OSTİM Technical University hosted an international event that aimed to shed light on the dark pages of history. The conference titled “Colonial Crimes Conference: Narratives and Testimonies of Victims of Colonial and Crimes Against Humanity” attracted great attention with the participation of experts and witnesses from different continents..
At the conference, striking narratives about colonialism and crimes against humanity in a wide geography extending from America to Asia, Europe to Africa were shared. Moderated by Former Ambassador Ümit Yardım, an experienced name in the world of diplomacy, and Prof. Dr. Kudret Bülbül.
In this event, where academic perspectives were blended with individual testimonies, the historical background of the victimizations and their effects on the present day were discussed comprehensively.
Speakers among the participants:
- Prof. Dr. Sami Al-Arian: Al-Arian, who joined from the United States, touched on the political effects of colonial systems on a global scale
- Dr. Hikmet Karčić: Karčić, who came from Bosnia and Herzegovina, gave a comprehensive presentation, especially on the genocidal processes in the Balkans and war crimes in Bosnia.
- Gül Çakan and Maide Çakan: Participants from East Turkestan revealed China's practices against Uyghur Turks through individual testimonies..
- Prof. Dr. Fethi Güngör shared striking information about the history of the Circassian Exile and its effects on the present day.
- Dr. Pervin Hayrullah and Kerem Abdurrahimoğlu: They drew attention with their presentations on the rights violations of the Turks of Western Thrace.
Narratives conveyed from various regions such as America, Africa, Algeria, Azerbaijan, the Balkans, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Circassia, East Turkestan, Ireland, India, Pakistan, Palestine, South Asia, Ukraine, and Myanmar (Arakan) not only provided an area for academic discussion, but also hosted powerful testimonies that appealed to the conscience of humanity.
The conference contributed to understanding past injustices and also raised awareness to prevent similar tragedies in the future.
