Strategic Mapping in Human Rights Struggle
The project “Strategic Mapping of Torture in Turkey”, is a collaborative working process realized by the Helsinki Citizens’ Assembly and the Human Rights Agenda Association, and, aims to reinforce the competence of and creativity in efforts to stop and eradicate torture and ill-treatment and to bring perpetrators to justice. Our main goal has been to introduce a new perspective of systematic analysis, encouraging strategic thinking and inspiring creativity, innovation and holistic action to tackle the issue of torture. The approach and methodology of implementation aspires for an improved synergy amongst human rights defenders as well as for the enlargement and enrichment of the human rights community. It does so by opening up space and advocating for the involvement of a wide variety of existing and potential stakeholders from different walks of life, not conventionally identified with human rights advocacy.
We have introduced the method of visual mapping constructed in a collaborative and participatory working process, to encourage holistic approaches through the employment of strategic thinking and action. The resulting map allows a view of the bigger picture currently effective in Turkey, demonstrating the web of complex relations of power and the actors that are present in the field. We hope that the project, both by its process and its products, facilitates the efficient use of knowledge and paves the way for establishing cooperation to fight against torture with the goal of the ratification of the Optional Protocol to the Convention Against Torture as well as adopting a National Plan of Action against torture.
The target groups of the project have been activists, non-governmental organizations, experts and professionals working on the issue of torture and/or related areas, administrative/governmental institutions, semi-official bodies, media agencies and relevant academic and research centers. Besides those in Turkey, international NGOs and intergovernmental organizations have participated and contributed to the process at varying levels.
Implementation proceeded along a variety of concurrent activities. One major activity was a significantly extensive research on existing literature (academic as well as legislative/administrative corpus and discourse), reports and publications of NGOs as well as relevant official agencies, and, media references, including in-depth interviews to identify the current practices and dynamics of torture and ill-treatment. The research process was compounded by consultations at workshops with different groups. The information compiled was sorted, labeled and processed into a database. This digitized data was then transferred and transformed to a graphical map. The database, the configuration of visual graphics and the web site were designed in a tailor-made fashion for the specific purposes of the project. The project process and findings were published and disseminated on-line and in-print. The overall project process included also discussion and lobbying for the ratification of OPCAT and the adoption of a National Action Plan and follow-up activities to assess the impact of the mapping methodology amongst the NGO community.