I don’t need to be part of a group, of an organisation, of a political party or an ideology. It is a basic right of any human being to protest and what we are seeing for the last five days in Gezi Park in Istanbul, in Ankara, in Izmir, in Adana, in Hatay and all over in Turkey, is not acceptable.
It makes me sad not only as a human being, it makes me sad not only as woman and it makes me sad not only as a mother. Indeed it makes me very sad as a sociologist and a social scientist to watch how young people and the youth of a nation are being disrespected, bullied, condemned, attacked and violence being used against them by the Government which should have only, but only the full responsibility to respect their human rights, care and provide for them. This is the first and foremost rule of a democratic country. And the fundamental base of a functioning democracy is the Welfare state which is crucial for maintaining the wellbeing of its citizens.
Social scientists have the responsibility to analyse and interpret society. They are concerned with global social phenomena and enquire deep into the social nature of human beings, therefore their voice must be louder when the individuals in society are excluded, not heard, are ignored, are beaten, are humiliated, are marginalised, are attacked and are exposed to violence.
Today, all the people from the world of art and State recognised and endorsed join the masses, including singers, actors, artists and dancers across Turkey. They are all joining the protest in the Capital Ankara. The social scientist of Turkey, must call on the government to immediately put a stop to the police aggression towards its own citizens and the provocative remarks. Whether one support’s the ruling Government politically or not, professional bodies of sociologists and individual social scientists must as their professional duty to call for an immediate end to the on-going police aggression in Turkey. This is the duty for all.
It is long overdue but nevertheless not too late for the to the police aggression towards its own citizens and to stop threatening legitimate people from protesting and in exercising their democratic right.
Copyright Semra Eren Nijhar – All rights reserved
Semra Eren-Nijhar 