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Dangerous Standoff Between Turkish Labor Unions And AKP Government

In a televised press conference on Monday, the Governor of Istanbul Muammer Guler rejected the demands of Turkey’s major labor unions to hold May 1 celebrations in Istanbul’s central Taksim square and said that such an attempt would constitute a crime. He said that the security forces would diffuse any illegal demonstrations by use of force, if necessary. The Governor also said that a legal complaint was filed with the court against those who announce and invite the public to unlawful events.

Major unions such as KESK and DISK that represent over three million people reiterated their determination to celebrate May Day in Taksim. KESK Chairman Ismail Hakki Tombul reacted to Governor Guler’s statement by saying that use of police and force to avert the celebrations cannot be reconciled with democracy and freedom. He added that AKP embraces values of democracy and freedom only when it affects their party and their views, and urged them to act responsibly.

Observers say that the government is reluctant to lift the ban due to its concerns that the celebrations would turn into a massive anti-AKP rally following the recently amended, controversial social security law.

Source: Hurriyet, Milliyet, Turkey, April 29, 2008

Posted at: 2008-04-29

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