We, the undersigned British trade unionists, politicians, and supporters of democracy and civil liberties, are deeply alarmed and outraged by the Turkish government’s escalating anti-democratic crackdown on non-violent opposition to President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. Between 14th and 23rd February, over 300 individuals were seized by authorities in a blatant attack on fundamental freedoms.
Those arrested include members of leftist and socialist parties, civil rights activists, artists, and journalists, many of whom were united under the umbrella of the Peoples’ Democratic Congress (HDK). After more than a decade of the organisation’s peaceful existence, these individuals have been suddenly detained and jailed. This marks yet another step towards the consolidation of a wholly authoritarian regime in Turkey.
We stand in solidarity with the recent statement by the British Trades Union Congress, which rightly declared: “For years, workers in Türkiye have faced relentless attacks on their freedoms and rights. Civil liberties have been crushed, and independent trade unions and their members have been systematically targeted, often through prosecution on fabricated charges, with many trade union leaders facing many years in jail.”
These arrests follow the Turkish government’s removal of Peoples’ Equality and Democracy Party (DEM Party) member Abdullah Zeydan as mayor of Van, replacing him with a state-appointed trustee. This undemocratic act sparked widespread protests, leading to the detention of 400 demonstrators. The European Parliament has condemned this and similar dismissals, urging sanctions against Turkish officials responsible for removing opposition mayors. Since then, Turkey has appointed trustees to more than 100 municipalities, predominantly in Kurdish-majority areas, further eroding local democracy.
We support the upcoming online rally, Solidarity with the People of Turkey, on 19th March, which will discuss how to escalate solidarity with those arrested and increase pressure to dismantle repressive rule in Turkey.
We declare:
Trade unionists in Turkey, socialists, and democrats must not be left to face this crackdown alone.
All charges against those arrested must be dropped immediately, and their freedom restored.
Long live international solidarity!
We call on all who value democracy, human rights, and justice to join us in standing against authoritarianism and oppression in Turkey. Together, we can amplify our voices and demand change.
