MONTHLY OVERVIEW ON HUMAN RIGHTS – February, 2025

In February 2025, concerns regarding human rights were publicly addressed. The National Network to End Violence Against Women and Domestic Violence, along with the Platform for Gender Equality and the Network for Protection against Discrimination, have raised significant concerns regarding the proposed amendments to the Law on Police. These amendments represent a setback in protecting victims of gender-based and domestic violence and are in contradiction to both the Istanbul Convention and local laws.

The main revisions foresee taking away a police officer’s service weapon only after an internal process within the Ministry of Interior, rather than right after a violence report, and eliminating the requirement for mandatory psychological and psychiatric evaluations for officers
charged with violence. These amendments pose a serious risk to victim safety, particularly when the offender is a police officer.

Consequently, due to the backlash from civil society, the Government and the Ministry of Interior decided to retract the amendments.

Throughout the month, the Platform for Gender Equality addressed a rise in incidents of misogyny and genderbased hate speech in the public sphere, particularly aimed at female journalists and politicians. These attacks originated from public figures, including journalists and
officials, amplifying their impact and severity.

These developments signify a concerning trend towards a regression to patriarchal and oppressive models that jeopardize gender equality and human rights. It is imperative to establish a clear institutional response, including the sanctioning of hate speech and the
provision of enhanced support for women in the public
sphere required.