TAKE ACTION FOR HUMAN RIGHTS

ENVIRONMENTAL DEFENDER ON TRIAL

Türkiye UA 64.26

Esra Işık, a 26-year-old environmental human rights defender, is facing prosecution under Articles 265 and 125 of the Turkish Penal Code for allegedly ‘’preventing a public official from performing their duty’’ and “insulting public officials.” She was detained on March 30 participating in a peaceful protest against an urgent expropriation decision affecting villages near the Akbelen forest, including İkizköy in Muğla province in south-west Türkiye. She was held in pretrial detention for 42 days before being released following a Council of State decision suspending the expropriation order. Despite her release, the criminal proceedings against her continue. Esra Işık has been target solely for exercising her right to peaceful protest.

Call on the Türkiye authorities to drop all charges against Esra Işık immediately - send your message using our email writing tool.

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Milas Chief Public Prosec

Enis

Tekgül

Milas Chief Public Prosecutor

Dear Chief Public Prosecutor,

I am concerned about the prosecution of environmental human rights defender, Esra Işık, who was deprived of her liberty between March 30 and May 11 on charges of “resisting to prevent the performance of duty of a public official” and “insulting public officials” under Articles 265 and 125 of the Turkish Penal Code. She has been detained and prosecuted simply for exercising her rights.

This case takes place amid long-standing environmental and land disputes in the Milas–Yatağan region, where local communities, including Esra Işık’s family, have faced repeated displacement linked to mining. In recent years, residents have peacefully opposed coal mine expansion, including protests against the emergency expropriation orders affecting hundreds land in the Akbelen area.

On May 7, 2026, the Council of State suspended these expropriation orders covering private property in six neighborhoods in İkizköy (Milas, Muğla). The broader legal dispute over the coal mine and the destruction of the Akbelen forest has continued for seven years, alongside sustained peaceful resistance by local communities.

I urge you to drop all charges against Esra Işık immediately and protect her rights to freedom of expression, association, and peaceful assembly in line with Türkiye’s international human rights obligations.

Yours sincerely,

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