URFA - The sit-in staged by the Şenyaşar family in front of the Urfa Courthouse has completed one year. Due to the anniversary of the sit-in, the family is expected to be visited by many rights defenders.

 

The Justice Watch carried out by the Şenyaşar family has reached day 366. The sit-in was launched on 9 March 2021 by Emine Şenyaşar, who lost her husband and two sons as a result of the attack carried out by AKP MP İbrahim Halil Yıldız's bodyguards and relatives, in the Suruç province of Urfa, on June 14, 2018.  The mother and her son arrived in front of the Urfa Courthouse from their house in the Suruç district early in the morning. The family held a banner, written, "They killed my two sons and my husband in the hospital! Not a single person was prosecuted for these murders! One of my sons has been imprisoned in a solitary cell for 4 years. I want my son released immediately."

 

Ferit Şenyaşar, who stated that the sit-in, which completed its first year today, continues uninterruptedly under state oppression, said: "We made a call to human rights defenders. Human rights defenders will be with us all day long today in solidarity. Although it is rainy today, people called and said they would come. They will be with us in solidarity no matter what."

 

 

TURKISH BAR ASSOCIATIONS WILL VISIT

 

Şenyaşar stated that tomorrow (March 10) President of the Turkish Bar Associations (TBB) Erinç Sağkan will visit the sit-in and said, “Tomorrow, we will say we want rights, law and justice. The president of the TBB will meet with the Chief Public Prosecutor after the press release. I hope there will be a meeting. We are wondering what kind of an explanation will be made by the Chief Public Prosecutor regarding the law suit against the perpetrators that has not been filed for the last 4 years.”

 

 

Mother Emine Şenyaşar stated that the sit-in continues "under persecution" and said, "We only want justice. We want justice for everyone. We want all the mothers suffering from injustice to stand with us. We faced many obstacles for a year staging this sit-in, but we did not give up and it will continue until justice comes. Everyone knows we are right. Why is the Turkish Minister of Justice doing this to us?"

 

A PRESS RELEASE WILL BE HELD

 

 

On the anniversary of the family's sit-in, human rights defenders, including representatives of non-governmental organizations, democratic mass organizations and political parties, are expected to pay visits throughout the day in solidarity. The family, together with the human rights defenders, will hold a press release in front of the courthouse at 12:00.