Freedom Convention 2022

Since the failed coup attempt in 2016, Turkish government has been carrying out profound human rights violations against hundreds of thousands of people – from arbitrary deprivation of the right to work and to freedom of movement, to torture and other ill-treatment, arbitrary detentions and infringements of the rights to freedom of association and expression.

AST, deeply concerned about Turkey’s government’s disregard of human rights, has been organizing The Freedom Convention since 2020. Remarking on the international covenants, of which Turkey is a state party, this year the convention will address the arbitrary deprivation of civil and political rights and crack down on freedom of expression in Turkey.

Participants and experts will also discuss international humanitarian law in today’s world and conflict related abuses including Ukraine case and pushbacks in Greece.

Thus, as a unique event focused on Turkey, Freedom Convention 2022 will bring ongoing violations and persecutions in Turkey to the global attention and provide a platform for strategies and recommendations to end those violations.

Session 1 – Arbitrary Deprivation of Civil and Political Rights in Turkey
December 10, 9-10.30 AM EST

Kani Xulam – American Kurdish Information Network – USA
Meral Simsek – Journalist & Author – Germany
Levent Maziliguney – Lawyer – Turkey
Abdullah Demirbas – Politician, Former Mayor of Sur Municipality – Switzerland
Mahsuni Karaman – Lawyer – Turkey
Katrina Lantos – President, Lantos Foundation for Human Rights & Justice – USA

Session 2 – Crackdown on Freedom of Expression in Turkey
December 10, 11.00 AM -12.30 PM EST

Mohamed Shafie – Legal Consultant & Robert Glidden Visiting Professor, Ohio University – South Africa
Gokhan Toy – Lawyer, Institute for Diplomacy and Economy – Canada
Levent Kenez – Journalist – Sweden
Bulent Kenes – Journalist – Sweden