CHP's Çakırözer Calls for Release of NATO Summit Detainees: 'This is Inhumanity, Oppression!'

Utku Çakırözer, a lawmaker from Turkey's Republican People's Party (CHP), has strongly criticized the ongoing detention of more than 100 people arrested just before the NATO summit in Ankara. These individuals, comprising academics, journalists, and civil society volunteers, were initially detained on suspicion of being potential protesters. Their continued imprisonment, even after the summit's conclusion, has drawn sharp condemnation.

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These people, including Professor Emel, who is an honor to our universities, and the 10 TEMA volunteers whose only concern is protecting the country's soil and trees, have been held in prison despite the NATO summit ending.

Çakırözer specifically highlighted the case of 10 TEMA volunteers, who were participating in a nature excursion. Despite being arrested on June 3, they have been held in Sincan Prison since June 25. He also mentioned academics like Emel Memiş Parmaksız and journalist Yıldız Tar, along with lawyers and numerous other citizens, who are still incarcerated.

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Arresting these people because they might protest the summit was a major injustice. Now, keeping them in prison after the summit has ended only magnifies this injustice.

The lawmaker visited the detainees in Sincan Prison and issued a powerful call for their immediate release. "These people, including Professor Emel, who is an honor to our universities, and the 10 TEMA volunteers whose only concern is protecting the country's soil and trees, have been held in prison despite the NATO summit ending," Çakırözer stated. He argued that arresting them based on the possibility of protest was a significant injustice, which is now compounded by their continued detention after the summit.

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The average age of the TEMA volunteers is 60-65. These people take 6-7 medications daily. They have chronic hypertension, heart disease, and diabetes. Some need treatment. Some are sleeping on the floor, and some are sharing a single bed. This is inhumane, this is oppression!

Çakırözer further emphasized the dire conditions and health concerns of the detainees, particularly the TEMA volunteers, whose average age is between 60 and 65. Many suffer from chronic conditions like hypertension, heart disease, and diabetes, requiring regular medication. He described instances of individuals sleeping on the floor or sharing single beds, calling the situation "inhumane" and "oppressive." He urged an end to this injustice and demanded the immediate release of all citizens detained under the pretext of the NATO summit.

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This injustice towards TEMA volunteers, professors, lawyers, and journalists must end. The citizens being held in prison under the guise of the NATO summit must be released immediately!