Mothers of victims of enforced disappearance in Turkey allowed to protest for first time in 5 years without police intervention

ISTANBUL — Members of the “Saturday Mothers”, a group advocating for justice for victims of enforced disappearances in Turkey, held a peaceful vigil in central Istanbul on Saturday, marking the first time since 2018 that the group has been able to publicly gather without police intervention.

The resumption of the vigil follows Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya’s recent reassurance during a parliamentary session, affirming the government’s “good intentions” and commitment to finding a peaceful solution to the long-standing issue of enforced disappearances. This development allowed the group to conduct its 972nd vigil at Galatasaray Square near the Taksim district.

The group, comprising approximately 10 individuals, remains steadfast in its mission, as expressed in their statement: “We will not stop searching for all our missing people and demanding that the perpetrators be tried and punished.”

The backdrop to this resumption involves a ban imposed by Turkish police in 2018 on the Saturday Mothers’ protest, leading to its dispersal with water cannons and tear gas. In 2021, members of the group faced legal charges for refusing to disperse despite police warnings. Over the past five years, police consistently dispersed and detained group members every Saturday during their attempts to stage the protest.

However, a crucial turning point occurred in February when the Constitutional Court ruled that the right to organize demonstrations for some members of the group had been violated. This legal affirmation has paved the way for the Saturday Mothers to once again gather in solidarity, hopeful for a resolution that brings justice to their missing loved ones.