The Truth, Justice, and Memory Studies Association (Hafıza Merkezi), Media and Law Studies Association (MLSA), Human Rights Foundation of Turkey (TİHV), and Amnesty International have shared a public report on the ongoing limitations faced by the 'Saturday Mothers/People' during their 987th weekly gathering on February 24, 2024.
The 'Saturday Mothers/People' have been facing restrictions since their first attempt to gather at Galatasaray Square on April 8, 2023, for their 941st week, following the Constitutional Court's decision in the case of Maside Ocak. This group, which includes family members of individuals who have been forcibly disappeared, was initially detained by the police during their protest. Since then, except for the gathering on May 13, 2023, they have been trying to conduct their peaceful demonstrations at Galatasaray Square every Saturday. On the 971st week, coinciding with November 4, 2023, they were effectively prevented from gathering but were not detained. Since the gathering on November 11, 2023, for the 972nd week, they have been allowed to read a press statement at Galatasaray Square, provided the group does not exceed ten people.
The observation report for their 987th week states the following:
"The gatherings of the Saturday Mothers/People at Galatasaray Square are essentially to make a press statement demanding answers about the fate of their forcibly disappeared relatives and the identification of those responsible. The interventions and restrictions identified in this observation report, as pointed out by the Constitutional Court, adversely affect their efforts to raise public awareness about the fate of their disappeared relatives. Furthermore, these interventions and restrictions continue the trend of criminalizing the activities of the Saturday Mothers/People, which the Constitutional Court noted should be met with respect. These ongoing restrictions for 16 weeks have become routine for law enforcement. This situation indicates that the interventions against the Saturday Mothers/People are evolving and have reached a level of administrative harassment.
In addition, the police presence in the street where the Istanbul branch of the Human Rights Association (İHD) is located, limiting the number of people who can participate in the press statement at Galatasaray Square to ten, checking compliance with this limitation throughout the meeting, recording the statement with multiple cameras, and taking photographs are administrative restrictions by law enforcement. These restrictions potentially deter the Saturday Mothers/People and human rights defenders from exercising their freedom of assembly, constituting an intervention in the right to assembly in itself."
Background: The 'Saturday Mothers' movement in Turkey represents families and friends of individuals who disappeared under police custody, mainly during the 1980s and 1990s. Their weekly gatherings at Galatasaray Square in Istanbul have become a symbol of peaceful protest and the struggle for human rights in Turkey.
