{"id":3043,"date":"2023-07-19T07:20:55","date_gmt":"2023-07-19T07:20:55","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/bhrtr.org\/?p=3043"},"modified":"2026-04-22T16:28:56","modified_gmt":"2026-04-22T16:28:56","slug":"learning-to-fish-dr-cigdem-cimrins-and-bhrtrs-story","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/bhrtr.org\/en\/2023\/07\/19\/learning-to-fish-dr-cigdem-cimrins-and-bhrtrs-story\/","title":{"rendered":"Learning to fish, Dr. \u00c7i\u011fdem \u00c7\u0131mr\u0131n\u2019s and BHRTR\u2019s Story"},"content":{"rendered":"[vc_row type=”in_container” full_screen_row_position=”middle” column_margin=”default” column_direction=”default” column_direction_tablet=”default” column_direction_phone=”default” scene_position=”center” text_color=”dark” text_align=”left” row_border_radius=”none” row_border_radius_applies=”bg” overflow=”visible” overlay_strength=”0.3″ gradient_direction=”left_to_right” shape_divider_position=”bottom” bg_image_animation=”none”][vc_column column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_tablet=”inherit” column_padding_phone=”inherit” column_padding_position=”all” column_element_direction_desktop=”default” column_element_spacing=”default” desktop_text_alignment=”default” tablet_text_alignment=”default” phone_text_alignment=”default” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_backdrop_filter=”none” column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” column_link_target=”_self” column_position=”default” gradient_direction=”left_to_right” overlay_strength=”0.3″ width=”1\/1″ tablet_width_inherit=”default” animation_type=”default” bg_image_animation=”none” border_type=”simple” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid”][vc_column_text text_direction=”default”]\n
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Wars in neighbouring countries and the devastating impact of the earthquake have made things worse in Turkey, especially for the most vulnerable. Waves of refugees bring seasonal workers who often work in substandard conditions. This is where the non-governmental-organisation BHRTR comes in, which was founded by two strong women, Dr. Cigdem Cimrin and Dr. Pinar Kara.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n[\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text text_direction=”default”]\n

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Cimrin holds a doctorate and previously worked as a lawyer for businesses in Turkey. After roughly a decade, it became clear to her that she should use her strengths and expertise to have a social impact. She subsequently founded BHRTR \u2013 the first aid organisation in Turkey to focus on human rights in a corporate context \u2013 together with Pinar Kara, who is also a formerly corporate lawyer that completed her PhD studies on business and human rights.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

Cimrin explains: \u2018I moved from the dark side into the light, so to speak, and began working as a consultant for organisations such as Save the Children, GIZ and Welthungerhilfe.\u2019 When working on her doctoral thesis, she dealt in detail with the issue of corporate responsibility to respect human rights. Specifically, she focused on human rights due diligence and sustainability. This courageous Turkish woman was willing to take on a challenging task, both in theoretical and practical terms.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n[\/vc_column_text][image_with_animation image_url=”3056″ image_size=”portfolio-thumb_large” animation_type=”entrance” animation=”None” animation_movement_type=”transform_y” hover_animation=”none” alignment=”center” border_radius=”none” box_shadow=”none” image_loading=”default” max_width=”100%” max_width_mobile=”default”][nectar_text_inline_images media_type=”images” image_size=”medium” image_effect=”none” image_loading=”default”]\n

Dr. \u00c7i\u011fdem \u00c7\u0131mr\u0131n and Dr. P\u0131nar Kara, 2023.<\/p>\n[\/nectar_text_inline_images][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row type=”in_container” full_screen_row_position=”middle” column_margin=”default” column_direction=”default” column_direction_tablet=”default” column_direction_phone=”default” scene_position=”center” text_color=”dark” text_align=”left” row_border_radius=”none” row_border_radius_applies=”bg” overflow=”visible” overlay_strength=”0.3″ gradient_direction=”left_to_right” shape_divider_position=”bottom” bg_image_animation=”none”][vc_column column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_tablet=”inherit” column_padding_phone=”inherit” column_padding_position=”all” column_element_direction_desktop=”default” column_element_spacing=”default” desktop_text_alignment=”default” tablet_text_alignment=”default” phone_text_alignment=”default” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_backdrop_filter=”none” column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” column_link_target=”_self” column_position=”default” gradient_direction=”left_to_right” overlay_strength=”0.3″ width=”1\/1″ tablet_width_inherit=”default” animation_type=”default” bg_image_animation=”none” border_type=”simple” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid”][vc_column_text text_direction=”default”]\n

A strong team<\/b><\/h2>\n
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Around two years ago, Cimrin founded BHRTR together with Pinar Kara in order to have a direct local impact to address business-related human rights abuses and to advance responsible business conduct in global supply chains extending to Turkey. \u2018We can proudly say that we are the first NGO in Turkey with a central focus on business and human rights issues ranging from refugee rights to gender equality & diversity. As women, we know what it feels like to be oppressed \u2013 that gives us even more motivation to advocate for disadvantaged individuals.\u2019<\/p>\n<\/div>\n[\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]\n

Wide-ranging legislative changes<\/h2>\n

After all, the bitter reality remains that many companies do not verify whether or how human rights are respected in their direct and indirect supply chain. In order to identify and address deficiencies, since the start of 2023, companies in the German Supply Chain Due Diligence Act (LkSG) are being held accountable. Under LkSG, all companies falling under certain criteria are obligated to assess their supply chains, including their suppliers, for human rights violations and environmental risks, and to prevent and remedy any identified risks and violations. This also applies to commercial ties in non-EU countries such as Turkey. Wars and environmental disasters have changed the labour market there. Both local people and refugees are exposed to deteriorating conditions. There is an urgent need to act.[\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text text_direction=”default”]\n

Exploiting synergies<\/h2>\n

In concrete terms, BHRTR wishes to act as an intermediary between predominantly European companies and Turkish partners. Structural challenges are particularly acute on the ground: \u2018Unfortunately, civil society in Turkey is not nearly as well developed as it ought to be. Most organisations have to get by with limited funding,\u2019 Cimrin says. BHRTR addresses this exact issue: \u2018We know that we are not experts in all fields. But we can function as mediators and draw on the expertise of other civil society organisations with the aim of implementing effective projects to address supply chain related human rights and environmental risks.\u2019[\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]\n

Learning to fish<\/h2>\n

Cimrin is guarded with regard to the commitment of European companies: \u2018Unfortunately, there is a lot of \u201csocial greenwashing.\u201d\u2019 In the 70s, several companies started to launch volunteer projects. These mostly consisted of unpaid work that only helped the local people in the short term, if at all.\u2019 Metaphorically speaking, she believes that there is no point in just giving people fish. They have to learn to catch their own. This is an important task for Minerva, as a non-profit organisation wants to create lasting change in the region. The LkSG can help here by acting as \u2018leverage\u2019.[\/vc_column_text][image_with_animation image_url=”3048″ image_size=”full” animation_type=”entrance” animation=”None” animation_movement_type=”transform_y” hover_animation=”none” alignment=”center” border_radius=”none” box_shadow=”none” image_loading=”default” max_width=”100%” max_width_mobile=”default”][nectar_text_inline_images media_type=”images” images=”3048″ image_size=”medium” image_effect=”none” image_loading=”default”]\n

\u00c7i\u011fdem \u00c7\u0131mr\u0131n paying a visit to a school project for children, whose parents working in hazelnut harvest.<\/p>\n[\/nectar_text_inline_images][divider line_type=”No Line”][vc_column_text text_direction=”default”]\n

Joining forces<\/h2>\n

naturamus, a raw materials supplier and WALA subsidiary, advocates for long-term cooperation in all its partnerships with farmers, including those in Turkey \u2013 the country where valuable rose oil is produced for WALA. WALA has been working with the Aydin family\u2019s rose farm since 2014. Back then, naturamus helped this family company transition from organic cultivation to Demeter-certified farming methods. In order to permanently improve working conditions for local seasonal workers, the WALA subsidiary took action and sought dialogue with BHRTR from 2021 to 2022. \u2018I would like to offer my sincere thanks for the trust placed in us. We are still a very young organisation, and the opportunity to take part in such a partnership is not a foregone conclusion for us,\u2019 Cimrin adds.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row type=”in_container” full_screen_row_position=”middle” column_margin=”default” column_direction=”default” column_direction_tablet=”default” column_direction_phone=”default” scene_position=”center” text_color=”dark” text_align=”left” row_border_radius=”none” row_border_radius_applies=”bg” overflow=”visible” overlay_strength=”0.3″ gradient_direction=”left_to_right” shape_divider_position=”bottom” bg_image_animation=”none”][vc_column column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_tablet=”inherit” column_padding_phone=”inherit” column_padding_position=”all” column_element_direction_desktop=”default” column_element_spacing=”default” desktop_text_alignment=”default” tablet_text_alignment=”default” phone_text_alignment=”default” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_backdrop_filter=”none” column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” column_link_target=”_self” column_position=”default” gradient_direction=”left_to_right” overlay_strength=”0.3″ width=”1\/1″ tablet_width_inherit=”default” animation_type=”default” bg_image_animation=”none” border_type=”simple” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid”][nectar_btn size=”large” open_new_tab=”true” button_style=”regular” button_color_2=”Accent-Color” icon_family=”none” text=”Tap to read it on WALA’s website” url=”https:\/\/www.wala.world\/en\/independence\/learning-to-fish.html”][\/vc_column][\/vc_row]\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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