Life Prison Sentence for Turkish Cultural Rights Activist Osman Kavala is Upheld
Turkish court’s decision upholding the life sentence against Osman Kavala illustrates the totality of the government’s crackdown on free expression and the breakdown of rule of law. Life behind… More
Years-Long Campaign of Political Persecution Ends with Harsh Sentences Against Three in Turkey
“These verdicts are the result of a years-long campaign of political persecution that Erdogan’s government has waged against his perceived enemies. From the very beginning, officials have made it… More
Life Prison Sentence for Cultural Rights Activist Osman Kavala is a “Dark Moment” for Human Rights and Democracy in Turkey
“Today is a dark moment for Turkey. The life sentence handed down to Osman Kavala is a devastating and unjust blow, not only to him and his family, but… More
Turkey Must Release Osman Kavala and Drop Charges Against Him and Henri Barkey
“This new indictment is yet another egregious attack on the human rights of Osman Kavala, who has dedicated his life to promoting cultural collaborations and advocating for the rights… More
Joint Letter on the 1000th Day in Detention of Osman Kavala
This letter was sent to the U.S. Department of State on July 23, 2020. Dear Assistant Secretary Destro and Acting Assistant Secretary Reeker: As representatives of Amnesty International USA, Freedom House,… More
Joint NGO Statement Condemns Turkey’s Decision to Continue Detention of Osman Kavala
We, the undersigned freedom of expression and media freedom organizations, strongly condemn the court’s interim decision on the Gezi Park trial to continue the detention of civil society leading… More
Gezi Park trial’s second hearing confirms lack of rule of law in Turkey
We, the undersigned human rights and freedom of expression organizations, condemn the interim judicial decision taken in the second hearing of the Gezi Park trial. The indictment accuses 16… More
Turkey: Gezi Park case must be dismissed
PEN Centers in fourteen countries today joined PEN International and Norwegian PEN in calling for the Turkish authorities to immediately and unconditionally release Osman Kavala and Yiğit Aksakoğlu and… More
Detention of Publisher Osman Kavala Evidence of Erosion of Liberties in Turkey
Holding Osman Kavala is indicative of a movement to silence dissent and the supporters of the kinds of cultural institutions associated with free societies. More
Alert Us
Are you an artist at risk or know someone who is?