Istanbul Bilgi University Human Rights Law Research Center and the Norwegian Helsinki Committee: Freedom of Belief Initiative Conference: “Legal Personality of Belief Communities in Turkey: Seeking a Path”
The right to acquire legal personality remains a key right for belief communities in Turkey. Its recognition will certainly contribute to Turkey's democratisation.
Istanbul Bilgi University Human Rights Law Research Center and the Norwegian Helsinki Committee: Freedom of Belief Initiative will organize a Conference on “Legal Personality of Belief Communities in Turkey: Seeking a Path” on May 30th, 2014.
We hope that it will be an opportunity to listen to different views on the right to acquire legal personality which remains an important issue for democratization and the effective protection of the right to freedom of religion or belief for all belief communities in Turkey.
We would appreciate your attendance and contribution to the Conference. The program of the Conference can be found below.
Simultaneous translation will be provided.
Information and RSVP: 0533 338 29 61 and info@inancozgurlugugirisimi.org
The Conference is open to public and the media, however, RSVP is necessary for attendance.
30 May 2014- Friday / İstanbul Bilgi University Dolapdere Campus
Conference on “Legal Personality of Belief Communities in Turkey- Seeking a Path”
8:30 Registration
9:15- 9:25 Welcome Prof. Turgut Tarhanlı- İstanbul Bilgi University Human Rights Law Research Center
9:25-9:35 Welcome–Gunnar Ekelove-Slydahl –Norwegian Helsinki Committe
9:35-11:30 Session 1–Problems Encountered by Belief Communities as a Result of Not Having Legal Personality
Moderator –Prof. Turgut Tarhanlı–İstanbul Bilgi University Human Rights Law Research Center
– Arif Koçer (Mazlum-Der), Laki Vingas (Representative of Community Foundations to the General Assembly of Directorate of Foundations), Suzan Karaman (Bahai Representative), Doğan Bermek (Head of the Federation of Alevi Foundations), Makuta Eleuthère (Latin Katolik Kilisesi), Umut Şahin (Protestan Kiliseler Derneği) Ali Kenanoğlu (Hubyar-Sultan Kültür Derneği), Selahattin Özgündüz (Caferi Community), Elizabeth Morgan Romano (Association for Atheism)
11:30- 11:45 Break
11:45- 12:45 Session 2–International Law and Comparative Law
Moderator- Associate Professor Bülent Şenay –UludağUniversity Faculty of Theology and Advisor on the Advisory Panel on Freedom of Religion or Belief of the OSCE
“International Law Standards” –Associate Professor İdil Işıl Gül –İstanbul Bilgi University Human Rights Law Research Center
“Various Models – A Comparative Analysis”–Prof. Cole Durham –Brigham Young University, Susa Young Gates University Professor of Law; Director of Centre on Law and Religious Studies
12:45-13:45 Lunch Break
13:45- 15:15 Session 3–The Right of Belief Communities in Turkey to Acquire Legal Personality–Seeking a Legal Framework
Moderator –Mine Yıldırım –Norwegian Helsinki Committee: Freedom of Belief Initiative Project Manager
“Turkish Law and Possible Moldels?”– Associate Professor. L. Bertan Tokuzlu- İstanbul Bilgi University Human Rights Law Research Center
“The Problems of Community Foundations”–Legal Counsel Setrak Davuthan
“The Need of Representative Institutions for Legal Personality” – Legal Counsel Ali Elbeyoğlu
“Human Rights Obligations of Belief Communities” –Mine Yıldırım- AAbo Akademi Institute for Human Rights
15:15- 15:30 Break
15:30- 16:45 Session 4–The Right to Acquire Legal Personality- A Need for Mentality Change?
Moderator- Özge Genç-TESEV Director of Democratisation Program
“The Role of the Presidency of Religious Affairs?”–Professor İştar Gözaydın, DoğuşUniversity
“Islamic Communities and Legal Entity Status”– Dr. Necdet Subaşı
“Alevi Demands from Freedom of Religion or Conscience Perspective”–Cafer Solgun –Journalist
