Student Staff Update: Maria Cabrera

My name is Maria Cabrera, and this is my first year with the Center for Global Justice, Human Rights, and the Rule of Law (CGJ). I am a first-year Masters in Law student with Regent University. My favorite part of the CGJ is learning about people and different cultures throughout the world.

Hello, Everyone.

As the spring semester ends, I must confess I feel special because I was asked to help research and study Turkey. Turkey is a land rich in history, the arts, intellectual achievements, and fortitude. I only hope that Turkey will channel her gifts to continue to build the next generation in Turkey and carry her torch as the only secular Muslim nation in the world and that light bear a moral compass to exercise good when under fire.

As a leader, President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan possesses an uncanny popularity and charisma that could make a difference for the better in Turkey and the surrounding region for freedom. His acumen as a businessman could help build a more independent Turkey, ruling with immediate reason and the rule of law as his friend and not his enemy.

It has been six months since Turkish authorities unjustly imprisoned United States Pastor Andrew Brunson in Turkey. Currently, Turkey is in a State of Emergency and securing a trial date may be a challenge.

According to the American Center for Law and Justice (ACLJ), Attorney Aysun Aksehirlioğlu for Pastor Brunson “released a statement indicating the lack of evidence that Pastor Brunson had a membership or any other relationship with cited organization.”

The ACLJ continues to say that on a recent visit to Turkey, Secretary of State Rex Tillerson presented Pastor Brunson’s case directly with President Erdoğan suggesting that an indictment might be forthcoming.

More than ever before, wisdom, understanding, and compassion demonstrate the need for a comprehensive approach for the United States and Turkey regarding the freedom of one husband and father, Pastor Brunson.

This post was written by a Center for Global Justice student staff member.  The views expressed in this post do not necessarily reflect those of Regent University, Regent Law School, or the Center for Global Justice.