Onen: Human Rights Values are being Corroded
According to Onen, the wars and occupations created in the name of "fight against terrorism" are increasing human rights violations in today's world.
Onen, who has been the head of TIHV since it was founded by the Human Rights Association (IHD) and 32 human rights activists in 1990 in Ankara, said human rights values are being threatened and corroded.
"This situation, which arose after September 11 point to a new area of struggle for all of us," said Onen.
"We need international solidarity."
TIHV has provided treatment and rehabilitation for about 10,000 torture victims. As a non-governmental organization, TIHV takes international agreements as basis for its operations. The foundation, headquartered in Ankara, has branches in the provinces of Izmir, Adana and Diyarbakir.
"Every development and change in the area of human rights in Turkey took place after the country was accepted as a candidate country to the European Union at the Helsinki Summit in 1999," said Onen.
"Governments became more hardworking after that date. Laws and the constitution began to change to broaden the limited freedoms, and to allow for a more liberalistic climate. Human rights, as a concept, began to be accepted. Human rights organizations became more legitimate and important."
Onen said TIHV contributed to the human rights struggle in Turkey and in the world in two important ways:
* TIHV has torture treatment and rehabilitation centers. We have provided treatment for about 10,000 people in five centers since TIHV was established.
* TIHV raises public awareness by documenting torture and human rights violations and making them public.
* TIHV created the Istanbul Protocol, an international document for the elimination of torture. The United Nations adopted the Istanbul Protocol.* Through scientific methods, TIHV can spot torture even after years. The foundation has created alternative reports in this field, which are being used by Turkish and European courts.
* The TIHV treatment centers treated more than 400 people suffering psychological and physical trauma during Turkish prison operations, hunger strikes and death fasts.
According to Onen, post-September 11 developments point to what human rights activists should do in today's world: "The developments point to a new area of struggle for all of us. We need international solidarity."
"We believe that there still are shortcomings in implementation in the area of human rights," said Onen.
"The government's approach is not in line with life itself. Implementation is inadequate. Torture, extra judicial killings, and violations of the freedom of expression and thought still exist."
Awards TIHV has received
Human Rights Award by the French Government (1991), International Freedom Award by the International Centre For Human Rights (1991), Sevinc Ozguner Human Rights Award by the Istanbul Chamber of Physicians (1992), The Governing Board of the Sakharov Freedom Fund Annual Award by Sakharov Freedom Fund (1994), Roger Baldwin Medal of Liberty Award by the Lawyers Committee For Human Rights (1995), Law Group Partners Award by the International Human Rights Law Group (1995), Honor Award by the Contemporary Journalists' Association (1995), European Human Rights Award by the European Commission (1998). (YS/EU/EA/YE)