The Art for Human Rights exhibition, organized by the Canadian Turkish Friendship Community and Advocates of Silenced Turkey (AST), is more than an art display — it is a call to action.

Through the universal language of art, this exhibition sheds light on the ongoing human rights crisis in Turkey.

Each story, each piece of art displayed here, represents real lives — people who have endured persecution, imprisonment, and exile.

Behind these works stand the voices of more than 500,000 individuals imprisoned and over 2 million people directly affected by government-led purges.

Among them are countless children, families torn apart, and professionals stripped of their rights to work and travel.

Many victims face employment bans, labeled as security risks or even “terrorists.”

They cannot feed their families, cannot leave the country legally, and often have no choice but to escape through dangerous routes like the Maritza River between Turkey and Greece.

Tragically, many lives — including those of children — have been lost in pursuit of freedom.

This exhibition calls this systematic targeting a “social genocide.”

Just as history remembers the suffering of the Jewish people in Germany, the atrocities in Rwanda, and other dark chapters of humanity, today’s injustices in Turkey demand awareness and solidarity.

Even after finding refuge in safer countries, survivors continue to struggle with trauma, PTSD, and social exclusion.

They change schools, jobs, even the way they dress — carrying invisible scars that art helps them express.

Through these powerful visual narratives, Art for Human Rights invites us to remember, to feel, and to take a stand — because silence, too, is a choice.

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This contest was dedicated to Yusuf Kerim Sayın, a 6-year-old child battling bone cancer. His mother, Gülten Sayın, was imprisoned as part of the investigations against the Gülen movement; a video of little Yusuf asking for his mother gained wide attention on social media. While undergoing chemotherapy and radiotherapy, Yusuf Kerim was only able to reunite with his mother after legal changes allowed it. His illness progressed, and he passed away on October 2, 2023. 

The contest aimed to express human rights violations through the universal language of music. Participants could submit up to three original songs, and the top three winners were chosen by public vote. 

Awards:
1st Place – $3,000
2nd Place – $2,000
3rd Place – $1,000

Through music, voices of the oppressed were carried beyond borders, reminding us all of the power of art in the fight for justice.

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The competition aimed to raise awareness of human rights violations such as:

• Political imprisonment 
• Torture 
• Deprivation of fundamental rights 

Participants joined with three original songs each.
The jury selected 15 songs for the finals, where the public voted for the winners.

Prizes awarded:
1st Place – $3,000
2nd Place – $2,000
3rd Place – $1,000

Through music, voices of the silenced were amplified, carrying a universal call for justice and freedom.

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This contest was held in memory of 9-year-old Nurefşan Teke, who tragically drowned in the Maritsa (Evros) River on March 4, 2021, while fleeing persecution with her family. Her story remains a heartbreaking reminder of the thousands forced to risk their lives in search of safety after being denied passports due to alleged ties to the Gülen movement.

The award ceremony live streamed on YouTube on Apr 20, 2020.

Awards
1st Place – $1,000
2nd Place – $500
3rd Place – $250
Certificates for the best 10 artists

Through this contest, artists from around the world used their creativity to shine a light on injustice and to honor the memory of Nurefşan and countless others silenced by oppression.

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The theme was set as “Poems Depicting Human Rights Violations in Turkey”, with the purpose of ensuring that victims are not forgotten and that their suffering is shared with broader audiences.

Awards

1st Place – $1,000

2nd Place – $500

3rd Place – $250

The deadline for submissions was October 1, 2021, and the winning poems were published by AST, allowing poets to become the voice of the silenced and to amplify their stories of pain and resilience.

The award ceremony was held on January 2, 2022, and broadcast live on AST’s YouTube channel, reaching audiences worldwide.

This meaningful contest demonstrated how poetry can transcend borders and give expression to the struggles, hopes, and memories of those who continue to face oppression.

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The contest aimed to raise awareness about human rights violations through the power of cinema, encouraging filmmakers to combine artistic expression with justice advocacy.

Subthemes included:

Political prisoners
Torture
Deprivation of basic rights
Women, babies, and the elderly in prisons

Awards:
1st Place – $3,000
2nd Place – $2,000
3rd Place – $1,000

The top 10 films were showcased on AST’s YouTube channel, giving a voice to those silenced by oppression.

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Check out the art work:
https://www.instagram.com/silencedturkey/

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