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January 31, 2026 – Germany/Turkey –
Turkish authorities have detained a group of 16 German activists and journalists who travelled to southeastern Turkey to draw attention to escalating violence and humanitarian concerns involving Syrian Kurdish communities, prompting political and civil society reactions in Germany and calls for their immediate release. The detentions, which occurred in late January 2026, reflect growing tensions in the region and underline the risks faced by foreign press and civil society observers covering protests and human rights issues.
The delegation, organised by civil society groups and linked to Germany’s Left Party (Die Linke), had intended to document demonstrations against renewed clashes between the Syrian government and Kurdish forces in northern and eastern Syria. Protesters in the Kurdish-majority areas of Turkey’s southeast have also staged rallies in response to the deterioration of the humanitarian situation across the border. The detainees included journalists, activists, and representatives of youth and party organisations who had travelled to the region in solidarity with Kurdish protesters.
According to statements from Die Linke, members of the delegation were held by Turkish police in Mardin province after attempting to observe and report on protests and alleged human rights violations linked to the conflict. The party’s foreign policy spokesperson in the German parliament criticised the detentions as an “attack on press freedom and fundamental political rights,” urging the German Federal Foreign Office to intervene diplomatically and seek the immediate release of those detained. Party leaders described the situation as unacceptable, emphasising the importance of protecting journalists and civil society actors engaged in documenting conflict-related issues.
The German embassy in Ankara and the consulate in Istanbul acknowledged they were seeking clarification on the situation and working to support those affected, although the Turkish Interior Ministry did not immediately respond to requests for comment. The detention comes amid broader government restrictions on protests in the predominantly Kurdish southeast, where authorities have imposed bans on gatherings and heightened security measures tied to regional instability.
The incident has intensified debate in Europe about protections for journalists and rights advocates operating abroad, with critics warning that such detentions could have a chilling effect on independent reporting and civil society engagement. The Left Party has called for a clear political response from Berlin and increased diplomatic pressure to ensure that the detained German citizens are released without charges and allowed to return home.
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