It is illegal now in Istanbul, Kırklareli, Adana, Aydın and Kilis to say, demonstrate, march, sign petitions, distribute leaflets, erect tents, open stands, hang banners or posters, or any other activity that would oppose the war.
Turkey bans war opposition in four more provinces. The governor of Istanbul had banned any activity that opposes war in the Istanbul province. The ban has been expanded to other parts as well.
It is illegal now in Istanbul, Kırklareli, Adana, Aydın and Kilis to say, demonstrate, march, sign petitions, distribute leaflets, erect tents, open stands, hang banners or posters, or any other activity that would oppose the war.
The government fears that discussing or expressing views against the war may “threaten the internal peace and harmony of the country”, but many wonder if that peace and harmony” was not threatened by the war itself.
These bans started to pop up in Turkey as the government found itself at the receiving end of valid questions such as, “Why are our soldiers in Syria or Libya.” The AKP ruling party is having a hard time explaining or justifying the reasons the body bags flow in from other countries where the Turkish soldiers had been sent.
Turkey claims it is fighting the “terrorists” in Syria as it tries to grab land belonging to the Syrian people and settling Turkmens supposed to be loyal to Turkey there. It started to take over the stretch of Syrian land where Turkey was allowed under an agreement to setup outposts. The agreement between Russia, Syria and Turkey allowed Turkey’s presence in Syria only to combat the jihadi terrorist gangs. However, instead of fighting or dismantling them Turkey has been arming, feeding and even paying the ragtag fighters.
Turkey was not supposed to have any soldiers outside of the outposts, but with the terrorists suffering heavy losses, Turkish troops went to their relief. That is when the latest Turkish casualties happened.
Russia asked the Turkish authorities if they had any troops outside the outposts and Turkey replied they had not. If they had revealed the truth Turkey would be in breach of the agreement. When the jihadi groups were attacked, Turkish soldiers were also killed. Many reports claim Turkey lost more than 200 troops in one attack.
Instead of accepting the responsibility, the Turkish authorities chose to ban the news and expression of anti-war sentiments.
Sendika.org News (M.B.)
