Şenyaşar family’s request to set up tent during winter rejected

Emine Şenyaşar, who lost her husband and two sons in a massacre organized by the AKP Deputy İbrahim Halil Yıldız’s bodyguards and relatives on 14 June 2018 in the Suruç district of Urfa, and her son Ferit Şenyaşar, who was injured in the same attack, are continuing the justice vigil in front of the Urfa Courthouse.

The vigil, launched on March 9, marks its 287th day. While mother Şenyaşar continued the vigil at her home in Suruç due to health problems, her son Ferit Şenyaşar came to the Urfa Courthouse.

Ferit Şenyaşar wrote to the Presidential Communication Center (CIMER) on December 7, 2021, requesting to erect a tent during the winter months.

Şenyaşar pointed to the state-supported protest tent set up in front of the HDP Amed headquarters and demanded to enjoy “equal citizenship” rights.

While the governor’s office rejected the request in its response, Şenyaşar reacted to the ban and said, “In 2021, most of our days were spent in front of the courthouse. We are in winter; the weather is getting colder. My mother can’t endure the cold weather due to her age. She is sick now and couldn’t join the vigil today. In different cities of Turkey, mothers carry out vigils supported by the state authorities. Since we are in winter, we asked the governor’s office for permission to set up a tent to protect ourselves from the cold. The governor’s office refused our request. Why are we not granted the rights enjoyed by other citizens?”

Referring to the “crackdown” they have been subject to since the beginning of the vigil, Şenyaşar criticized that different laws are enforced against them. “What keeps us here is the support of sensitive and just people. Urfa Chief Public Prosecutor drives past us with his luxurious official car every day and sees this unlawfulness. We believe that justice will be secured soon, and we are continuing our struggle with determination,” Ferit Şenyaşar said.

On the 287th day of the justice vigil, the family published the following message on their Twitter account.

“The prosecutors who enter the courthouse with their top model official cars cannot do their duty out of fear. Just and honourable people are our consolation. Our struggle for justice in front of the Şanlıurfa Palace of Justice continues with determination on its 287th day.”