Local residents of Perşembe Plateau and representatives of environmental organizations stage a protest against gold mining exploration in the area, July 19, 2026.
(Istanbul, October 13, 2026) – The authorities in Türkiye, the host of the upcoming 2026 United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP31), are arbitrarily arresting and prosecuting activists and others involved in environmental protests even as the summit nears, Human Rights Watch said today.
“With Türkiye about to host the annual UN climate change summit, its environmental crackdown is a salient reminder of its intolerance of dissent,” said Deniz Bayram, assistant Europe and Central Asia researcher at Human Rights Watch. “Turkish authorities should listen to people’s concerns about the environmental impact of activities such as mining in their areas and address them, instead of arresting and prosecuting protesters.”
In August 2026, Human Rights Watch interviewed 23 people who had been at environmental protests and reviewed relevant media reports, documents, and judicial proceedings.
Human Rights Watch also documented the treatment of environmental protesters in two of the areas currently affected. Protests against coal mining in the Akbelen forest in Türkiye’s southwest Muğla province have been taking place since 2023, while gold mining exploration in the Perşembe Plateau and surrounding areas in the eastern Black Sea region has sparked protests throughout 2026. Authorities in both areas have forcibly dispersed nonviolent protesters, including by using tear gas, water cannons, and pepper spray. Police have arrested and fined protesters and intimidated local residents with arbitrary identity checks.
In September, Human Rights Watch wrote to the Interior Ministry, the Milas Chief Prosecution Office in Muğla, the Korgan Chief Prosecution Office in Ordu, and the Tirebolu Chief Prosecution Office
