JAM joins the conversation at Athens Democracy Forum

Athens, 1 October 2025 – JAM e.V.’s Evin Barış Altıntaş took part in a high-level panel discussion titled “Betraying Human Rights Defenders: The Impact on Global Security” at the Athens Democracy Forum, held from 30 September to 3 October 2025 in Greece.

The panel was organized by the McCain Institute at Arizona State University as part of its official partnership with the Forum. Moderated by Ambassador Cindy Dyer, Chief Program Officer of the McCain Institute, the discussion brought together three human rights defenders from different regions of the world. Other speakers included Hager Eissa a human rights advocate from Sudan and Nicholas Opiyo, a human rights lawyer from Uganda.

The conversation explored how the erosion of support for human rights defenders (HRDs) is reshaping global security and economic trends. The panelists discussed the rising dangers faced by those who defend fundamental rights under authoritarian regimes and reflected on how the weakening of traditional allies in democratic countries threatens the broader international human rights system.

Altıntaş highlighted the situation in Turkey, where journalists and lawyers continue to face criminalization and imprisonment for exercising their rights. She underscored how attacks on defenders not only silence individuals but also weaken institutions that sustain democracy and rule of law. Drawing from her work at the Media and Law Studies Association (MLSA) and JAM e.V., she called for renewed international solidarity and collective protection mechanisms for those who risk their freedom to uphold democratic values.

Organized by the Democracy & Culture Foundation in association with The New York Times, the Athens Democracy Forum 2025 focused on the state of democracy amid social upheaval, economic insecurity, and concurrent wars, while also showcasing examples of democratic renewal around the world.