Amnesty International calls for Esra Işık: Drop the charges

Amnesty International has launched an "Urgent Action" for environmental rights defender Esra Işık, who is being tried after participating in a peaceful protest against an emergency expropriation decision affecting villages around the Akbelen Forest in the Milas district of Muğla.

The 26-year-old Işık was arrested on March 30 following her detention on charges of "resisting a public official to prevent them from performing their duty" and "insulting a public official." Işık, who spent 42 days in prison, was released after the Council of State issued a stay of execution regarding the emergency expropriation decision. The case against her is ongoing.

The third hearing of the case will be held on June 22. Amnesty International has launched a worldwide petition addressed to Milas Chief Public Prosecutor Enis Tekgül, demanding that the charges against Işık be dropped.

AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL CALLS FOR RESPECT FOR RIGHTS

In its statement, the organization noted that Esra Işık was detained and is being tried solely for exercising her rights to freedom of expression, association, and peaceful assembly. The statement reminded Turkey of its obligations under international human rights law and demanded that the charges against Işık be dropped immediately.

We urge your office to ensure that the charges against Esra Işık are dropped immediately and that her rights to freedom of expression, association, and peaceful assembly are respected in accordance with Turkey’s obligations under international human rights law.

According to Amnesty International, the incident occurred on the evening of March 30 in Karacahisar Neighborhood during a site inspection regarding 649 parcels of land and property under the scope of emergency expropriation. Local residents gathered in the area argued with people in a vehicle that was reportedly not marked with any identifying signs. Esra Işık, the daughter of İkizköy Village Head (Muhtar) Nejla Işık, was among those present in the area at the time.

Işık denied the charges, stating that she did not know the group in question was a court delegation at the time of the incident and that she did not use any threatening or insulting language toward court officials. The Milas Criminal Court of Peace had ordered Işık to be tried while in custody on March 31.

Local communities in Akbelen and surrounding villages have long been opposing the expansion of coal mining activities, deforestation, and expropriation practices that affect olive groves and agricultural lands. On May 7, the 6th Chamber of the Council of State issued a stay of execution for the emergency expropriation decisions concerning private properties in six neighborhoods in the Akbelen region of İkizköy.