On Human Rights Day, HRS built a Justice Wall opposite Downing Street where supporters wrote their messages about rights abuses. Human Rights Solidarity (HRS) organised an important action on 10 December Human Rights Day. HRS activists built a 3 metre high and 15 metre long Justice Wall (made of canvas) opposite the Prime Minister’s Residence (10 Downing Street).

The top half of the wall had previously been painted by an artist depicting the persecution and rights violations of different groups in Turkey. On the lower half of the wall, which was left empty, hundreds of people who supported the protest wrote messages of justice and peace.

The Justice Wall was also unveiled during the 3rd March for Justice in front of the Council of Europe in Strasbourg on 2 October 2024 and attracted great interest from the participants. The march called on Turkey to implement the judgements of the European Court of Human Rights.

The Justice Wall on Whitehall Street, where the Prime Minister’s residence and some ministerial buildings are located, remained open from 11:00 am until 3:00 pm. During this time, hundreds of passers-by supported the action and wrote their demands and complaints about human rights on the Justice Wall.

Some of them reflected their thoughts on justice and equality on the wall by drawing striking pictures. While there were people of all ages from 7 to 70 among those who wrote messages, it was noteworthy that the expressions were written in languages other than English and Turkish, such as French, German and Arabic.

HRS also issued a statement on the occasion of Human Rights Day on 10 December. In the statement read by Ceyda Kemanci, leader of HRS Women’s Rights Committee, the 76th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights was commemorated and it was emphasised that the continuation of wars, torture and rights violations around the world caused deep disappointment.

Stating that the Declaration proclaimed in 1948 was a great step towards securing human dignity and equality, the statement said: “However, we see that wars have not ended, torture still continues, the rights of women, children, minorities, refugees and people who think or believe differently are usurped every day. The principle of ‘everyone has equal rights from birth’ promised by the Declaration remains like a cry that does not find an echo in many corners of the world.”

The statement reminded that more than 2 million people in Turkey have been subjected to terrorism investigations on trumped-up grounds and nearly 200 thousand people have been arrested in the last 8 years, and it was stated that the decisions of the European Court of Human Rights have not been implemented. In addition, the ongoing persecution and violations in many countries such as Palestine/Gaza, China, Afghanistan, India, Iran and Yemen were explained.

The statement ended with the following statements: “Today, humanity is facing one of the most critical tests in the struggle for rights. The fundamental rights of millions of people are at stake and we should not wait for a global catastrophe to rediscover human values. We must fight together for a world where human rights are truly realised for every individual in every geography.”

We must unite to protect children in conflict, ensuring they are valued, safe, and given a chance for brighter future. Since October 2023, nearly 8,000 children have been killed in the Israel-Gaza conflict. Over 390 bodies, including women and children, have been found at Nasser and Al Shifa hospitals, showing signs of torture and executions. The blockade restricts essential services, worsening poverty and malnutrition among children. Nearly 70% of Gaza’s war dead are women and children, with 44% of victims being children and 26% women. The most affected age group is five to nine years old.

In Xinjiang, Uyghur children face forced labor, indoctrination, and family separation under Chinese government policies. Many are placed in state-run orphanages or boarding schools, cutting ties with their cultural, religious, and linguistic roots and causing severe psychological harm. They are pressured to learn Mandarin, and they have little to no Uyghur language education, eroding their identity.

Xinjiang, officially the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region (XUAR), is a Northwestern region of China where Uyghurs, a Turkic-speaking, primarily Muslim ethnic group, form a significant population.

Uyghurs detained in “re-education camps” are often forced into labor. From 2017 to 2019, at least 80,000 Uyghurs were moved under the government’s “Xinjiang Aid” program, which claims to provide jobs but appears to exploit Uyghur lives. Factories linked to brands like Nike, Apple, and Zara have been reported to use this forced labor. These actions may qualify as “crimes against humanity” under the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court.

Many Uyghurs endure indefinite detention, family separation, and heavy surveillance, including non-consensual collection of biometric data. Fear, restricted freedoms, and the loss of connection with loved ones mark life in Xinjiang.

The Ukraine-Russia conflict has claimed the lives of 1,957 children since 2022, with close to 2,000 injured. The war has disrupted education, healthcare, and protection services, causing widespread trauma and displacement. Millions of children experience loss, fear, anxiety, and psychological symptoms like panic attacks, flashbacks, and depression.

Over 7 million children have been affected by violence, family loss, displacement, and disrupted education. Tens of thousands have been forcibly transferred to Russian-occupied territories or deported to Russia and Belarus. Some are placed in Russian families, given new identities, or sent to “camps” for “patriotic education.” Efforts to return these children to Ukraine are obstructed by Russia, with fewer than 2% successfully reunited with their families.

Yemen’s civil war, ongoing since 2014, has created one of the world’s worst humanitarian crises. Thousands of children have died from malnutrition, disease, and violence, with 9.8 million in need of humanitarian assistance. Child soldiers are often forced into armed groups, and severe food insecurity affects millions of children.

The conflict has displaced 4.5 million people, over 75% of whom are women and children. Female-led households account for 26% of the displaced, with 20% of these heads of households under 18. Malnutrition is rampant, with 1.3 million pregnant or breastfeeding women requiring treatment for acute malnutrition.

An estimated 17.3 million people are food insecure, including 5 million children under five. Despite ongoing aid, conflict, economic instability, and weather challenges continue to worsen the crisis. Around 80% of Yemen’s population lives below the poverty line, with 21 million people, including 11.3 million children, requiring humanitarian aid.

Turkey faces criticism for its treatment of children living in prisons with their mothers, including over 759 children in adult facilities, 520 of whom are under six. These children endure unsafe, overcrowded, and unsanitary conditions, lacking access to adequate food, healthcare, and education.

Prison environments are ill-suited for children, with limited provisions such as toys, crayons, or safe spaces for infants. Many children share beds and meals with their mothers. Social and cultural isolation further harms their physical and mental well-being, making reintegration into society challenging.

Emotional tolls are severe, with many children experiencing breakdowns during or after prison visits. The situation highlights systemic neglect of children’s rights in these settings.

Since the Taliban’s return in 2021, Afghan children, especially girls, face restricted rights. Girls are banned from secondary education, leaving 3.7 million children out of school, 60% of whom are girls. Today marks 1,000 days since Afghan girls last attended school beyond the primary level, making Afghanistan the only country with such bans.

Economic crises have pushed many children into child labor or forced marriages. Teachers, especially women, face job losses, irregular pay, and restrictions, further destabilizing education. Child recruitment into armed groups and limited healthcare access worsen the plight of Afghan children amid severe food insecurity affecting millions.

Children face multiple threats, including recruitment into armed groups, sexual violence, and catastrophic hunger. Our message is clear: we must take concerted, collective action to turn back the tide of brutality and indifference and to ensure that children in conflict are better protected, valued, and given a chance for a brighter future.

BY AZRA OZCAN

We demand an end to the killing of women, especially in Gaza, and to violence against women around the world. The main theme of this year’s International Women’s Day is ‘Inspire Inclusion’, which emphasises the importance of diversity and empowerment in all areas of society. This also emphasises the vital role of inclusion in achieving gender equality. A key pillar of the theme is the promotion of diversity in leadership and decision-making positions. Women, especially those belonging to underrepresented groups, continue to face barriers when seeking leadership or representation roles. As we mark International Women’s Day 2024, we reaffirm our commitment to building a world where all women are empowered, valued and included in decision-making. By working together to break down barriers and promote diversity, we can build a more equitable and inclusive society for future generations.

However, we regret to remind you that today there is another problem that is much more important than women’s participation in social life: Not being able to keep them alive. Sadly, on 7 October last year, many innocent women were killed in a terrorist attack on Israel by a group affiliated with HAMAS, which rules Gaza. In addition, HAMAS is still holding many hostages, including women. Israel responded to this attack with a very violent war. The Israeli army bombed many civilian centres, including hospitals, and unfortunately more than 9,000 innocent Palestinian women were killed in 5 months. What is more tragic is that the world, states and international organisations have failed to stop this ‘genocide’. ‘Humanity’ should not remain so helpless while women and children are being brutally killed! On the occasion of International Women’s Day, we once again make an urgent appeal to all responsible persons and authorities: Stop this massacre, this ‘genocide’ as soon as possible!

Afghanistan is in the third year of Taliban rule and women’s basic rights are being restricted day by day. Women summarise their situation as “We are alive but not living.” In 2023, the Taliban introduced new restrictions on women and girls. Some of these are as follows: Women and girls are banned from receiving education from the 6th grade onwards, and in some areas they are not allowed to attend any school after the age of 10. Women’s work in national and international NGOs was suspended. Beauty centres were closed and women were banned from using gyms. In addition, women who do not wear the headscarf, as demanded by the Taliban, are arrested. It is our responsibility to stand in solidarity with Afghan women and ensure that they regain their basic rights.

In Iran, a new veiling law came into force in 2023, imposing up to 10 years in prison for women who dress ‘indecently’. Tens of thousands of women have had their cars confiscated as punishment for defying this ban. Others have been prosecuted, sentenced to flogging or imprisonment, or faced other penalties such as fines or ‘attending moral classes’. Some have been threatened with death or sexual violence. We demand that the Iranian government respect the rights of women and girls and take immediate action to stop this persecution.

Turkey has not performed well on women’s rights in recent years and the situation has worsened since 2021. Turkey withdrew from the Istanbul Convention, which it signed in 2011, by presidential decree in March 2021. This encourages impunity for crimes against women. For example, 334 women were killed by men in 2022, rising to 438 last year. In addition, for the last 10 years the Turkish government has been using ‘anti-terrorism laws’, which are not compatible with the ECHR, to silence dissent in the country. According to official statistics, nearly 100,000 women have been prosecuted under these laws since 2015 and more than 50,000 of them have been arrested. Some of those still in detention have not been released, despite the ECtHR’s ‘violation of rights’ judgement in 2023. Prisons in Turkey are overcrowded and women prisoners are subjected to inhuman treatment, including sexual harassment, strip searches and psychological torture. Sick, pregnant, infant and elderly women continue to be held in prisons in violation of the law. The international community should press the Turkish government to ensure that women and girls from vulnerable populations are provided with the support and resources they need to rebuild their lives.

The ongoing Russian occupation and war in Ukraine continues to have a devastating impact on women. According to UN figures, 80 per cent of the approximately 8.5 million displaced Ukrainians are women and girls. These women are often the targets of violence and sexual abuse. Tens of thousands of Ukrainian women serve alongside men in the army. Women who are not on the front line are under mental and physical pressure to care for their families and rebuild their lives. We must do everything we can to support women in Ukraine and ensure that their voices are heard.

We should not forget the impact on women of the restrictions on immigration imposed by Western countries. Many women are forced to leave home and family behind in search of a better life, only to face discrimination and hardship in their new countries. We must call on governments to do more to support these women and provide the resources they need to thrive.

On the other hand, the digital divide is greater for women and they are victimised by new forms of online violence and harassment. It is crucial to ensure that these technologies incorporate a human rights-first approach and prioritise the protection of women and girls on their platforms.

In conclusion, as we celebrate International Women’s Day, we have to remember that gender equality and women’s participation in decision-making and representation mechanisms is not a privilege but a fundamental human right. We must realise that we cannot achieve equality without eliminating gender-based violence. We must also recognise that no society can reach its full potential if half of its population is left behind.

On this day, we call on governments and other national and international organisations to take immediate action to address the many challenges and injustices faced by women around the world. Only then can we build a more just and equitable world for all.

We present our report on ‘The Humanitarian Crisis Emerging for Afghanistan and Afghan Refugees’ to UN and Council of Europe. “The Humanitarian Crisis Emerging for Afghanistan and Afghan Refugees” is a comprehensive and deeply impactful report that examines the intricate layers of the humanitarian crisis stemming from the prolonged conflict in Afghanistan and the subsequent displacement of Afghan refugees.

This meticulously crafted report not only presents a comprehensive analysis of the evolving situation but also adds a compelling human element through an insightful interview with a former female prosecutor who fled Afghanistan. By shedding light on the multifaceted issues at hand, this report aims to contribute to a better understanding of the situation and facilitate informed decision-making by governments, international organizations, and civil society.

Human Rights Solidarity members protested the deteriorating situation of lawyers in Afghanistan on January 24, the Day of Endangered Lawyers. On 24th of January 2023, on the occasion of the Day of the Endangered Lawyer, Human Rights Solidarity protested the deteriorating situation of the rule of law and independence of the judicial profession in front of the Afghanistan Embassy in London and delivered a letter to Ambassador Dr Zalmai Rassoul, the ambassador of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan to the United Kingdom. The letter underlined the unacceptability of the deterioration of the rule of law and independence of the judiciary after the Taliban takeover in general, and of the constraints on the ability of Afghan women to access the justice system in particular.

Undersigned by Merve Aslangoren, the serving chairperson of the Human Rights Solidarity, the letter called for immediate halt to restrictions imposed on women lawyers’ work. Before the Taliban takeover, the Afghanistan Independent Bar Association (AIBA) had over 5,500 members, one third of which were women. After the takeover, together with the universities and all other public offices, women are barred from the legal profession. But the real danger to women lawyers comes from the criminals who have been released from jails by the Taliban, as a significant part of these criminals were put behind bars by women judges and prosecutors and are now in a hunt for revenge.

Referring to the joint statement of the Special Rapporteurs Margaret Satterthwaite, on the independence of judges and lawyers, and Richard Bennett, on the situation of human rights in Afghanistan, the letter underlined the challenges the Afghan lawyers are facing and called both the Afghan government and the international community to action. ” By suspending the 2004 Constitution, ousting all judges from the bench, and stripping the Attorney General’s office of its key role, the Taliban has precipitated the collapse of the rule of law and judicial independence in Afghanistan”, according to the statement and since the Taliban takeover a minimum of 16 lawyers were killed by unknown individuals in Kabul and other provinces.

DATE: 28 August 2021

PLACE: In front of the Parliament House

COMMITTEE: Justice Corner

For 20 years, Afghanistan was bombarded continuously to get rid of Taliban, and yet in the end the country was abandoned to their rule. Afghans who cooperated with the NATO forces were largely left to the mercy of the Taliban Regime.

The UK Government has to take action for the current conflict in Afghanistan. The Taliban are taking over provinces in the area and attacking and slaughtering Afghan people who previously gave aid and support (militarily and otherwise) to NATO forces. This travesty against humanity cannot be tolerated.

The volunteers of The Justice Corner gathered on 28 August 2021, in front of the Parliament House, to call our government to evacuate Afghans to third countries and ensure their safety there, or to provide them with asylum and permanent citizenship in the UK.