APRIL 14, 2007
Demonstrators Rally in Turkey in Defense of Secular Republic
Pro-Secular Demonstrations Held in Ankara
Events in the Republic of Turkey have attracted recent media attention as potential candidates emerge for the presidential and general elections. The nation has been a secular democratic republic since its establishment in 1923 under the leadership of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk following the collapse of the Ottoman empire. Today, a large segment of the Turkish population is expressing their pro-secular position as they confront threats to the secular system. A pro-secularism rally held in Ankara on April 14 drew a crowd of over half a million. An April 29 rally in Istanbul attracted a record-breaking a crowd of over one million, while further demonstrations against anti-secular activities are being planned throughout the country.
Over a Million Marchers in Turkey
Rallies supported by nearly 600 non-governmental organizations were held
in the Turkish capital Ankara, and in Turkey's largest city Istanbul, to show
support for the country's secular system.
Carrying Turkish flags, the demonstrators shouted slogans to protect the
country's secular foundations and the principles of Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, the
founder of modern Turkey.
The April 29 rally in Istanbul, similar to the April 14 mass demonstration in
Ankara, came amid mounting tension between the Islamic-rooted ruling Justice and
Development Party (AKP) and the country's secularists.
Presidential Elections
Turkish Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul, presidential candidate of the ruling
Justice and Development Party (AKP), failed to garner the required two-thirds
majority of 367 votes in the first round of parliamentary voting on May 27.
The main opposition secularists Republican People's Party (CHP), which boycotted
the vote, appealed to the country's Constitutional Court to annul the
presidential vote since the parliament convened with less than 367 lawmakers to
elect the new president.
The court upheld the opposition CHP's appeal, a scheduled general election in
November, will be called within 90 days.
Two 20-second television ads by the secular Turkish daily newspaper Cumhuriyet ("Republic") angered the AKP government and led to a debate in AKP group meetings and the parliament floor about suing the paper.
In the first ad, a ticking clock with its hands moving backwards is shown, and a voice-over says: "On May 16, the clocks are being set back 100 years. Are you aware of the danger? Defend your republic!"
The second ad opens with the sound of sirens; then the
caption "1881-2007" appears and a voice-over says, "In May 2007
the presidential election will be held. Are you aware of the danger? Defend your
republic!"
Cumhuriyet
- March 7, 2007 www.cumhuriyet.com.tr
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