What is Human Rights?

The term "Human Rights" is not easy to define, and it does not mean the same to everyone.  The basic dictionary definition states it as:  

The basic rights and freedoms to which all humans are entitled, often held to include the right to life and liberty, freedom of thought and expression, and equality before the law.

The authority to define and take action against human rights violations is rested in the hands of the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights.  At the base of the UN’s Human Rights definition is the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which was adopted unanimously in 1948, and to which all UN member states, as well as the Republic of Turkey subscribe to.

Turkey's has had a long history of Human Rights violations; its record is tarnished by countless instances routed deep in its establishment.  Turkey’s continued denial of its historical past and the present day oppression of its citizens  who question the government policies, and the official stance on such issues as the Armenian Genocide, the occupation of Cyprus, and the suppression of the Kurdish people to name a few is unacceptable.  The most basic truths and the mans to come to those truths are denied to the people of Turkey by its own government, and the right to freedom of opinion and expression in Turkey is denied even to this day.

The following are reports compiled by the United Nations Commission on Human Rights about the documented violations in the right to freedom of opinion and expression by Turkey:

• COMMISSION ON HUMAN RIGHTS Fifty-first session 1995
• COMMISSION ON HUMAN RIGHTS Fifty-second session 1996
• COMMISSION ON HUMAN RIGHTS Fifty-third session 1997
• COMMISSION ON HUMAN RIGHTS Fifty-third session Addendum 1997
• COMMISSION ON HUMAN RIGHTS Fifty-fourth session 1998
• COMMISSION ON HUMAN RIGHTS Fifty-fifth session 1999
• COMMISSION ON HUMAN RIGHTS Fifty-sixth session 2000
• COMMISSION ON HUMAN RIGHTS Fifty-seventh session 2001
• COMMISSION ON HUMAN RIGHTS Fifty-ninth session 2003
• COMMISSION ON HUMAN RIGHTS Sixtieth session 2004
• COMMISSION ON HUMAN RIGHTS Fifty-first session 2005