Maltepe University Human Rights Research and Implementation Center brought Human Rights Education to Prisons with a Competition
In 2011, Maltepe University Human Rights Research and Implementation Center organized a cartoon contest on human rights, open to prisoners, convicts and staff in prisons across Turkey.
On Friday, December 16, a jury consisting of members of the Board of Directors of the Human Rights Research and Implementation Center and distinguished cartoonists evaluated the 58 cartoon works submitted. As a result of the evaluation, Y. Figueroa from Maltepe L Type Penal Institution won the first prize; M. Boğatekin from Bolu F Type Prison won the second prize; and S. Çelik from Adana Karataş Women's Closed Prison won the third prize. Three works were also awarded honorable mentions. The honorable mention winners were U. Doğankaya from Kocaeli Kandıra T Type Closed Prison No. 2, H. Çakar from Bingöl M Type Closed Prison and H. Özgen from Ödemiş Prison.
Prof. Dr. Ioanna KUÇURADİ, Director of the Human Rights Center, stated that there is a need for such educational activities in prisons and that we should always keep in mind the words of one of the participants who said “You reminded us of our humanity for the first time in years” at the end of their work in a prison.