How it happens6:34Why this young activist risks his freedom to speak against the President of Türkiye
Hundreds of thousands of demonstrators who are calling for democracy have flooded the streets in Turkey and marked the greatest government protests in the country’s recent history.
The protests broke out on March 19 in response to the arrest of the mayor of Istanbul, Ekrem İmamoğlu due to allegations of corruption.
IMAMOğLU is Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s main competitor. He was ready to be named as a presidential candidate for the upcoming elections by the Republican People’s Party (CHP).
The protests quickly grew over the release of İmamoğlu, with demonstrators having wider political reforms and an end to democratic deficit under Erdoğan’s rule.
Almost 2,000 people were arrested in more than a week, including student leaders, journalists and community workers.
CHP leader Free Private announced a boycott of companies Connected with Erdoğan’s government.
Youth activist Enes Hocaoğulları gave a speech As a youth delegate at the congress of the local and regional authorities in Strasbourg, France, urgently ask the decision -makers to take a position. HE is the coordinator for international relationships from Oünikuir, an association that is committed to the rights of 2SLGBTQ+ people at Turkish universities.
He spoke to How it happens Host Nil Köksal about returning to Turkey and the government protests there.
How was it to return?
What a mixture of euphoria and stress I have – without knowing whether I will be held in the next hour. But the euphoria definitely (it predominates) because I should say to prison or killed for every message that I get, I get 10, who say they are glad that someone gave us a wake -up call.
Your family, were you worried after you saw that this speech was shared and redesigned?
Yes. I was worried about whether I would enter the country in no prison.
Are you prepared for this option?
Yes. Unfortunately, 301 of my colleagues are waiting in prison when we are made for a decision.
We are not sure whether I will join you or not. But I am prepared as I could be when it comes to preparing a bag and telling my mother that I love it and mentally prepare for such a (one) unfortunate result.
Why (are) so many young people so loudly?
Mayor İmamoğlu has been an important opposition figure against Erdoğan since 2019. However, these protests are not necessarily just about İmamoğlu.
The demonstrations focus on topics such as media censorship, authoritarianism, expression and assembly freedom.
They are not only necessarily protests against İmamoğlu, but against Erdoğan. Why the Turkish youth is so brave at the moment is that they have lost their future.
They have lost their chances, but they also lost their fear. We have nothing left to be afraid. So we are so easy on the streets and fight for a way of a future.
Do you see a difference this time compared to previous protests?
The biggest difference, especially in comparison to Gezi protests in 2013 and 2014That was the largest in this decade is intersectionality.
Erdoğan has won so many enemies in the past ten years that people no longer take care of their differences. It only takes care of whether they support Erdoğan or Erdoğan.
I have never seen so different protests in my life. You know that you are against Erdogan and that’s enough for you.
Even the slogan -chp for these protests is: “There is no redemption alone, whether or none of us.”
It makes sense that we (so) had so much polarization that the only way to go through this is to come together.
Hundreds were on the streets to a temporary ban on demonstration to support the mayor of Istanbul Ekrem Imamoglu and protest against the government of Erdogan.
Do you think that (the economic boycott) will have the kind of effects you and your supporters hope?
Yes, I think so. If not, even if it has no major influence on the country’s economy, people will still feel like doing something.
What do you want to hear and see from other countries?
I would say that the main problem in Turkey is currently that the authorities do not take care of the protests. Therefore, I would propose the decision -makers abroad to urge the Turkish authorities to listen to our needs, and if they are not a decision -makers outside of Turkey, I would urgently ask them to contact their decision -makers so that they can speak against these human rights violations.
How do you think about the climate and the potential for İmamoğlus release and the kind of change you would like to see?
I still feel a bit more optimistic about the possibilities when you consider that I am not a politician. I don’t spend my days in parliament and speak to the same people.
I am always on the street, I see hope in people, I see hope in youth. That still keeps me optimistic.
The possible future that we are talking about does not necessarily exist (from) İmamoğlu. It only (of) democracy. It consists of human rights. It consists of a holistic … human rights-centered and intersectional future in which the rule of law is respected.
