'The ones who want peace banned from protesting, anti-vaxxers free to do so'

* Photo: Zeynep Kuray

Click to read the article in Turkish

Peoples' Democratic Party (HDP) İstanbul MP Oya Ersoy has submitted a Parliamentary question about the fact that while the demonstration of September 1 World Peace Day was banned in İstanbul due to the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, a rally was held by anti-vaxxers without taking any coronavirus measures in İstanbul's Maltepe at the weekend.

Addressed to Vice President Fuat Oktay, Oya Ersoy's Parliamentary question has said, "The recommendations of the Science Board have not been taken into account for two years. When they are taken into account, they are unlawfully applied to women, students and workers who come together to exercise their democratic rights. On the other hand, the statement of a group making irrational and unscientific statements is permitted."

'Why was the anti-vaxxers' rally permitted?'

Ersoy has asked the Vice President the following questions:

"How were a group of anti-vaxxers allowed to hold a rally in Maltepe on September 12 while the citizens who met in Bakırköy Bazaar Area on September 5 on the occasion of September 1 World Peace Day were prevented from demonstrating on the grounds of the pandemic?

"Doesn't the fact that these people, who are said to be anti-vaccination, come together and hold a demonstration undermine the trust in vaccination and put public health at risk?

"Does the virus only infect the citizens exercising their democratic rights?

"Considering that a demonstration held by the people making irrational and unscientific statements without observing the rules of mask, distance and measures in Maltepe is not found 'contrary' to 'public security', whose security is threatened by citizens' raising their voice for peace?" (DŞ/SD)