Freemuse Highlights Türkiye’s Growing Restrictions on Arts and Civil Society

Freemuse and P24 – Susma has made a submission for consideration by the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) on Türkiye to the United Nations (UN) 49th Session of the Human Rights Council that will be held in April/May 2025. The UPR is a UN process that reviews human rights records of all members states every five years. The joint submission examines Türkiye’s compliance with international and Constitutional commitments on freedom of expression, artistic freedom, assembly, and cultural expression, especially for LGBTQ+ groups.

Rather than strengthening rights mechanisms, the Turkish government has expanded counter-terror measures, increasing surveillance and persecution of civil society, arts, and culture, often equating criticism with terrorism. Kurdish artists, in particular, are heavily affected, with arts events frequently banned or cancelled under vague claims of “public order” or “security” despite the state’s duty to protect public safety. In the summer of 2024, for example, the crackdown on Kurdish music extended to weddings and social gatherings, with legal outcomes still unclear. Similarly, LGBTQ+ cultural events and assemblies are labelled as “socially questionable” under broad pretexts such as “public morals” “health” and “security.” In both cases, appeals against cancellations and bans often languish in an already overburdened court system.

Freemuse and P24 – Susma urge Türkiye to limit the discretionary powers of non-elected officials, refrain from using anti-terror laws against non-violent artistic works, and protect artists, creative workers, and audiences from threats and violence. Additionally, the report calls on Türkiye to revoke Penal Code Article 216, which is often used to restrict artistic freedom, especially against minorities. It also calls for the removal of criminal defamation and insult laws and recommends limiting public officials, authorities, and the President from filing defamation cases in criminal and civil courts.

Read the full report here.