The Human Rights Summit, organized by the Aydın Medeniyetliler Academy, was held on December 13, 2023, from 13:00 to 17:45 at the Aşık Paşa Conference Hall. The summit was attended by esteemed legal professionals, along with students from our university and various other universities, representing both law faculties and other departments.
The summit consisted of five sessions, each addressing a different aspect of human rights. The first session commenced with a speech by Prof. Dr. Feridun Yenisey titled "The Rights of Defendants in Criminal Procedure." The speaker emphasized the right of defendants to a fair trial under the European Convention on Human Rights, highlighting their right to be tried within a reasonable time by an impartial and fair court. The second session continued with a presentation by Dr. Apak Kerem Altıntop, titled "Refugee Law." In this session, it was emphasized that refugeehood is not a problem but a right, and the historical causes and consequences of people becoming refugees were discussed. The session underscored the importance of meeting the fundamental needs of refugees and enhancing educational and training programs to integrate them into society for a peaceful and harmonious community.
In the third session, Dr. Zeynep Ardıç delivered a speech on "Social Justice and Poverty." This session addressed the global distribution of social justice and poverty, noting that even life expectancy varies significantly across countries due to these factors. The fourth session featured a presentation by Attorney Lerzenur Asan Elik on "Women's Rights," focusing on the role and rights of women in the family, society, and the workplace. Issues of gender equality, both the overt and subtle forms of violence against women, and strategies for eradicating such violence were highlighted.
The final session was delivered by Dr. Özlem Yücel, who discussed "The Law of War." This session covered key terms in the law of armed conflict, explaining them with definitions and examples to ensure accurate usage. In addition, current issues such as the Israel-Palestine conflict, the history of the term "genocide," the crime of genocide, and the relevant international judicial bodies were explored in light of the treaties to which countries are parties.
The program concluded with Q&A sessions after each presentation, followed by a ceremonial flower presentation to the speakers.