Turkey: ‘Referendum may be held for Gezi Park’

11 years ago | Posted in: Latest Politics News | 805 Views

A top government official on Wednesday said a referendum may be held for Gezi Park where activists and enviromentalists have been camping to protest against government’s plan to recreate the replica of the Ottoman-era military barracks, to decide whether to build barracks or leave as it is, after Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdo?an met with representatives from the protest on Wednesday to discuss their demands.

The statement of Ruling Justice and Development Party (AK Party) Deputy Chairman Hüseyin Çelik came after Prime Minister Erdo?an met with representatives and organizers of the Gezi Park? protests.

The government proposal came after weeks-long anti-government rallies across the country and fierce clashes between police and protesters on a number of cities.

Speaking to reporters after the meeting, AK Party Deputy Chairman Hüseyin Çelik said the referendum proposal only includes the Gezi Park?, not the Atatürk Cultural Center (AKM).

Interior Minister Muammer Güler, Culture and Tourism Minister Ömer Çelik, Environment and Urban Planning Minister Erdo?an Bayraktar and Çelik accompanied Erdo?an to the meeting, which began at 4:00 p.m.

Those representing the protesters expected to take part in the meeting are actor Ahmet Mümtaz Taylan, academics Betül Tanbay and Hale Ç?rac?, artist Kutlu? Ataman, student Nil Eyübo?lu, freelance journalist Rumeysa Kiger, architect Selva Gürdo?an, social media speacialist Zehra Öney, publisher Zülfikar Kürüm, academic ?pek Akp?nar and AK Party member Bülent Peker.

A statement from Taksim Solidarity, an organization founded with the support of over 70 associations and in affiliation with the Taksim Platform, a strong and growing opposition to the controversial projects in Taksim, said on Wednesday that no representative from the group was invited to the meeting with the prime minister. The group also said that while “police violence” continues around Gezi Park, such meetings will not bear any fruit.

Prior to the meeting, Erdo?an convened the Central Executive Board (MYK) of his party to discuss the protests.

Turkey’s most widespread anti-government protests in decades erupted on May 31 after a violent police crackdown on a peaceful sit-in by protesters objecting to a project replacing the park with a replica of the Ottoman-era Topçu Barracks.

The government was planning to restructure the Gezi Park area as part of a project called “Topçu K??las?,” which included the elimination of the green space and constructing an Ottoman-style barracks that would house a shopping mall. Prime Minister Erdo?an also said a mosque would be erected in the area following growing criticism directed at him due to the Topçu K??las? project.

Speaking at his party’s parliamentary group meeting on Tuesday, Erdo?an said his government’s determination to pursue the Gezi Park [plans] will continue.

“Gezi Park is not an area of occupation,” Erdo?an said in reference to the demonstrators.

He also said the protesters were being used by some circles under the guise of protecting Gezi Park.

source: todayszaman

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