Scottish activists have condemned the latest actions of the Turkish government. 370 non-government organisations have been shut down by decree. They have been accused of having contacts with either the PKK (Kurdistan Workers Party), the Gulen Movement or ISIS.
The organisations have had their offices sealed and members have been warned to stay away from them.
The organisations include the Free Women’s Congress (KJA) which is the umbrella for Kurdish women’s organisations, Selis Women’s Association, Gundem Cocuk (Agenda Child) Association which investigates reports of child abuse and sexual exploitation, the Peace Association, the Association to Fight Poverty Sarmasik, which provides monthly help for 5,000 families, the Free Journalist Union, the Solidarity Association for Families of Prisoners, the Rojava Association, which was coordinating help for Rojava, and the Politics Academy of the DBP.
This is further to democratic attacks – on the evening of Thursday 3rd November – 11 MPs of the People’s Democracy Party (HDP) were arrested either at their homes or at party offices. Those arrested include the co-leaders Selhatin Demirbas and Figen Yuksekdag.
The HDP is the third largest party in the Turkish parliament – and the arrest of their leaders and others is a coup against democratically elected representatives.
[x_blockquote cite=”Roza Salih” type=”center”]”The closure of these organisations and others is another sign that Turkey is heading for dictatorship and must be condemned by all people who believe in democracy.”[/x_blockquote]
The HDP has called for an end to violence in the conflict in Turkey. They have been critical of the government’s policy towards the Kurdish population which has seen hundreds of people killed, towns placed under curfew for weeks and months – hundreds of Kurdish activists arrested, and the closing down of newspapers, radio and television stations.
Roza Salih of Scottish Solidarity with Kurdistan said: “The closure of these organisations and others is another sign that Turkey is heading for dictatorship and must be condemned by all people who believe in democracy.”
Connor Beaton – Dundee SSP organiser and executive member said: “The Kurdish community and their friends should be applauded for coming out in force on an early Saturday morning to protest the Turkish state’s persecution. The governments of the UK and Europe cannot remain silent any longer on this attack on democracy in a key NATO ally. The Scottish Socialist Party stands in solidarity with all those struggling against injustice, discrimination and exploitation around the world.”
Main photo: © Connor Beaton