ISTANBUL - Despite the violation decision of the Constitutional Court, Saturday Mothers, whose actions in Galatasaray Square are prevented every day, will apply to the General Secretariat of the Constitutional Court.

 

The struggle of the Saturday Mothers, who came together for the first time on May 27, 1995 in Galatasaray Square to ask about the fate of their relatives who disappeared in custody and who were victims of an unsolved murder, has been going on for 28 years. Even though it was interrupted from time to time due to the pressure and attacks of the power, the Saturday Mothers did not leave Galatasaray Square, which became the venue of these struggles. The Saturday Mothers, which were prevented by the former Minister of Interior Süleyman Soylu's targeting, were attacked by the police in the 700th week of their protests. Galatasaray Square, which has been closed to Saturday Mothers since the attack took place on August 25, 2018, is held under blockade despite the "violation" decision of the Constitutional Court (AYM).

 

We have compiled the experiences, struggles and lawsuits filed against the Saturday Mothers since May 27, 1995.

 

FIRST DEMONSTRATION: DON'T TOUCH MY FRIEND

 

The first demonstration of the Saturday Mothers in Galatasaray Square started with the discovery of the body of Hasan Ocak, who was tortured and murdered in custody after the Gazi Massacre on March 12, 1995, in the cemetery in Beykoz on May 15. Following the discovery of Ocak's body, a group of 15-20 people, including journalist-writer Nadire Mater, who carried out the "Don't touch my friend" campaign, started a sit-in on May 27, 1995 in Galatasaray Square.

 

The story of a person who disappeared every week without shouting slogans or unfurling a banner was told in the "silent" demonstration, which started with the demand for the fate of the disappeared to be announced, the perpetrators to be tried and the crime of enforced disappearance to be regulated in a way that would not be time-barred as a crime against humanity. The demonstration was named “Saturday Mothers/People” because it was held every Saturday.

 

10 YEARS TOOK A BREAK FROM THEIR DEMONSTRATIONS

 

In the demonstrations that continued uninterrupted until 19 March 1999, mothers were detained numerous times, investigations and lawsuits were opened against them. On this date, Galatasaray Square was besieged and mothers were forbidden to enter the area. Due to the increasing violence with the blocking, Saturday Mothers took a break from their activities in their 200th week. During this period, Saturday Mothers continued their struggle in the form of international conferences, various events held on anniversaries and grave visits.

 

THE SATURDAY MOTHERS IN GALATASARAY SQUARE

 

The Saturday Mothers resumed their protests in Galatasaray Square on January 30, 2009, after the disappearances and unsolved murders in custody were included in the indictments made by the people prosecuted in the Ergenekon Case. The protests, which continued with the 201st after 10 years, continued with violence, detention and repression.

 

A CASE HAS BEEN FILED ABOUT 47 PERSONS

 

The 700th action of the Saturday Mothers, which marked the history of the struggle, was blocked by the order of former Minister of Interior Süleyman Soylu, mothers and their defenders were detained under torture in police attacks, and a lawsuit was filed against 47 people under the Law on Meetings and Demonstrations. The proceedings within the scope of the case are continuing.

 

A BLOCKAGE TO 'MEMORY'

 

After the attack on the 700th week protest, Galatasaray Square, which has a symbolic value as the "memory" of the struggle for justice given by the relatives of the disappeared, was surrounded by police barriers and besieged. The Saturday Mothers' entrance to the square was blocked on the grounds of the ban decision of the Beyoğlu District Governor's Office. After the 700th week, Saturday Mothers carried out their protest in front of the Istanbul Branch of the Human Rights Association (İHD). The blockade on Galatasaray Square, which lasted for 160 weeks, was lifted on September 21, 2021; however, on the same day, the square was again besieged by police barriers.

 

With the coronavirus epidemic that affected the world, Saturday Mothers have also carried out their actions online since the 782nd week.

 

ATTACK AT THE CEMETERY MEMORIAL

 

A lawsuit was filed against the Saturday Mothers, who were detained during the police attack during the statement they wanted to make at the Altınşehir Orphan Cemetery on August 30, 2022, on the occasion of the International Day of the Enforced Disappeared, with the allegation of "not dispersing despite a warning by participating in illegal meetings and marches".

 

'VIOLATION' DECISION FROM THE CONSTITUTIONAL COURT

 

It was applied to the Constitutional Court against the police attack and blockade of the Saturday Mothers' 700th week protest. The Constitutional Court, which decided on the application on February 23, 2023, stated that the action that has been going on for 24 years would not harm the public order and gave a decision of violation of rights.

   

COURT DECISION IS NOT IMPLEMENTED

 

The Saturday Mothers, who wanted to perform in Galatasaray Square on April 8 after the AYM's violation decision, were once again blocked and detained with a police attack. Saturday Mothers, who do not give up on Galatasaray Square and search for their missing, are exposed to police attacks in Galatasaray Square, where they go every week.

 

APPLICATION TO THE SECRETARIAT GENERAL OF THE AYM IS ON THE AGENDA

 

İHD Istanbul Branch President Gülseren Yoleri said: "The ban decisions are not in accordance with the law, and that we are trying to prevent the Saturday Mothers' voices from being heard. The implementation of the decisions of the Constitutional Court is the responsibility of all institutions governing the country. Both applied to the governorship and requested an appointment from the Ministry of Interior for the implementation of the decision. We will apply to the General Secretariat of the Constitutional Court and ask them to take the necessary initiatives for the implementation of the decision. Finally, Saturday Mothers have been constantly reminding the state of its guilt for 28 years, so we are talking about a crime against humanity that the state cannot deny. We want the state to confront the crimes against humanity committed. As this crime is not covered up, the perpetrators are found, prosecuted, held accountable or held accountable even if 40 years have passed. That is why it is our duty to support the struggle of the Saturday Mothers and to show solidarity.”

 

MA / Rukiye Adıgüzel