The Party of the European Left expresses its concern and protest on AKP government’s justice that will judge is 502 people from political parties, trade unions and democratic mass organizations this week in Ankara. Some of our comrades, members of the direction of the ODP,member party of the European Left are also judged.

As expressed in several occasions, the pressure on social opposition in Turkey has been growing since the AKP came to power, and espacially since the government is in the spiral of corruption scandals.

For 11 years under this AKP- congregation order, members and the leaders of the political parties, trade unions have been arrested-detained and tried on several grounds.

Trade Unions and left parties organized a strike action on 28-29 March 2012 according to legal rights and freedoms. Thousands of teachers, other public employees, students, workers and people from all provinces of Turkey gathered in Ankara at this occasion. This demonstration was ended after a police attack.

More than one year later after this event, Ankara Public Prosecutors’ Office placed a charge against 502 people on the ground that such acts consist of the violation of Act No. 2911 on Meetings and Demonstrations.

But AKP government, who relies far back of police violence and controls the judicial power in order to strengthen is political hegemony, have to understand the struggle for freedom and equality in Turkey will not take a step back until built equal and free Turkey.

The Party of the European left strongly supports the 502 people concerned by this unbearable repression measure.

Party of the European Left,
13 January 2014