This guideline has been prepared by the Free Software Association in Turkey (Özgür Yazılım Derneği) in order to provide a safe and peaceful environment for interaction for everyone within the scope of events and communities it organizes or takes part in, including online activities. This guideline is valid for as long as the Association’s sphere of influence continues. In any references made to adopt this guideline, the party making the reference is considered a coordinator of the guideline.
Coordinators refer to individuals authorized by the Association in the relevant areas, event committees, persons responsible for specific channels in online communication spaces, and, in all other exceptional cases, the Association’s Board of Directors.
Harassment refers to discriminatory or hurtful expressions that marginalize people based on age, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability, race, language, body shape or differences; targeting individuals; rhetoric involving violence against individuals; obstructing the continuation of an event or communication; and all forms of harassment.
Parties refer to individuals or institutions that are active in all areas where the Association is present.
Unwelcome person (persona non grata) refers to individuals who are removed from the Association’s spaces for a fixed period or indefinitely.
All parties are expected, regardless of circumstances, to be kind, helpful, and tolerant toward everyone and not to cause discomfort to anyone. Parties who cause discomfort will first be warned by other parties and/or coordinators and may then be declared an unwelcome person. With the joint decision of the coordinators, sanctions such as indefinite removal may also be applied to those causing discomfort.
At events, sponsors and hosts are also considered parties and are therefore subject to anti-harassment measures. Sanctions apply equally to sponsors and hosts.
In community spaces, fascism, sexism, speciesism, racism, chauvinism, LGBTI+ phobia, xenophobia, and, without limitation, any kind of freedom-opposing, discriminatory, or hate-based ideas, discourse, or behavior will absolutely not be tolerated. Parties found to engage in such discourse or behavior will be declared unwelcome persons and removed from all spaces.
If you are subjected to harassment, witness harassment against someone else, or have concerns, you should contact a coordinator as soon as possible. You can recognize coordinators by their statements in communication channels, or at events by their name badges or, if unavailable, by identifying markers.
In the event of any violation, taking the necessary actions to remedy the violation falls within the authority of the coordinators. Remedying a violation does not depend on a complaint or forgiveness by the persons involved in the incident.
To respect personal privacy at events, no photographs or videos of any party should be taken without prior consent. Depending on the event, some parties may display signs indicating that their photograph or video must not be taken or shared under any circumstances. All parties are expected to comply with such signs. If a photograph or video is taken without consent and the person is identifiable, obscuring the image so that the person cannot be recognized will protect their privacy.
Apart from these, disclosing the personal information or identity of third parties is strictly grounds for being declared an unwelcome person indefinitely.
Recommendations
Be sharing. In communication spaces, keep in mind that the technical level of the other party may differ from yours, and be as solution-oriented and constructive as possible.
Be kind. Considering that everyone’s social skills may differ, be understanding when faced with behavior you do not expect or are not accustomed to.
Be welcoming. Show sensitivity when communicating with people who are new to the community. No one wants to feel invisible in a new environment. Make people feel seen and invite them to take part.
Be outgoing. We know you miss friends you haven’t seen in a long time, but events and communities are ideal places to meet new people. Do not hesitate to include new people in your circles.
Be considerate. Keep in mind that events have a planned flow, and ask your questions within the designated time frames in a reasonable manner. If you have a question you cannot ask during the event, you can submit it via email or similar channels. Event speakers and coordinators will be happy to answer your questions.
If, for any reason, you have been declared an unwelcome person and are not satisfied with this situation, you may submit a self-criticism. Your self-criticism will be evaluated by the Association, and the final decision will be communicated to you. The authority for questions, suggestions, and appeals regarding unwelcome persons is the Board of Directors of the Free Software Association in Turkey; if this text is adopted by other communities, it is the coordinators of the relevant community.
In any situation not specified in this guideline, consensus decisions, protocol and bylaws, or the guidelines of the relevant communities shall apply.