Civil society in Turkey is organizing a counter-conference during the Conference of the Parties (COP) on climate change, with the aim of asserting its presence amid an ever-more-authoritarian political landscape.
Against the strengthening of state power
Since late -2023, there have been multiple cases of judicial persecution against social leaders, environmentalists, and human rights defenders. In several instances, activists have been accused of illegal activities related to the environment or criticism of government policies, although no official statements confirm these charges in all cases.
In a note published by El País, it is stated that these legal processes, together with documented assassinations over recent years, aim to silence community initiatives challenging Turkey's current political model. The information comes exclusively from this article and has not been independently verified nor corroborated by other institutions.
The counter-conference as a response
Organizers indicate that the counter-conference aims to create an alternative space for dialogue outside formal state channels, where civil sectors can present their proposals without government intermediation. No official statements have been made regarding governmental support or formal participation in this initiative.
There is no available evidence linking the killings mentioned directly to specific environmental activities; the allegations remain part of a narrative amplified by independent media and are not supported by verified investigations or public documents.
Limits of the material
The content available comes exclusively from El País, whose front page reports this fact without providing details about the organizational structure, the exact number of activists affected, or the geographic scope of the events. It has not been confirmed whether there are links between the killings and specific environmental activities that have been criticized in the country.
No data is available to establish a direct causal relationship between government actions and civil responses. The information presented does not include official sources nor third-partyverified testimonies.