11/14/2023 - 12:59
On September 29, we held the third experience sharing meeting where Haklara Destek organizations shared the “best practices" pertaining to the field works they conduct. Eda Sevinin from Association for Migration Research (Göç Araştırmaları Derneği, GAR), Betül Atak and Zeynep Eliaçık from Association of Individuals for Freedom (Özgürlükçü Bireyler Derneği-Yalnız Yürümeyeceksin), Fatma Coşkun and Kemal Vural Tarlan from Kırkayak Culture, Arts, and Nature Association (Kırkayak Kültür) shared their experiences in the field with us.
The organizations talked about what they prioritize, what they care about and what principles they act on when communicating with the target groups in their field of work. Since You Will Not Walk Alone (Yalnız Yürümeyeceksin) was founded with the premise of showing solidarity with people who are forced to wear the headscarf, who are subjected to violence for practicing religious practices or the way they practice them, who are prevented from accessing their right to education, or who are subjected to social isolation, it tries to ensure a safe environment and anonymity while continuing its work. Betül Atak and Zeynep Eliaçık shared that besides correspondence by letter they prefer different digital platforms that can ensure anonymity and prevent access to unwanted communication. Eda Sevinin from GAR stated that as an organization working in the field of migration, they observe certain ethical principles such as the “do no harm principle” in their fieldwork. She emphasized the importance layered anonymization to ensure interlocutors unrecognizability, especially in migration research. She underlined the significance of respecting the rights and freedoms of the interlocutors in the field, and pointed out that it is necessary to be in the field with the knowledge that one will not always find answers to the questions that are part of one’s research and that interlocutors have the right to not answer the questions directed at them. Fatma Coşkun and Kemal Vural Tarlan from Kırkayak talked about the difficulties they experienced while working with vulnerable groups in a neighborhood where 70% of the population is comprised of refugees and Dom community as well as in earthquake stricken cities. They also pointed out the upsides and contributions of being in the field for a long time for the association when it comes to the issues of safe spaces and principles. They also shared the fluid interview method that emerged from the work they carry out with dynamic groups and the needs of each field.
The next experience sharing meeting on scholarship programs will be held on October 20.