Following the decision announced on TİP's social media account, the statement written by Atalay from prison was also shared.
Reminding the violation decisions made by the Constitutional Court against him, Atalay called on the Speaker of the Grand National Assembly of Turkey, Numan Kurtulmuş, and said, "Mr. President, my name will be re-written in the registry in accordance with the Constitutional Court Decision. There is no need for another decision or action."
Atalay explained that he took the decision to go on hunger strike in order to "make known the usurped right of representation of the Hatay people and the unheard voice of the workers, the poor, all our people, and those who are hungry for justice."
Atalay used the following statements in his statement from prison:
“I AM IN PRISON COMPLETELY UNLAWFULLY”
"The Turkish Grand National Assembly is starting the new legislative year today. As the deputy elected by the people of Hatay with the decision they made in their most difficult days, I am in prison completely unlawfully, even though I should have been there.
Let's leave aside for now that I am already being detained by an unfair decision due to the current judicial system in our country.
Constitutionally, on the day I was elected, 'the trial had to be stopped', I had to be released and I had to take the oath to begin my duty. It was illegally blocked.
The Constitutional Court ruled that my rights were violated. I should have been released.
In the Turkish Grand National Assembly, an attempt was made to remove my membership as a Member of Parliament by creating a de facto situation, with a step that has no legal equivalent, by reading a decision of the Constitutional Court, not something that is not possible under Turkish law.
The Constitutional Court ruled that that action was 'null and void'.
The Speaker of the Grand National Assembly of Turkey, Numan Kurtulmuş, who is supposed to protect the rights and laws of a member of parliament as part of his duty, insists on not taking a stance that can fulfill his responsibility.”
“I INVITE THE MR. SPEAKER OF THE GNAT TO PERFORM HIS DUTY AGAIN”
“As we begin the new legislative year today, as an elected member of parliament, I invite the Speaker of the Turkish Grand National Assembly to do his duty once again.
"Unfortunately, I have to remind Mr. President, who rightly condemned the imprisonment of a politician in another country with the words 'the place of politicians cannot be in prison' and demanded his freedom, that the Parliament he presides over also has responsibilities towards an elected member of parliament."
“MR. PRESIDENT, WILL WRITE MY NAME IN THE REGISTRATION AGAIN IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE COURT OF THE COURT DECISION”
"Dear MPs, the action to be taken is clear. Mr. President, my name will be re-written in the registry in accordance with the Constitutional Court Decision. There is no need for any other decision or action.
Fulfilling the responsibility of each of us to act in accordance with the Constitution can no longer be postponed. It is important for you to remind the Speaker of the Grand National Assembly of Turkey about his obligations and responsibilities arising from the Constitution.”
“IT IS OBVIOUS THAT I AM FACED WITH A GREAT INJUSTICE”
"Dear citizens, It is obvious that I am faced with a great injustice. However, I also know that I am not the only person who cannot get his due.
Millions of people who keep this country afloat with their labor want to live in a safe home, send their children off to a full meal, receive qualified healthcare when they are sick, and live decently while working and retiring. He doesn't want to die while earning his bread.
However, our children go to school hungry, health turns into a source of income, and millions of our citizens are condemned to live with the risk of losing their lives in a possible earthquake.”
“NOT FOR MONEY, BUT FOR MY HONOUR”
“While all this is happening, what will you do if you learn that a retired citizen in your cell committed suicide while carrying a sign saying 'Not for money, but for my honour'?
Moreover, when you see that the place where this happened was in front of the Constitutional Court...
As a member of parliament elected with the votes of the earthquake victims, would you sit quietly within four walls if you were unlawfully imprisoned despite the decision of the Constitutional Court and saw this?
“I WILL NOT GIVE UP THAT DUTY”
“Dear citizens, hundreds of elected officials, politicians, journalists and artists, including me, are being held in prisons unfairly and unlawfully just because of their political attitudes.
We are expected to accept everything that happened, consider it as unfortunate and remain silent. I will not remain silent. The people of Hatay chose me to speak on their behalf and hold them accountable. “I will not give up on that duty.”
“THE BLADE IS NOW DONE”
"It is now at a dead end. Today, when the Parliament opens, I am starting a 24-hour hunger strike to announce the usurped right of representation of the Hatay people and the unheard voice of the workers, the poor, all our people, and those who are hungry for justice.
This is also a call to comply with the Constitution, to implement the decisions of the Constitutional Court and to remove the obstacle to me doing my duty.
I call on everyone who considers the country's problems as their own to raise their voices. No one will save us but ourselves. “We will win our rights, our country and our future together.”
WHAT HAPPENED?
Can Atalay was sentenced to 18 years in prison and arrested by the Istanbul 13th High Criminal Court in the Gezi Park case on April 25, 2022. While he was in prison, Atalay was elected as Hatay deputy from TİP in the general elections of May 14, 2023. The 3rd Criminal Chamber of the Supreme Court of Appeals rejected the application for stay of trial and release made after his election as a member of parliament; the same chamber later upheld the 18-year prison sentence.
