The Saturday Mothers will gather for the 1,000th consecutive week at Galatasaray Square in Istanbul this Saturday, demanding justice for their loved ones who disappeared in custody decades ago.
The movement, inspired by Argentina’s Plaza Del Mayo mothers, began on 27 May 1995. It seeks to uncover the fate of the disappeared and hold the perpetrators accountable. “Galatasaray isn’t just a square; it’s a burial ground we fight for,” explained Maside Ocak, whose brother Hasan was found dead after being detained in 1995.
This week marks the 1,000th gathering of Saturday Mothers, an ongoing protest demanding accountability for enforced disappearances in Turkey. Initially sparked by the disappearance of individuals during the 1980s and 1990s, their relentless advocacy led to the reduction of such cases. “You took them alive; we want them back alive,” has been their rallying cry, underscoring their demand for life and truth.
The protests have faced significant challenges, including police interventions and periods of cessation. Despite this, the resolve of the Saturday Mothers has not waned. They continue to seek not only the whereabouts of their loved ones but also justice against those responsible.
In recent years, the legal challenges faced by the Saturday Mothers have seen critical developments. The Constitutional Court of Turkey has made several rulings affirming their constitutional right to peaceful assembly. In a landmark decision, the court ruled that previous police interventions during the 700th weekly protest violated the demonstrators’ right to peaceful assembly and expression. This judgment highlighted the importance of protecting civil liberties, even in the face of public security concerns.
Despite these rulings, implementation has been sporadic. On 8 April 2023, despite the Constitutional Court’s explicit directive, the Saturday Mothers were once again prevented from gathering at Galatasaray Square, a direct contradiction to the court’s mandate. The authorities’ failure to comply with these judicial decisions has been criticised by both national and international human rights organisations as indicative of a broader disregard for rule of law in the country.
As they assemble for their 1,000th protest, the Saturday Mothers stand not only as a symbol of the struggle for justice but also as a testament to the resilience of civil society in Turkey. Their actions continue to challenge the impunity surrounding enforced disappearances and press for substantial legal reforms to ensure such atrocities are not repeated. With each gathering, they reinforce the message that the fight for truth and accountability is far from over.
