Following his visit in Turkey in December 2025, today Michael O’Flaherty, Commissioner for Human Rights at the Council of Europe, published a memorandum on “Freedom of expression, peaceful assembly and association  and aspects of the administration of justice in Turkey”, which shed light on quite a few criticalities. In the 14-page text, the Commissioner expresses concern for freedom of expression; the criminal code and antiterrorism laws are excessively used to restrict peaceful dissent, the defence of human rights and journalism. At the time of his visit, there were at least 29 journalists under arrest. It is reported that websites are frequently blocked, restrictions are imposed on social media and regulatory censures are enforced on grounds of “morality” or “national values”. As to freedom of assembly and association, peaceful rallies are prohibited, and force is disproportionately used by police, as it happened during the widespread protests in March 2025. NGOs face administrative checks and threats of closure. As to the justice system, persistent challenges are reported regarding judicial independence, fair trial guarantees, restrictions imposed on Lawyers’ Associations and the execution of Constitutional Court judgments. Turkey needs to implement all judgments of the European Court of Human Rights “without further delays”, the Commissioner goes on, and re-join the Istanbul Convention to bridge the protection gap regarding violence against women.