The United Nations Human Rights Committee recently published reports submitted by NGOs, listing several Turkish officials as alleged perpetrators of torture. Notable names include Barış Dedebağı, Ali Türkşen, Zekai Aksakallı, Elif Sümercan, and Tahir Darbazoğlu, marking a significant international acknowledgment of alleged human rights abuses following the events of July 15 in Turkey.
The UN Human Rights Council’s review of global human rights abuses, held from October 14 to November 8, included a dedicated session on Turkey. During this session, reports from victims and NGOs detailed systemic human rights violations, leading to the official documentation of these claims. CrossBorder Jurists, in collaboration with 60 other civil society organizations, prepared over 70 “shadow reports” to supplement the UN’s findings, providing extensive evidence of systematic rights abuses in Turkey.
Ali Türkşen, accused of torturing dozens, and Zekai Aksakallı, a former commander implicated in ordering extrajudicial actions on July 15, are among those listed as “suspects of torture.” These allegations follow years of reported mistreatment and severe abuses inflicted on detainees. Former police officer Elif Sümercan, known to have been involved in brutal interrogations on July 15, is similarly named in these reports.
NGO reports have been corroborated by direct evidence, including video footage of torture occurring within Turkey’s Special Forces, which was submitted to the UN committee. Public accounts have also surfaced, including statements by those allegedly involved who, in some cases, have openly defended their actions on national broadcasts.
UN Rapporteurs questioned Turkey’s 20-member delegation, which included officials from the Ministry of Justice and the Ministry of the Interior, about these incidents, confronting them with reports and evidence of systemic torture. The Turkish delegation responded by distancing itself, claiming that any instances of torture were isolated and would be handled through domestic judicial channels. However, the UN’s findings suggest a systematic pattern, placing this response under scrutiny.
During this review, additional critical issues were raised, including the use of the “MIT Farm Base” as a torture site under the leadership of then-Undersecretary of National Intelligence, Hakan Fidan. Detailed accounts and layout diagrams of these locations were published on the UN’s website, raising further questions about the extent and endorsement of such practices.
The UN’s documentation is expected to serve as a critical reference for cases in other international legal forums, including the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR). Historically, the ECHR has granted rulings on the basis of torture allegations alone, often without delving into the details of a given case. This precedent could have implications not only for civilians but also for military defendants involved in these allegations.
In closing sessions, UN officials pressed Turkish representatives for specific actions taken against those accused, demanding transparency on any investigations or disciplinary actions. As the Turkish delegation failed to provide clear answers, UN representatives indicated that they would follow up with formal inquiries.
The UN’s stance suggests that Turkish authorities may eventually disown lower-level officials responsible for these alleged abuses, with accountability possibly extending to individuals who conducted these actions under the protection of higher authorities.
