Hakikat Adalet Hafıza Merkezi (Truth Justice Memory Centre) aims to uncover the truth concerning past violations of human rights, strengthen the collective memory about those violations, and support survivors in their pursuit of justice. The fellow who will conduct the fellowship activities at Hafıza Merkezi will be primarily involved in our ongoing program called Regional Network for Historical Dialogue and Dealing with the Past (RNHDP). The institution is looking for fellows in the fields of human rights, transitional justice, dealing with the past, historical dialogue. 

Found in 2013, RNHDP aims to contribute to the historical dialogue and reconciliation efforts in the Caucasus and in the Middle East. Based in Istanbul, Hafıza Merkezi acts as the coordinator of the network in cooperation with Alliance for Historical Dialogue and Accountability Program in Columbia University’s Institute for the Study of Human Rights and Columbia Global Centers | Turkey. Currently, the network has 53 participants, and its events are open to NGOs in the relevant countries whose work focus on historical dialogue, accountability, reconciliation, peace, human rights, conflict resolution and transitional justice.

The first workshop of the network was held on October 24-26, 2013 in Istanbul with the participation of 14 NGOs from the region. In this workshop the participants, who were also the initial members of RNHDP have agreed that the network should set its primary objectives as; 1) to publish a network website that would introduce the network and its work, 2) to periodically organise thematic workshops on a theme and/or practice related to historical dialogue and reconciliation determined by the network members’ preferences (such as documentation, following legal proceedings, dissemination, impunity, memorialisation, gender, etc.), 3) to organise periodic training programs. 

Hafıza Merkezi has since then is working for the fulfillment of these objectives, and held two thematic workshops (in 2015 and 2017), and two training programs (in 2015 and 2016) as part of the RNHDP. Information about these events and 53 organisations that took part in these events are accessible from the network’s website http://dealingwiththepast.org/

During 2017, Hafıza Merkezi will be producing a publication on the issue of enforced disappearances (ED) and the missing in the countries of the regions Caucasus and Middle East. The idea for a comparative, regional publication was incepted during RNHDP’s latest workshop Mapping Enforced Disappearances and the Missing in Caucasus and Middle East, held in January 27-28, 2017. The country presentations from Russia, Azerbaijan, Armenia, Georgia, Iran, Iraq, Lebanon, Egypt, Algeria  

The fellow is expected to;

  • Assist in the research for the regional publication (possibly with more focus on Armenia, Georgia and Azerbaijan),
  • Help coordinate relations with RNHDP members,
  • Help improve RNHDP website, 
  • Develop new ideas, activities and projects for the development of RNHDP.

EXPECTED PROFILE

  • Experience in research (academic or civil society),
  • Ability to work in project coordination and management,
  • Proficiency in writing English,
  • Good communication skills,
  • Willingness to learn, take initiative, work with a team and think outside the box, 
  • Curiosity and interest on issues of historical dialogue, human rights, conflict resolution or transitional justice.

CONDITIONS OF THE FELLOWSHIP OPPORTUNITY

Fellow is expected to conduct his/her fellowship activity at least two days a week, from 10.00 to 18.00. All public holidays are days off.

Location of the fellowship will be in Istanbul, Turkey.

PROPOSED TIME FOR THE FELLOWSHIP 

All different ranges of periods are equally acceptable ranging from 4 to 8 months.