of 56 university students, mostly female, accused of being members of a terrorist organization.

Concerns regarding the conditions of detention and alleged torture and ill-treatment at the hands of security officials at the Ankara Police Headquarters have been the subject of a previous communication. UN Human Rights bodies remain concerned that these new allegations appear to be of a similar pattern involving mass arrest and detention, followed by ill-treatment based on the individuals’ alleged association.

Please read the full communication and Turkish Government’s response here.

You can also download the original communication from the UN website as well:

Our differences do matter, but our common humanity matters more.

Bill clinton