Police Intervene in Ankara Teacher Protest

Police intervened against a protest by private sector teachers and interview victims in Ankara, Turkey, who were demanding a livable base salary and the rehiring of colleagues. The demonstration, which began with a press statement in front of the Ministry of Treasury and Finance, aimed to proceed to the Ministry of National Education. During the intervention, police reportedly used force and prevented media access. Voices from within the police cordon could be heard saying, "Police are using violence against us, shields are being raised to prevent violence from being seen."

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Police are using violence against us, shields are being raised to prevent violence from being seen.

Earlier statements from the union outlined their demands: "Our only request is a base salary arrangement that allows us to live humanely and for our colleagues who have been wronged to start their jobs." The union also stated, "If you cannot supervise the employers, pass a law, and we, as a union, know very well how to supervise them. We have been running to every place the ministry has left incomplete in this country for three years; wherever there is a teacher whose rights have been violated, who has been subjected to violence, or harassed, we are following them! This issue must be resolved immediately, and teachers must be defined a base wage they deserve!"

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Our only request is a base salary arrangement that allows us to live humanely and for our colleagues who have been wronged to start their jobs.

The Private Sector Teachers' Union and interview victim teachers had previously begun a hunger strike as part of their actions before the NATO measures.

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If you cannot supervise the employers, pass a law, and we, as a union, know very well how to supervise them. We have been running to every place the ministry has left incomplete in this country for three years; wherever there is a teacher whose rights have been violated, who has been subjected to violence, or harassed, we are following them! This issue must be resolved immediately, and teachers must be defined a base wage they deserve!