Joint statement on the deepening democratic crisis and the systematic suppression of youth-led mobilisation in Türkiye

İmamoğlu, a key opposition figure and a leading contender for the 2028 presidential elections, was taken into custody on politically motivated charges of corruption and alleged links to so-called ‘terrorist organisations’—widely regarded as an attempt to sideline him from presidential elections. Prior to his detention, his university diploma was cancelled, furthering concerns over a systematic effort to discredit him and obstruct candidacy. On March 23, a court ordered his arrest on financial crime charges while dropping accusations of links to so-called terrorist organisations.

As part of the same investigation, a government-appointed trustee was installed in Şişli, replacing the democratically elected mayor, Resul Emrah Şahan. In Beylikdüzü, Mayor Murat Çalık was removed from office, pending the appointment of a trustee. These measures align with a broader trend following the last local elections. In the context of İstanbul, government-appointed trustees have replaced elected mayors in several Istanbul districts, including Esenyurt, Beşiktaş, and Beykoz, removing Ahmet Özer, Rıza Akpolat, and Alaattin Köseler from office.

These anti-democratic practices are not mere attacks on individual politicians but systematic assaults on democracy itself, sending a clear message that dissent towards the status quo will not be tolerated.

Youth in Türkiye had already been confronting profound poverty under austerity policies, systematic discrimination against women and LGBTI+ communities, and the erosion of their right to vote through the imposition of government-appointed trustees. The arrest of İmamoğlu represents a definitive breach of the already strained social contract between the State and youth. For a generation already burdened by economic hardship, disenfranchisement and systemic inequality, this latest event has come to symbolise the culmination of prolonged institutional disregard for democratic norms and fundamental rights.

Such responses of youth have met with the brutal crackdown on demonstrations, escalating to alarming levels, with reports of physical assault by law enforcement, excessive and disproportionate deployment of tear gas, use of pressured water mixed with tear gas, and plastic bullets deliberately aimed at critical zones of the body. Between March 19 and 23, during the violent crackdowns, a total of 1,133 individuals, the majority of whom are young people, have been taken into custody. This number continues to rise daily. These detentions have been

accompanied by targeted police raids, disproportionately directed at youth, who played an active role in the leadership of the protests. During these detentions, there have been allegations of invasive strip searches, particularly targeting young women. These acts constitute clear violations of fundamental human rights and international democratic norms, demonstrating the extent of state repression against peaceful dissent.

In a further attempt to curtail the freedom of association and expression among youth, access restrictions have been imposed in Türkiye on X (formerly Twitter), affecting accounts belonging to youth and women’s organisations as well as independent media outlets. These measures have been accompanied by bandwidth throttling, significantly impeding communication and coordination among youth organisations. Such actions represent a serious infringement of the rights to freedom of expression, access to information, and peaceful assembly, and stand in clear violation of Türkiye’s obligations under international human rights law and democratic standards.

We the National Youth Council of Türkiye (GoFor), CHP Youth, the European Youth Forum, the Young European Socialists, and the International Union of Socialist Youth—condemn these anti-democratic measures in the strongest possible terms. Young people are not just the future of democracy in Türkiye; they are its present defenders. Their right to freedom of expression, peaceful assembly, and political participation must be protected, not criminalised. The continued erosion of these rights undermines not only democracy in Türkiye but also its commitment to international human rights standards.

Around the world, youth movements have consistently played a pivotal role in resisting authoritarian tendencies and defending democratic principles. In Serbia, young people mobilised in response to widespread corruption and governance failures, successfully galvanising public demand for accountability. In Belarus, youth were at the forefront of mass mobilisations following the 2020 presidential elections, widely criticized for lacking transparency and credibility, demanding electoral integrity and democratic reform. In Georgia, students and young people actively opposed legislation perceived to curtail media freedom and limit foreign-funded non-governmental organisations, which they view as a threat to democratic pluralism. In Greece, youth protests have emerged in response to police violence and perceived impunity, raising broader concerns about state accountability and the erosion of civil liberties. These movements have shown that youth solidarity transcends borders and is a powerful force for change. Türkiye's youth are now facing a similar battle, and just like elsewhere, their resilience and determination will shape the state of democracy in our country.

Now, more than ever, young people in Türkiye require the support and solidarity of the international community in their pursuit of justice, democratic governance and the protection of fundamental rights. We call on national and international actors, namely the United Nations Human Rights Council, European Union institutions, the Council of Europe, and the global youth movement, to stand in solidarity with Türkiye's youth and to hold the authorities accountable for the suppression of democratic rights. In particular, we call on our allies at the European level to amplify the voices of young people in Türkiye, to raise international awareness, and to advocate for stronger measures against the escalating repression.