Osman Işçi
Osman Isci is a leading human rights defender in Turkey, a member of the Human Rights Association of Turkey (IHD) and an Executive Committee member of the Euro Med Human Rights Network (EMHRN). He has worked for the rights of minorities in Turkey as well as with unions to promote freedom of association and freedom of expression.
On 9 December 2017, Osman Isci was awarded Human Rights Award ( Dr Lebiszczak Prize) by the Austrian League of Human Rights. The prize was established in memory of Georg Lebiszczak and is an award for the commitment of persecuted or already imprisoned opinion leaders.
Turkey's overly broad definition of terrorism allows for arbitrary imposition of the terrorism charges against individuals about whom there is little evidence of logistical or material support for terrorism. Scores of people are arrested and charged with terrorism-related offences for voicing their concern on the Kurdish issue through non-violent speeches and writings.
