Human rights are the rights that persons have simply because they are humans and nowadays they have a dynamic structure which vary parallel to development of democracy. By prioritizing the individual, human rights aim to protect the individual's rights both against possible violations by the state in the context of vertical influence and against other individuals as a result of horizontal influence.
The human rights movements which have been intensifying since the 18th century could not stop the two world wars in the 20th century which caused devastating destruction from the point of history of humanity. Starting with Europe, the worldwide tragedy showed the necessity of effective, normative, and institutional structures regarding the protection and promotion of human rights. Within this framework, the United Nations organization main purpose of which is to protect peace and security, prevent threats against peace, protect and promote human rights was established on 25 April 1945.
On 10 December 1948, United Nations General Assembly adopted the Universal Declaration of Human Rights based on the fact that the protection of human dignity of every member of humanity, the establishment of equality and fundamental rights and freedoms constitute the main guarantee of freedom, justice, and peace in the world. The main mission of the Declaration was regulated as “All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights. They are endowed with reason and conscience and should act towards one another in a spirit of brotherhood," in the Article 1.
Although the Declaration is not binding, it is important as it serves as the basis of many national and international norms prepared after itself. Within this scope, December 10, the date of adoption of the Declaration which is the fundamental document of human rights movement, is observed as "Human Rights Day" every year. The 2023 theme of this important was was decided to be "Freedom, Equality and Justice for All."
In the 75th anniversary of the adoption of the Declaration, it can be seen that the fundamental rights and freedoms set forth with the Declaration are not realized, in many parts of the world, in different regions human rights violations continue to take place. Especially, Israel's attack on Palestine since October 7 and international community's response to these incidents showed once again that the aims set forth in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights is not recognized equally for everyone. As a result of the ongoing attacks on bombings in Gaza, more than 17 thousand people including women and children were killed. In the face of this tragedy which transformed into genocide, international community, especially the United Nations, main mission of which is to maintain peace, refrains from providing an effective response. The fundamental rights and freedoms included in the Declaration, including right to life, personal freedom and security, cannot go beyond being abstract regulations that are impossible to achieve for Gaza, which has turned into an open prison and is under attack.
Our Institution, main mission of which is to protect the right to equal treatment of persons on the basis of human dignity and prevention of discrimination in exercising the legally acknowledged rights and freedoms and which works in these principles, invites all actors to protect and promote the fundamental rights and freedoms, especially the human rights violations in Gaza, guaranteed by the human rights acquis, act in accordance with the mission of "Freedom, Equality and Justice for All" decided upon for 2023 in line with their obligations arising from treaties and celebrates World Human Rights Day.