He had spoken about İmamoğlu and the arrested mayors at the Council of Europe: LGBTI+ activist Enes Hocaoğulları was arrested
Ekrem İmamoğlu, Buğra Gökce, İlker Caniklioğlu, Zeynep Kuray, Enes Hocaoğulları. You might think these are just names, but they are stories. The stories of people affected by the democratic backsliding in Türkiye this month.
How do I know? My name is one of them. Last week, I was fighting for democracy in the streets, and this week, in the Palace. We listened to the views of esteemed delegates elected from Türkiye, and as decision-makers with years of experience, I feel fortunate to have been able to hear their comments.
But my assessment of the situation comes not from years on the job, but from the streets. I was there from the very first day when police used disproportionate brutality against us, including tear gas, rubber bullets, and water cannons. I was also there when my peers were detained and searched on the streets.
My assessment, as I said, doesn't come from any particular position, but during my three days at the Palace, I heard many things like, "We are aware of what's happening in Türkiye, we are following it closely, and even Turkey is subject to international legal standards." Apparently, not. Or, "subject to" has different definitions.
I insist that all the human rights violations I witnessed last week—human rights violations that most of you probably haven't seen in a year—must be considered human rights violations. Let me tell you what I learned that week as a youth delegate. The youth are saying enough is enough.
Enough is enough; we are ready to take to the streets to reclaim our freedoms. Don't be afraid; you don't know what message to send. The message is ready.
The answer lies with the youth. All you have to do is take this message and convey it to the decision-makers who won't listen. Let me tell you, we're running out of time, both to speak up and to save democracy in Türkiye.
If you're looking for a wake-up call, this is it. Thank you.”
Medyascope
