The role of NGOs in dissemination and advocacy of human rights in Turkey

Official URL: http://192.168.1.20/record=b1295918 (Table of Contents)

The purpose of this thesis is to assess the role played by NGOs related to human rights in Turkey. The reason to choose Turkey as a case study is because Turkey is a developing country and one of the strongest democracies in its region. Despite the fact that there are many arguments about its membership, it is the only Muslim and geographically Oriental country that has been an official candidate for the European Union. Nevertheless, human rights is a conflictual subject in its history and present. The interviews conducted with some national and international NGOs active in the field which put leverage on the state to change restrictive regulations showed that, they are playing important role in the human rights area with their advocacy, service delivery or monitoring missions. However, their relationship with the state and with each other still remains problematic due to an institutional culture which lacks trust and collaborative tendencies. The future of the role that NGOs will play in the area related to human rights will depend on trust building and mutual understanding among civil society, the state and its citizens. A reconciliation process through conflict transformation is needed to reconstruct a healthy relationship. The ongoing negotiation process with the European Union also provides motivation for Turkey to harmonise its value system, legislation and implementation related to human rights.