Saturday Mothers Didn’t Get Permission for Galatasaray, Says Ministry 13 Months Later

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Main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) İstanbul MP Sezgin Tanrıkulu, who is also the Deputy Chair of Parliamentary Commission on Human Rights, has received an answer to his Parliamentary question regarding the ban on Galatasaray Square.

Since the 700th week of their gathering on August 25, 2018, Saturday Mothers/People have been prevented from meeting at the square.

Tanrıkulu addressed his Parliamentary question to the Ministry of Interior in December 2018. The Ministry has responded 13 months later.

Referring to the Law no. 2911 on Meetings and Demonstrations, the Ministry has indicated that the relevant authorities are to be informed about the events/demonstrations beforehand and the sites and routes for meetings and demonstrations are designated by Governorships.

CLICK - Police Attack Saturday Mothers with Plastic Bullet

Indicating that Saturday Mothers/People did not make an application as per the Law no. 2911, the Ministry has stated, "Within this framework, the area called Galatasaray Square is not one of the sites designated by the Governorship of İstanbul for meetings and demonstrations."

"It has been understood that the group called Saturday Mothers did not make any notices with the aim of organizing a demonstration/ an event", the Ministry has indicated further.

According to the response of the Ministry, "With regard to the statements for the press/events/demonstrations to be held by the group called 'Saturday Mothers' between August 25, 2018 and December 29, 2018, the related proceedings were undertaken by the Beyoğlu Sub-Governorship as per the Article 32/ç of the Law no. 5442 Law for Provincial Administration."

The article in question stipulates that "within the borders of the district, the establishment of peace and security, safety concerning personal immunity, public welfare and preventive law enforcement authority are tasks and duties of the sub-governor." Accordingly, "the sub-governor takes the necessary decisions and precautions to ensure them."

Tanrıkulu: The answer is against the Constitution

Speaking to bianet about the response of the Ministry of Interior, Sezgin Tanrıkulu has stated that the late response is a problem in itself:

"The fact that the answer was given after more than a year also shows how the supervisory power of the Parliament functions. Moreover, no full and clear answers have been given to my questions.

"It is said that Saturday Mothers made a statement for the press without getting a permission. But, the law allows everyone to hold a meeting and statement for the press without a permission. One does not have to get a permission for that. This answer is against the Constitution.

"Other than that, Saturday Mothers sat in Galatasaray Square for 700 weeks. President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan himself met with the mothers. For 15 years, they sat in that square during the rule of this government. If this protest is against the law, why did they allow it till then?

"The sit-in protests of Saturday Mothers are a struggle for mourning, rights and justice. The ban on Galatasaray Square means that freedom of expression has been trampled upon by the government."

Ocak: They should first read the Constitution

Maside Ocak, the sister of Hasan Ocak, who lost his life after being tortured by the police in custody, has also commented on the answer of the Ministry of Interior. One of the first persons who started protesting in the square, Maside Ocak has stated the following:

"One does not need to get permission to make a statement for the press. The Article 34 of the Constitution puts that forward quite clearly. It is openly a violation of the Constitution. For 700 weeks, we used our Constitutional right. Those who say that we have to get a permission to make a statement should first open and read the Constitution."

(RT/SD)