Turkey - International solidarity request from Day-Mer

Appeal sent by Oktay Sahbaz, Day-Mer management committee

Police attacks and state terror by the Turkish government on its own people is continuing. On Monday 8th July 2013 members of the public wanted to enter the Gezi Park after it has reopened.

At this point for unknown reason police decided to close the park and arrest 60 people, 35 of them who are representives of the Taksim Solidarity Group.

Once arrested these people were kept in coaches for hours, without any food, water and medication. They were all made to wait for the three specially authorised prosecutors who were assigned to question the detainees, and their houses were searched unlawfully and without a clear definition of an offence.

Whilst using their right to remain silent the detainees were expected to face the prosecutor but their detention period has now been extended by a further 72 hours.

This witch-hunting that started following the Gezi Park resistance shows that the AKP government is insistent on attacking those who demand democratic rights.

We are urging for international support for the release of all 60 people who were unlawfully arrested. We are on this note asking you to send the below text (amend where necessary) to the following emails as a matter of urgency:

Turkish Republic Prime Minister: [email protected]
Turkish Republic Interior Minister: [email protected]
Turkish Republic Justice Minister: [email protected]
Governor of Istanbul: [email protected]

Please send a copy (bcc) to Day-Mer: [email protected]

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End the attacks on democratic struggle!

Representatives of Taksim Solidarity members and others who have been detained must be released immediately!

Dear All,

I, the undersigned, have heard members of the public who wanted to enter Gezi Park after it reopened on Monday, 8th July 2013 - just to close again a couple of hours later - have been subject to further police attacks. 60 people have been arrested, 35 of whom are representatives of Taksim Solidarity.

I know that among those arrested are the Secretary of the Chamber of Architects Mücella Yapıcı, İstanbul Medical Chamber General Secretary Ali Çerkezoğlu, EMO İstanbul branch president Beyza Metin, HDK Central executive member Ender İmrek, Haluk Ağabeyoğlu and Hakan Dilmeç.

I have also been made aware that three specially authorised prosecutors have been assigned to question the detainees, and their houses were searched unlawfully and without a clear definition of an offence.

Whilst using their right to remain silent the detainees were expected to face the prosecutor but their detention period has now been extended by further 72 hours.

This witch-hunting that started following the Gezi Park resistance shows that the AKP government is insistent on attacking those who demand democratic rights.

I, the undersigned, condemn these attacks and demand an end to these practices. Democratic struggles must not be criminalised. Those under arrest must be released immediately.

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