Amnesty International’s “Write for Rights” campaign takes place annually around 10 December, which is Human Rights Day (commemorating the day when the Universal Declaration of Human Rights was adopted in 1948). Write for Rights aims to bring about change to the lives of people or communities that have suffered or are at risk of human rights violations. Among the many actions that take place as part of Write for Rights, Amnesty raises cases of individuals, groups and communities with decision- makers who can change the situation, gives visibility to those cases by organizing public actions, and brings international attention through media and internet exposure.
Founded in 1996, METU LGBTI+ Solidarity Group have organized an annual Pride march on campus since 2011. Over the years, Pride on METU campus grew in size and visibility. However, in 2019, the university’s management told the students the Pride march planned for 10 May could not go ahead on campus. Undeterred, the Solidarity Group staged a Pride sit-in instead. In response, the university called the police who used excessive force, including tear gas, against the peaceful protestors and bystanders. Police arrested at least 23 students – including Melike and Özgür – and an academic. 18 of the students and the academic are now on trial. Some of those detained hadn’t even taken part in the protest and others were detained for simply exercising their right to peaceful protest.
Freedom from discrimination, Freedom of assembly and association, Freedom of opinion and expression, Freedom of thought, conscience & religion, LGBTQ+ rights
