Turkey Remains Top Source of ECHR Complaints

The European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) has published its 2025 Annual Report, offering a comprehensive overview of its case law and application trends across Council of Europe member states. While the report shows a noticeable decline in the total number of applications submitted from Turkey compared to the previous year, Turkey once again emerged as the country with the most complaints before the Court.

According to the report, 18,464 applications were filed against Turkey in 2025. This represents a significant drop from 21,600 applications in 2024, a nearly 15 percent year-on-year decline. Despite this decrease, Turkey remains the largest shareholder of pending cases among Council of Europe members, underscoring persistent structural concerns regarding human rights protections.

Post-Coup Measures Continue to Dominate Applications

The ECHR report highlights that more than 80 percent of applications originating from Turkey are linked to measures implemented after the July 15, 2016, coup attempt. These cases largely concern detention, arrest, dismissal from public service, and judicial proceedings stemming from the state of emergency and subsequent legal frameworks.

Applicants frequently allege violations of the right to a fair trial, prolonged pre-trial detention, ineffective judicial review, and limitations on access to a fair trial. The Court notes that while some domestic remedies have been introduced over the years, the volume and consistency of complaints suggest that many applicants continue to view the ECHR as their primary avenue for redress.

ECHR Rulings: Violations Found in Majority of Cases

During 2025, the ECHR delivered judgments in 74 cases involving Turkey, covering both individual and grouped applications. In 66 of these rulings, the Court found at least one violation of the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR). In contrast, six cases resulted in no violation, while two were concluded through alternative procedural outcomes.

The most frequent violations concerned Article 6 of the Convention, which guarantees the right to a fair trial. A total of 24 judgments found violations under this provision. Following closely were 21 Article 5 cases addressing the right to liberty and security, particularly in the context of detention practices.

These findings reinforce longstanding concerns raised by international legal observers regarding judicial independence, procedural safeguards, and proportionality in criminal proceedings.

Turkey Leads as Overall Applications Decline Across Europe

Beyond Turkey, the report ranks Russia as the second-largest source of applications, with 7,177 cases, followed by Ukraine (4,004), Poland (3,517), Italy (2,787), Greece (2,562), Romania (2,489), and Azerbaijan (2,180).

On a broader scale, the ECHR recorded an 11 percent decline in total applications, bringing the total to 53,450 cases in 2025. However, Court officials caution that this downward trend may be temporary. Based on current filing patterns, the ECHR anticipates a record number of applications in 2026, driven by unresolved systemic disputes in several member states.

New Wave of Applications Expected in 2026

ECHR sources report that approximately 650 new applications against Turkey have already been filed since the beginning of the year. A substantial portion of these submissions comes from individuals dismissed from public office following the 2016 coup attempt.

Anticipating a potential surge in mass applications involving similar legal claims, the Court has introduced special administrative measures to improve efficiency. These measures, which took effect on January 1, 2026, are designed to streamline case management without compromising procedural standards.

Under the new rules, applicants must submit their cases using a mandatory cover sheet, complete the official application form available on the Court’s website, and ensure that all documents are electronically completed and prepared individually for each applicant before submission.

Rising Number of Applications From Sports Clubs

The report also highlights a notable increase in applications from Turkish sports clubs, particularly those affiliated with the Turkish Football Federation (TFF). Currently, approximately 60 pending cases before the ECHR concern the independence and impartiality of the TFF Arbitration Board.

Earlier this month, the ECHR ruled that the Arbitration Board lacks sufficient institutional independence, a decision that could have wide-ranging implications for sports governance and dispute resolution mechanisms in Turkey. Legal experts suggest that this ruling may encourage further applications from clubs seeking judicial oversight beyond domestic sports arbitration bodies.

Broader Implications for Human Rights Oversight

The 2025 Annual Report underscores the ECHR’s continued role as a central guardian of human rights standards in Europe. While Turkey’s declining application numbers may suggest incremental progress, the country’s sustained position at the top of the complaints list highlights unresolved structural issues.