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Protests Continue In Turkey

By Countercurrents.org

26 June, 2013
Countercurrents.org

Protests and political incidents are continuing in Turkey. “Bizarre” incidents like beating up of singers and break up protesters’ solidarity are also happening in the country.

Thousands of protesters gathered in Istanbul's Taksim Square on June 25 denouncing the release of a police officer accused of deliberately killing 26-year-old worker Ethem Sarısülük, a demonstrator in Ankara. Gatherings were also organized in other cities across the country to protest the court's ruling.

The Istanbul protest that started around 7 p.m. was marked by extreme security measures by the police around the Taksim area. The demonstration was only allowed under a heavy riot police cordon.

Police blocked all roads potentially leading to the area, Metro and funicular access to the square was canceled, and passengers of cars at checkpoints were checked.

Journalists were extensively searched by police despite showing official press cards issued by the prime ministry's Press and Information Office.

Protesters held peaceful demonstration at the intersection between the Taksim Square and İstiklal Avenue.

The outcry over the deaths of protestors has increased, as a police officer, identified as Ahmet Ş., who allegedly shot a demonstrator, was released by a court pending trial, after the prosecutor argued that the shooting was "within the limits of self-defense."

Sarısülük died last week from his wounds after being shot in the head during a protest in Ankara on June 1. The ruling prompted a spontaneous demonstration yesterday evening in Kadıköy, on Istanbul's Asian side.

“A mythological beast eating its kids”

Zülfü Livaneli, famous Turkish folk singer, author and former politician, who was beaten for unknown reasons before and after a concert last week, feels isolated but not surprised. However, his reaction is not limited to the incident, but the recent violence in the country and the state’s decades-long attitudes. Livaneli is a UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador also.

“We are used to being treated as foster children,” he told the HDN in an online interview on June 25, 2013. “Anything can happen in this country ... We are reaching large crowds with books, music and thoughts, but some dark forces are enemy to the intellectuals of this country."

Livaneli was reportedly beaten by a group on June 20 while he was in Mersin.

However, Yıldırım, the mayor of the Mezitli district in Mersin denied that the singer was beaten.

Commenting on the recent protests and police interventions, Livaneli said “A growing economy unfortunately does not solve problems in democracy and human rights.”

Livaneli said he had witnessed the killing of more than 50 friends over the years, and some others were tortured. “There were times that we were put in military jails. Unfortunately this Turkey is like a mythological monster that eats its own kids.”

In countries such as ours the Constitutions is not working. A dictatorial approach overwhelms pluralism. …But can you call a regime that is not inspected by law and legislation a democracy?”

The government is relying on conspiracy theories while reading the protests.

“Believing in a theory that says that ‘everyone is setting a conspiracy against us’ is easier than understanding the essence of the opposition. That also makes it easier for them to consolidate their own masses,” he said.

“Young generations are fed up of hearing insults, intervention in their lifestyles and the prime minister’s acting like the ‘father of the nation’ and suddenly they found themselves in Taksim square crying out for freedom. Seeking conspiracy behind this is nonsense.”

Erdoğan is Turkey’s 'new dictator'

Main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP) leader Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu has said prime minister Tayyip Erdoğan has become “the new dictator of Turkey.”

“[Erdoğan] says, ‘I do not make mistakes.’ He says, ‘if you don't do what I say, you can't be right.’ His name is Turkey’s new dictator, Recep Tayyip Erdoğan,” Kılıçdaroğlu said, addressing his party’s group meeting at Parliament.

Kılıçdaroğlu added that the “young protesters of Gezi Park had made a dictator kneel down.” “Now in a panic he is organizing meetings across the country, all he does is yell, but the only one who listens him is himself. Do not pay attention to all the broadcasters’ live streams from his meetings. Nobody listens to what he says. There is one word when it comes to defining Erdoğan: liar,” Kılıçdaroğlu said.

A heated crowd in Parliament interrupted Kılıçdaroğlu’s words several times, chanting: “Resign Erdoğan.”

The CHP head said Erdoğan had tried several methods to break the solidarity among the protesters. “He was going to claim that those protesters are nonbelievers, and then he saw some performing their prayers in Taksim Square. He was going to say our daughters wearing headscarves were being the target of protesters, then he saw some of the protesters wearing headscarves,” Kılıçdaroğlu added.

He also accused Erdoğan of acting with sectarian motives after the Reyhanlı bombings on Turkey’s border with Syria in Hatay’s Reyhanlı district, which killed 52 people in May 11.

“Our 52 citizens lost their lives in the Reyhanlı bombings. And he [Erdoğan] said ‘our 52 Sunni citizens lost their lives.’ For the first time in Turkey’s history even the sects of deaths were discriminated,” Kılıçdaroğlu said, rhetorically asking whether Erdoğan "has feelings of shame."


 

 




 

 


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