The Human Rights and Legal Affairs Directorate of HÜDA PAR has strongly criticized security operations and detention measures carried out across Turkey ahead of the 36th NATO Leaders’ Summit.

In a written statement, the group expressed concern over operations conducted in major cities including Ankara and Istanbul, as well as other provinces, which have involved detentions and arrests in the run-up to the high-profile international event hosted by Turkey.

The statement highlighted that the targeting of individuals publicly known for their religious identities, scholarly activities, and alternative viewpoints has raised serious questions about the true intent and timing of the operations.

“Especially the targeting of individuals known publicly for their religious identities, scholarly activities, and different viewpoints has made the timing and real purpose of these operations even more controversial,” the statement said.

HÜDA PAR also condemned the methods used during some detention operations, describing them as disproportionate and inconsistent with the rule of law.

“What is even more grave is that detention operations at some addresses were carried out by breaking down doors and using methods that contradict the principle of proportionality,” the group stated.

“In a state governed by the rule of law, criminal procedural measures cannot turn into a show of force or an attempt to intimidate society. The duty of the state is not to produce fear, but to uphold justice.”

The organization further stressed its long-standing position against using security policies as a pretext to target individuals and groups with differing views.

“As we have repeatedly expressed before, we do not approve of targeting individuals and groups with different viewpoints under the pretext of security policies, resorting to disproportionate detention measures, or practices that could create a climate of fear in society,” the statement read.

“Law is not a tool for suppressing different thoughts, but for guaranteeing rights and freedoms.”

HÜDA PAR called on Turkish authorities to immediately abandon practices that could lead to new grievances and urged respect for core legal principles.

“We invite the authorities to respect the supremacy of law, the presumption of innocence, the principle of proportionality, and the right to a fair trial,” the statement noted.

 “We once again emphasize that they must immediately abandon unlawful practices, methods that create a perception of fear and pressure in society, and this approach that may lead to new grievances.”

The NATO Leaders’ Summit is scheduled to take place in Türkiye on 7–8 July 2026, with expectations of high-level international attendance. (ILKHA)