Human Rights


Social Media-Salvation

What was once a rather esoteric news item now has become a regular part of hourly news programs. We hear about it so often it has become white noise only gaining our attention when something particularly horrific becomes part of mainstream news. I write about it so often on my Facebook news feed no one looks anymore. I am speaking about the refugee crisis. Most of us give it only a passing glance unless it […]


Behind the glorious bazaar

Kapali Çarsi, the Grand Bazaar, is Istanbul’s famous shopping destination for tourists from around the world, the ultimate Oriental shopping experience. Located adjacent to Sultan Ahmet, around the corner from The famed Blue Mosque, Haggia Sophia and Topkapi Palace, the Grand Bazaar employs around 26,000 people and hosts between 250,000 and 400,000 visitors daily. A grand cacophony of sounds, scents and colors populated by gaily dressed visitors from all corners of the earth gaily flock […]


Children and Kumkapi

Children and Kumkapi Both Turkish law and International Law through UNHCR make specific provisions for the handling of children in Detention. In Turkey, Detention Centers are termed Removal Centers, an upgrade from the term “Guesthouse”. The Turkish Law #6458. Article 59 http://www.goc.gov.tr/files/files/eng_minikanun_5_son.pdf states in paragraph (c) the best interest of the child shall be considered, and families and unaccompanied minors shall be accommodated in separate areas.  Sounds like a good plan and would be if […]


The Dublin Convention

Anywhere but Here The Wall of Deterrence has been carefully constructed by the EU. The repercussions from this wall play out hourly on major media platforms across the EU with images of desperate refugees plucked from the waters of the Mediterranean, sitting hopeless in camps, families scaling barbed wire confronted by men with clubs, all are becoming the norm.  WHY the movement now?? The cornerstone of the wall is Dublin III – established as the […]