This report has been prepared by the Military and Lawyer members of Pour Chaque Victime (PCV) who are experts in their fields. The report analyzes the allegations of extrajudicial killings that occurred during the military activity in Türkiye on 15 July 2016 and the systematic weaknesses in the investigation and accountability mechanisms regarding these violations.
The report has been prepared in order to present to the United Nations Special Rapporteur on Unlawful, Extrajudicial or Arbitrary Executions the allegations of extrajudicial executions against the soldiers who allegedly participated in the military activity and the investigative weaknesses related to these allegations. The information presented is sufficiently detailed for urgent review under the Rapporteur’s terms of reference and to request clarification from the government.
The information and evidence presented support the allegations that the events took place in a certain pattern rather than being momentary developments and should be examined within the framework of international human rights standards. In this context, it is considered that the necessary and sufficient sensitivity is not shown to protect the right to life, which must be provided under all circumstances in accordance with international obligations.
Moreover, there is a widespread opinion that the issue of paramilitary groups taking to the streets that night, procuring weapons and carrying out extrajudicial executions was not adequately investigated. The legal regulation enacted after the military activity, which states that « persons who act within the scope of the suppression of the July 15 coup attempt and terrorist acts and their continuation will not have any legal, administrative, financial and criminal responsibility »[1] strengthens this opinion.
In this context, in accordance with Article 6 of the ICCPR and General Comment No. 36 of the Human Rights Committee, regarding the absolute protection of the right to life; It is considered that it does not adequately fulfill its negative obligations (avoiding direct execution) and positive obligations (preventing life-threatening acts + effective investigation)
[1] https://www.bbc.com/turkce/haberler-turkiye-42471577 (Accessed 07 February 2026)