İYİ Party Leader Visits Protesting Veterans, Demands Equal Rights for Fallen Soldiers' Families

Protesters comprising families of fallen soldiers and veterans from across Turkey continue their sit-in in Ankara's Güvenpark, demanding equal rights and benefits for all soldiers, irrespective of their rank. The demonstration entered its fifth day as İYİ Party leader Müsavat Dervişoğlu visited the group, accompanied by party officials.

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There are 3,800 veteran soldiers. If a country of 85 million cannot look after 5,000 children of the nation, if it has brought us to this point, everyone should put their hand on their conscience and think.

Erdem Çerçioğlu, the general president of the Association of Martyr Families and Veterans, highlighted the plight of 3,800 veteran soldiers, questioning the nation's ability to care for its heroes. He urged a collective reflection on this situation. Dervişoğlu assured the protesters that his party is closely monitoring their issues and has been actively involved since the first day through its representatives.

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We are pursuing this issue together with our General Headquarters, Ankara deputies, and other members of parliament.

Dervişoğlu announced that the İYİ Party is working on legislative proposals in the Grand National Assembly to address the protesters' concerns. "We are pursuing this issue together with our General Headquarters, Ankara deputies, and other members of parliament," he stated, stressing the importance of pursuing their rights through appropriate methods to avoid undermining their just cause.

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Just as a bullet does not ask for an address, veteran status and martyrdom cannot be separated by rank and subjected to different treatment.

He further argued that the concepts of martyrdom and veteran status should not be divided by military rank. "There should not be separate veteran status or martyrdom based on rank. The families of enlisted soldiers and officers cannot be evaluated differently in terms of the lives they have given to the country. Just as a bullet does not ask for an address, veteran status and martyrdom cannot be separated by rank and subjected to different treatment," Dervişoğlu asserted. He pledged that his party would fulfill its responsibility if the state fails to do so, vowing to take necessary actions. Dervişoğlu clarified that his visit was not intended to politicize the issue but to raise awareness and fulfill a humanitarian responsibility, calling on the people of Ankara to join in supporting the veterans and their families.

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I promise you in front of your presence and in front of God; we will fulfill that responsibility and do whatever is necessary.