Pro-Kurdish Green Left Party MP Ferit Şenyaşar held his first press conference in Parliament on Friday, drawing attention to his family’s ongoing struggle as he demanded justice.
Ferit Şenyaşar and his mother, Emine Şenyaşar, have been fighting for justice for five years after losing three family members to gunmen associated with a member of Turkey’s ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) in 2018. He described their ongoing struggle, which has included an 809-day-long Justice Watch in front of the Şanlıurfa Courthouse, stating that despite facing multiple investigations and lawsuits, custody, and physical assaults during their vigil, they remained steadfast in their pursuit of justice.
“We want to eliminate this injustice,” declared Şenyaşar, drawing attention to the recent fine imposed on his mother for criticising a public official, and urged the new Justice Minister Yılmaz Tunç to honour his oath of ensuring equality for all. He stressed the importance of translating words into actions, emphasising that justice should prevail and not be mere rhetoric. Şenyaşar also revealed that his brother had been in solitary confinement for five years.
Drawing attention to the appointment of three justice ministers since their protest began, Şenyaşar appealed to the new minister, urging immediate intervention in their case. While wishing him success in his duty, he emphasised the urgency of the situation and the importance of meeting with them and involving key witnesses.
