HRP Project

The Human Rights Platform Project

The Human Rights Platform Project  aim for developing a more just, equitable, democratic and inclusive society where human rights are not only respected but cherished.

  

The Human Rights Platform Project is funded by the European Union and  and implemented by the Human Rights Platform Association.  While this project was being structured, violations of rights, which permeated the different dynamics of the society in the northern part of Cyprus and had negative effects, were observed. So much so that the inclusion of civil society in decision-making mechanisms, the resource difficulties experienced by non-governmental organizations, the difficulties they experience in establishing contacts with international organizations, the negative situation caused by economic and political problems are at the source of the solutions sought by this project. However, the fact that the northern part of Cyprus is not included in the monitoring mechanisms, laws are incompatible with international laws, systematic and transparent decision-making processes have not been established, and the legislature, executive and judiciary do not address the human rights perspective have played an important role in shaping the project activities.

 

Considering all these problems, the Human Rights Platform Project pursues three main objectives within the scope of the project:

 

  1. To increase the capacity of çivil society to tackle human rights violations more effectively and to assume their role as watchdog of a democratic society. 
  2. Contribution to the development of a human rights approach in the ‘legislative, executive and judiciary’ system.
  3. Society’s awareness and willingness to take action on human rights violations is increased.

 

In line with our objectives, the Human Rights Platform Project aims to continue its work in five thematic areas:

1. Trafficing in Human Beings

Refugee Rights Association continues its activities in the field of combating human trafficking in the northern part of Cyprus. Considering the fact that human trafficking involves many human rights violations worldwide and in our society, activities in this thematic area will monitor the human rights violations in the area, fight against human trafficking, establish a joint working group with local authorities and civil society, provide free legal support to victims and prepare capacity-strengthening training in this thematic area.

2. LGBTI+ Rights 

Queer Cyprus Association, one of the founding organizations of the platform, which supports LGBTI+'s being exposed to discrimination and marginalization every day with its works, will carry out activities aimed at ensuring equal access of LGBTI+’s to human rights and raising awareness about this area within the scope of this project. As in all thematic areas covered by the project, rights violations experienced by LGBTI+s will be monitored and reported throughout the project. In addition to rights monitoring and reporting, legal support, capacity-strengthening trainings and awareness activities are the activities that this thematic area will continue.

3. Democratic Participation in Decision Making 

The Civil Society Initiative, another founding organization of the platform, will continue its aims of strengthening civil society, increasing its capacity and creating a favorable environment for civil society within the scope of this project. Under this thematic area, monitoring and reporting will be carried out in the field of freedom of association and peaceful action, as well as freedom of expression, and by organizing rights-oriented trainings, the capacity of civil society will be developed in this area.

4. Refugee Rights

Considering their activities and works over the years, the Refugee Rights Association, which is one of the founding organizations, has immense knowledge and experience on refugee rights. Having historically observed that the individual application rights of asylum seekers and refugees in the northern part of Cyprus are systematically violated, their rights are not protected and they face the risk of being sent back to persecution, RRA will carry out monitoring and reporting activities in the field of refugee rights under this thematic area, as well as preparing legal studies, will be involved in capacity-building studies and providing legal support.

5. Detention Conditions and Freedom from Torture

The physical structure of prisons, police cells, psychiatric hospitals, quarantine centers and similar places of detention in the northern part of Cyprus  does not comply with international human rights standards. Human rights violations arising from inappropriate standards mentioned under this thematic area will be monitored and reported. In addition, under this thematic area, studies will be carried out to prevent inhuman or degrading treatment, and those in need who have experienced rights violations.