Human Rights Monument Released

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Human Rights Monument where educators Nuriye Gülmen and Semih Özakça, who were discharged as per statutory decrees, staged their protests, has been released.

Police removed the barriers around the monument located on Yüksel Street in capital Ankara this morning (July 26) after 430 days.

Installed right next to the monument, the mobile police stations still remains, Mezopotamya Agency reported.

What happened?

Academic Nuriye Gülmen starting on November 9, 2016 and teacher Semih Özakça starting on November 23, 2016, who were discharged by statutory decree, staged sit-in protests in front of the Human Rights Monument.

Going on hunger strike on March 9, 2017, the educators were detained on May 22, the 75th day of their protests, and they were arrested on May 23, 2017. Police blockaded the monument with barriers on the same day.

During the detention of the educators, a large number of figures including Veli Saçılık and Acun Karadağ continued to stage protests on Yüksel Street. On November 14, a “mobile police station” was installed near the monument.

Özakça was released on October 20, 2017 and Gülmen on December 1, 2017. The educators ended their hunger strike on January 26, 2018 which they continued for 324 days. (TP/TK)