The Truth, Justice, and Memory Studies Association (Hafıza Merkezi), Media and Law Studies Association (MLSA), Human Rights Foundation of Turkey (TİHV), and Amnesty International shared their observation report on the 983rd weekly gathering of the Saturday Mothers/People, held on January 20, 2024.
Since the Constitutional Court's decision on Maside Ocak, the Saturday Mothers/People have been trying to gather peacefully at Galatasaray Square every Saturday since April 8, 2023 (their 941st week), when they were first prevented and detained by the police. Excluding the gathering on May 13, every Saturday attempt has faced obstruction, although they were not detained at their 971st week meeting on November 4, 2023. Since the 972nd week meeting on November 11, 2023, they have been allowed to read their press statement at Galatasaray Square, provided they limit the number of participants to 10.
Continued administrative harassment despite no arrests
On January 27, at the 983rd week meeting, there was no police intervention against the Saturday Mothers/People. However, as observer organizations, we found it impossible to assert that the decisions of the Constitutional Court are being implemented. The restriction to only 10 participants and the recording and photographing of the press statement by police officers could have a deterrent effect on the Saturday Mothers/People and human rights defenders' freedom of assembly. We would like to remind you that this deterrent effect in itself constitutes an intervention against the right to freedom of assembly.
The Truth, Justice, and Memory Studies Association (Hafıza Merkezi), Media and Law Studies Association (MLSA), Human Rights Foundation of Turkey (TİHV), and Amnesty International shared their observation report on the 983rd weekly gathering of the Saturday Mothers/People, held on January 20, 2024.
Since the Constitutional Court's decision on Maside Ocak, the Saturday Mothers/People have been trying to gather peacefully at Galatasaray Square every Saturday since April 8, 2023 (their 941st week), when they were first prevented and detained by the police. Excluding the gathering on May 13, every Saturday attempt has faced obstruction, although they were not detained at their 971st week meeting on November 4, 2023. Since the 972nd week meeting on November 11, 2023, they have been allowed to read their press statement at Galatasaray Square, provided they limit the number of participants to 10.
Continued administrative harassment despite no arrests
On January 27, at the 983rd week meeting, there was no police intervention against the Saturday Mothers/People. However, as observer organizations, we found it impossible to assert that the decisions of the Constitutional Court are being implemented. The restriction to only 10 participants and the recording and photographing of the press statement by police officers could have a deterrent effect on the Saturday Mothers/People and human rights defenders' freedom of assembly. We would like to remind you that this deterrent effect in itself constitutes an intervention against the right to freedom of assembly.
