12.12.2016 Ankara
The Turkish wing of the Turkey-European Union Joint Consultative Committee, comprised of TÜRK-İŞ, TİSK, TESK, TZOB, HAK-İŞ, MEMUR-SEN, Turkey KAMU-SEN and TOBB, made a joint statement regarding the terror attack on Turkey in İstanbul.
The joint statement
read by TOBB President M. Rifat Hisarcıklıoğlu is as follows:
“Today, we stand
before you as the Turkish Trade Union Confederation (TÜRK-İŞ), the Turkish
Confederation of Employer Associations (TİSK), the Confederation of Turkish
Tradesmen and Craftsmen (TESK), the Turkish Union of Agricultural Chambers
(TZOB), Rights-Workers Syndicates Confederation (HAK-İŞ), Public Servants
Syndicates Confederation (MEMUR-SEN), Confederation of Public Servants Union of
Turkey (KAMU-SEN) and Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Turkey
(TOBB).
We come together as
professional and civil society organizations, organized in every region of
Turkey, representing all parts of society.
Unfortunately a great
deal of pain was inflicted on our nation on Saturday night. Terror once again reared
its heinous face. We are deeply saddened. We pray for the grace of Allah upon
our nation’s martyrs, with the most recent being the victims of the attack in
İstanbul, the day before blessed Mawlid An-Nabi; we pray for the quick recovery
of the wounded.
As you are aware, our
country is fighting against terrorism attacks both at home and abroad on a
scale hitherto unseen in the world. A foul game targeting our country is in
progress. To avoid falling into this trap, we say, ‘One voice, one heart,
against terror’ in protecting our unity.
We stand together
against terror and those who would have us kneel, to surrender. We will not
allow terrorism to darken our future. We will not fall for this. Today is a day
of unity.
We, as the Turkey-EU Joint
Consultative Committee Turkey Wing, will preserve our country's unity,
prosperity and future. We are always ready to fulfill our responsibilities for
preserving public order, the protection of freedoms and the rule of law. We
support all necessary legal measures against terrorism.
We condemn all terrorist
organizations, especially the PKK, DAESH and FETO, who seek to attack unity and
solidarity of our country. We condemn those who support terrorism and those who
hope to gain by it.
Allah willing, we
will overcome these troubles with our government’s strong stance. Our state
will call those responsible for this suffering into account. We, as a nation,
will come together and elevate unity and solidarity. These treacherous and
lowly attacks will not break our government and our nation. Those who hope to
gain by terrorism and chaos will never attain their goals.
Those who aim to
frighten us with terror would do well to know that we will not leave our
country to these lowlifes. Because we have the courage and stamina to overcome
all trials and tribulations. This last treacherous attack will not cast shadow
on our determination to fight terror. The Turkish nation has always been united
in the face of savages. This solidarity will uphold our government today as it has
in the past and preserve our homeland against terror.
We, as all parts of
society, stand behind our government and security forces until the end; stand
with our noble Turkish nation. We will see the days when peace and prosperity dominate
in every part of our country. For those of us who have bound our fates to this
land; those of us who share a common past; those of us who look forward to a
common future, and believe in brotherhood, this land will remain forever our
country. May Allah elevate the strength and patience of every individual who
loves their homeland; may our unity stand strong.”