Hate Speech Banners in Konya on Parliamentary Agenda

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Peoples' Democratic Party (HDP) Diyarbakır MP Garo Paylan has submitted a Parliamentary question on banners spreading hate speech about Christians and Jews at the bus stops of Konya Metropolitan Municipality.

In the banners recently shared and denounced on social media, Surah Al-Maidah [5:51] is quoted from the Quran, which reads "O you who have believed, do not take the Jews and the Christians as allies. They are [in fact] allies of one another. And whoever is an ally to them among you - then indeed, he is [one] of them. Indeed, Allah guides not the wrongdoing people."

It has been reported that after the banners caused wide public outrage, especially on social media, they have been removed from bus stops.

Human Rights Association (İHD) İstanbul Branch has filed a criminal complaint against the banners later in the day.

'Have you launched an investigation?'

In response to these hate speech banners, HDP Diyarbakır MP Garo Paylan has addressed a Parliamentary question to Minister of Interior Süleyman Soylu. Paylan has asked a series of questions to Soylu:

• How do you explain that banners spreading racism and hate speech and inciting people to commit hate crimes at the bus stops of Konya Metropolitan Municipality?
• Were the banners in question examined by the Konya Metropolitan Municipality before being hung at bus stops?
• Has your Ministry launched an investigation against the municipality officials who gave permission to these banners?
• Has your Ministry launched an investigation against the Anatolian Youth Association and National Youth Foundation who used hate speech?
• What does your Ministry do to prevent hate speech in local administrations?
• Do you think that the frequent use of hate speech by the power holders, including you, contributes to the spread of hate speech?

What happened?

The Anatolian Youth Association and National Youth Foundation hang banners at the bus stops of Konya Metropolitan Municipality. The banners in question quoted the Surah Al-Maidah [5:51] from the Quran:

"O you who have believed, do not take the Jews and the Christians as allies. They are [in fact] allies of one another.

"And whoever is an ally to them among you - then indeed, he is [one] of them. Indeed, Allah guides not the wrongdoing people."

On the banners were also the Star, or Shield, of David in representation of the Jews and a cross in representation of Christians. There was blood both on the star and the cross in the banners.

The banners have been removed as they caused public outrage. (HA/SD)