Eren Keskin, co-chair of the Human Rights Association, has accused Turkey’s main opposition party, the Republican People’s Party (CHP), of “selective victimhood” in its response to rising racist violence against Kurds and refugees.
Speaking to Mezopotamya Agency on Friday, Keskin warned that hate speech and racist attacks were becoming systematic, citing the role of the coalition partner Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) in promoting discriminatory rhetoric. “MHP’s racist and exclusionary language has dominated Turkey’s internal politics and spread across society,” she said, emphasising that this language quickly becomes widespread when used by official authorities.
Keskin further noted that recent developments, such as violence against Kurds and refugees, were partly triggered by geopolitical tensions, including the Kurdish issue being discussed internationally due to events in the Kurdish-led North and East Syria, also known as Rojava.
Keskin argued that the CHP had remained silent on these issues and criticised the party’s response, saying it was even weaker than that of the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP). “CHP, as the founding party, aligns with the founding ideology, selectively choosing which cases of victimisation to address,” she stated. “Instead of challenging the government over the failed ‘peace process’, the CHP questions why negotiations were held with ‘terrorists’.”
Referring to a recent surge in racist attacks, Keskin highlighted incidents such as the targeting of Kurdish-speaking individuals and the violent demonstrations against Amedspor. She also mentioned the lack of sanctions against racist behaviour on social media, which she believes has further enabled the spread of hate speech. “Racist practices are being normalised, and perpetrators are free to continue,” she added, calling for action against these developments.
Keskin stressed the importance of confronting hate speech and racism in Turkey, where multiple ethnic identities coexist. “If hate speech becomes more widespread, it could lead to very dangerous consequences,” she warned, urging political parties and unions to take concrete steps against the rising tide of hate.
