Ei-iE

EI and the Global Unions have expressed their unreserved support to the international solidarity actions to be held on 21-22 June to defend fundamental human rights and democracy in Turkey.

Civil protests in all parts of Turkey for the past weeks have been expressing legitimate demands, in particular regarding a building project in the Gezi Park, in Istanbul. The Erdo?an Government unfortunately used brutal and excessive violence against protesters, instead of engaging in a constructive dialogue. This disproportionate and excessive use of force has led to the death of four people, 1,500 people being injured in Istanbul and 700 in Ankara.

Basic democratic rights not respected

The right to peaceful demonstration and freedom of assembly are basic elements of genuine democracy. Denying that right, Turkish authorities engage in regular repression.

In a joint statement, Global Unions reiterated their serious concern at the repeated use of brutal and excessive measures including rubber bullets, tear gas and water cannon by government security forces against people peacefully exercising their rights.

These actions, the statement says, violate fundamental rights, including freedom of association, assembly, expression and information. The continued repression of protests constitutes a serious threat to human rights, democracy and social cohesion.

International protests on 21-22 June

Demonstrations and marches will be organised at and around Turkish Embassies and Consulates in solidarity with peaceful demonstrators in Turkey, urging the Erdo?anGovernment to guarantee its people their right to freedom of expression and assembly.

EI and Global Unions urge Turkish authorities to:

• End violence and repression against peaceful protests and to address their demands;
• Hold those responsible for the thousands of injured people and the deaths of Mehmet Ayval?ta?, Abdullah Cömert, Ethem Sar?sülük and Mustafa Sar? accountable, and to prosecute them before the law;
• Guarantee the right to freedom of assembly in all public areas, including Taksim square; and remove all the legal barriers against the exercise of fundamental labour rights;
• Ensure that trade unionists who exercise their right to freedom of assembly are not dismissed;
• Immediately release citizens who have participated in the protests peacefully, including KESK members, and drop all charges against them;
• Ensure that injured protestors have access to adequate health care; and
• Stop prohibitive measures against the use of social media.

EI encourages its affiliates, teachers and concerned citizens to sign and give visibility to the LabourStart petition condemning the repression of the peaceful protesters in Turkey.