Human Rights Watch (HRW) has condemned Türkiye’s crackdown on environmental activists and community members protesting mining activities, citing arbitrary arrests and prosecutions as concerns grow over the protection of civil liberties ahead of the country’s hosting of the 2026 United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP31) in November.
The international human rights organisation stated that the arrests, criminal investigations and restrictions on peaceful demonstrations are undermining freedom of expression and assembly, while discouraging communities from speaking out against environmental damage.
In a statement, HRW revealed that its findings were based on interviews with 23 people who had participated in environmental protests in August 2026, alongside reviews of media reports, relevant documents and judicial proceedings.
The organisation documented incidents in the Akbelen forest in southwestern Muğla province, where communities have opposed coal mining since 2023, and the Perşembe Plateau and surrounding areas in Türkiye’s eastern Black Sea region, where gold mining exploration has prompted protests throughout 2026.
According to Deniz Bayram, Assistant Europe and Central Asia Researcher at Human Rights Watch, “with Türkiye about to host the annual UN climate change summit, its environmental crackdown is a salient reminder of its intolerance of dissent.”
“Turkish authorities should listen to people’s concerns about the environmental impact of activities such as mining in their areas and address them, instead of arresting and prosecuting protesters.”
Human Rights Watch
Police Use Force as Mining Protests Intensify
Human Rights Watch documented the use of force to disperse nonviolent environmental demonstrations in Muğla and the eastern Black Sea region, including the deployment of tear gas, water cannons and pepper spray.
Police have also arrested and fined protesters, while local residents have faced what HRW described as arbitrary identity checks intended to intimidate communities involved in the demonstrations.
The organisation highlighted an incident on July 29, 2026, when authorities in the eastern Black Sea region detained protesters for up to eight hours without due legal process. Those arrested included two children and an 84-year-old woman.
Environmental defenders have also faced criminal charges, administrative fines, and other legal pressure for monitoring environmental damage or attempting to protect their land and surroundings.
Human Rights Watch also reported restrictions on journalists and bystanders seeking to document the demonstrations. Police and gendarmes have reportedly prevented people from filming protests, sometimes using violence, while journalists covering the events have faced arrests and criminal investigations.
The organisation noted that the incidents formed part of broader concerns about Türkiye’s expansion of coal mining and coal-fired electricity generation, which it has previously warned could threaten public health, environmental protection and other human rights.
Arrests and Prosecutions Raise Concerns Over Civil Liberties
According to Human Rights Watch, environmental protesters, community members, lawyers and journalists had faced a range of criminal charges and investigations, including allegations of illegal assembly, using violence to prevent public officials from performing their duties, trespassing, insulting public officials and spreading false information.
At least two people who expressed support for the protests online have also been temporarily arrested, according to the organisation.
The legal pressure extends beyond individuals directly involved in demonstrations. In advance of a NATO summit held in Ankara in July 2026, Turkish authorities ordered the arrest of 225 people, including political activists and nature conservation supporters, on suspicion of membership in armed organisations.
Courts placed 178 people in pretrial detention and subjected 34 others to judicial control on June 25 and 26, according to HRW, which indicated compelling evidence of criminal activity had not been cited. Among those detained were 13 members of a nature conservation organisation who were subsequently released, alongside 14 others who had been under house arrest.
Human Rights Watch investigations and arrests targeting environmental protesters since 2023 have created a chilling effect on freedom of expression and peaceful assembly, rights protected under international human rights law and Türkiye’s constitution.
Although many cases have ended without prosecution or with acquittals, the organisation noted that prolonged investigations impose significant financial, legal and personal burdens on those targeted, who may be required to appear repeatedly before law enforcement agencies over several years.
The crackdown, HRW added, reflected wider restrictions on civic space in Türkiye. It cited the detention of activists during protests in Istanbul on September 15, 2026, against an anti-LGBT crackdown, with some detainees alleging ill-treatment during more than 24 hours in custody.
COP31 Host Faces Calls to Protect Civil Society Participation
The allegations have raised questions about Türkiye’s commitment to protecting civic participation as it prepares to host COP31 in November 2026.
Human Rights Watch argued that the participation of civil society organisations and local communities is essential to holding governments accountable for environmental policies, particularly when decisions taken by central authorities have direct consequences for communities and their natural resources.
The organisation highlighted that Türkiye, as host of the UN climate conference, has an obligation to facilitate civil society participation in the proceedings.
HRW maintained that authorities should respond to such concerns through engagement and accountability rather than criminal proceedings against peaceful demonstrators. It also called on governments attending COP31 to raise the issue with their Turkish hosts.
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