/ / TÜRIKYE: ENVIRONMENTAL DEFENDER ON TRIAL

TÜRIKYE: ENVIRONMENTAL DEFENDER ON TRIAL

UA: 64.26

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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.

PLEASE TAKE ACTION AS SOON AS POSSIBLE UNTIL: December 12, 2026

Here is how you can take action:

Send a letter to the Enis Tekgül, Milas Chief Public Prosecutor
Send an email to the Enis Tekgül, Milas Chief Public Prosecutor using our email-writing tool
Send a letter and email to the Embassy of Türkiye in the United States
Post on social media

Scroll down to Step 1 and Step 2 to access the full Urgent Action appeal, email to the Türkiye authorities, and sample letter, and U.S.P.S. mailing address (if available).

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Step 1

READ THE FULL URGENT ACTION

Enter your email address and zip code to get the sample letter to send to government officials.

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You can now write a letter in your own words or download the sample below as a guide.

Remember to send your letter by December 12, 2026.

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Sample Letter

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]

Step 2

Send your message

Mail your letter to the government officials listed below. You can also email, fax, call, or post about them on social media.

Send your letter to:

Enis Tekgül, Milas Chief Public Prosecutor

Güneş Mahallesi, Labranda Bulvarı, No:53 Milas Adliyesi,

48200 Milas/MUĞLA

Fax: +90 252 512 91 91

[email protected]

and

CC: Embassy of Türkiye in the United States

Send a copy of your letter to the address below

Ambassador Sedat Önal

2525 Massachusetts Avenue, NW,

Washington DC 20008

[email protected]

When writing your letter, don’t forget to be factual, brief, and show respect. See more letter writing tips and emails, or organize and host a letter writing party.

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