The Şenyaşar family, who lost three family members in a brutal 2018 attack allegedly carried out by bodyguards and relatives of former Justice and Development Party (AKP) deputy İbrahim Halil Yıldız, have intensified their fight for justice by taking their protest to the Turkish Grand National Assembly. Emine Şenyaşar, the family’s matriarch, alongside her surviving son, Ferit Şenyaşar, who is now a Member of Parliament representing Şanlıurfa (Riha) under the People’s Party for Equality and Democracy (DEM), staged a demonstration on the steps of Parliament, demanding justice and accountability for the deaths of their loved ones.
Before moving their protest to Parliament, the Şenyaşar family had already staged a lengthy demonstration outside the Ministry of Justice in Ankara. They called for the immediate arrest and prosecution of those responsible for the killings, which left their family devastated. Despite initial promises from the Ministry to pursue justice, no tangible action has been taken, leading the family to continue their pursuit of accountability at a higher level.
Emine Şenyaşar, who has been at the forefront of this fight for over six years, expressed her anguish and determination during a press conference held within the Parliament before the protest began. Addressing President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan directly, she made an emotional plea: “I will sleep in Parliament if necessary. Why are you so cruel? Don’t you have children? You destroyed my house and locked up my child. What did you want from him?” Her words highlighted the personal toll this unresolved case has taken on her and her family.
Emine also underscored her precarious health condition, stating that she requires an operation and fears she may not survive it. “I want to see my son before the operation. Release my child. There’s no guarantee I will survive the operation; I could die. That’s why I’m asking for his release. I’ve been sitting in front of the courts for six years asking for justice,” she implored, her voice breaking with emotion.
At the same press conference, Ferit Şenyaşar called for a collective stand against injustice in Turkey. “No power can stop an organised society. I am making this call from the podium of the Parliament; let’s stand together for justice. My mother has made her demand for justice known to the world. For years, the only thing she’s talked about is justice. Could any of you accept such injustice against your mother?” His words resonated with a broader call for unity and resistance against systemic failures in the justice system.
After the press conference, the Şenyaşar family moved their protest to the steps of the Parliament, unfurling a banner that read “Justice for the Şenyaşar Family, Justice for All.” Emine Şenyaşar reiterated her demands, drawing attention to what she described as the “massacre” of her family, an incident that has been a focal point of their struggle for over six years.
Ferit Şenyaşar added a new dimension to the protest by directly addressing President Erdoğan from the people’s platform, stating: “This case also concerns President Erdoğan. As a citizen of this country, I am calling on President Erdoğan from the people’s platform; this mother, whose home has been destroyed, wants to convey the injustice she’s been suffering for six years.” He also called for the involvement of the former governor of Şanlıurfa, Abdullah Erin, who he claimed could provide key testimony about the massacre.
The family’s relentless pursuit of justice has once again brought national attention to the issue of accountability in Turkey, sparking widespread debate about the role of the judiciary and the political class in addressing such grievances.
In response to the family’s protest at Parliament, Speaker Numan Kurtulmuş reached out to Ferit Şenyaşar by phone, urging the family to end their demonstration. Kurtulmuş argued that the massacre fell under judicial rather than parliamentary jurisdiction and expressed concern that the protest could further harm the Parliament’s already tarnished reputation. He cited past controversies, including incidents involving legislation allowing animal killings and previous attacks within the assembly, as examples of the negative impact such actions could have.
Despite these concerns, Kurtulmuş acknowledged the severity of the Şenyaşar family’s plight and assured Ferit Şenyaşar that he would personally facilitate a meeting with President Erdoğan. To this end, he sent his private secretary to Ferit Şenyaşar’s office to gather detailed information about the massacre and the subsequent legal process.
The Şenyaşar family’s ongoing vigil in front of the Speaker’s Office continues to draw public support and attention, serving as a stark reminder of the unresolved quest for justice in Turkey. Until their demands are met and the public conscience is soothed, the family has vowed to continue their protest within the limits of the law.
