Capacity Building Programs

Freedom of Expression Association (IFÖD) conducted another one of its core capacity development programs, titled “Freedom of Expression for Young Lawyers” on 2-3 November 2024, in Gaziantep. Supported by the Swedish Consulate General Fund, this program was held with the participation of young lawyers, civil society representatives, and media professionals interested in the field of freedom of expression.

This program aims to raise awareness among young lawyers about international standards on freedom of expression as well as the practices, violations, and struggles surrounding freedom of expression in Türkiye. Additionally, it is designed to support participants in developing their legal skills in this area by focusing on current decisions and practices.

In line with this goal, the program covers the following topics:

  • International Standards for Freedom of Expression
    An Overview of Freedom of Expression in Turkey
  • National Security, Protection of Public Safety & Freedom of Expression
  • Internet, Social Media, and Freedom of Expression
    Access Blocking Practices in Türkiye
  • Propaganda and Organization Membership in the Context of Freedom of Expression
  • Defamation of the President and Freedom of Expression

Freedom of Expression Association (IFÖD) conducted another one of its core capacity development programs, titled “Freedom of Expression for Young Lawyers” on 19-20 October 2024, in Ankara. Supported by the Swedish Consulate General Fund, this program was held with the participation of young lawyers, civil society representatives, and media professionals interested in the field of freedom of expression.

This program aims to raise awareness among young lawyers about international standards on freedom of expression as well as the practices, violations, and struggles surrounding freedom of expression in Türkiye. Additionally, it is designed to support participants in developing their legal skills in this area by focusing on current decisions and practices.

In line with this goal, the program covers the following topics:

  • International Standards for Freedom of Expression
    An Overview of Freedom of Expression in Turkey
  • National Security, Protection of Public Safety & Freedom of Expression
  • Internet, Social Media, and Freedom of Expression
    Access Blocking Practices in Türkiye
  • Propaganda and Organization Membership in the Context of Freedom of Expression
  • Defamation of the President and Freedom of Expression

The Freedom of Expression Association (İFÖD) organized a program entitled “Standards and Procedural Obligations in Freedom of Expression Related Cases” on 28-29 September 2024, in Van, with the participation of legal professionals, students, and representatives from civil society and media organizations involved in legal cases.

Supported by the Human Rights Fund of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Netherlands, this program focuses on procedural violations and key issues related to freedom of expression, particularly in criminal cases and administrative jurisdictions in Türkiye. It aims to raise awareness on these issues and to enhance the legal skills of participants in this field.

The content of the program is as follows:

  • Procedural Obligations Related to Freedom of Expression and National and International Standards
  • Procedural Issues in Criminal Investigations Related to Freedom of Expression
  • Procedural Issues in Criminal Prosecutions Related to Freedom of Expression
  • Procedural Issues in the Sentencing Process in Criminal Cases Related to Freedom of Expression
  • Procedural Issues in Administrative Cases Related to Freedom of Expression

Freedom of Expression Association (İFÖD) organised the program entitled “Internet and Freedom of Expression in Türkiye with a Focus on Access Blocking Practices” on 16-17-18 September 2024 with the participation of young lawyers (young lawyers, interns, law students).

This program, held online via the Zoom platform with the support of the European Endowment for Democracy (EED) Fund, was designed to examine the legal basis of internet and freedom of expressions related decisions and practices in Türkiye, as well as data and process related to access blocking and censorship practices.

In line with this, the program addressed the following topics:

  • Freedom of Expression in Türkiye and Internet Censorship
  • Internet Censorship in Türkiye: Statistics and Examples
  • Article 8/A of Law No. 5651 & Access Blocking Practices

Freedom of Expression Association (İFÖD) conducted the “Standards and Procedural Obligations in Freedom of Expression Related Cases” Programme on 4-5 May 2024, for young lawyers and civil society and media workers in Ankara. This programme, organised under the support of Human Rights Fund of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Netherlands, was implemented with the participation of 23 young lawyers, civil society and media workers.

The topics addressed in the program are as follows and aim to focus on the fundamental issues related to procedural violations of freedom of expression in Turkey, especially in criminal cases and administrative jurisdiction, to raise awareness on these issues and to develop the legal skills of the participants in these areas.

The content of the program is as follows:

  • Procedural Obligations Related to Freedom of Expression and National and International Standards
  • Procedural Issues in Criminal Investigations Related to Freedom of Expression
  • Procedural Issues in Criminal Prosecutions Related to Freedom of Expression
  • Procedural Issues in the Sentencing Process in Criminal Cases Related to Freedom of Expression
  • Procedural Issues in Administrative Cases Related to Freedom of Expression

Freedom of Expression Association (IFÖD) conducted another one of its capacity development programs, entitled the “Program on Basic and Current Issues Regarding Freedom of Expression” in Batman for members of the Batman Bar Association on 14-15 October 2023.

In general terms, this intensive and interactive program was implemented with 29 motivated lawyers to raise their awareness about current practices, violations, and struggles regarding freedom of expression in Turkey and to improve the legal skills of the participants in these areas.

The content of the program is as follows:

  • International Standards for Freedom of Expression
  • An Overview of Freedom of Expression in Turkey
  • Internet, Social Media, and Freedom of Expression
  • National Security, Protection of Public Safety & Freedom of Expression
  • Propaganda and Organization Membership in the Context of Freedom of Expression Defamation of the President and Freedom of Expression

Freedom of Expression Association (IFÖD) conducted another one of its core capacity development programs, titled “Freedom of Expression for Young Lawyers,” with a new group online on 16-19 January 2023.

A total of 62 young people from 21 different cities, consisting of lawyers, civil society, and media workers, attended the program implemented under the support of The Swedish Consulate General Fund.

This program aims to raise awareness of young lawyers on the internet and freedom of expression (FoX), international standards of FoX, and internet and freedom of expression-related practices, breaches, and efforts in Turkey.

The content of the program is as follows:

  • International Standards for Freedom of Expression – An Overview of Freedom of Expression in Turkey
  • Access Blocking Practises in the Light of “EngelliWeb” Data – Internet, Social Media and Freedom of Expression
  • National Security, Protection of Public Safety & Freedom of Expression
  • Conflicting Rights: Freedom of Expression vs. Personal Rights – Defamation of the President and Freedom of Expression

Freedom of Expression Association (IFÖD) conducted another one of its core capacity development programs, titled “Freedom of Expression for Young Lawyers” with a new group online on 24-27 October 2022.

A total of 34 young people from 13 different cities, consisting of lawyers, civil society, and media workers, attended the program implemented under the support of The Swedish Consulate General Fund.

This program aims to raise awareness of young lawyers on the internet and freedom of expression (FoX), international standards of FoX, together with internet and freedom of expression-related practices, breaches, and efforts in Turkey.

The content of the program is as follows:

  • International Standards for Freedom of Expression – An Overview of Freedom of Expression in Turkey
  • Access Blocking Practises in the Light of “EngelliWeb” Data – Internet, Social Media and Freedom of Expression
  • National Security, Protection of Public Safety & Freedom of Expression
  • Conflicting Rights: Freedom of Expression vs. Personal Rights – Defamation of the President and Freedom of Expression

Freedom of Expression Association (İFÖD) completed another one of its core capacity development programs, titled “Internet and Freedom of Expression for Young Lawyers” with a new group online on 19-22 September 2022 under the support of the Netherlands Ministry of Foreign Affairs Human Rights Fund.

A total of 59 young lawyers and civil society workers from 20 different cities were attended the 6-day program.

This program aims to raise awareness of young lawyers on the internet and freedom of expression (FoX), international standards of FoX, together with internet and freedom of expression-related practices, breaches, and efforts in Turkey.

The content of the program is as follows:

  • Freedom of Expression in Turkey
  • Internet Censorship in Turkey with The Statistics and Examples
  • Competing Rights: Freedom of Expression vs. Personal Rights
  • Article 9 of Law No. 5651 & Access Blocking Practices
  • National Security, Protection of Public Safety & Freedom of Expression
  • Article 8/A of Law No. 5651 & Access Blocking Practices

Freedom of Expression Association (İFÖD) conducted another one of its core capacity development programs, titled “Freedom of Expression for Young Lawyers” with a new group online on 27-30 June 2022.

A total of 43 young people from 16 different cities, consisting of lawyers, civil society, and media workers, attended the program implemented under the support of The Swedish Consulate General Fund. This program aims to raise awareness of young lawyers on the internet and freedom of expression (FoX), international standards of FoX, together with internet and freedom of expression-related practices, breaches, and efforts in Turkey.

The content of the program is as follows:

  • International Standards for Freedom of Expression
  • An Overview of Freedom of Expression in Turkey
  • Access Blocking Practises in the Light of “EngelliWeb” Data
  • Internet, Social Media and Freedom of Expression
  • National Security, Protection of Public Safety & Freedom of Expression
  • Conflicting Rights: Freedom of Expression vs. Personal Rights
  • Defamation of the President and Freedom of Expression

Freedom of Expression Association (İFÖD) completed another one of its core capacity development programs, titled “Internet and Freedom of Expression for Young Lawyers” with a new group online on 23-28 May 2022 under the support of the Netherlands Ministry of Foreign Affairs Human Rights Fund.

A total of 65 young lawyers and civil society workers from 15 different cities were attended the 6-day program. This program aims to raise awareness of young lawyers on the internet and freedom of expression (FoX), international standards of FoX, together with internet and freedom of expression-related practices, breaches, and efforts in Turkey.

The content of the program is as follows:

  • Freedom of Expression in Turkey
  • Internet Censorship in Turkey with The Statistics and Examples
  • Conflicting Rights: Freedom of Expression vs. Personal Rights
  • Article 9 of Law No. 5651 & Access Blocking Practices
  • National Security, Protection of Public Safety & Freedom of Expression
  • Article 8/A of Law No. 5651 & Access Blocking Practices

Freedom of Expression Association (İFÖD) completed another one of its core programs, titled “Internet and Freedom of Expression for Young Lawyers” with a new group online on 21-26 February 2022 under the support of the Netherlands Ministry of Foreign Affairs Human Rights Fund.

A total of 63 young lawyers and civil society workers from 18 different cities were attended the 6-day program. This program aims to raise awareness of young lawyers on the internet and freedom of expression (FoX), international standards of FoX, together with internet and freedom of expression-related practices, breaches, and efforts in Turkey.

As of 2022, Freedom of Expression Association (İFÖD) continues its regular programs as planned before. To this end, the Association implemented its online program entitled “Freedom of Expression for Young Lawyers” with two separate groups on the dates of 17-20 January and 24-27 January 2022 under the support of the Swedish Consulate General Fund.

A total of 66 young lawyers and civil society workers from 21 different cities were attended the 4-day program. This program aims to raise awareness of young lawyers on international standards of freedom of expression, together with freedom of expression-related practices, breaches, and efforts in Turkey.

İfade Özgürlüğü Derneği (İFÖD) implemented an online program entitled “Freedom of Expression for Young Lawyers” with two separate groups on the dates of 1-4 November and 8-11 November 2021 under the support of the Swedish Consulate General Fund.

A total of 73 young lawyers and civil society workers from 20 different cities were attended the 4-day program. This program aims to raise awareness of young lawyers on international standards of freedom of expression, together with freedom of expression-related practices, breaches, and efforts in Turkey.

İfade Özgürlüğü Derneği (İFÖD) carried out online capacity building program entitled “Freedom of Expression for Young Lawyers” with two separate groups on the dates of 24 – 27 May and 31 May – 3 June 2021 under the support of the Swedish Consulate General Fund.

A total of 70 young lawyers and journalists from 25 different cities were completed the 4-day capacity building program to raise their awareness on international standards of freedom of expression, together with the freedom of expression related practices, breaches, and efforts in Turkey.

İfade Özgürlüğü Derneği (İFÖD) conducted online capacity building programs entitled “Freedom of Expression for Young Lawyers” between the 18-25 January 2021 under the support of Swedish Consulate General Fund. The programs were carried out consecutively with 75 young lawyers from 20 different cities in order to raise their awareness on the international standards of freedom of expression together with the practices in Turkey and to improve their legal skills in these fields.

At the end of the program sessions, an online panel entitled Decisions of European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) on Osman Kavala, Selahattin Demirtas and Atilla Taş Cases in the light of Freedom of Expression in Turkeywas organized and moderated by Yaman Akdeniz. The panelists were Kerem Altıparmak (Lawyer), Ayşe Bingöl (Lawyer), Başak Çalı (Academician) and Ali Rıza Çoban (Legal Expert) who follow up these cases from the beginning. The panel was also live-streamed from the YouTube account of the Association for reaching more people.

İfade Özgürlüğü Derneği (İFÖD) conducted online capacity building programs entitled “Freedom of Expression for Young Lawyers” between the 2-9 November 2020 under the support of Swedish Consulate General Fund. The programs were carried out consecutively with 79 young lawyers from 30 different cities in order to raise their awareness on the international standards of freedom of expression together with the practices in Turkey and to improve their legal skills in these fields.

At the end of the November 2020 program session, an online panel entitled “Freedom of Expression and Social Media” was organized and moderated by Yaman Akdeniz. The panelists were Banu Güven (Journalist), Atilla Taş (Singer, Phenomenon) and Kültigin K. Akbulut (Speak Up Platform) who experienced investigation, prosecution and threats many times due to their ideas, speeches, posts, gender and so forth on social media. The panel was also live-streamed from the YouTube account of the Association for reaching more people.

İfade Özgürlüğü Derneği (İFÖD) conducted an online capacity building program program entitled “Internet and Freedom of Expression for Young Lawyers” between the 1-6 September 2020 under the support of Netherlands Ministry of Foreign Affairs Human Rights Fund. The program was carried out with 70 young lawyers from 27 different cities in order to raise their awareness on the internet and freedom of expression and to improve their legal skills in these fields.

At the end of the September 2020 program session, an online panel entitled “Conflicting Rights on Social Media: Defamation, Threats and Freedom of Expression” was organized and moderated by Yaman Akdeniz. The panelists were Nevşin Mengü (Journalist), Burcu Karakaş (Journalist) and Milena Büyüm (Amnesty International) who experienced defamation and threats many times due to their ideas, speeches, posts, gender and so forth on social media. The panel was also live-streamed from the YouTube account of the Association for reaching more people.

İfade Özgürlüğü Derneği (İFÖD) conducted an online capacity building program program entitled “Freedom of Expression for Young Lawyers” between the 1-6 July 2020 under the support of Swedish Consulate General Fund. The program was carried out with 93 young lawyers from 30 different cities in order to raise their awareness on the international standards of freedom of expression together with the practices in Turkey and to improve their legal skills in these fields.

İfade Özgürlüğü Derneği (İFÖD) conducted a capacity building program entitled “Internet and Freedom of Expression for Young Lawyers” in Ankara on 24-25 January 2020 under the partial support of Sivil Düşün Program Fund. The program was carried out with 27 young lawyers from 10 different cities in order to raise their awareness on the internet and freedom of expression and to improve their legal skills in these fields.

During the program session, a panel entitled “Freedom of Expression from Women’s Perspective, Difficulties Encountered and Examples” was held with the participation of the woman employees of İFÖD along with the discussion on situations that women encountered while working in the field.

İfade Özgürlüğü Derneği (İFÖD) conducted a capacity building program entitled “Internet and Freedom of Expression for Young Lawyers” in Istanbul on 27-28 September 2019 under the support of Netherlands Ministry of Foreign Affairs Human Rights Fund. The program was carried out with 25 young lawyers from 9 different cities in order to raise their awareness on the internet and freedom of expression and to improve their legal skills in these fields.

During the program session, an online panel entitled “Social Media and The Press Trials in Turkey” was organized and moderated by Yaman Akdeniz. The panelists were Sedef Kabaş (TV Programmer), Barbaros Şansal (Fashion Designer) and Ersan Taş (owner of @06melihchina) who experienced criminal prosecution and investigation many times due to their ideas, speeches, posts, gender and so forth on social media.

İfade Özgürlüğü Derneği (İFÖD), 2-3 Kasım 2024 tarihlerinde Gaziantep’te, “Genç Hukukçular için İfade Özgürlüğü” Programı düzenlemiştir. İsveç İstanbul Başkonsolosluğu Fonu desteğiyle gerçekleştirilen bu program, ifade özgürlüğü alanına ilgi duyan genç hukukçular, sivil toplum ve medya çalışanlarının katılımıyla uygulanmıştır.

Bu program, genç hukukçular için uluslararası ifade özgürlüğü standartları ile Türkiye’de ifade özgürlüğü uygulamaları, ihlalleri ve bu alandaki mücadeleler hakkında farkındalık yaratmayı amaçlamaktadır. Bununla birlikte, katılımcıların bu alanlardaki hukuki becerilerini geliştirebilmelerine destek olacak şekilde, güncel kararlar ve uygulamalar odağında geliştirilmiştir. Bu doğrultuda, programda ele alınan konu başlıkları aşağıdaki gibidir:

  • Uluslararası İfade Özgürlüğü Standartları
    Türkiye’de İfade Özgürlüğüne Genel Bakış: Yasal ve Pratik Boyutlar
  • Milli Güvenlik, Kamu Düzeninin Korunması ve İfade Özgürlüğü
  • İnternet, Sosyal Medya ve İfade Özgürlüğü
    Türkiye’de Erişim Engelleme Uygulamaları
  • Cumhurbaşkanına Hakaret ve İfade Özgürlüğü
    İfade Özgürlüğü vs Hakaret Suçu
  • İfade Özgürlüğü Bağlamında Propaganda ve Örgüt Üyeliği
    Propaganda Suçu ve İfade Özgürlüğü
    Örgüt Üyeliği ve İfade Özgürlüğü İlişkisi