Engin Gökoğlu is a human rights lawyer from the People’s Law Office in Turkey, an organisation which represents the victims of police violence and other human rights violations carried out by state officials. Engin Gökoğlu is a legal representative of Nuriye Gülmen and Semih Özakça, two teachers dismissed from their positions following the failed coup attempt on 15 July 2016.
Human rights defenders (HRDs) in Turkey have been subjected to judicial harassment, including criminal prosecution, violent attacks, threats, surveillance, prolonged arbitrary detention, and ill-treatment. In the aftermath of an attempted coup in July 2016, the environment for the work of HRDs deteriorated even further.
Through the wide-ranging use of State of Emergency laws, the Turkish government has significantly infringed on the rights to freedom of expression, media, assembly, and association, and has particularly restricted the liberty of those engaged in human rights work. These laws enable even further human rights violations, as HRDs often do not have the freedom to monitor the activities of the security forces, who have been granted extensive powers.
