Prof. Dr. Elman Nasirov, the Deputy of the Azerbaijan Parliamentmade the opening speech of the fourth panel session entitled as “Trade Unions and Coups” of the International Congress of Democracy.In his speech, assessing the July 15 Coup-Invasion attempt, he said that; “Coups in any country are committed either when the country is so weak, or so strong.They committed such coup attempt based on the reason Turkey is much stronger now. The fact that the President Recep Tayyip Erdopan is a world leader is pretty disconcerting for the global powers”.

 

“WE STAND BY TURKEY”

 

Prof. Dr. Nasirov referring to the telephone calls exchanged between Turkey and Azerbaijan, went on to say;“When the coup attempt was on in Turkey, Azerbaijan President Mr. Ilham Aliyev gave a call to Recept Tayyip Erdoğan to advise him that the State of Azerbaijan shall stand by Turkey”.

 

Prof. Dr. Nasirov, remarking that both countries belong to same nation and the solidarity of such two countries is natural, Turkey has always been standing by Azerbaijan for any issues, especially the conflict existing with the Armenia and he extended the thanks of Azerbaijan to Turkey.

 

“COUP PLOTTERS DO NOT LEAN TOWARDS CIVIL SOCIETY”

 

Prof. Dr. Vedat Bilgin, a lecturer in Gazi University acting as the moderator of the panel, briefly said that:

 

“Our democracy is hard earned.So, we will have to collectively embrace our democracy. We extend our thanks to and congratulate Öz Orman-İş and its Leader, Settar Aslan for having organized such a significant international event.In such regard, the non-governmental organization must indeed be civil.In such context, the support of Hak-İş, Memur-Sen and other non-governmental organizations defending democracy are so critical.Such importance is better observed on July 15 and Turkey has passed such examination with flying colors.Öz Orman-İş is one of the organizations which successfully passed such examination”.

 

“YOU CHALLENGE THE WORLD HERE”

 

Muhammed Sellak, Board Member of National Labor Union of Morocco and General Secretary of Moroccon Federation of Agriculture, started his speech during the panel as “We extend our thanks to Öz Orman-İş and its Leader Mr. Aslan for having organized such a significant event. You challenge the world here. Those parasites having attempted a coup did not act on their will.They were directed by foreign powers”.

 

Reminding the fact that African countries, especially Morocco, frequently face coup attempts, Muhammet Sellak briefly said that:

 

“July 15 was schemed against Turkish Public.We, as the people of Morocco, share the same emotions with you.You are right in the middle of the Europe and world.You are the skipper of the ship. Mr. Aslan, you and the trade union you lead, are the valiant mujahids. I want to tell this our brothers and worker friends here in Turkey: Never give up and stand all.Let no one dictate anything to us.We need to work day and night to improve and develop our country.Let’s take the salary we have as alms. Our actual salary shall be granted in the presence of Allah.We, as the people of Morocco stand by the Turkish public.I am 95 years old, I congratulate you. Long live Turkey!”

 

“TRAITORS PULLED GUNS ON THEIR PEOPLE”

 

Cevanşir Alxasov, the Vice Chair of Azerbaijan Trade Union Confederation, stating that a bunch of soldiers, betraying the Turkish state and its public, pulled guns on their citizens on the night of July and went on as follows:

 

“But the heroic Turkish people got the upper hand against such perpetrators. The people who took to the streets on the call of the President Mr. Erdogan put up a real resistance.The Azerbaijan Trade Union Confederation, standing by Turkey and sending out messages to all union organizations in Turkey, stood tall against the coup.May Almighty forbids Turks.”

 

 

 

“HAK-İŞ AND MEMUR-SEN RESISTED COUPS”

 

Hüseyin Rahmi Akyüz Advisor to President, speaking on behalf of Memur-Sen Confederation and saying that there are two aspects of it; some trade unions stand to find some justification for the coups and in turn, support them while Hak-İş and Memur-Sen always resisted coups. Akyüz briefly said that:

 

“The existence of rain is the security for the woods and in turn, the existence of woods is the security of rain.I consider Hak-İş and Memur-Sen as a security against coups.Trade unions under Hak-İş and Memur-Sen, have always evidenced that democracy may not be viable with the existing Constitution.They have always given the message to the masses that they represent; “We cannot protect our labor if we cannot protect our democracy”.Hak-İş and Memur-Sen risked their lives against the coup plotters during the coup.Also after the coup, they are now contributing to the dismissal of such plotters. The trade unions have to be obstacles in front of coups, destroyers of guardianship and founders of democracy”

 

 

“TRADE UNIONS’ WRONGDOING IN COUPS”

 

Settar Aslan, Vice Chairman of Hak-İş, speaking on behalf of Hak-İş during the panel, started his words as “Where Hak-İş is not present, Memur-Sen is always out there; and where Memur-Sen is not present, Hak-İş is always out there. Because, we are the same dough in the same bowl”.

 

Aslan, explaining that Hak-İş further to its foundation in1976 has been trying to open space for itself in the subdivided districts of Turkey, went on as follows:

 

“If we look back and raise the question whether trade unions had any liability in the way paved for coups, the answer is yes. In the aftermath of 1980, no confederation other Türk-İş was allowed to act and operate.

Sadık Şide, the General Secretary of Türk-İş was appointed to the office of Minister of Labor and Social Security of September 12, 1980 administration. And the labor laws were prepared under the supervision of Türk-İş.We sent an invitation to Türk-İş a month ago for their participation in this event. Unfortunately, they did not send any speakers to this event. I presume that they did not send anyone as they advise coups.”

 

Settar Aslan, reminding that Türk-İş, DİSK, TİSK, TESK and TOBB acted collectively as a “Gang of Five” during the Postmodern Coup of February 1997 to support the coup plotted against democracy and the elected government went on as follows:

 

“We, as Hak-İş stood tall against the coup of February 28. Unfortunately, the government elected by the votes of the people was dismissed from office and someone not a member of any party was assigned and appointed to establish a government.To our regret, the trade unions did wrongdoing in the way leading to coups.  We, as Hak-İş always took sides with democracy and will of the nation. If there does not exists our country and our independence, there exists noting for us.We, through our experience, know that the rights of labor had always been weeded out.For that reason, we care about democracy and our freedom as much as we care our bread and labor.”

 

 

 

FULL SUPPORT TO TURKISH PUBLIC

 

Further to four panels, Öz Orman-İş Vice Chairman Settar Aslan and the member of Board of Directors gave the speakers as present July 15 commemorative coins issued by the Mint. The foreign guests also gave Vice Chairman Aslan and Board Members authentic presents they brought in from their own countries.Meanwhile, bilateral cooperation agreements were executed between Öz Orman-İş and agriculture-forestry trade unions of some countries having participated in the International Congress of Democracy.

 

After the panel sessions, the managers of trade unions and confederations of 43 countries attended in the International Congress of Democracy took the stage in turn and expressed their opinions and feelings about July 15 coup-invasion attempt and the International Congress of Democracy organized by Öz Orman-İş. The representatives of different countries, especially Italy, Albania, Iran, Somali, Morocco, Bangladesh, Kosovo, Moldovia, Gagauzia, Pakistan, Gambia, Mauritania, Sudan and Uganda, remarking statements congratulating the Turkish Public and President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, emphasized on behalf of the country and laborers who they represent that they stand by Turkey and Turkish People.

 

FINAL DECLARATION

 

Further to panels, the Final Declaration of International Congress of Democracy entitled as “July 15 –  Global Chess” was read and submitted for the approval of the participants and agreed upon unanimously.The following statements are included in the Final Declaration:

 

International Congress of Democracy entitled as “July 15 –  Global Chess” organized by “Öz Orman-İş Trade Union was held in Ankara between March 2 – 7 2017 with the attendance of participants from 43 countries.The opening of the Congress took place in ATO Convention Center with a substantial participation and other panel sessions were successfully held in Meyra Palas Hotel. At the end of the Congress, a mutual understanding was attained and such was agreed to be formally announced to Turkey and the world.

1-      What really matters in democracy is the national will that elects the governing power through voting, but not that of the exclusive and privileged classes.

2-      Trade unions and non-governmental organizations are indispensable elements of the democracies.

3-      Democracy and a democratic environment are essential assets in defending and improving the labor right and freedom.

4-      The trade unions have rights and obligations in defending the democratic rights of a whole community and future of the countries, but not only of its members.

5-      In such context, any illegal attempt, intervention and coups targeting upon elected and democratic governments are the most indictable legal, social, ethics offences and a crime against humanity.

6-      Embracing democracy is an existential task for the media representing the freedom of thought and freedom of obtaining information.

7-      Turkey was exposed to armed and bloody coup attempt targeting upon the elected democratic government and community’s will on the night of July 15, 2016. However, the people having taken to the streets on the call of their elected leader disallowed such attempt by embracing the country, democracy and freedom.

8-      Wherever you are around the world, these sorts of coup attempts against elected governments are unacceptable; in this regard, everybody and any agency favoring free world and democracy adopting a particular attitude against such attempts is a requirement of faith in democracy. The brave opposition of Turkish public exhibited on July 15 Coup-Invasion Attempt is an exemplary social reflex that must be appreciated for any democracies.

9-      All democratic countries and agencies must fight jointly in opposition of any intervention, attempt, armed terror and coups threating the democracies beyond any and every interest and balance account.

10-  As the participants of the International Conference of Democracy entitled as ‘July 15 Coup Attempt –Global Chess’, we sympathize, appreciate with the Turkish public and stand by the Turkish Democracy.