SEP of Turkey Declaration: Do Not Allow the Coup and Tyranny!

The AKP/MHP government, aware that it cannot win another election through democratic means, has chosen to stage a coup against electoral democratic processes. Ekrem İmamoğlu, the strongest opposition presidential candidate, and his detained close associates are highly likely to be arrested, with trustees appointed to Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality (IMM). Through this action, the AKP is also seeking revenge for their defeat in the March 31, 2024, local elections. Thus, they aim to prevent the CHP, the main opposition party, from accessing significant public resources via municipal administrations. Arrests of journalists like İsmail Saymaz, the appointment of a trustee to the Istanbul Bar Association, silencing media channels such as Halk TV, the cancellation of the CHP congress, and appointing trustees to the CHP itself are among the planned moves clearly indicating a coup scenario unfolding in the country.

Organizing powerful mass protests against this coup is today's urgent task. Indeed, the CHP should have long since embraced mass mobilization against this openly impending coup. For example, since it became evident that AKP was targeting İmamoğlu and IMM, a rally calling for a million people could have been organized. These critical months have unfortunately been wasted. Despite clear signals that "the worst is yet to come," necessary determination and willpower were not displayed. It must be remembered that when those in power see your lack of determination, they become increasingly confident and audacious. Now, at the very least, a strong response is essential to balance the situation. Otherwise, fear and retreat will dominate society. Now is the time for unity and escalating mass resistance, from labor unions and political parties to democratic mass organizations, proclaiming solidarity "shoulder to shoulder against fascism." It is imperative, at all costs, to demonstrate the resolve necessary to prevent a tyrannical, oppressive regime hostile to workers, laborers, democracy, and freedoms from fully taking control of the country

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