Five Years On: The Méndez Principles – From Vision to Implementation

The symposium titled “Five Years On: The Méndez Principles – From Vision to Implementation” organized by the Faculty of Law at Özyeğin University, will be held on Monday, 11 May 2026, between 09:30 and 17:30 at Özyeğin University Çekmeköy Campus, AB3.150 (Zeynep Alp Köseoğlu Auditorium), both in person and online via Zoom.

Zoom Link: https://ozyegin-edu-tr.zoom.us/j/94087032423?pwd=Hc9YWAIkH0aLLd2o6T3n98GmEEpEPb.1 

Meeting ID: 940 8703 2423
Password: 104082

Programme Schedule

09.30 – 10.00 Registration

10.00 - 10.15 Opening Session
Prof. Dr. Özlem YENERER ÇAKMUT
Dean - Özyeğin University Faculty of Law

Prof. Dr. Barış TAN
Rector - Özyeğin University

Prof. Dr. Dave WALSH
Action Chair - COST Action CA22128  ImpleMéndez, UK

10.15 – 10.30 Keynote Speech: (Video Conference)
Prof. Dr. Juan E. MÉNDEZ
Former UN Special Rapporteur on Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment, Professor of International Law (ret.) Washington College of Law – American University

“The Méndez Principles: Progress and Perspectives on Building Ethical Interviewing Cultures”

Panel I 10.30 - 11.25

“Where Do We Go From Here? Future Challenges and Opportunities” Part 1

Moderators:
Prof. Dr. Kristjan KASK – Tallinn University
Prof. Dr. Özlem YENERER ÇAKMUT – Özyeğin Üniversity

10.30 – 10.50 Prof. Dr. Ray BULL
University of Portsmouth

10.50 – 11.10 Prof. Dr. Dave WALSH
De Montfort University

11.10 – 11.25 Q&A

11.25 - 11.50 Coffee Break (30 mins)

Panel II 11.50 - 12.50

“Where Do We Go From Here? Future Challenges and Opportunities” Part 2

Moderators:
Prof. Dr. Kristjan KASK – Tallinn University
Prof. Dr. Özlem YENERER ÇAKMUT – Özyeğin University

11.55 – 12.15 Prof. Dr. Yvonne DALY
Dublin City University

12.15 – 12.35 Nicole HOGG
Secretary General, Association for the Prevention of Torture

12.35 – 12.50 Q&A

12.50 – 14.00 Lunch Break (70 mins)

Panel III 14.00 - 14.55

“Diversity in Practice: National and Pan-European Experiences” Part 1

Moderators:
Prof. Dr. Ivar A. FAHSING – University of Oslo
Assoc. Prof. Hamide BAĞÇECİ DANACI – Özyeğin University

14.00 – 14.20 Finland:
Dr. Hanna LAHTINEN – University of Eastern Finland
Prof. Dr. Julia KORKMAN – Åbo Akademi University

14.20 – 14.40 Poland:
Assoc. Prof. Denis SOLODOV – University of Warmia and Mazury
Dr. Olga MAZUR – Krakow Remand Prison

14.40 – 14.55 Q&A

14.55 – 15.15 Coffee Break (20 mins)

Panel IV 15.15 - 16.10

“Diversity in Practice: National and Pan-European Experiences” Part 2

Moderators:
Prof. Dr. Ivar A. FAHSING – University of Oslo
Assoc. Prof. Hamide BAĞÇECİ DANACI – Özyeğin University

15.15 – 15.35 Türkiye:
Asst. Prof. Zeynep REVA – Özyeğin University
Asst. Prof. Esra ÇETİNÖZ – Turkish National Police Academy

15.35 – 15.55 Europe:
Therese RYTTER
DIGNITY – Danish Institute Against Torture

15.55 – 16.10 Q&A

16.10 - 16.20 Closing Remarks
Prof. Dr. Dave WALSH
De Montfort University

16.20 – 17.30 Poster Session & Cocktail Reception