Asma Hedi Nairi Özen is a lawyer, academic, and human rights advocate with expertise in sociology, law, and international relations. A member of the African diaspora in Turkey, she focuses on advancing human rights, particularly in areas related to African studies, migration, and the role of diasporas.
Over the past decade, Asma has collaborated with numerous international and regional civil society organizations. Her work has centered on enhancing refugee livelihoods, promoting social cohesion, and protecting the rights of migrants and refugees. Her academic research examines the impact of discourse, xenophobia, and the power of narratives and representations on the rights and welfare of migrant communities.
Asma currently serves as the MENA Regional Manager at the International Detention Coalition and is a Senior Researcher with Afrika Vakfi-Ankara.