The Turkish Association of Social Workers (TASW) expresses solidarity with the International Federation of Social Workers (IFSW), the British Association of Social Workers (BASW) and the Aotearoa New Zealand Association of Social Workers (ANZASW) in expressing deep concern at the detention of the Palestinian social worker and activist Mr. Munther Amira. Mr. Amira was detained by Israeli security forces on 27th December 2017 following his participation in a peaceful protest promoting the human rights of Palestinian children. We join our international colleagues, and over 6,500 signatories of an international petition, in demanding the immediate release of Mr. Amira.
The TASW, and the Turkish people, have a long-standing interest in the situation of the Palestinian people and call on the Israeli government to correct the situation of Mr. Amira and to respect the human rights of Palestinian children and all Palestinian people.
We also express disappointment at the statement of Israeli Union of Social Workers (IUSW) in response to the IFSW call for them to support the immediate release of Mr. Amira. We join our colleagues in calling for the IUSW to play a more active role in advocating for human rights in occupied Palestine, and to promote the principles of social work articulated by the IFSW and supported by the international community of social workers.
As requested by the IFSW Human Rights Commission, TASW will be writing to the Israeli embassy in Ankara to protest Mr Amira’s arrest.
In solidarity