Organized by the Alevi Bektaşi Federation (ABF), the initiative includes a gathering titled “Equal Citizenship Against Discrimination,” which will take place on Nov. 8 in İstanbul’s Kadıköy district, and a signature campaign that has already enlisted the support of İstanbul deputy Ufuk Uras, İzmir deputy Ahmet Ersin, Human Rights Association (İHD) Chairman Öztürk Türkoğlu, writer Esat Korkmaz and managers from such media organizations as YOL TV, SU TV, Radyo Barış and Özgür Radyo, which have a pro-Alevi stance.
“The most important criterion of a democratic state with the rule of law is that all citizens are treated equally without any discrimination. But Alevis are not treated equally in our country today. Discrimination against Alevis continues,” read a statement released by the ABF. “In order to eliminate discrimination, there is a need for legal changes.”
Other signatories of the initiative include academics Ahmet İnsel and Baskın Oran, Burhan Şenatalar from the Dec. 10 Movement, artists Ferhat Tunç, Tolga Çandar and Edip Akbayram, writer Ertuğrul Kürkçü, Republican People’s Party (CHP) deputy Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu and modern dance performer Zeynep Tanbay.
