EPISODE · Mar 1, 2026 · 31 MIN
16. Political Prisoners in Türkiye - Silencing Opposition
from Amicae Curiae · host Amicae Curiae
Grab your coffee and join us as we head to Türkiye - where questions of political pluralism, free expression, and state power collide.In this episode, we explore the tense and decades-long conflict between the Turkish state and the Kurdish minority, the broad use of anti-terror laws, and a media landscape where critical voices risk prosecution. From dismissed mayors to jailed journalists, we look at how laws meant to protect the state can also be used to stifle pluralism and silence dissent.At the centre of it all is Selahattin Demirtaş — former presidential candidate and pro-Kurdish opposition leader — who has spent nearly a decade in prison over speeches and social media posts.His case reached the European Court of Human Rights, which delivered a rare finding: Türkiye violated Article 18 of the European Convention on Human Rights, meaning his detention pursued an ulterior political purpose. Despite a binding judgment ordering his release - he remains in jail.How did counterterrorism become a way to silence opposition? What does it mean to be a “political prisoner”? And what happens when a state openly defies a binding ECtHR judgment?For any question or correction (because yes, we make mistakes), contact us at: [email protected]
What this episode covers
Grab your coffee and join us as we head to Türkiye - where questions of political pluralism, free expression, and state power collide.In this episode, we explore the tense and decades-long conflict between the Turkish state and the Kurdish minority, the broad use of anti-terror laws, and a media landscape where critical voices risk prosecution. From dismissed mayors to jailed journalists, we look at how laws meant to protect the state can also be used to stifle pluralism and silence dissent.At the centre of it all is Selahattin Demirtaş — former presidential candidate and pro-Kurdish opposition leader — who has spent nearly a decade in prison over speeches and social media posts.His case reached the European Court of Human Rights, which delivered a rare finding: Türkiye violated Article 18 of the European Convention on Human Rights, meaning his detention pursued an ulterior political purpose. Despite a binding judgment ordering his release - he remains in jail.How did counterterrorism become a way to silence opposition? What does it mean to be a “political prisoner”? And what happens when a state openly defies a binding ECtHR judgment?For any question or correction (because yes, we make mistakes), contact us at: [email protected]
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16. Political Prisoners in Türkiye - Silencing Opposition
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