Cancellation of KHRP Events on Rule of Law, Freedom of Expression and Human Rights Defenders |
Monday, 19 April 2010 17:08 |
KHRP is disappointed to announce the cancellation of this week�s series of events on the Rule of Law, Freedom of Expression and Human Rights Defenders (HRDs) in Turkey due to ongoing disruptions to European travel.
From today through to Thursday 22 April 2010, KHRP was due to host a series of events around the visit of Reh?an Bataray Saman, a board member of ?nsan Haklar? Derne?i (the Human Rights Association of Turkey, ?HD) Diyarbak?r Branch, the oldest national human rights NGO in Turkey and a longstanding KHRP partner organisation. Unfortunately due to the unforeseen closure of UK airspace and the ongoing cancellation of flights resulting from the Icelandic cloud of volcanic ash across Europe, Ms Saman is now unable to travel to the UK to take part in the events.
Ms Saman was due to visit the UK on behalf of Mr Muharrem Erbey, Chairman of ?HD�s Diyarbak?r Branch. Mr Erbey � who is currently being held in Diyarbak?r D-Type prison awaiting trial � was one of more than 80 people detained as part of an anti-terror operation launched simultaneously in 11 provinces of Turkey in the early hours of Christmas Eve 2009.
He is just one of many lawyers, journalists, politicians and writers whom KHRP believes have been detained and criminalised by the authorities for their work on human rights and minority issues in Turkey, which KHRP sought to examine and stimulate discussion on during the events.
List of cancelled KHRP events:
� KHRP Drinks Reception, Monday 19 April
� Panel Discussion on Freedom of Expression & the Media,
hosted in conjunction with Article 19, Index on Censorship, English PEN, and the Free Word Centre, Tuesday 20 April
� Seminar on Rule of Law in Turkey, hosted in conjunction with 25 Bedford Row Chambers, Wednesday 21 April
� Seminar on Human Rights Defenders in Turkey, hosted in conjunction with Tooks Chambers, the Bar Human Rights Committee of England & Wales (BHRC) & the Haldane Society of Socialist Lawyers, Thursday 22 April
KHRP will send out updates about future events in due course. Please also check the KHRP website for the latest information.
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