1. Case Title

G. B. v. Türkiye – Human Rights Committee, Interim Measures (Communication No. 3592/2019)

2. Respondent State

Türkiye

3. Established Human Rights Concerns

The Committee found that G. B. faced a risk of serious and irreparable harm due to incommunicado detention, lack of access to a lawyer, and deprivation of medical care. These conditions were deemed incompatible with the ICCPR’s protections relating to liberty, security and humane treatment.

4. Committee Classification / Theme of the Case

The communication falls under urgent protective measures of Rule 94, involving arbitrary detention, denial of procedural safeguards, and violations of the right to health and dignity. It also raises concerns linked to state surveillance practices and abusive monitoring that contributed to the deprivation of rights.

5. Impact

The Committee ordered Türkiye to end G. B.’s incommunicado detention, ensure immediate access to a lawyer and doctor of his choice, provide necessary medical care, and consider alternatives to imprisonment such as house arrest. This intervention reinforces that denial of counsel and incommunicado detention constitute grave ICCPR violations. Importantly, the case is recognised as one of the most significant international cases involving mass surveillance and state monitoring practices, due to the state’s use of intrusive oversight mechanisms against the author. The Bar Human Rights Committee of England & Wales submitted an amicus brief in support of the communication, underscoring the case’s global relevance and its importance for international human rights jurisprudence.