Healing the wounds of torture—the doctor who treats survivors in Türkiye

How did you decide to offer your medical knowledge to torture survivors?

My profession is medicine, which focuses on life as the supreme value. This includes well-being and health, which are some of the most fundamental rights. As a doctor, I am naturally involved in human rights, and I have had a special interest in this field since I was a student.

Could you tell us about the current situation of torture and ill-treatment in Türkiye?

Torture is changing: it is no longer kept secret as it was in the 80s. It is practised in public, almost as if there is a desire for it to be visible. In recent cases we have received, the police have been recording acts of violence, and these images have been deliberately circulated to the press. The goal is to send a message: if you ask for rights, you will be crushed. Another crucial aspect of this visibility is to create the perception that it is normal for a criminal to be subjected to torture.

Who are the victims of torture in Türkiye?

Torture targets peaceful demonstrators and individuals demanding certain rights, but also detainees in Turkish jails. Security forces exercise violence that goes far beyond taking control of the situation, and they do so publicly. We have documented incidents of beatings and reverse handcuffing. In detention, basic human needs such as access to healthcare, nutrition, or a hygienic environment are often not met. These violations come with psychological harassment, insults, and threats.

How do you help torture survivors?

When someone comes to us claiming to have been subjected to torture, we conduct a detailed medical assessment. If there are any wounds, bruises, scars, or skin injuries related to the incident, we describe them in detail. If the person consents, we take photographs. We check for any difficulties in performing movements or loss of bodily functions, and refer them to a specialised physician if necessary. It is also very important to understand the psychological effects of torture. Due to the prevalence of stress and anxiety disorders, we refer most of our patients to psychiatrists.

What difficulties do torture survivors face in their rehabilitation process?

In recent years, civil society in Türkiye has significantly narrowed. Torture survivors may struggle to find assistance. Additionally, some, if not all, of our patients are reluctant to use public resources, because they see the state as the perpetrator of torture. They hesitate to go to state hospitals, fearing they may deliberately be given inappropriate treatments. Another challenge survivors face is recurring detention. Repeated exposure to torture and ill-treatment can cause relapses or re-triggers. This makes it difficult for us to carry out the adequate follow-ups necessary for rehabilitation.

You have been working in this field for 11 years. What motivates you to continue helping torture survivors?

My motivation is to see torture survivors go through the rehabilitation process and heal. A few days ago, a patient said, “Thank you for reminding me that I am human.” This is the feedback we hear very often here.

What is your hope for human rights in Türkiye?

I wish for a day when my job and my organisation are no longer needed. This is my ultimate goal. Türkiye has already ratified documents that require it to completely refrain from exercising torture. The state must simply fulfil its obligations under the international conventions it has signed.

Part 1 - Türkiye: “I've been arrested and sent to prison”—a human rights lawyer tells his story

Part 2 - Türkiye: “If I felt unable to make a difference, I would stop”

Part 3 - Türkiye: “We will continue to speak up until our voices are heard”

Part 4 - Defending the right to peaceful assemblies: the challenges and resilience of Türkiye’s LGBTI+ community

Part 5 - “I was detained and beaten”: An activist’s personal battle for human rights in Türkiye’s prisons