Interview with MP Cihaner of Turkey’s CHP on Justice March
MELTEM YILMAZ
@meltemmmylmz
CHP MP İlhan Cihaner was our guest for this week’s Monday Interviews. Having been participating in the Justice March since its first day, Cihaner says: “There is an unavoidable crowd of people that does not surrender despite all the oppression and they can join their forces. In this regard, the purpose of this move (the Justice March) has in a way been achieved in most part. And, we understand that those who have been trying to degrade this march also see this fact.”
MP Cihaner underlines that there are very important lessons that CHP must learn from this Justice March, and he adds: “The reason for people to join this march with different reasons is due to the accumlated injustices faced in Turkey, in the Middle East, and in the world in general. Some people march because of the 4+4+4 (AKP’s disputed education system); some march for the academics who’ve been dismissed for simply signing a petition (Peace Petition); and, some others are marching against the detention of party chairs and lawmakers. But the root cause of it is the destruction created by a variety of things ranging from insecure employment to reactionary policies enacted in the education system”.
You’ve been participating in the Justice March since the first day. How does the organization of this move as a march match with its purpose and with the crow it involves? What are your observations in this regard?
"Until this day, a great number of activities and organizations have been held... But there has also been an accumulation of energy, especially among the constitutents of CHP. So far, the Justice March seems to be continuing as a suitable demonstration... It is a movement that all citizens can join. It is a peaceful act; and, actually, an easy one, in a way... On the other hand, it is also quite convinient in not playing into the hands of the ruling party in regards to violation of right to assemble...”
What is this accumulation of energy among CHP constituents? Since when has it been accumulating?
"This is an energy created, since Gezi, by politicization of the youth and by the people who do not have a sense of strong bond with particular organized and political institutions…”
So, do you see a reflection of these people, who have an accumulation of such energy, at the Justice March?
"Firstly, almost all leftist-socialist platforms immediately announced their support for the Justice March without any hesitation. This is very important. Aside from this, labor unions that have not been content with not only the government’s justice system in terms of judiciary but also with economic injustices have jointed the march. However, I think the lower participation of youth is due to the timing… If a young person is working or studying at a school, it will of course be difficult to spare 20-25 days for such thing… But I believe that the number of people marching will clearly increase as we get closer to İstanbul..."
Is this march supported by only the opposition in the country of do the injustices in the country also bother the AKP constituents?
"I think, this is a very important question. What the people from lower and middle classes who voted for AKP should be thinking is this: While Turkey (in economic terms) has grown by about 20%, why is this growth rate at about millions for the children of elite memebrs of the AKP? Has any child of an elite AKP member died in a burning dormitory? ...Or, a significant number of those killed in Soma (mine explosion) were from conservative families. Is it fair for those people who voted for AKP to get kicked by authorities for criticising the government... Is this the ‘justice’ that they (AKP constitutents) want?"
Do you think it would have been more timely if a demonstration had been held when the meddling of Supreme Board of Elections with the referendum results was reaveled? What difference do you think it could have made?
"It would have been indeed more timely if it had taken place after the referendum. A demonstration at that time would have been stronger and more influential on politics. If this march had been held on the night of the referendum, Turkey today would most probably have been a different Turkey... and, the Supreme Board of Elections could not have taken such arbitrary and unlawful decision and the ruling party AKP could not have acted this recklessly... If you do not hit to the streets in the face of dictatorship simply because there will be armed people against you, that fear holds you hostage... We keep saying that CHP is a party of independence and there were also armed factions in the past... Prior to September 12 coup, socialists did not get afraid and step back just because there were people armed against them... But of course, this (street demonstration) is not the only methods for the opposition..."
What kind of impact would and should this march have on CHP from this point on?
"This march will be beneficial if it turns into a determinent energy that influences political turning points from hereon. Otherwise, it would just be a mere ‘energy discharge’, which we observed at some turning points in the past... Instead, the march has to turn into something that enchances the movement and make it something sustainable. Both CHP and certain other factions must stay from liberal spoiling and political Islam..."
Front-page article of BirGün published on 26 June 2017, Monday with the headline of 'The support of the left for the Justice March was essential'