TO INTERNATIONAL PUBLIC OPINION We call on all activists and human rights defenders to observe the trial of socialist politicians, journalists and human rights defenders which will begin on 13 April 2011, in Istanbul. On September 21st 2010, socialist politicians, journalists and human rights defenders among whom are Socialist Democracy Party (SDP) president Dr. Rıdvan Turan, SDP and TÖP (The Platform for Social Freedom) executives and members, editors of journals Red and Bilim ve Gelecek, were arrested in Istanbul. SDP offices and homes of these people were raided by the Turkish police. Special operations teams, who were heavily armed and wore snow masks and steel vests, have made a mess out of homes and party offices, and seized computers and a number of visual and written materials. The prosecutor's office accuses the detained of membership of an illegal organization called Revolutionary Headquarters without any concrete proof put forward. We invite you to be in solidarity with us against this conspiracy which we believe reflects the totalitarian politics of the Turkish state. The first trial is due on the 13th and 15th of April 2011. We will start a “democracy watch” on the day of the trial, and we will feel much stronger with your presence. The participation of deputies, lawyers, journalists, and human rights activists from Europe in the courtroom will be the major factor to ensure the realization of a fair legal process. Yours in solidarity, Socialist Democracy Party (SDP) International Bureau For more information, contact: Ekin Bodur tel: + 90 (505) 715 07 14 e-mail: intrntnl@sdp.org.tr
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INVITE TO OBSERVE THE TRIAL OF SOCIALIST POLITICIANS, JOURNALISTS AND HUMAN RIGHTS DEFENDERS WHICH WILL BEGIN ON 13th APRIL 2011, IN ISTANBUL
We as “Who is Next?” Initiative, which is composed of leading trade unions, NGOs, and socialist organizations in Turkey, invite you to observe the trial of socialist politicians, journalists and human rights defenders which will begin on 13th April 2011, in Istanbul.
On September 21st 2010, socialist politicians, journalists and human rights defenders among whom are Socialist Democracy Party (SDP) president Dr. Rıdvan Turan, The Platform for Social Freedom (TÖP) representative Oğuzhan Kayserilioğlu, SDP and TÖP executives and members, editors of journals Red and Bilim ve Gelecek, were arrested in Istanbul. SDP offices and homes of these people were raided by the Turkish police. Special operations teams, who were heavily armed and wore snow masks and steel vests, have made a mess out of homes and party offices, and seized computers and a number of visual and written materials. The prosecutor’s office accuses the detained of membership of an illegal organization called Revolutionary Headquarters without any concrete proof put forward.
SDP and TÖP members have spent five months in prison without having a chance to hear the charges against them because there was a claim of secrecy on the case. Finally, in February, the bill of indictment was published, and thus we learnt how these people have been accused of being members of Revolutionary Headquarters (Devrimci Karargah).
The indictment is unable to prove that our friends have any connection to the above-mentioned organization. The only accusations put forth are, taking part in democratic demonstrations such as Kurdish Spring festival “Newroz”, anti-IMF protests, and a specific demonstration against state violence when the Revolutionary Headquarters militant Orhan Yılmazkaya was massacred by police forces as a result of police operation in a house in Istanbul. Based on these so-called evidence, the indictment claims that our friends are terrorists that had been under camouflage in SDP. However, SDP and TÖP members are renowned political people whose organizations and actions have always been completely overt and legitimate over the years in Turkey.
This is nothing but a political conspiracy against two socialist organizations who have been in solidarity with the Kurdish people’s movement. These attacks aim to criminalize and threaten all the socialists in Turkey. It is obvious for us that AKP government does not want a united opposition from the left. That is the reason why they start a smear campaign against socialists by trying to criminalize them as “terrorists”. Taken into consideration with the arrests that aim at Kurdish politicians, these arrests is a proof that AKP government cannot tolerate any political opposition, and does not respect the laws or democracy.
The government has started a witch-hunt for socialist opposition. Hence, we want to ask the question “Who is next?”, “Will you arrest us, too?” because we are concerned that the government is trying to eliminate all opposition, especially the socialist and Kurdish movement by denying it any legitimate ground for politics. This trend started with the KCK (Kurdish Communities Union) arrests and has recently expanded to Turkish socialist parties such as SDP. And recently journalists like Ahmet Şık have been arrested. We are concerned that discourses of democratization and anti-militarism by the government have turned out to be disillusionment. We are concerned about the future of our country.
We invite you to be in solidarity with us against this conspiracy which we believe reflects the totalitarian politics of the Turkish state. The first trial is due on the 13th and 15th of April 2011. We will start a “democracy watch” on the day of the trial, and we will feel much stronger with your presence. The participation of deputies, lawyers, journalists, and human rights activists from Europe in the courtroom will be the major factor to ensure the realization of a fair legal process.
We will be happy to meet your expenses in Istanbul including accommodation and food.
Yours in solidarity,
For contact:
Ekin Bodur
tel: + 90 (505) 715 07 14
e-mail: intrntnl@sdp.org.tr
“WHO IS NEXT?” INITIATIVE:
DİSK (Confederation of Progressive Trade Unions of Turkey), KESK (Trade Union Confederation of Public Employees), TMMOB (Union of Chambers of Turkish Engineers and Architects), TTB (Turkish Medical Association), İstanbul Tabip Odası (Istanbul Chamber of Medicine), Tüm-Tis (Turkish Transport Workers Union), Halkevleri (The Community Center), Devrimci Hareket (Revolutionary Movement), Köz, Darıca Kültür Derneği (Darıca Cultural Association), ÖDP (Party of Freedom and Solidarity), BDP (Party of Peace and Democracy), EHP (Party of Workers Movement), EMEP (Party of Labour), TKP (Communist Party of Turkey), ESP (Socialist Party of the Oppressed), SP (Socialist Party), DİP (Revolutionary Workers Party), SGPH (Socialist Future Party Movement) SBH (Movement of Socialist Union), TÖP (Platform for Social Freedom), SDP (Socialist Democracy Party).
Frontlines of Revolutionary Struggle 