Within the scope of “December 3, International Day of Persons with Disabilities”, a panel titled “Individuals with Special Needs and Their Rights” was held by the Department of Special Education. The panel was moderated by the Head of Department of Special Education Assoc. Prof. Dr. Mukaddes Sakallı Demirok, Near East University Department of Special Education faculty member Prof. Dr. Gönül Akçamete mentioned about “Children’s Rights and Disabled Rights”, Gazi University Head of the Department of Gifted Students Assoc. Prof. Dr. Mahmut Çitil talked about “Disability Policies and Legal Regulations” and TRNC Ministry of National Education Primary Education Department Special Education Unit Specialist MSc. Melek Kanlı took place with her speech titled as “Legal Processes in TRNC”.

First of all, Prof. Dr. Gönül Akçamete gave information on “Children’s Rights and Disabled Rights”. Akçamete; “We are a country that has signed rights in different fields such as human rights, children’s rights and the rights of the disabled, which started with the universal declaration of human rights in 1948s. In this context, first of all, “Every child is a unique person to be respected and to be consulted.” The children’s rights convention was accepted on 20 November 1989. The reason for the preparation of this contract is a document prepared for the protection and development of all the world’s children. It is prepared to protect children from all kinds of neglect and abuse. Turkey has adopted this convention on children’s rights 14.09.1990 and entered into our domestic law. This agreement, which is accepted by 193 countries, is the most accepted agreement by the countries. Principles are included in this convention, which are important to all children. However, each country interpreted these principles differently. It is necessary to work more and collect data on children’s rights and the rights of the disabled. Children’s rights cannot be fully implemented in our country. It is a wrong practice to remember these rights on special occasions such as International Children’s Day and Disabled Day. We need to turn it into practice as state policies.”

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Mahmut Çitil shared information about the process of “Disability Policies and Legal Regulations” from past to present. Çitil; “Disability policies are system that includes elements such as the sociology of the disabled, the law of the disabled, and the education of the disabled. The right to life of the disabled has gone through many difficult processes from past to present. We can say that living conditions of these children were very difficult and even they did not have the right to live in the past, when the weak did not have the right to live. In fact, it is included in the history books that disabled children are seen as a punishment given to these individuals as the price of the sins made during the Ancient Roman Empire. Since the 17th century, there have been developments in the education and development of these children. At the beginning of the 20th century, it was observed that hospitals and institutions were established with the view that disabled individuals were sick. In 1955, political developments came to the fore with Disability Rights. With the developments in Western societies, the associations established and the laws enacted, the importance of the rights of the disabled has been revealed. expressed in the form.”

MSc. Melek Kanlı gave information about “Legal Processes in TRNC” in the panel. Kanlı; In the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, law studies have been ongoing for years, a law was created with the opinions of teachers, non-governmental organizations and families responsible for private education institutions and is currently awaiting approval in the Assembly Council, however, although we do not have a law, the Ministry of Education He stated that he continues his services in special education teachers and special education institutions and inclusive schools.”