Turkish film producer Çiğdem Mater remains in prison, convicted for the “intention” to create a documentary on the 2013 Gezi Park protests—a film never made. Her sentence highlights the rise of artistic repression in Turkey, turning creative planning into a crime. Ongoing global advocacy efforts push for her release as her case becomes a global symbol in the fight for artistic and civic freedoms
Since 2016, SUSMA24 (Speak Up Platform) has fought against rising censorship in Turkey’s cultural sector. Formed under P24 by journalists and civil rights advocates, the initiative unites 120+ institutions to document suppression, support artists, and engage international bodies. From legal victories to global advocacy and banned art exhibitions, SUSMA24 showcases how grassroots resilience and transnational solidarity protect artistic freedom.
Turkish-Kurdish filmmaker Kazım Öz was acquitted of “terrorist propaganda” charges over his 2017 film Zer. The Istanbul court ruled there was insufficient evidence of intent to promote violence, highlighting ongoing pressures on artistic freedom in Turkey. The case draws attention to challenges faced by filmmakers exploring Kurdish identity and historical trauma
X blocks opposition accounts amid Turkey protests, raising free speech concerns.
The recent jailing of Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu has sparked significant political unrest in Turkey, leading to widespread protests and heightened tensions between the government and opposition forces.
