Turkey's first lady promotes disabled children's rights at PACE session

The first lady began her speech by saying that there is still a lot that needs to be done for children in the world in terms of human rights. “Those with disabilities do not live in isolation as if on far off islands in the ocean anymore, but we all know that they are still confined to the four walls of their homes in some countries, which is why we are sometimes not even aware of them,” she noted. We must remember that children are not disabled by choice, she continued, and added, “However, they have to live with their disability.”

Mrs. Gül is well known for advocacy of children's rights, especially concerning children with disabilities. Last year, she launched a nationwide campaign aiming to empower the disabled through education.

The title of the campaign was “Education Enables.” “A better society can be achieved by protecting children with disabilities, [and] not leaving their parents to cope with them alone. We must provide them with opportunities for education when they are young, thus, allowing them to be active individuals in society,” she stated at the PACE session.

The first lady continued her speech by providing the audience with information about “Education Enables.” She said the campaign aims to raise public awareness about the fact that children with disabilities can receive education with others in the same environment and in the same schools. “In this way, our children will learn to accept each other as they are; they will learn about tolerance and how to live together despite their differences,” Mrs. Gül noted.

During the session she was accompanied by Lokman Ayva, a member of PACE and a lawmaker from the ruling Justice and Development Party (AK Party). Ayva is visually impaired. Mrs. Gül praised Ayva for his efforts towards expanding the rights of people with disabilities.

“People may be born with a disability or become disabled later in life. However, this is not a hindrance to success. The best example of this is deputy Lokman Ayva. His efforts towards extending the rights of people with disabilities deserve the highest praise and appreciation. I would like to, on behalf of all our citizens with disabilities, offer my thanks to him once again,” she said.

The first lady concluded her speech calling on everyone to fulfill their responsibilities in fighting discrimination, including discrimination against people with disabilities. “Only in this way can we ensure that the fundamental values of human rights, democracy and the principle of the rule of law prevail throughout the world,” she added.

‘I hope future generations will not experience the scarf problem’

Mrs. Gül also spoke to a number of journalists on board the plane taking her to Strasbourg. She touched upon heated issues in Turkey, including the ban on the use of the Muslim headscarf on university campuses.

The Higher Education Board (YÖK) recently moved to lift the controversial ban, drawing huge applause from multiple fronts. “You all know that our generation experienced this bitter incident [the headscarf ban.] This is really bitter. There is nothing that hurts one more than discrimination,” she said, and expressed hope that future generations would not experience a similar problem.

She said a calm approach and common sense from all fronts would help put an end to the headscarf ban. “Let’s eliminate the ban through tolerance and affection. That’s what we need most. If we love another, no problem will be left unsolved,” she noted.

Thousands of students have been denied access to higher education due to the notorious ban on the headscarf since 1997, when the ban was first introduced. YÖK recently sent a circular to İstanbul University warning instructors that they should allow students who are not dressed in a manner consistent with the dress code to remain in class. According to the board, records should be kept about such students, but they should not be ordered out of class.