Turkish unions and government at loggerheads over May Day in Taksim
Güncelleme Tarihi:
The Turkish government insists on its position not to open Istanbul’s Taksim for May Day celebrations, as the unions vowed to hold the celebrations with some 500,000 people in the controversial square, the sides said in simultaneous press meetings on Wednesday. Taksim is not among the places that such celebrations could be held, the Turkish interior minister said. The unions declared in a joint statement some 500,00 people will attend Taksim Square for the celebrations. It is feared that the extraordinary security measures that the Istanbul governorship will take could turn the celebrations violent. (UPDATED)
Istanbul Governor Muammer Guler said mass celebrations would not be permitted to be held in Taksim, but added wreaths could be laid at
Turkish Labor Minsiter Faruk Celik and Interior Minsiter Besir Atalay held a press conference in Ankara. "Taksim Square is not a place where (such celebrations) could be held or even for which permission could be sought. We will not show any tolerance on that," Atalay told reporters.
Turkey banned all celebrations or party meetings in Taksim Square in 1977, when 36 people were killed during May Day celebrations after still-unidentified gunmen opened fire. This event is seen as a turning point in Turkish history and as an important event that paved the way for the military coup in 1980.
Only union leaders are allowed to enter Taksim Square for the May Day celebrations to lay a wreath at the site where the 36 people were killed. Turkish ministers said this scenario will continue this year, too. Â
One union defied the ban in 2007 and attempted to hold celebrations in Taksim. Turkish police used inappropriate force against the demonstrators and some 1,000 people were taken into custody.
The Turkish government say the ban would stay in place over concerns of possible violent provocations. However observers say the government fears that the celebrations could turn into a massive anti-AKP rally after the approval of the social security law, and the country's economic problems.
Turkish unions said they are determined to celebrate May Day in Taksim. "We are going to celebrate May Day at Taksim Square with carnations in our hands," Turkey Labor Unions Confederation (Turk-Is), Labor Unions Confederation (DISK) and the Confederation of Public Employees Labour Unions (KESK) said in a joint statement.
However, later Turk-Is said it will not join the celebrations but will lay a wreath at Taksim Square. The three unions represent almost 3 million Turkish workers.