Three members of the Şenyaşar family, killed six years ago by affiliates of Turkey’s ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) in the country’s Kurdish-majority southeast, were remembered at their graveside on Saturday. Pro-Kurdish Peoples’ Equality and Democracy (DEM) Party Co-chair Tülay Hatimoğulları called for the Turkish government to heed Emine Şenyaşar’s plea for justice.
“Emine Şenyaşar’s cry should be heard across Turkey. Her rightful demand must be met,” said Hatimoğulları at the memorial. The event, held at Asri Cemetery in the Suruç (Pirsûs) district of southeastern Şanlıurfa (Riha), was also attended by Democratic Regions Party (DBP) Co-chair Keskin Bayındır, other members of both parties and many supporters.
Describing the incident as a massacre, Hatimoğulları recounted how the Şenyaşar family business was attacked during the 2018 election campaign. “The candidate for the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP), along with members of his family, initiated threats and insults that led to this massacre. Evidence from the workplace and the hospital was deliberately destroyed,” she noted. Emine Şenyaşar has lost her husband and two of her sons, while another son has been sentenced to long-term imprisonment.
Hatimoğulları criticised the justice system for sentencing Fadıl Şenyaşar, who survived the attack, to imprisonment. She emphasised her party’s support for Emine Şenyaşar’s ongoing Justice Vigil in Ankara, urging the Justice Minister to acknowledge the failure of officials to protect evidence and hold the perpetrators accountable.
“The Kurdish people did not bow down yesterday and they will not bow down today. Mothers like Emine Şenyaşar carry this struggle with the people. We stand with the Şenyaşar family in their rightful demands,” Hatimoğulları stated, sharing the emotional scene at the graveside where Emine wept for her lost family members.
DEM Party MP Ferit Şenyaşar, another survivor of the attack, condemned it as a crime against all Kurds. “This massacre was observed by hundreds of police. The perpetrator, an ex-AKP MP, is hiding under Erdoğan’s protection. Once Erdoğan’s regime falls, justice will prevail,” he declared, referring to Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. “Our strength comes from our people and from being in the right. No force can withstand the cries of mothers. Our struggle will continue until justice is served.”
