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Back First launch of Council of Europe HELP course on Refugee and Migrant Children for lawyers from Istanbul Bar Association in Turkey

On 3 December, the HELP online course on Refugee and Migrant Children, in Turkish was launched in Istanbul for a group of 40 lawyers. It was organised in cooperation with the İstanbul Bar Association and supported by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR). This course was also the first launch in Turkey.

The Council of Europe Programme for Human Rights Education for Legal Professionals (HELP) will be launching a national version of its new Course on Refugee and Migrant Children, aimed specifically at Turkish legal professionals who wish to improve their knowledge and skills on the existing European and international standards in this area, their relevance in the Turkish legal context, and how to apply them in their daily work.

Participants were welcomed by Att. Dr Ayça Özok Ener, the Member of the Board of Directors of Istanbul Bar Association, who praised the cooperation with the Council of Europe HELP Programme and stressed the value and benefit that HELP online courses offer for the training of lawyers.

After the welcoming speech, the participants subsequently received a detailed introduction to the HELP Programme, its methodology, the HELP e-learning online platform, and courses by Muhammed Taha Büyüktavşan, rapporteur Judge at the Department of Human Rights within the Minister of Justice, currently seconded as Senior Project Coordinator within the HELP.

During the kick-off meeting, respectively Att. Can Vodina and Att. Erinç Argün, United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees in Turkey from Istanbul office and Att. Yasemen Öztürkcan, Vice President of İstanbul Bar Association Human Rights Center made thematic presentations for the participants.

The course tutor, Att. Musa Toprak, HELP Info Point in Turkey and lawyer, presented the expertise of HELP Programme and its large selection of online course dealing with Human Rights issues, and engaged with the participants on the role and function of HELP tutors.

Following the launching event, participants will take the course online over a two-months period. The scope of the HELP online training is planned to expand in the coming period, reaching more trainee lawyers, as well as being offered to practicing lawyers.

The course covers the following modules: