President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan reiterated Türkiye’s commitment to defending the oppressed and standing against global injustice during his address at the International Human Rights Conference and the opening of the Echoes Exhibition in Istanbul.

Speaking at the event, Erdoğan said Türkiye has consistently acted to support vulnerable communities around the world. “From Arakan to Somalia, Syria to Gaza, wherever there is an oppressed person, we have worked to rush to their aid and heal their wounds,” he stated.

The President emphasized that Türkiye would continue to defend truth and justice without hesitation. “Never backing down in the face of tyrants and invaders, we will continue to speak out the truth and uphold justice without fearing or shying away from anyone,” he said.

Reflecting on long-standing struggles for rights and freedoms, Erdoğan referenced global and national figures such as Malcolm X and Şule Yüksel Şenler as examples of resistance against oppression. He also recalled Türkiye’s own human rights battles, including the fight against the headscarf ban.

“Throughout our political life spanning almost half a century, we have never disappointed our people or betrayed their confidence,” Erdoğan noted. “We have always stood tall but have never become arrogant. We managed to overcome even the most challenging obstacles with the support of my wife Emine Erdoğan, my children, and the strong backing of our nation.”

Erdoğan highlighted that Türkiye’s humanitarian stance is rooted in its values and will continue to guide the country’s foreign and domestic policies.

The International Human Rights Conference and the Echoes Exhibition brought together scholars, activists, and officials to discuss global rights issues and highlight stories of resilience from conflict regions. (ILKHA)