Organisations, including our initiative, made a joint declaration and reacted against the statements of the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) Chairman Devlet Bahçeli on intellectuals and journalists. Here is the statement made by the Union for Democracy (DIB), Dialogue Group, Eastern and Southeastern Associations (DGD) Platform, Citizens’ Initiative, Ankara Initiative for Freedom of Expression and Initiative for Freedom of Expression:
“A while ago, a statement was launched with 805 signatures that called the opposition to ‘gather around a democratic alliance against the destruction the Public Alliance is dragging the country to.’ Following this statement, the Public Alliance partner and Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) Chairman Devlet Bahçeli described the signatories as ‘known fake intellectuals, rented pens, so-called journalists, academics without identity, 805 rotten individuals, separatists, pushy, dirt”. More than 6 thousand citizens have joined the campaign started on change.org as a reaction against this separatist speech and insults of the MHP Chairman, extending his target.
Devlet Bahçeli continued his denouncements, insults and targeting without break. Lastly, journalists and writers like Elif Çakır, Taha Akyol, Yıldıray Oğur and Ayşenur Aslan took their part from the insults and targetings of Bahçeli and his press consultant as well. The larger partner of the Public Alliance, the Justice and Development Party (AKP) Chairman and President Erdoğan’s silence on the matter is encouraging Devlet Bahçeli as well as other Deputy Chairmen and organisation members.
We would like to remind everyone that the intensifying attacks against politicians, media workers, oppositional citizens as a result of the targetings and insults is not only the high administration of the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP), but the entire ruling power, especially the Interior Ministry.”
22.01.2020
dusun-think.net