21/05/2021 | Writer: Yiğit E Korkmaz
According to the report of Hafiza Merkezi Berlin, the practices of LGBTI+ organizations set an example to all civil society in terms of local and international advocacy.
The Hafiza Merkezi Berlin (HMB) published a report on the evolving international advocacy approaches and practices of civil society in Turkey under the title "Shout Out, Let Them All Hear You".
The report, written by Özlem Zıngıl, was prepared to support the HMB's objectives of being active in the field of international advocacy and supporting the establishment of solidarity networks between human rights defenders and institutions in Turkey and other countries.
The report argues that as forms of repression become more and more constant in recent years on civil society, communication channels between governmental actors and rights-based NGOs have diminished, leading NGOs to seek international channels.
"Establishing local networks is not a common approach outside of women's and LGBTI+ organizations"
Emphasizing that women's organizations and LGBTI+ organizations in Turkey have established ties with the international community and participated in many different local and international initiatives, the report also states that the creation of networks and platforms at the local level is not a common approach among NGOs in Turkey, except for women and LGBTI+ organizations:
“One interviewee particularly highlighted that although there are well-established LGBTI+ CSOs, these CSOs do not establish branches throughout Turkey, but rather form coalitions/networks with LGBTI+ organizations established in other cities. Likewise, one interviewee mentioned that many CSOs working on women rights do not always agree, but that networks/platforms make it easy for them to come together and do their advocacy around specific issues.”
“The practices of women’s organizations and LGBTI+ organizations set an example for civil society”
In the conclusion section of the report emphasizes that the practices of women and LGBTI+ organizations can serve as an example for civil society:
The practices of women’s organizations and LGBTI+ organizations in particular set an example for civil society, demonstrating that the judicial or quasi-judicial mechanisms are not the only channels in the international arena to address with concerns. Much more effectively, international networks and alliances multiply and thus amplify their voices and demands.
Tags: human rights
