People in 7 countries stood still for 7 minutes in solidarity with 7 people who died during protests in Turkey. See photos from Brussels, Bucharest, Caracas, Geneva, London, New York and Toronto.
IFEX supported the call by its member in Turkey, the Initiative for Free Expression: On 28 July, will you stand still for Turkish protesters?
Background:
First used by demonstrators in Taksim Square, standing still in silent contemplation has become an effective symbol of the resistance movement in Turkey. By standing still, you will be sending a strong message to Turkish diplomats that the world expects Turkey to respect freedom of assembly, that it demands justice for those killed, and calls for the immediate release of detained peaceful protesters.
According to data collected by the Turkish Chambers of Medicine and Physicians (as of 24 June 2013), there were injuries in 13 cities where 8121 people went for medical attention in areas where the clashes happened. Of those, 11 lost their eyesight, 104 people have head trauma and 61 people have severe injuries, with two people in critical condition.
Who are the 7 people who have lost their lives during the protests?
Ethem Sarısuluk (27, worker): Shot in Ankara by a police officer on Saturday, 1 June 2013. A park in Ankara (formerly called Çaldiran Park) was renamed in his honour.
Mehmet Ayvalitas (20, worker): Member of the Socialist Solidarity Platform (SODAP), Mehmet was crushed by a police vehicle driving through the crowd during a demonstration in Istanbul on 2 June 2013.
Abdullah Cömert (22, unemployed): A member of CHP (the main opposition party), Abdullah died from a stroke after a blow to his head during a clash in Hatay province on 3 June 2013.
Mustafa Sari (27, police officer): Fell from a bridge while chasing protestors in Adana province on June 5, 2013.
Irfan Tuna (47, worker): After being affected by teargas during demonstrations lasting three days in Ankara, Tuna died of a heart attack on 8 June 2013.
Selim Onder (88, musician): During his visit to the Egyptian Bazaar in Istanbul to buy honey on 31 May 2013, he was subjected to a teargas attack by the police. After having shortness of breath, he died in Izmir province a few days later.
Ali İsmail Korkmaz (19, student): Attacked and wounded (causing a cerebral hemorrhage) on 2 June by unknown people while trying to escape from teargas at the Gezi Park Solidarity actions in Eskişehir, Korkmaz was in emergency services until his death on 10 July.
A Standing Still action was held in front of the Turkish Embassy in Bucharest, Romania organised by Active WatchActive Watch
A Standing Still action was held in front of the Turkish Embassy in London, UK organised by ARTICLE 19 with Index on Censorship, Art 4 Democracy, English PEN and Platform LondonARTICLE 19
A Standing Still action was held in front of the Turkish Consulate in Toronto, Canada organised by Canadian Journalists for Free Expression with PEN Canada, IFEX, Amnesty International Canada, Canadian Media Guild, Canadian Association of Journalists and Journalists for Human RightsCanadian Journalists for Free Expression
A Standing Still action was held in front of the Turkish Embassy in Caracas, Venezuela organised by Espacio PúblicoEspacio Público
A Standing Still action was held in front of the Turkish Representation at the UN in Geneva, Switzerland organised by the International Publishers Association and PEN Suisse RomandeInternational Publishers Association and PEN Suisse Romande
A Standing Still action was held in front of the Turkish Embassy in New York, United States organised by New York Chappuls with Occupy New YorkNew York Chappuls
A Standing Still for Turkey action was held in front of the EU Centre in Brussels, Belgium organised by Poliargus and Occupy AnversPoliargus and Occupy Anvers
Participants at the IFEX strategy conference in June 2013 stood still for Turkey in support of IFEX’s members in TurkeyInitiative for Free Expression – Turkey
