Saturday Mothers Meet For 206th Time

The names of Rıdvan Karakoç, Serdar Tanış, Hayrettin Eren, Hüseyin Toraman, Ahmet Kaya, Hüseyin Morsümbül, Ali Efeoğlu, Ramazan Bulut, İbrahim Gündem, Erdoğan Şakar and many other could be read on photos and placards.

Demanding to know the whereabouts of their relatives who disappeared in the years political conflict, the Saturday Mothers gathered in Taksim, Galatasaray for a 206th time this weekend. This time, they demanded justice in the case of Hasan Gülünay from authorities and the government.

Democratic Society Party (DTP) MP and a joint candidate of socialists for Istanbul mayor in upcoming local elections, Akın Birdal and dance actress Zeynep Tanbay supported the protest. Protesters urged that the BOTAŞ land in Silopi –alleged burial place of extra-judicial killings- should be investigated sooner.  

Despite heavy rain, dozens of activists gathered in front of a placard reading, "Perpetrators are known, where are the lost persons?" Özgür Sevgi Götaş addressed the press, urging Gülünay's case to be merged with the ongoing Ergenekon case.

Those responsible, among them former PM Tansu Çiller should be brought to justice, she demanded.

Gülünay left his house on July 20, 1992 and then he was never heard of again. His friend Erdal Şam allegedly heard Gülünay's voice while he was under police custody at Gayrettepe Police Station. 

Gülünay's wife Birsen met with representatives from the Social democratic People's Party (SHP) and  Right Way Party (DYP) government of that time but she wasn't given any information. It's alleged that the former minister of labor Mehmet Moğultay was told by Istanbul Police Department vice-chair Hüseyin Kocadağ that "Gülünay is recovering and he'll be directed to the prosecutor's office."  

Human Rights Association (IHD) called for Moğultay to testify. "For how long you'll keep silent? We'll continue demanding justice."(EÖ/AGÜ)