Why the young activist risked his freedom against the freedom of the Turkish president
happen6:34Why the young activist risked his freedom against the freedom of the Turkish president
Thousands of protesters calling for democracy have flooded Türkiye’s streets, the largest anti-government protest in the country’s recent history.
The protests broke out on March 19 in response to the arrest of Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imomomowulu on charges of corruption.
İmamoğlu is the main political rival of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. He is expected to be named by the Republican People’s Party (CHP) as the presidential candidate for the upcoming election within a few days.
Protests grew rapidly, surpassing calls for Imamomo to release, demonstrators demanded broader political reforms and end democracy under Erdogan’s rule to slide backwards.
In more than a week, nearly 2,000 people were detained, including student leaders, journalists and municipal workers.
CHP person in charge Özgürözel announces boycott of business Related to Erdogan’s government.
Young activist Ence Hoka Holaral Leave a speech As a youth representative of the parliament of local and regional authorities in Strasbourg, France Urgent appeal to policy makers for their position. hE is the International Relations Coordinator for Ankara-based ünikuir, an association that advocates the rights of 2SLGBTQ+ people in Turkish universities.
He talks with him happen Host Nil Köksal returns to Türkiye and anti-government protests.
What does it feel like to come back?
I think it’s a mixture of euphoria and stress – I don’t know if I’ll be detained [in the] Next hour. But happy [outweighs it] Since every message I received said I should be sentenced to jail or killed, I received 10 saying they were glad that someone called us a wake-up call.
Your family, are they worried after seeing the speech being shared and re-invoked?
Yes. I was worried about whether I would be able to enter the country without detention.
Are you ready for the possibility of such detention?
Yes. Unfortunately, as we said, my 301 peers are in prison, waiting to make a decision.
We’re not sure if I’ll join them. But I was ready for my spirit while preparing a bag and telling my mom loves her and preparing for my own spirit [an] Unfortunately result.
Why [are] So many young people speak out like this?
Mayor İmamoğlu has been the main opposition to Erdogan since 2019. But these protests are not necessarily about Imamomo Bru.
The demonstrations focused on issues such as media censorship, authoritarianism, freedom of speech and gatherings.
They are not only protests against İmamoğlu, but also protests against Erdoğan. The reason why Turkish youth are so brave now is that they have lost their future.
They lost their chances, but while doing so, they also lost their fear. We have nothing to fear. That’s how we fight for future possibilities so easily on the street.
Have you seen this different this time compared to past protests?
The biggest difference, especially with GEZI protests in 2013 and 2014That was the biggest in that decade, it was the intersectionality.
Erdoğan has gained many enemies over the past decade and people no longer care about their differences. They just care whether you agree with Erdogan or against Erdogan.
I have never seen such in my life protests that are so inclusive, so diverse. They knew they were against Erdogan, which was enough for them.
Even the slogan health officers used in these protests: “No one who is completely or without us, has no redemption.”
It makes sense that we have so much polarization in the country, [so] The only way is to get together.
Violating a temporary ban on demonstrations, hundreds of people took to the streets to support Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu and protested against the Erdogan government.
Do you want to? [the economic boycott] Do you and your supporters want that impact?
Yes, I think so. If not, even if it has no significant impact on the country’s economy, I think it will still make people feel like they can do something.
What do you want to see from other countries?
I would say that the main problem in Turkey is that the authorities do not care about the protests, so my advice to foreign policymakers is to urge the Turkish authorities to listen to our needs and if you are not a decision-maker outside of Turkey, I would urge you to contact your decision-makers so that they can object to these violations of these human rights.
What do you think about the climate now and the release of İmamoğlu and the potential for the kind of change you want to see?
Considering that I am not a politician, I am still more optimistic about the possibility, and I am not spending my own days in Parliament and talking to the same person.
I’ve been on the streets, I see people’s hope, I see young people’s hope. That’s what keeps me still optimistic.
What we talk about may not necessarily include the future [of] İmamoğlu. It just makes up [of] democracy. It includes [of] human rights. It includes [of] Respect the whole of the rule of law…a human rights-centered and intersecting future.
