Solidarity Appeal – Justice for Berkin Elvan

The AKP government in Turkey has continued its violence against trade unions political parties and social groups. This was graphically demonstrated in the attacks against mourners at the funeral of Berkin Elvan. Solidarity with the People of Turkey (SPOT), an organisation supported by the NSSN has issued an appeal for solidarity with those facing state violence and intimidation. Please take the time to read the covering letter and leaflet below. Messages of protest can be sent to the email addresses listed on the leaflet.

The NSSN sends its full solidarity and support to our brothers and sisters in Turkey.

To all members of SPOT,

I am writing to ask you for your urgent support for the current situation in Turkey.

As you may have heard Berkin Elvan, a child who was hit on his head with a gas canister thrown by the police during the Gezi Uprising in Turkey last summer as he was on his way to buy bread, who had been in intensive care for the last 269 days passed away on Tuesday, 11th March 2014 morning at 7.00am. We have lost Berkin Elvan after his fight for death lasting months, adding to the deaths of Ali İsmail Korkmaz, Ethem Sarısülük, Abdullah Cömert, Mehmet Ayvalıtaş, Ahmet Atakan and Medeni Yıldırım.

The AKP government which cannot even tolerate people to gather together to share their sorrow following Berkin Elvan’s death, continues to do its utmost to legitimise the police while police violence itself continues. Once again, people waiting in front of the hospital were attached with gas bombs. In many cities around Turkey, demonstrations were held for Berkin and there have been prompt and brutal police attacks on each of these demonstrations.

As those who have helped form SPOT (Solidarity with people of Turkey) I am urging you to share the attached statement with all your contacts and send emails of protests to the government officials in Turkey whose details are included the attached document. We kindly ask that you also cc [email protected] with your email of protests.

Thank you in advance for your support and solidarity,

Oktay Sahbaz

Day-mer Community Centre

 

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