By Ahmet Abdulaziz ….
Human trafficking, migration of people and other related problems were the subject matters at a conference recently held at the Near East University.
According to the information provided by the Near East University (NEU), the conference was held at the Atatürk Culture and Congress Center (AKKM). The main participants of the conference were Assistant Professor Merve Acun Mekengeç, member of the Board of Law and Society Center and lecturer at NEU Faculty of Law, Assistant Professor Zafer İçer, lecturer at Marmara University Faculty of Law, and Lawyer Fezile Osum, Chairperson of Turkish Cyprus Refugee Rights Association.
Making a presentation on “”Factors constituting a source of fear of being persecuted based on justifiable reasons in acquisition of refugee status”, Asst. Prof. Dr. Merve Acun Mekengeç addressed the basic concepts regarding the refugee law and in the light of international law documents, she delivered information about the inclusion clauses concerning the determination of refugee status for those, who left their countries with the fear of being persecuted for reasons of race, religion, nationality, membership of a particular social group or political opinion.
In his presentation entitled “Refugee smuggling and human trafficking crimes within the scope of international crimes”, Asst. Prof. Dr. Zafer İçer addressed the material and non-material components of refugee smuggling and human trafficking crimes defined in the Turkish Penal Code and touched upon the applications in Turkey within the framework of the Supreme Court’s decisions.
In her presentation entitled “Applications and challenges concerning the migrants and asylum seekers in Northern Cyprus”, Lawyer Fezile Osum addressed the legal frame and applications concerning asylum seekers and migrants in TRNC Law. Highlighting that the relevant legislation fell short to address the current needs, Lawyer Osum touched upon some current court decisions and administrative applications concerning the issue.
