There are 4 months remaining in the 2-year implementation period of the Haklara Destek Program. In other words, we have now left 20 months behind. During this time, many organizations have successfully reached their goals, while others still continue their efforts. We’re still collaborating closely with specialists through the capacity development program, with some initiatives already completed. On September 9, we will continue our experience sharing meetings, focusing on monitoring practices in child-related studies. Our webinar series also continues, and in December, we’ll host our final network meeting on freedom of association, before the program’s closing event.
In this newsletter, you can find updates from Haklara Destek organizations and various networks, as well as announcements regarding funding opportunities. Title: Stronger Together Cover Illustration:Adonis Papadopoulos
News From Haklara Destek Organizations
Since January, Cultural Research Center of Peace (Barış İçin Kültürel Araştırmalar Derneği, bakad), with the support of the SAHNE Project of the Turkey Europe Foundation, has been sharing Kurdish and Turkish news called “peace compass”. Within the scope of this project, discriminatory language used in news coverage is carefully revised and transformed before being shared. The center has also established the LGBTI+ counseling line with the support of The University of Chicago International House/Davis Projects for Peace and has been providing peer support since July.
On July 13, Women’s State of Solidarity Association (Dayanışmanın Kadın Hali Derneği, DAKAHDER) organized the first of its online trainings on Basic Fundraising Methods and Techniques with Hatice Demir as part of the Capacity Building in Civil Society Organizations in the Context of Gender Equality project. The association also released the July report they prepared within the scope of our Empowerment of Women and LGBTI+ in Politics project.
Denizli Autism Association (Denizli Otizm Derneği, DOD) and Istanbul Autism Volunteers Association, which advocates for the legal rights of people with autism, aired the video “Gerçekler Bu Değil!” on their activities within the scope of the Together Against Discrimination grant program. On August 5 in Malatya, during their fourth meeting with the Istanbul Autism Volunteers Association, the association gave a talk on legal applications related to the project. They also discussed possible actions that can be taken at the provincial level to further their efforts. On August 12, the association conversed with Birsen Bozkurt on Deha TV about their work and the legal application processes in case of rights violations in the field of autism.
Dicle Fırat Journalists Association (Dicle Fırat Gazeteciler Derneği, DFG) released their monthly report titled “Rights Violations against Journalists” for July and August 2024.
Diyarbakır Association for the Protection of Cultural and Natural Assets (Diyarbakır Kültür Tabiat Varlıklarını Koruma ve Yaşatma Derneği, DKVD) is conducting oral history with Yazidi Kurds and Armenians in Alagyaz (Armenia) as part of Alagyaz and Diyarbakır: Stories and Impressions of Two Communities project, funded by the Eurasia Partnership Foundation.
On June 29-30, Minus 25 Association (Eksi 25 Derneği) held a “Sexual Education: Basic Concepts and Approaches” workshop for youth groups and professional groups in cooperation with the Turkish Family Health and Planning Foundation(TAPV).
Association of Barrier-Free Access (Engelsiz Erişim Derneği) published the 125th issue of their magazine Equal Accessible Barrier-Free Life (EEEH).
As part of the Refugee LGBTI+ Program, HEVI LGBTI+ Association (HEVİ LGBTİ+ Derneği) conducted a three-day visit to Hatay to assess the current conditions of refugee LGBTI+ individuals following the February 6 earthquake and to offer support. During this visit, they met with seven different organizations and coordinated plans for solidarity and empowerment activities aimed at strengthening the refugee LGBTI+ community. On July 15, Ameda Karakuzu from Hevi attended Yeşil Gazete’s Uluorta program. She talked about the sexual health of LGBTI+s and their experiences in accessing sexual health products.
İsmail Beşikçi Foundation (İsmail Beşikçi Vakfı, İBV) completed its Spring 2024 Academy, which ran throughout July and August. The 53rd issue of Kurdish History Magazine has been published, featuring a special dossier on the Zazas. The books İsmail Beşikçi Davalar I-II-III-IV-V and İbrahim Gürbüz’s book “Li ber siya welatê min rêyeke dûr û dirêj - 1: LI QERAXÊ JIYANÊ” were published.
On May 15th Kurdish Language Day Women’s Time Association (Kadın Zamanı Derneği) organized a panel titled “We are talking about the Right to Mother Tongue”. The association participated in the 27th Interim Assembly of Women’s Shelters and Counseling Centers held in Urfa on June 7-9. On May 12, Esra Kahraman’s article "Women Face Psychological Violence due to the Mother Tongue Ban", Esra Kılıç’s article “Statute of Limitations and Time Resisters", Şükran Demir’s article "What Have You Done for 3-Year-Old Dilek Serin?", and Derya Aslan’s article "Ecofeminism Against the Exploitation of Women and Nature" were published in Jin Magazine. On July 12, association president Dilek Başalan spoketo Jinnews about the increasing number of women killings. On August 3, the association commemorated the Yazidi women who lost their lives in the Yazidi massacre. On August 8, the association held a candle workshop with women at the association building. The report “Monitoring Report on the Access of Kurdish Women in Istanbul to Violence Response Mechanisms in Their Mother Tongue within the Context of Local Government”, prepared with the support of Etkiniz EU Programme Human Rights Monitoring Support, was published in Kurdish, Turkish, and English.
Association of Families and Friends of LGBTI+ in Turkey (LGBTİ+ Aileleri ve Yakınları Derneği, LISTAG) published their new book, Colors of Life, which includes true stories about the difficulties, struggles, and victories of LGBTI+ individuals and their families (you can download it from the link). If you would like to obtain a copy of the book, edited by Yasemin Zeynep Başaran, you can write to info@listag.org.
Mordem Art and Ecological Life Association (Mordem Sanat ve Ekolojik Yaşam Derneği, MORDEM) will be organizing the 5th Solo Fest on October 18-27. The festival has opened applications for artists working in the fields of solo performances, contemporary dance, traditional narrative genres, and contemporary rituals and performances. To apply, you can send an e-mail to solofestmordem@gmail.com with your video, poster, photograph, and the script of the play.
Children First Association (Önce Çocuklar Derneği), in collaboration with the Human Rights Foundation of Turkey, organized a series of workshops on environmental rights as part of the “Yarınlara Daha Haklı” project. Immediately following the workshops, the association organized a trip to the Nature Agricultural Area in Diyarbakır on June 22. Children’s organizations, including the Children First Association, the children’s commission of the Diyarbakır Municipality and the Mesopotamia Psychologists Association (Der-Mez) conducted a survey in the area after the fire in June. As part of the Sabancı Foundation’s 2024-2025 Grant Program, the organization will offer trainings for women and girls in Adıyaman on basic issues such as sexual and reproductive health and menstrual cycles, and distribute hygiene kits. Their activities with children continue at Adıyaman Kömür Cultural Center.
Roman Youth Association (Roman Gençlik Derneği), in cooperation with Edirne, is implementing the project “Supporting Roma Children’s Access to Kindergarten and Primary School Education” under the project “EU Regional Action for Roma Education: Increasing Educational Support and Opportunities for Roma Students in the Western Balkans and Turkey (RARE), Phase II” project supported by the Roma Education Fund Romania Foundation (REF Romania). Through this project, efforts are being made to support the preschool education of Roma children living in Edirne, enhance their school readiness, and improve both their primary school attendance and academic success.
Rosa Women’s Association (Rosa Kadın Derneği) participated in the Amed Ecology workshop organized by the Ecology Association in ÇAND Amed.
Kevser Özcan, Chairperson of the Board of Directors of the Health Right Association (Sağlık Hakkı Derneği), was the guest of Elif Karahan Toker on TRT Radio 1’s Günebakan program. Dilan Ezgi Ayyıldız, the Sexual and Reproductive Health Coordinator of the association, provided important information on what everyone should know about HPV.
Social Policy Gender Identity and Sexual Orientation Studies Association (Sosyal Politika Cinsiyet Kimliği ve Cinsel Yönelim Çalışmaları Derneği, SPoD) shared the activities, events, campaigns they organized and the announcements they made in the first half of 2024 in SPoD Activity Bulletin.
Sulukule Volunteers Association (Sulukule Gönüllüleri Derneği, SGD) and Günbağı Village Culture and Solidarity Association organized various workshops in schools in Erzincan and Istanbul as part of the My Dream School Project (Hayalimdeki Okul Projesi) supported by the Sabancı Foundation. The project continued throughout the 2023-2024 school year.
Youth Re-Autonomy Foundation of Turkey (Türkiye Çocuklara Yeniden Özgürlük Vakfı) will participate in the 46th Istanbul Marathon and run for young people.
In partnership with Yayla (GOLA) Culture, Art and Ecology Association (Yayla (GOLA) Kültür, Sanat ve Ekoloji Derneği) a series of screenings and talks were organized in Fındıklı Rize on August 2-4 as part of Documentarist Mobile Ecological Documentary Days. In August, the association celebrated its 18th anniversary.
News From Networks
Diyarbakır City Protection and Solidarity Platform (Diyarbakır Kent Koruma ve Dayanışma Platformu) issued a press statement regarding the attacks on two private businesses in Sur district of Diyarbakır on July 13.
Dicle Amed Women’s Platform (Dicle Amed Kadın Platformu)constituents came together on July 18 to raise their voices against the increasing massacres.
Women’s Platform for Equality (Eşitlik İçin Kadın Platformu, EŞİK) addressed the Justice Commission of the Grand National Assembly of Turkey on July 9, saying “We do not accept the imposition of surnames”. On August 10, they also applied to the Human Rights and Equality Institution of Turkey and the Ombudsman’s Office to put an end to the imposition of surnames on women.
The Observatory for the Protection of Human Rights Defenders and the International Observatory for Lawyers in Danger (OIAD), a joint initiative of the International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH) and the World Organization Against Torture (OMCT), released a report sharing their judicial observations on the first hearing of the trial of Human Rights Association (IHD) members Eren Keskin and Güllistan Yarkın.
Hafıza Merkezi Newsletter
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