Connection between IPPNW and HRFT

• Written by Gisela Penteker, IPPNW Germany

Şebnem Korur Fincancı and the members of the IPPNW in Germany, from left to right, Angelika Penteker, Alper Öktem, Waltraut Wirtgen, Angelika Claußen

IPPNW Germany and I personally have a deep and long connection with TIHV. The first steps were difficult. We took part in different trials against courageous human rights defenders. We witnessed the problems in the centres in Izmir and Adana, the prolonged start in Diyarbakir.

It is fourteen years now that we come to Turkey every year. Specially the centre in Izmir became something like a home base were we could recover from all the confusing information and experiences.

In Germany we work with refugees from Turkey, many of them torture victims. So the exchange of experiences became very important.

The Istanbul Protocol and the training of medical staff were other topics of common interest.

We worked together in conferences in Turkey and in Germany.

For the students in our IPPNW exchange programme TIHV Izmir is a very important partner.

Congratulations to your 20th anniversary. Thank you for all the work you do, for all the courage, for all the support and friendship.

With best regards...