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November 29, 2024 – Turkey –
Turkish authorities launched a sweeping crackdown, arresting dozens of trade union leaders, journalists, and cultural workers in what labor and press freedom groups described as a politically motivated attack on democratic rights. The arrests were carried out just weeks before crucial minimum wage negotiations, intensifying suspicions that the detentions aimed to silence dissenting voices amid growing economic discontent.
Among those detained were senior officials from the Confederation of Progressive Trade Unions of Turkey (DİSK), including Remzi Çalışkan of Genel-İş, and regional representatives actively engaged in labor advocacy. DİSK condemned the arrests as an assault on workers’ rights, accusing the government of trying to intimidate union leaders who have been outspoken about poverty wages and worsening economic conditions. Lawyers representing the detained reported being denied access to case files, raising concerns about due process and legal transparency.
The crackdown extended beyond labor activists. More than a dozen journalists and cultural figures were also arrested, drawing condemnation from the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) and local media unions. Press freedom organizations noted that the journalists had no known criminal records and were targeted for their reporting on labor issues, protests, and government policy.
The coordinated detentions prompted a wave of solidarity from across Turkey’s civil society. DİSK and the IFJ issued a joint call for the immediate release of all detainees, describing the arrests as part of a broader trend of authoritarianism. They warned that the repression of unions and media figures poses a severe threat to Turkey’s democratic institutions and freedom of expression.
These arrests come at a time of increasing state pressure on dissent, with previous years marked by the closure of independent media outlets, criminal charges against journalists, and restrictions on union activity. Observers point to Turkey’s history of using national security laws to silence opposition, particularly during politically sensitive periods.
The mass detentions of November 2024 underscore the shrinking space for critical voices in Turkey. As domestic and international pressure mounts, the demand for justice and democratic accountability remains urgent—not only for those detained, but for the future of civil liberties in the country.
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