An Appeal for Nuriye Gulmen and Semih Ozakça

AN İMMEDİATE APPEAL BY THE ARTİSTS İNİTİATİVE TO THE TURKİSH AND WORLD PUBLİC OPİNİON, ABOUT THE HUNGER STRİKE OF MS NURİYE GULMEN AND MR SEMİH OZAKCA AT THEİR 116TH DAY!

At the present stage of the hunger strike they are launching to return to their duties, the academician Nuriye Gulmen and teacher Semih Ozakca, who are among the thousands of state officials been abolished by the decree of the law within the scope of the State of Emergency without showing any legal justification, have come to the limit of consciousness loss and death.

Whereas it could have been enough if the authorities had stateda single conscientious, rational, hopeful sentence that reassessed their situation to return to their duties in order for these two young educators to give up their actions that have endured death,; right to the contrary it’s appalling and disappointing that they were arrested, more to that, the distinguished intellectuals and artists who expressed their concerns in this direction were threatened by the Ministry of Interior.

We are constantly observing with anxiety and in deep pain the situations of those who initiate this action for the sake of law and justice, and again we are unable to prevent the tragic ending approaching rapidly. 

Their deaths will not only be an irreparable loss for themselves and their relatives, but will open a new and profound wound in the already negative image of our country in front of the public conscience.

We are in the belief that this humane and heroic resistance of Nuriye Gulmen and Semih Ozakca has succeeded inenlightening the public as the speaker of thousands of state workers who have lost their jobs. But the ending or continuing their actions is, of course, a decision, which they will give with their own free will.

We, once more, would like to warn the authorities and the concerned parties: In this unequal struggle, please give up stubbornness! Do not delay anymore to take all necessary steps to get them back to life.

We also have another appeal to the people of the World, to the peaceful and humane people and to all organizations and governments: It’s a legal right and duty to urge the authorities in Turkey to comply with universal human rights, as well as the legal and conscience criteria and to strive for results so that Nuriye and Semih don’t die.

Let's stop this crime in alliance.

THE ARTISTS’ INITIATIVE

(Sanatçılar Girişimi)