Held on the occasion of 𝗜𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗻𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗪𝗼𝗺𝗲𝗻’𝘀 𝗗𝗮𝘆, the program included an 𝗶𝗳𝘁𝗮𝗿 𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗻𝗲𝗿 for the participants and a screening of the documentary 𝗠𝗲𝘁𝗮𝗺𝗼𝗿𝗽𝗵𝗼𝘀𝗶𝘀, which focuses on the human rights violations experienced by women.

At this special program, 𝟮𝟱 𝗺𝗲𝗺𝗼𝗿𝗮𝗯𝗶𝗹𝗶𝗮 𝗶𝘁𝗲𝗺𝘀 belonging to women and children were exhibited. Among them, 𝘁𝘄𝗼 𝗺𝗲𝗺𝗼𝗿𝗶𝗲𝘀 𝗲𝘅𝗵𝗶𝗯𝗶𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗳𝗶𝗿𝘀𝘁 𝘁𝗶𝗺𝗲 particularly drew attention.

One of these items was the denim jacket belonging to Kurdish writer 𝗠𝗲𝗿𝗮𝗹 𝗦̧𝗶𝗺𝘀̧𝗲𝗸. The jacket she wore while crossing the 𝗠𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗰̧ 𝗥𝗶𝘃𝗲𝗿 during the period when she was forced to leave Turkey was displayed in the exhibition as one of the symbols of the tragedy experienced. During the crossing, Şimşek was pushed into the water and survived at the last moment.

Another item displayed for the first time in the exhibition was the clothes worn by the children of visually impaired teacher 𝗦𝗲𝘃𝗶𝗺 𝗗𝗲𝗺𝗶𝗿𝗱𝗲𝗹𝗲𝗻 during the Meriç crossing. Demirdelen and her husband had been unjustly imprisoned during this period.

A total of 25 university and high school students volunteered in the organization of the program. The event was hosted by 𝗔𝘁𝗹𝗮𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗰 𝗜𝗻𝘀𝘁𝗶𝘁𝘂𝘁𝗲 𝗡𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗵 𝗙𝗹𝗼𝗿𝗶𝗱𝗮 and 𝗔𝗱𝘃𝗼𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗲𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝗦𝗶𝗹𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲𝗱 𝗧𝘂𝗿𝗸𝗲𝘆.

The coordinator of the exhibition, Aslihan Kas, delivered the following message in her speech:

“𝗗𝗲𝘀𝗽𝗶𝘁𝗲 𝗮𝗹𝗹 𝗼𝗯𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗰𝗹𝗲𝘀, 𝘄𝗼𝗺𝗲𝗻 𝘄𝗶𝗹𝗹 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗻𝘂𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝘀𝘁𝗿𝘂𝗴𝗴𝗹𝗲 𝘁𝗼𝗿 𝗳𝗿𝗲𝗲𝗱𝗼𝗺, 𝗷𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗲, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗽𝗲𝗮𝗰𝗲.”

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The event, organized in partnership with the Dialogue Institute of Kansas City, drew a diverse and engaged audience. Viewers were deeply moved—many expressing how emotional and thought-provoking the stories were. The powerful testimonies sparked heartfelt conversations and a renewed sense of solidarity.

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The event aimed to raise awareness of human rights abuses, particularly the challenges faced by children whose parents have been imprisoned. Following the documentary screening, a panel of experts, academics, and activists discussed the ongoing human rights violations, the hardships faced by exiled and incarcerated families, and the broader impact of state oppression.

“The Destruction of Academic Freedom: 8 Years in Prison”

The event’s coordinator, Assistant Professor Mehmet Soyer, a faculty member at Utah State University’s Department of Sociology, shared a powerful story about the crackdown on academic freedom in Turkey. He spoke about his former colleague Aziz, who was imprisoned for his academic work:

“Aziz was a far more brilliant academic than I was. After completing his education, he returned to Turkey, hoping to serve his country. But instead of being rewarded for his achievements, he was punished. He has been in prison for eight years now, with no known release date. If I had returned to Turkey at the same time, I might have suffered the same fate. Silencing intellectuals and scholars is not just a loss for individuals—it is a loss for the entire society.”

“Migrant Communities Living in Fear of Deportation”

Dr. Crescencio López González, Head of the Department of World Languages and Cultures at Utah State University, highlighted the ongoing struggles of Latin immigrants in the U.S.:

“These people flee violence in their home countries, only to face brutality at the border and the constant fear of deportation afterward. They did not choose this life, yet they live in fear every day. We need to listen to their stories, humanize their experiences, raise awareness, and organize to take action.”

Similarly, Abbas Ehsani, Outreach Director of Cache Refugee and Immigrant Connection (CRIC), spoke about the experiences of Afghan refugee children:

“These children are grateful for the resources provided by the community, but sharing their stories does more than help us understand their experiences. It creates opportunities—access to education, healthcare, social activities, and therapy for children who have endured trauma.”

“Baby Cevdet’s Blender: A Family’s Struggle for Survival”

One of the most moving parts of the event was the Silent Screams exhibition, where personal objects told the stories of persecuted families. Randy Williams, folklorist and ethnographer (USU Emerita), shared the heartbreaking story behind Baby Cevdet’s blender:

“Cevdet’s family was forced to flee after their boat malfunctioned and nearly exploded. They waded through water for hours—his father carried him above the water to keep him dry, while his mother protected the medical devices that kept him alive: a nebulizer to help him breathe and a blender to puree his food, as he cannot eat solid foods. Their escape continued with a grueling nine-hour climb through the mountains. On display here is Cevdet’s blender—a silent witness to the unimaginable hardships they endured.”

“Bearing Witness to Human Rights Violations: Hafsa Girdap”

Hafsa Girdap, Spokesperson for Advocates of Silenced Turkey and Gender & Immigration Researcher at Stony Brook University, addressed the systemic oppression faced by marginalized groups in Turkey:

“Both The Other Children documentary and the Silent Screams exhibition serve as powerful testaments to ongoing human rights violations in Turkey, particularly against stigmatized and dehumanized groups—including Kurdish communities, members of the Hizmet movement, and Alevis. These projects bridge the gap between abstract reports of oppression and the deeply personal stories of those affected, making it impossible to ignore the human cost of authoritarian policies.

At the local level, these initiatives provide a platform for discussions on democracy, human rights, and social justice. By engaging with universities, human rights organizations, and advocacy groups, the documentary and exhibition foster grassroots activism—empowering individuals to support asylum seekers, advocate for policy changes, and educate others about the realities in Turkey.

At the global level, the impact extends beyond raising awareness—it is about creating international pressure on governments, human rights organizations, and policymakers to hold the Turkish government accountable. These projects also serve a crucial historical function—documenting the experiences of victims so that their suffering is neither forgotten nor repeated.”

“We Must Be Their Voice in Free Countries”

During the panel discussion, speakers emphasized the importance of raising awareness and standing against human rights abuses. A powerful message was shared:

“The persecuted did not choose to leave their countries. Just as we did not choose to live in this country, they did not choose their fate. But now that we are here, in a free country, it is our responsibility to be their voice. Every time we remain silent, we allow injustice to continue. Telling these stories, raising awareness, and taking action is in our hands.”

Supporters and Collaborators

The event was organized with the support of various academic departments and civil society organizations, including:

• USU Department of Sociology, Anthropology, and Criminal Justice
• USU Mountain West Center for Regional Studies
• USU Center for Community Engagement
• USU Heravi Peace Institute
• United Nations Association of Utah
• Emerald Hills Institute
• Utah Humanities
• Cache Refugee and Immigrant Connection

Participants emphasized that the event was an important step in raising awareness of human rights violations and that similar initiatives must continue.

This event at Utah State University was a crucial effort in bringing global attention to human rights abuses in Turkey and ensuring that the voices of victims are heard on an international scale.

The post “The Other Children” Documentary Screening and Social Exhibition of Silent Screams Held at Utah State University appeared first on Advocates of Silenced Turkey.

On March 11, the documentary “Metamorphosis: Women’s Struggle for Freedom in Turkey” was screened in New York by Advocates of Silenced Turkey (AST). Alongside the screening, a panel discussion and the  Exhibition of Silent Screams were held to bring attention to women’s rights violations in Turkey.

A distinguished group of academics, activists, and legal experts from the United States, Romania, Belgium, Denmark, and Canada gathered for this meaningful event, held over an iftar dinner.

Metamorphosis: Women’s Struggle for Freedom in Turkey

The director of the documentary, Aslıhan Kas, shared insights about the emotional and challenging filming process:
“After 2016, hundreds of women lost their lives in prisons, on migration routes, and under oppression. Tens of thousands have been forced to risk death and flee their countries. There were many hard and emotional moments during the filming.”

Kas emphasized that they interviewed four brave women for the documentary:

• A writer was imprisoned because of her writings.
• A dormitory manager was abused in custody and faced the risk of rape.
• A judge was arrested along with her husband.
• A mother of four was subjected to a strip search when she was arrested.

Kas stressed, “They resisted, and we bore witness. Now, we must share their voices, stand for justice, and ensure no woman suffers like this again.”

A Call for Solidarity and Justice

AST spokesperson Hafza Girdap moderated the program, emphasizing the emotional impact of the documentary.

Audience members reflected on the power of collective action, calling for solidarity in the fight for women’s rights.

Prof. Vonya Womack, President of Refugees Unknown, and Human Rights Activist Fatma Yılmaz also delivered powerful messages, urging continued efforts for justice.

Retired ophthalmologist Shelley Peck underscored the injustice against women, stating, “For years, women have borne the heaviest burden of political and social events. Even a movement promoting peace, education, and tolerance is distorted by those unwilling to understand.”

As Metamorphosis continues to be screened in private venues, it will also participate in film festivals worldwide, amplifying the voices of women.

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