Enes Kanter Freedom Joins NJW: Advocating for Justice Against Human Rights Abuses in Turkey – Meeting with MP Heather McPherson

Continuing its relentless pursuit of justice for the victims of human rights abuses by the Erdogan regime in Turkey, Northern Justice Watch recently facilitated a crucial meeting with MP Heather McPherson at the Canadian Parliament in Ottawa on March 27th. MP McPherson, a dedicated member of the NDP, serves on the House Subcommittee on International Human Rights (SDIR), the House Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Development (FAAE), and the Canadian NATO Parliamentary Association.

Our delegation, consisting of international human rights lawyer Sarah Teich, Michael Polak, Kevin Dent, NBA player Enes Kanter Freedom, Northern Justice Watch President Yasemin Mamaloglu, survivors Mesut Kacmaz, Meral Kacmaz, Murat Acar, and Candan Acar, and Sait Murat Simsek, the Program Development Director of Northern Justice Watch, had the opportunity to share the heart-wrenching narratives of these impacted families with MP McPherson.

The meeting provided a platform for the Kacmaz and Acar families to recount their traumatizing experiences of forced repatriation from Pakistan and Bahrain, respectively, to Turkey. They shared their journey from being subjected to physical and psychological torture in Turkey to eventually seeking refuge and finding a new home in Canada.

Northern Justice Watch commends MP McPherson for her dedication to international human rights and her earnestness in understanding the severe human rights abuses perpetrated by the Erdogan regime. Her roles within the SDIR, FAAE, and the Canadian NATO Parliamentary Association underscore her commitment to addressing these pressing issues.

The advocacy visit with MP McPherson was an integral step in our mission to shed light on these grave human rights violations and to emphasize the urgent need for international action. We extend our gratitude to MP McPherson for her time and attention, and we remain resolute in our pursuit of justice and accountability.