Turkish martyrs' families, veterans protest for equal rights, criticize defense minister

Families of fallen soldiers and veterans in Turkey are maintaining their protest in Ankara's Güvenpark for the 13th consecutive day, demanding equal rights and benefits irrespective of military rank. Despite enduring heavy rain and challenging conditions, the demonstrators, who have traveled from all 81 provinces, remain resolute in their cause.

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We knew we could face such difficulties when we started this struggle. We will never step back from this fight; no one can remove us from here without giving us our rights.

Erdem Çerçioğlu, the general president of the Martyrs' Families and Veterans Association, expressed their determination, stating, "We knew we could face such difficulties when we started this struggle. We will never step back from this fight; no one can remove us from here without giving us our rights." He criticized Defense Minister Hulusi Akar, who he said referred to them as a "marginal group" affiliated with a political party. "We are not the backyard of any political party; we only want what is rightfully ours," Çerçioğlu asserted.

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Hulusi Akar still behaves very shamefully. He calls us a marginal group attached to a political party.

Çerçioğlu directly challenged Akar, demanding that the minister either visit the protestors to understand their demands or resign. "The Chairman of the National Defense Committee cannot behave this way," he stated, emphasizing that Akar's frequent social media posts are insufficient. "If he is to listen to the problems of veterans and martyrs' families, they are all here; let him come. I invite him. I invite the Minister of Family and Social Policies, I invite the Director General of Martyrs and Veterans. Not a single civil servant has come despite 13 days passing. They are shaming themselves. This image is Turkey's shame," he added.

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We are not the backyard of any political party; we only want what is rightfully ours.

The protestors highlighted that while leaders from all opposition parties have visited them, no representatives from the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) or the Grand Unity Party (BBP), parties historically focused on issues of martyrs and veterans, have shown up. Çerçioğlu found this particularly disappointing, questioning if these parties also perceive them as a "marginal group." He stressed that the protestors are ordinary people who have sacrificed their lives and limbs at a young age, urging officials to come and listen to their legitimate demands.

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The Chairman of the National Defense Committee cannot behave this way. [...] If he is to listen to the problems of veterans and martyrs' families, they are all here; let him come.