Thousands gather in Strasbourg to protest Erdogan’s “anti-terrorism rally”October 5, 2015 - 12:00 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Thousands of people gathered at the Place Kleber, a square in central Strasbourg, France, to protest the Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s rally on Sunday, October 4, Today's Zaman reports. A total of 57 civil society organizations participated in the demonstration, organized by the Federation of Alevi Unions in France (FUAF) and the Federation of Alevi Unions in Germany (AABF), on the day when Erdogan was going to address thousands of people in Strasbourg. The Turkish President visited the city to stage a rally as part of campaign in Europe, held under the motto “Millions of breaths, one voice against terror,” apparently to denounce the recent rise in terrorist attacks by the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK). In a speech at the demonstration, AABF Chairman Hüseyin Mat said that Erdogan had created chaos both in Turkey and the Middle East and was now trying to foment chaos in Europe. Mat added that Erdogan carries out AK Party propagandausing secret funds. Comparing Erdogan to Hitler, Mat pledged to strugle against the President until he is forgotten, just like Hitler. Also addressing the protesters was FUAF President Erdal Kilickaya, who said that people had gathered to say “no” to Erdogan, who he said was dragging Turkey into a civil war through his hate speech and use of polarizing language. Many commentators have suggested that the anti-terror rallies are being exploited by Erdogan and Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu as a platform to garner votes for the AK Party. Opposition groups in Turkey have long criticized Erdogan's rallies, claiming that he is openly violating Article 103 of the Constitution, which clearly states that the President must remain impartial while performing his or her duties. Top stories Six total incidents have burned 19 old-growth trees. Friday night 8 trees were torched along the beautiful main entrance. The EU does not intend to conduct military exercises with Armenia, Lead Spokesperson for EU Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Peter Stano says. Hikmet Hajiyev has said that there is no place for USAID operation in Azerbaijan any longer. A telephone conversation between Putin and Pashinyan before the CSTO summit is not planned, Peskov says. Partner news | Government reveals details from Pashinyan’s meeting in border village Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has met with a group of residents of a border village in Armenia’s northern Tavush province Narek Manasyan wins European Boxing Championships silver for Armenia Armenia’s Narek Manasyan (92kg) won Armenia’s second silver medal at the European Boxing Championships 2024 on April 28. Pashinyan, Blinken talk Armenia-U.S. ties over the phone Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan had a phone conversation with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on April 28, Pashinyan’s office reports. Azerbaijan must respect human rights, Scholz tells Aliyev German Chancellor Olaf Scholz has called for greater respect for human rights in Azerbaijan. |