Amnesty International on Monday sentenced the condemnation of the peaceful environmental activist Esra Işık in Türkiye.
Esther Major, deputy regional director for Europe at Amnesty International, recognized the broader impact of the conviction on the fight to protect the environment, saying:
Today’s decision is a devastating blow to Esra Işık and to those who have long worked to stop displacement and protect rural settlements and farmland from expanding mining activities. It is also a deeply disappointing outcome for those fighting to end the Turkish authorities’ criminalization of environmental human rights defenders.
The environmental activist was convicted of “resisting a public official in order to prevent him from carrying out his duty” and “insulting a public official.” For the former, she was sentenced to two years and one month in prison. Because of the latter charge, the court postponed the announcement of the verdict but imposed a fine of 44,200 Turkish lira (approximately $944).
was the light imprisoned for 42 days from March 30, 2026 after participating in demonstrations against an emergency expropriation Decision. The decision was expected to impact over 600 properties in the Akbelen Forest area and pave the way for the expansion of a coal mine.
Işık was released after the 6th Chamber of the Supreme Administrative Court, the State Council, made a unanimous decision exposed the expropriation order. The land was to be controlled by YK Enerji, which operates thermal power plants nearby. However, the court ruled that urgent expropriation only occurs in exceptional cases and that energy supply and economic development “do not give rise to the state of urgency required by the provisions.” Article 27 of the Expropriation Law.”
Although the criminal case against Işık is moving forward, the court’s decision to reject the expropriation is an overall victory Akbelen resistancewhich has been ongoing since October 2019 with various strategies. The plaintiffs’ lawyers in the case celebrated the decision and explains why it should be considered a victory:
The interim injunctions issued… have once again shown how justified the fight in Akbelen was. All measures taken against those defending their habitats have been re-examined by a court decision and confirmed to be illegal. The court decision received is a victory for the Akbelen Resistance – the result of our clients’ unwavering fight to protect their air, their water, their soil and, in short, their dignified life alongside nature. We salute those who resist for life. We hope this marks the beginning of an era in our country where rights are upheld and lives are protected.
Işık’s conviction is part of an ongoing trend of repression of human rights advocates in Turkey. The United Nations condemned Turkish authorities in April for criminalizing human rights groups and lawyers. Turkish authorities also recently arrested 225 activists and journalists ahead of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) summit scheduled to take place in Ankara on July 7th and 8th.
Amnesty International calls for an end to the repression of peaceful protesters: “The authorities in Turkey must stop using the criminal justice system to suppress dissent and instead protect the right to protest,” said Major.
Işık will have the opportunity to appeal both convictions.
