The issue of resolving the longstanding challenges facing Kurds in Turkey—equality, citizenship, freedom, and justice—through peaceful and democratic means remains consistently on the agenda. Early in October, a symbolic gesture from MHP leader Devlet Bahçeli, who shook hands with DEM Party members in the Turkish Parliament, followed by Bahçeli’s call for Abdullah Öcalan to lay down arms, sparked a glimmer of hope among the public for a potential solution to the Kurdish issue. Discussions in newspapers and on television speculated that a new "resolution process" was either beginning or on the verge of starting. However, the tone shifted almost entirely following President Erdoğan’s message for Republic Day and his lengthy speech to the AKP parliamentary group.Unlike Bahçeli's approach, President Erdoğan directly addressed Kurdish citizens with a speech that presumed they did not have significant issues related to freedom, justice, and democracy. He emphasized that Kurds should embrace the "brotherhood law," which he believes exists between Kurds and Turks, primarily from religion and a shared historical past. Erdoğan stated, "We have no call to the separatist terrorist organization in northern Iraq and Syria nor to the bloodthirsty terror barons in Kandil, nor can we have any.Meanwhile, Erdoğan called on Kurdish citizens to "build the Century of Turkey together" on the foundation of "brotherhood law" and to "strengthen the internal front against friends and foes alike." According to Erdoğan, this concept of brotherhood law required Kurds to withdraw their presumed support for the PKK. He urged Kurds to exclude the DEM Party—a leading democratic-political representative of Kurds, which he described as a political party that "lacks the desire and will to become part of Turkey" and "serves hostility rather than brotherhood"—from the equation rally around the AKP, and place their trust in the state. Erdoğan also emphasized their continued determination to "eradicate terrorism and dry up the swamp from which it breeds.It is evident that President Erdoğan (and the People's Alliance) have no intention or plan to initiate a new peace process to resolve the Kurdish issue. Instead, Erdoğan aims to garner the support of Kurdish voters for himself and his party, likely consolidating power to an extent where he would no longer need any partners. In short, the resolution of the Kurdish issue has been "postponed once again, perhaps for another season"—assuming, of course, that the state still has any such intention.Another significant issue that has occupied the political agenda in recent days is the government’s determination to resume its trustee appointments, a practice it had paused for a while, and to potentially include the CHP within this framework. As is well known, just a few days ago, the mayor of Esenyurt (Istanbul), Ahmet Özer, was detained on allegations of “membership in the PKK terrorist organization” and subsequently arrested. A government-appointed official was assigned as a trustee in his place. According to Taha Akyol, Özer’s arrest was reportedly based on his having extended condolences by phone to the third son of a mother, two of whose sons had joined the PKK. The third son, however, has no ties to the PKK. In other words, if this information is accurate, offering condolences for the death of a mother to someone with "terrorist" siblings is now considered a crime in this system!Unfortunately, the misuse of the concept of “terrorist” through tenuous associations is not a new practice in Turkey. In his article below, our colleague Ali Rıza Çoban discusses how the concept of terrorism is exploited through interpretive abuses in Turkish judicial practice.On the other hand, appointing a government official to replace an elected official rather than another member of the elected municipal council is an anti-democratic practice. This practice is based on the authority granted by an amendment to the relevant legislation enacted through an emergency decree in 2016. However, aside from its anti-democratic nature, continuing to apply an authority specific to the state of emergency after returning to normalcy contradicts the principle of the rule of law and the Constitution.As might be expected, this arbitrary practice has led to widespread dissatisfaction nationwide, with many citizens and civil organizations protesting against it. Meanwhile, 38 bar associations (why not all bar associations and the Union of Bar Associations?) issued a joint statement criticizing the arrest of Esenyurt's mayor and the appointment of a trustee as an anti-democratic action. In the meantime, President Erdoğan filed a lawsuit for defamation against CHP Chairman Özgür Özel and Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu, who had criticized the unlawful dismissal of Ahmet Özer and the initiation of a criminal investigation against him. This is indeed an irony, a remarkable ironyMeanwhile, as may be recalled, the political administration attempted a legislative initiative in the spring to penalize actions it labeled as “foreign agent activities.” However, due to widespread public backlash, this proposal was withdrawn. Unsurprisingly, the same bill was recently reintroduced by AKP members and was approved by the Parliamentary Justice Committee on October 24. Given the circumstances, it is almost certain that this proposal—which we previously addressed in issue 61 and described as a severe threat to civil liberties, conceivable only in a totalitarian regime—will be enacted into law. In his article below, our colleague Ö. Faruk Şen provides a more detailed analysis of this legislative initiative and highlights its dangers to freedoms. Caner Gerek also examines the recent scandal involving a private hospital and delves into the broader issues surrounding private healthcare institutions.See you until the next issue of Freedom Observer.

The Freedom Observer

The Romans were probably the strongest believers of the idea that the republic would endure forever. After all, their part of the ancient world had been ruled by a republic for 482 years. They had overthrown their kings and established a complex and delicate system centered around the Senate. At least for the relatively wealthy elite, everything seemed to be going well. They had seemingly found a way to balance the competing interests of a vast region through the institutions of their republic.There was no reason to believe the Roman Republic would not last forever. This is why they proudly referred to their state as the "eternal city." Ottomans inherited the same concept of the "eternal state" from Rome. The political and legal embodiment of this never-ending republic was found in the writings and speeches of Cicero. Though the mechanics were intricate, the essence was simple: citizens bound by law, taking on duties in exchange for rights, together forming the "public thing," the res publica.The republic was something built collectively, something shared. It was precisely for this reason that it endured for centuries, even as it was eventually undone by a twist of fate. For things were not truly so harmonious.Cicero, who embodied the republic in every fiber of his being, who had kept the Senate standing against coup attempts, who had labored in nearly every level of Roman politics, witnessed the fall of the republic. His head was cut off, and the hands that had penned writings, now deemed poisonous, were severed and displayed in the city square.The transition from republic to empire in Rome is a highly educational historical period. The majority of famous Roman figures - Caesar, Augustus, Cicero, Cleopatra, Mark Antony, Brutus, and so on - were contemporaries, people who knew each other. Shakespeare's plays also revolve around this era of Roman history.It is a period I enjoy reading about, one that often comes to mind during r-Republic Day celebrations of Turkey, on October 29. But what happened to the institutions Cicero so zealously guarded and how were they hollowed out? Why did the victorious commander Caesar turn his armies against Rome, contributing to the fall of a republic that was mere decades away from its 500th anniversary?You can imagine that many are asking this question. Especially in the US, amid the deep crisis of democracy the world is going through, this question is frequently raised. In fact, the collapse of all systemic orders, starting with the Late Bronze Age, are being re-examined. The number and influence of those who believe we are going through a similar process of systemic collapse is steadily increasing. This growing interest is a sign of it.A system does not collapse for a single reason. It takes the confluence of many factors. But compared to today, the process by which the Roman Republic gave way to the Roman Empire holds lessons.For one, a republic becomes fragile if it is not inclusive. Roman politics was the domain of the families from which the 100 senators in Romulus' senate were drawn. The common people, the "plebs," had limited participation.As Rome expanded after crushing its eternal rival Carthage (I'll note in passing that this whole saga ended with Hannibal being buried somewhere near the Gebze highway), military spending increased, exacerbating the already unequal social order.It was difficult to pay the soldiers. At a certain point, the soldiers started pledging allegiance to their generals rather than the state. The ever-widening income inequality made the plebs say "enough is enough." They could not organize their own rebellion. The most prestigious families began to mobilize the plebs to crush their rivals, laying the foundations of populism. The mechanism by which Trump draws support from the "common folk" existed in Rome as well.Cicero's republic was one of class domination. The Roman nobles who would later turn on each other knew how to methodically crucify thousands of slaves led by Spartacus, standing united against the rebellion of the oppressed. All roads led to Rome, in part, through such means.The foundation was&nbsp;slave labor: inequality was rampant, the plebs had to join the army for a chance to partake in the opulence and splendor on display, and populist nobles exploited the rebellion of the people for their own interests, polarizing society. When this happens, there is no alternative but the collapse of the republic that was believed to be eternal. This, in essence, is the answer to the question that everyone is curious about.A governing system that is not inclusive and just will eventually crumble. Perhaps this is the true virtue of "the republic." People will always prefer the stability of a dictator&nbsp;to the hypocrisy of a republic that is not on their side. This is why the "eternal city" bestowed the title of "eternal dictator" upon Caesar.Any political current that disregards economic and&nbsp;social justice&nbsp;is anti-republican. Even the most trusted state institutions can be destroyed in a single generation. There are many dictators eager to surf the waves of the people's legitimate rebellion.But the res publica, the "public thing," is older than dictators and any form of government. Perhaps this is the basis of the determination of those who, knowing Cicero or Caesar, choose to side with Spartacus.If the republic rejects being the common possession of all, it will crumble. Defending one's rights is, in fact, defending the republic. A social contract that is not protected by the public can be exploited by many plunderers.

Aposto World

The dissolution process of the Roman Republic summarizes why a republic might collapse, and why it needs constant guarding.

What is the true virtue of The Republic?

<h3 dir="ltr" fr-original-style="" style="margin: 0px; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.85); font-weight: 500; padding: 0px; box-sizing: border-box;">Goodbye Lebon Patisserie</h3>The patisserie, which took the naming rights of Istanbul's first patisserie Lebon and has been serving in Beyoğlu for nearly 40 years under the same name, closed its doors yesterday as a result of eviction lawsuits.&nbsp;The notice hung on the window stated&nbsp;"Dear customers, Istanbulites and friends... We have been happy to serve you for nearly 40 years. We regret to inform you that Lebon will close on 29 October 2022 Republic Day. Sincerely..."What happened?&nbsp;Burç Lebon Patisserie, which announced that it would close last year due to the Karagözyan Foundation's refusal to renew the lease contract, extended its service period until yesterday due to the interest of Istanbulites and ongoing lawsuits.

Republic Day ile ilgili hikayeler