Pinar Selek: a life of fighting for human rights
Pinar Selek is a Turkish sociologist, writer and activist, known for her unwavering commitment to human rights and minorities. For almost 25 years, she has faced legal harassment from the Turkish authorities. A refugee in France, she continues to fight for justice and freedom.
Born in Istanbul in 1971, Pinar Selek grew up in a politically engaged family. His father, a human rights lawyer, and his mother, a feminist pharmacist, passed on to him the values of solidarity and justice from an early age. Her journey as an activist began when her father was imprisoned during Turkey’s 1980s political repression. This experience had a profound impact on Pinar Selek and inspired her to act to defend the oppressed.
As a sociologist, Pinar Selek was interested in issues of social justice and inequality. Her work on the Kurdish community in Turkey led to her being arrested in 1998. But the Turkish authorities did not stop there: she was accused of having participated in a deadly attack in an Istanbul market. Despite the multiple acquittals handed down by the courts, his trial was recently resumed and postponed to a later date.
Despite all these challenges, Pinar Selek continues to fight his battles with unfailing determination. She is a strong voice for the rights of minorities in Turkey, notably the Kurdish community, but also for women’s rights, environmental protection and the fight against militarization. Her resilience and her desire to make the truth heard make her an emblematic figure in the fight for human rights.
As a writer, Pinar Selek has also contributed to raising public awareness of these issues. She has published several committed works, testifying to her experience and her fight. His writings provoke reflection and awareness, and encourage readers to act for a more just and egalitarian world.
Now a refugee in France, Pinar Selek continues to fight for justice, while remaining very attached to her country of origin. His story is a powerful reminder of the importance of freedom of expression and the fight for human rights. By supporting people like Pinar Selek, we can help advance the cause of justice and freedom around the world.