Human Rights: The Haves and the Have Nots. A Magnum Photographers Exhibition
Bulgur Palas in Istanbul is hosting a compelling exhibition of works by Magnum Photos’ distinguished photographers until June 10, 2025, offering a deep exploration of the complex terrain of human rights in societies around the world. Drawing from Magnum’s extensive archives—an organization renowned since 1947 for its commitment to documenting human dignity—this exhibition serves both as historical testimony and as a catalyst for renewed dialogue about human rights in contemporary times.
The collection invites viewers to reconsider what “human rights” truly mean today, using powerful visual storytelling to bridge understanding between different lived experiences around the world.
Featured Photographers:
A. Abbas, Alec Soth, Alex Majoli, Alex Webb, Bruce Davidson, Bruce Gilden, Bruno Barbey, Burt Glinn, Carl De Keyzer, Carolyn Drake, Chien-Chi Chang, Chris Steele-Perkins, Cristina de Middel, Danny Lyon, David Seymour, Eli Reed, Elliott Erwitt, Emin Özmen, Enri Canaj, Ernest Cole, Eve Arnold, Ferdinando Scianna, Guy Le Querrec, Ian Berry, Jerome Sessini, Jim Goldberg, Jonas Bendiksen, Larry Towell, Leonard Freed, Marc Riboud, Martin Parr, Matt Black, Micha Bar-Am, Moises Saman, Nikos Economopoulos, Paolo Pellegrin, Peter Marlow, Philippe Halsman, Rafal Milach, Raymond Depardon, Sergio Larrain, Stuart Franklin, Thomas Dworzak, Trent Parke, Wayne Miller.
Historical Context
The question “What defines a human being and what claims does one have?” has challenged societies throughout history. Only after the devastation of World War II did the global community formally address this fundamental issue. On December 10, 1948, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights was adopted by the United Nations General Assembly as “a common standard of achievement for all peoples and all nations.”
This landmark document affirms that “All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights. They are endowed with reason and conscience and should act towards one another in a spirit of brotherhood.” It establishes that these freedoms belong to everyone without distinction based on race, color, gender, language, religion, political views, national origin, wealth, birth, or other status.
The Declaration encompasses various rights categories—from protection of life and personal security (including freedom from torture and arbitrary arrest), to guarantees of fair trials, freedom of expression, assembly and religion, and social rights including employment, food, healthcare, and education.
For the first time in history, nations codified at an international level the essential guarantees needed to honor each person’s inherent worth. While initially non-binding, these principles formed the foundation for today’s human rights framework, eventually evolving into a network of binding agreements that influence global politics.
Nearly eight decades later, the Declaration’s message remains critically relevant. In our 21st century world, continued atrocities—genocide, torture, and persecution of minorities—raise questions about the effectiveness of global human rights efforts, highlighting the ongoing need for education about these fundamental guarantees, especially among younger generations.
Since its establishment in 1947, Magnum Photos has documented and championed the universality of human rights. The images in this exhibition aim to stimulate conversation, provide evidence, and reinvigorate public engagement with the meaning of human rights in our time.
Human Rights: The Haves and the Have Nots. A Magnum Photographers Exhibition
December 10, 2024 – June 10, 2025
Bulgur Palas, Istanbul
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