Under the leadership of the Ombudsman Club, operating within Üsküdar Üniversitesi Health, Culture and Sports (SKS) Department, and supported by the Intercultural Club, Local Rights Club for the Future of Goodness, Sociology Club, and Contemporary Refugee Club, a “World Human Rights Day Meeting” event was organized. During the event, the development of human rights in Turkey and human rights violations worldwide were discussed, aiming to develop rights-based thinking skills and create cultural awareness.
The event, held at Üsküdar Üniversitesi Central Campus Nermin Tarhan Conference Hall, was attended by Public Auditor Expert Hamza Günaydın, Lawyer Metehan Usluerol, and club members.
Süeda Ermurat: “This event was brought to life through solidarity”
Süeda Ermurat, Vice President of the Ombudsman Club, who made the opening speech of the event, stated that this was their first club organization. Ermurat said; “This is our first event and we are very excited. This is not an event we did alone. I would like to thank the Intercultural Club, the Local Rights Club for the Future of Goodness, the Sociology Club, and the Contemporary Refugee Club for their support. This event was brought to life through solidarity. We thank you all for your participation.”
Zeynep Yıldız: “We aim for the widespread adoption of 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 promote the culture of seeking rights and demonstrate that problems can be resolved through dialogue and legal means. Human rights are values that form the foundation of peace and security, applicable to everyone without discrimination. However, today, in many parts of the world, especially in Palestine, Sudan, and the Middle East, human rights are severely violated. We aim for the widespread adoption of the culture of seeking rights. We are here together to raise this awareness.”
Lawyer Metehan Usluerol: “We should see today as a day for self-reflection”
Speaking at the event, Lawyer Metehan Usluerol drew attention to the perspective on human rights violations and said:
“We need to evaluate how fundamental rights such as the right to education, freedom of expression, and the right to life are addressed internationally. Article three of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights states that everyone has the right to life. However, today, the fact that the same number of casualties receive different reactions in different geographies shows that this right is not equally applied in practice. We should see World Human Rights Day as a day for awareness and self-reflection.”
Hamza Günaydın: “Ombudsmanship is an important part of rights-based governance”
Public Auditor Expert Hamza Günaydın, in his speech, emphasized the importance of the ombudsmanship institution. Günaydın stated; “Ombudsmanship is an important mechanism established to prevent the misuse of public power and protect individual rights. The existence of Ombudsman institutions in over 100 countries today is an indicator of global awareness for the protection of human rights. Ombudsmanship is an important part of rights-based governance. In Turkey, the Public Auditing Institution contributes to the strengthening of human rights with its structure that protects citizens' rights against the administration.”
The event concluded with a raffle and a group photo session with the participants.
