Şenyaşar family continues vigil for justice in winter conditions

Emine Şenyaşar who lost her husband and two sons in an armed attack that involved AKP deputy İbrahim Halil Yıldız’s bodyguards and relatives on June 14, 2018, in the Suruç district of Urfa province, and her son Ferit Şenyaşar who was injured in the same attack, are continuing their vigil for justice in front of the Urfa Courthouse. The vigil was launched on March 9, 2021.

Today (Jan. 18) the family came to the Urfa Courthouse, 42 kilometres away from their home in Suruç, to mark the 316th day of the protest.

The vigil is continuing in cold weather and snow flurry. Ferit Şenyaşar remarked that they were continuing their vigil despite the bad weather conditions.  “There is snowfall from time to time. Regardless of the circumstances, we will not abandon the vigil until justice is served. We will not leave the Urfa courthouse,” he said.

“The citizens who enter the courthouse condemn the authorities when they see this persecution against us. If we are a pious society, if we are Muslims and if you do not speak out against this oppression, you are a partner to it,” Şenyaşar added.

Ferit Şenyaşar recalled that there are similar justice vigils held by families in different parts of Turkey currently. “If the persecution through the judiciary continues in the years to come, justice vigils will spread to all the courthouses in Turkey.”

Şenyaşar emphasized that no matter what the conditions are, they will continue the justice vigil until justice is secured. “We are determined, and we will not go back to our house even if we freeze to death in the cold weather. We will not leave the courthouse. The shame belongs to the Governor of Urfa and the Ministry of Justice. Shame on anyone who talks about justice in Turkey,” he added.