Enes was arrested on August 5 in Ankara and is being held in pre-trial detention on charges of “publicly disseminating misleading information (article 217/A)” and “publicly denigrating the Turkish nation, the state, or its institutions (article 301)” under the Turkish Criminal Code.
Enes is a well-known advocate for democracy and human rights, youth participation, speaking out against police violence towards protesters and the Turkish Government’s crackdown on the LGBTIQ+ community in Türkiye.
The charges were filed in retaliation to his speech as a youth delegate to the Council of Europe at the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities in March 2025, in which he bravely called out the brutal crackdown and violence against protesters in Türkiye. The speech went viral, leading to both worldwide support – but also a cascade of defamation, prosecution and threats from politicians, media houses and those supporting the anti-gender movement.
The charges brought against him are a direct attack on the right to freedom of expression by the Turkish Government and clearly show how the authorities are aiming at bringing civil society to silence to preserve its political power.
Enes’ arrest is not an isolated case. Türkiye is facing a major socio-political crisis, with mass protests erupting in support of human rights and democracy, after the arrest of Istanbul Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu on 19 March and new laws targeting the LGBTIQ+ community.
We are deeply alarmed by the government’s escalating crackdown on freedom of expression and peaceful assembly. Protesters have faced excessive police violence, including beatings, tear gas, rubber bullets, and water cannons, resulting in many injuries. Independent media and journalists are also under growing pressure.
As in other countries that are characterized by democratic backsliding and rising authoritarianism, the LGBTIQ+ community has been among the most targeted groups in Türkiye, as the undersigned organizations have raised on earlier occasions.
Human rights defenders like Enes Hocaoğulları are working tirelessly and with a high personal toll to safeguard human rights and democratic values. It is of utmost importance that the international community stand up for individuals like him and uphold the critical significance of preserving the international human rights regime. It is also paramount that states take the necessary responsibility for safeguarding human rights defenders’ working methods, by listening to them and their organizations, ensuring they have access to political processes, assisting with support – including with Schengen VISAs- that allow them to stay safe and continue their advocacy. We cannot afford to leave them alone.
The undersigned organizations call upon the Turkish Government to without delay:
– release Enes and dismiss all charges;
– stop all violence, harassment and prosecution of political opposition, journalists, human rights defenders, LGBTIQ+ persons and protesters;
– adhere to obligations under their international human rights law obligations, including those enshrined in the European Convention on Human Rights and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.
We urge the relevant bodies of the United Nations, Council of Europe, Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe and the European Union, and all diplomatic and civil society allies to:
– demand Enes immediate and unconditional release.
– raise this case urgently with the Turkish authorities.
We ask Norway in particular to:
– raise the case of Enes Hocaoğulları and others arrested and detained for defending human rights and democracy in Türkiye with the Turkish authorities;
– reinforce their support for human rights and civil society organizations in Türkiye in general, and LGBTIQ+ organizations in particular, for them to be able to continue their indispensable work for upholding human rights, supporting human rights defenders and marginalized groups in the country;
– make sure that mechanisms to support human rights defenders, including providing Schengen VISAs, are flexible and adapt to the needs of at-risk human rights defenders.
Free Enes now!
Signatories:
Arctic Pride
Bergen Pride – Regnbuedagene
Foreningen FRI
ISFiT
Norwegian Helsinki Committee
Oslo Pride
PEN Norway
PKI Norge
SAIH
Skeiv Verden
Student Peace Prize