Under the leadership of the Ombudsman Club operating within the Üsküdar University Health, Culture and Sports (HCS) Department, the event titled “World Human Rights Day Gathering” was organized with the support of the Intercultural Club, The Future of Goodness Local Rights Club, Sociology Club, and The Age of Refugees Club. During the event, the development of human rights in Türkiye and human rights violations occurring around the world were discussed, while the aim was to develop rights-based thinking skills and to create cultural awareness.
The event was held at the Nermin Tarhan Conference Hall at the Üsküdar University Main Campus and was attended by Public Ombudsman Expert Hamza Günaydın, Attorney Metehan Usluerol, and club members.
Süeda Ermurat: “This event was brought to life through solidarity”
Delivering the opening speech of the event, Ombudsman Club Vice President Süeda Ermurat stated that this was the club’s first organizational event. Ermurat said: “This is our first event and we are very excited. It is not an event we organized on our own. I would like to thank the Intercultural Club, The Future of Goodness Local Rights Club, Sociology Club, and The Age of Refugees Club for their support. This event was brought to life through solidarity. Thank you all for your participation.”
Zeynep Yıldız: “We aim to spread the culture of seeking rights”
Ombudsman Club President Zeynep Yıldız drew attention to the universal nature of human rights. Yıldız said: “As the Ombudsman Club, we strive to spread the culture of seeking rights and to show that problems can be resolved through dialogue and legal means. Human rights are values that form the foundation of peace and security for everyone without any discrimination. However, today human rights are being severely violated in many parts of the world, especially in Palestine, Sudan, and the Middle East. We aim to spread the culture of seeking rights. We are together to increase this awareness.”
Attorney Metehan Usluerol: “We should see today as a day to question ourselves”
Speaking at the event, Attorney Metehan Usluerol drew attention to perspectives on human rights violations and stated the following: “We need to evaluate how fundamental rights such as the right to education, freedom of expression, and the right to life are addressed at the international level. The third article of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights states that everyone has the right to life. However, the fact that the same number of deaths receive different reactions in different geographies today shows that this right is not applied equally in practice. We should see World Human Rights Day as a day of awareness and self questioning.”
Hamza Günaydın: “Ombudsmanship is an important part of a rights based administration”
Public Ombudsman Expert Hamza Günaydın emphasized the importance of the ombudsman institution in his speech. Günaydın said: “Ombudsmanship is an important mechanism established to prevent the misuse of public power and to protect the rights of individuals. The presence of Ombudsman institutions in more than 100 countries today is an indicator of global awareness toward the protection of human rights. Ombudsmanship is an important part of a rights based administration. In Türkiye, the Institution of the Ombudsman contributes to strengthening human rights with its structure that protects citizens’ rights against the administration.”
The event concluded with a raffle held with participants and a group photo session.
