Since the night of 30 June 2024, Turkey has witnessed yet another wave of mass violent attacks against Syrian refugees
The Republic of Türkiye was founded on October 29, 1923, on the ruins of the Ottoman Empire. Unlike the Ottoman Empire, revolutionary changes over time were made in many areas to establish a modern democratic regime. Secularism, giving women the right to vote and be elected, abolishing the sultanate and caliphate, parliamentary democracy, and switching to the Latin alphabet are the most notable of these.
Türkiye
I-Establishment
The Republic of Türkiye was founded on October 29, 1923, on the ruins of the Ottoman Empire. Unlike the Ottoman Empire, revolutionary changes over time were made in many areas to establish a modern democratic regime. Secularism, giving women the right to vote and be elected, abolishing the sultanate and caliphate, parliamentary democracy, and switching to the Latin alphabet are the most notable of these.
II-Political invorenment
Türkiye is located between Asia, Europe, and the Middle East. Due to its geopolitical location has had a complicated political environment throughout its history.
*International alliances
Türkiye is a member of the United Nations (UN), the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), the European Council, the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), the Black Sea Economic Cooperation Organization, the G20, and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation.
*State-based genocides and massacres
It is claimed that many massacres in Türkiye are supported by the state. Also, it is known that many people who are said to have died, especially in conflicts with the Kurdish armed organization, were actually civilians and were targeted by official forces. However, here are some of the most well-known massacres officially committed by state forces:
Armenian Genocide– 1915: The Armenian Genocide started during World War 1 and continued during the Turkish War of Independence. According to many sources, more than a million Armenian people were killed in this genocide.
Dersim massacre– 1937-38: A military campaign took place against parts of the province of Tunceli, formerly Dersim, that had not been brought under the control of the state. It resulted in the death of thousands of people.
Roboski massacre– 2011: The Turkish Air Force bombed a group of Kurdish civilians at Roboski ( also known as Uludere, district of Şırnak, Turkey), who had been involved in smuggling gasoline and cigarettes. In the statement made by the Turkish Air Force regarding this bombing in which 34 people were killed, it was said that the group was mistakenly thought to be members of the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK).
*Military coups and Memorandums
Türkiye’s history also witnessed some military coups. During these coups, numerous people were arrested, tortured, and killed. In 1960 a military coup, in 1971 a military memorandum, in 1980 a military coup, and in 2016 a military coup attempt was made.
It is necessary to mention the July 15, 2016 coup attempt because it happened recently.
On July 15, 2016, a failed military coup attempt took place in Türkiye. Following this coup attempt, the government dismissed hundreds of thousands of soldiers and public officials with decree laws without any investigation, and arrested thousands of them. Legal proceedings were taken against more than 690 thousand people in total. A state of emergency was imposed for two years. Today, thousands of people are still struggling to prove their innocence and get their rights back.
III-Current Situation and Human Rights
Türkiye is a multi-ethnic, multi-religious, and multi-cultural country. It is one of the tourist destinations due to its natural, cultural, and historical riches.
However, due to the density of Sunni Turks in the population, discriminatory and racist attitudes towards non-Sunnis and non-Turks have always existed. Throughout history, Armenians, Greeks, Jews, and other minorities, as well as Kurds, with a population of approximately 20 million, have been targeted and continue to be targeted. With the impact of the migration waves in recent years, refugees, especially Syrians, are also targeted. On the other hand, poverty deepened by the economic crisis caused by inflation exceeding 100% negatively affects all people living in Turkey.
There are many human rights violations such as gender-based violence, denial of workers’ rights, violation of prisoner rights, enforced disappearances, and lack of freedom of thought and expression. In addition, disregard for judicial independence and political corruption are the other most important issues. This negative situation has worsened and continues to worsen, especially with the same political party and the same leader (Recep Tayyip Erdoğan) being in power for the last 22 years.
The humanitarian and political crises experienced in the world in recent years, especially in countries close to Turkey, also negatively affect Türkiye. This causes polarization, despair, dissatisfaction, and tension between people to increase.
Despite all this and a very oppressive government, human rights defenders, trade unionists, women’s organizations and other non-governmental organizations continue their struggle with determination.
