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Execution and rape of national will
by
ORHAN KEMAL CENGİZ
by
ORHAN KEMAL CENGİZ
I am against this kind of “punishment”; however, I can distinguish different “types” of death penalties. I am not referring to the methods involved. From a historical perspective, in political executions, you can observe two different attitudes. These attitudes give you quite a lot of information about the regime which is in the making. They are these: The ones that respect the dignity of the “prisoner” on death row and the ones trying to insult him in his very last moments.
Trying to insult a man you keep captive is a clear sign of your character and honor, not the one who is being held captive. Insulting prisoners before executing them is the ultimate form of abuse of power, which gives us insight into the regime that tries to do this.
Adnan Menderes, a Turkish prime minister (1950-1960), was hanged by the military junta on Sept. 16, 1961. I think the 1960 coup which led to Menderes’ execution along with other members of his Cabinet is one of the darkest pages in Turkish history. The trial of Menderes and his friends was a disgusting show in which Menderes and his friends were held accountable for crimes they did not commit.
Menderes was one of the most popular politicians in his time, and this was an unbearable burden for the military junta that wanted to erase his memory from Turkish political life. From the very first moment of their coup, they wanted to destroy Menderes’ image, with the whole “court process” being designed in such a way as to humiliate Menderes and his friends. The trial ended with death penalty verdicts for the prime minister and two Cabinet members.
We know from various historical accounts that Menderes was constantly humiliated and insulted while waiting for his execution. He was verbally abused and beaten by the prison administration. But the ultimate attack aiming at his dignity came in the very last moments of his life. He was subjected to an involuntary “rectal prostate exam” by hand just a few hours before his execution. The military junta wanted to make sure that the prime minister had good “prostate health” before they executed him.
I think they wanted to insult him and the Turkish nation that elected him as prime minister. That day the Turkish military insulted itself through this “dishonorable” act. It dishonored itself and raped Turkish democracy. From this rape, other coups were born. Coups followed one another.
There are still very many stupid people in Turkey who defend the legitimacy of the 1960 coup by arguing that it was a “progressive move” in the direction of democracy. If you really want to test if someone is a democrat or not, ask them what they think about the 1960 coup in Turkey. You may be surprised by the answers you receive.
The 1960 coup was one of Turkey’s darkest days, and it took place 50 years ago today, on May 27, 1960. On that day and ever since the Turkish military has dishonored itself. Our overthrown Prime Minister Menderes will always be remembered with sympathy and love. But the bandits who wished to insult him will just be remembered as bandits. I bow to the memory of Menderes, who is a constant reminder of the ugliness of military coups in Turkey.
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