Police in Istanbul used unnecessary and excessive force to break up a peaceful vigil by relatives of people who have been forcibly disappeared on Saturday 25 August 2018. The weekly peaceful vigil in Beyoğlu district was due to mark the 700th week of the protest since 1995 and is known as the “Saturday Mothers” vigil. Amnesty International calls on the Turkish authorities to carry out a prompt, impartial, independent and effective investigation into the allegations of unnecessary and excessive use of force and ill-treatment committed by police officers against those who gathered to demand accountability for enforced disappearances. The authorities must also ensure that Saturday Mothers can continue with their weekly peaceful gathering as planned at Galatasaray square.
