Private veterans and relatives of martyred soldiers, who started protesting in Ankara Güvenpark in mid-July for their personal rights and ended their actions with the promise of the then Chief Advisor to the President Oktay Saral after a 48-day vigil, decided to take action again when they could not receive a response to their demands even though 1 month had passed since the opening of the Parliament.
Veterans gathered in front of the Ministry of Family and Social Policies.
İYİ Party Deputy Chairman Kevser Ofluoğlu and Selçuk Türkoğlu also supported the veterans. İYİ Party Youth Branch also stood by the veterans.
'IS BLOOD MEASURED BY RANK?'
Veterans who rebelled against the distinction of ranks asked, "Is the pain of the mother of a private who was martyred in the fight against terrorism less than the pain of the mother of an officer? Is the sacrifice of a private wounded by the bullet of the same terrorist more worthless than the sacrifice of a petty officer? Is the blood shed of a Mehmetçik measured according to rank?" he asked the questions.
Speaking here, Erdem Çerçioğlu, Chairman of the Martyrs' Families and Veterans Association, said, "We did not separate the children of this country according to their ranks. We did not send off our martyrs according to their ranks. We did not love our veterans according to the epaulettes on their uniforms. So why are we treated differently when it comes to rights?
We want justice regarding the personal rights of the families of those who were martyred while performing their military service as privates and non-commissioned officers, and of the veterans. "In accordance with the social responsibility of our state, we demand that the differences between the rights of our people who make the same sacrifice be eliminated," he said.
'WE WANT JUSTICE FOR THE PRICE PAID'
"The social and economic rights provided to the families of martyrs with the status of privates and non-commissioned officers should be rearranged on the basis of equality and equity with the families of other martyrs. The grievances regarding the salaries, pensions, compensation and other personal rights of our veterans with the status of privates and non-commissioned officers should be eliminated. The health, care, rehabilitation and social support rights of our veterans should be guaranteed. Inequalities in the education, employment, social assistance and economic support rights of the families of martyrs should be eliminated. For the solution of the problems of the families of private martyrs and private veterans A working commission should be formed with the participation of relevant institutions. Necessary legal regulations should be made by examining the differences in the legislation and said, "Today, we want to make our voices heard especially to the Ministry of Family and Social Services. We did not come to your door to ask for a favor. We want justice in return for the price paid for this country. When a mother's child is martyred, it is necessary to share her pain while living with the limb she lost. "We should not remind him of the status of his military service, but should give him his due," he said.
'THERE IS NO RANK IN THE TEARS OF THE MARTYR'S MOTHER'
Stating that martyrdom is not measured by rank and that the honor of being a veteran is not determined by epaulettes, Çerçioğlu said, "The degree of patriotism is not calculated according to military status. Our struggle is not to take away the rights of any martyr's family or veteran. Our struggle is for everyone to see the value they deserve and to eliminate the injustices. From here, we call out to all officials of our state; There is no rank in the tears of a martyr's mother! There is no epaulette in the wound of a veteran! There is no epaulette in the wound of a veteran." There is no difference in status in blood! We will not remain silent. We will continue to be the voice of mothers who buried their children, the voice of families who try to keep their children's legacy alive, and the voice of our heroes who continue their lives with the honor of being a veteran.
This struggle is not a political struggle, but a struggle for conscience and justice. It is very clear what we want: The same homeland, the same flag, the same sacrifice... so justice in rights too! We bow with respect to the sacred memory of our martyrs and express our gratitude to our heroic veterans. Our struggle will continue until we get our rights and our grievances are resolved!” he said.
WHAT HAPPENED?
Private veterans and relatives of martyred privates started a protest in Ankara Güvenpark in August, demanding the equalization of their personal rights, which are applied differently depending on military status.
Veterans and relatives of martyrs, who wanted to eliminate the inequalities they experienced in salaries, compensation and social rights, kept watch for 48 days.
The activists ended their vigil after Oktay Saral, the then Chief Advisor to the President, promised that their demands would be met.
