A crowd gatherering in front of the Turkish Parliament in the capital city of Ankara today announced in a press statement that they want the leaders of the military coup of 12 September 1980 to be tried in court.

For this, they demand the abolition of Provisional Article 15 of the Constitution, which protects those in government during and after the coup before the reinstatement of an elected government from prosecution.

Speaking at the protest, Ruşen Sümbüoğlu, president of the Revolutionary 78'ers Federation, said that "all the crime organisations and gangs formed by those claiming to represent the people need to be exposed and they have to give account to the public."

Time to be accountable

Around 100 people gathered at noon on Tuesday (30 June), marching to the parliamentary building. They shouted slogans such as "A free and democratic Turkey against the coup leaders", "Abolish Provisional Article 15" and "The day will come when the tables turn and the coup leaders will have to be accountable."

Sümbüloğlu read the press statement, accusing the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) and the main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) of using the provisional article in their struggle for power.

"This article, which prevents the coup leaders from having to be accountable, is a betrayal of the struggle for humanity and democracy."

The protest was joined by representatives of the Revolutionary 78'ers Federation, the 68'ers Solidarity Association, the Ankara branches of the KESK trade union confederation, the Ankara branch of the Turkish Chambers of Architects and Engineers (TMMOB), the Turkish Medical Association (TTB), the Ankara branch of the DİSK trade union confederation, the Human Rights Association (İHD), the People's Houses (Halkevleri), the Social Democratic Party (SDP), the Freedom and Solidarity Party (ÖDP), the Turkey Communist Party (TKP), the Democratic Society Party (DTP), the Labour Party (EMEP), the Socialist Party, the Socialist Platform for the Oppressed (ESP), the Proletarian Movement Party (EHP), the Contemporary Lawyers' Association (ÇHD), the Contemporary Journalists' Association (ÇGD), the Ankara Freedom of Thought Initiative, the Enlightened Artists' Initiative, the Marxist Perspective and the Anatolian Culture and Research Association (AKA-DER). (BÇ/AG)

* This news item used information from sendika.org and ozgurradyo.net.