6th Günyüzü KHK Gathering Brings Calls for Justice and Solidarity to the Fore

The 6th Günyüzü Gathering of KHK-affected individuals was held with the participation of people affected by KHK-related dismissals as well as participants involved in various rights-based struggles. KHK TV covered the gathering on location, where calls for justice and solidarity were among the main themes.

The event was hosted by Mehmet Tombak, a KHK-affected imam, and his family. Participants worked together in an informal, communal effort to prepare food, while interviews were conducted throughout the gathering.

Ümham Topal, who attended from Ankara, said she had participated in the gathering for the second time after joining the event for the first time the previous year. Another participant, Gülhan, emphasized the importance of sharing burdens and difficulties, saying that people could overcome painful experiences through solidarity.

Fatma Dostar, president of the Hak Initiative Association, was also among the participants. Dostar said she remained involved in the struggle because of her personal connection to the issue and her sense of solidarity with those affected.

For some participants, the gathering was their first experience of Günyüzü. One attendee described the event as an opportunity to come together around the pursuit of justice, saying that they had come to Günyüzü to meet with others seeking justice.

Participants arrived from cities including Gaziantep, Bursa, Istanbul, Ankara and Eskişehir, describing the gathering as an opportunity to reconnect with friends and share an atmosphere they had missed.

Aydın, one of the participants, said attendance appeared to be significantly higher than the previous year. He argued that the growing participation reflected the number of people demanding justice in Turkey. At the same time, he noted that while the gathering expanded solidarity, the large turnout also pointed to the continuing existence of grievances and demands for justice.

One of the notable participants was Veysel Bulur, the father of Hürcan Bulur. Speaking about his son, Bulur said they had established the Hürcan Bulur Hope for the Future Foundation following his son’s death in a traffic accident in Ankara’s Batıkent district in August 2023.

Bulur said the foundation was established both to keep his son’s memory alive and to create solidarity among families who have experienced similar tragedies. He also said the organization aimed to give young people hope for the future.

Lawyers and human rights advocates attending the gathering also stressed the importance of solidarity with people affected by KHK measures. Participants said events of this kind create opportunities for different rights-based movements to meet and exchange views.

Mustafa Karabudak, co-chair of the Ankara branch of the Democratic Alevi Associations, also attended the event. Karabudak emphasized the importance of different groups working together and described the gathering as a meeting centered on justice.

The Eskişehir Provincial Chairman of the Felicity Party (Saadet Party) also attended and stated that his party stood with people seeking their rights. He argued that addressing past grievances and legal problems was necessary for social peace in Turkey.

A human rights activist from Eskişehir said he had been following the grievances experienced by KHK-affected individuals for years. He stressed that solidarity gatherings were important but argued that rights-based efforts also needed to continue in public life. He called on participants not to lose hope and said the struggle would continue.

Sümer, president of the Nonviolent Society Association and a columnist for Sonsöz newspaper, described the gathering as a reflection of Turkey’s broader social landscape. He emphasized communication, democracy and respect for different beliefs and political views, while expressing optimism about the country’s future.

The sixth Günyüzü gathering continued throughout the day with communal food preparation, conversations and interviews. Participants from different cities and backgrounds shared messages centered on justice, solidarity, human rights and social peace.

EDITOR’S NOTE: Interviews conducted by KHK TV showed that the gathering brought together people from different backgrounds around a common demand for justice. Solidarity, collective action and hope for the future emerged as recurring themes throughout the event.

Kaynak: KHK TV