OUTCOME: On July 6, a court in Milas in the Muğla province of south-west Türkiye convicted environmental human rights defender Esra Işık for “resisting a public official to prevent them from performing their duty” and “insulting a public official”. Esra Işık was prosecuted for her participation in a peaceful protest against an urgent expropriation decision affecting villages near Akbelen forest, including her home village of İkizköy. Esra Işık is appealing her conviction and remains at liberty pending the outcome of the appeal.
NO FURTHER ACTION IS REQUESTED. MANY THANKS TO ALL WHO SENT APPEALS.
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.
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,
[YOUR NAME]
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