11.10.2019 Ankara
Turkey Bar Association, Rights Workers Union Confederation (HAK-İŞ), Civil Servants Trade Union Confederation (MEMUR-SEN), Retirees Association of Turkey, Turkey Tradesmen and Artisans Confederation (TESK), Turkey Confederation of Trade Unions (TÜRK-İŞ), Turkey Employers Confederation of Trade Unions (TISK), Turkey Public Workers Unions Confederation (KAMU-SEN), the Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Turkey (TOBB) and Turkey Chambers of Agriculture Union (TZOB) presidents and representatives expressed full support for Operation Peace Spring at a press conference.
At
the press conference attended by Turkey Confederation of Employer Associations
(TISK) Board Member Metin Demir, Civil Servants Trade Union Confederation (MEMUR-SEN)
Vice PresidentLevent Uslu, Turkey Public Workers Unions Confederation (KAMU-SEN)
President Önder Kahveci, Turkey Tradesmen and Artisans Confederation (TESK)
President Bendevi Palandöken, Turkey Confederation of Trade Unions (TURK-İŞ)
President Ergun Atalay, Turkey Bar Association (TBB) President Metin Feyzioğlu,
Rights Workers Union Confederation (HAK-İŞ) Deputy Chairman Yunus Değirmenci and
Turkey Chambers of Agriculture Union (TZOB) Secretary General Hasan Hüseyin Coşkun,
wherein the Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Turkey (TOBB)
President M. Rifat Hisarcıklıoğlu read out the joint statement.
Hisarcıklıoğlu
read the following:
“Representing
Turkey's professional and business community and civil society;
•
Turkey Bar Association,
•
Rights Workers Union Confederation (HAK-İŞ),
•
Confederation of Civil Servant Trade Unions (MEMUR-SEN),
•
Retirees Association of Turkey
•
Turkey Tradesmen and Artisans Confederation (TESK)
•
Confederation of Trade Unions of Turkey (TURK-IS)
•
Confederation of Employers' Unions of Turkey (TISK)
•
Public Workers Unions Confederation of Turkey (PUBLIC-SEN)
•
The Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Turkey (TOBB)
•
Turkey Union of Chambers of Agriculture (TZOB)
We
are here today and we appeal to both our country and the world public through
you.
Turkey,
on October 9th, 2019, has launched the cross-border operation named “Peace
Spring” on the Syrian border.
The
aim is to ensure the security of the borders of our country and to eliminate
the terror corridor which constitutes a threat to our country and the countries
of the region.
This
is to clear the region from terrorist organizations such as PKK / PYD / YPG and
DAESH, to save the Syrian people from the oppression and persecution of the
terrorists and to restore peace, security and peace in the region.
We,
as representatives of workers, civil servants, craftsmen, farmers, lawyers,
retirees and employers, stand behind and fully support this decision of our government.
Turkey
is practicing its rights born of international rules.
Operation
Peace Spring was initiated within the framework of universal law and United
Nations Security Council anti-terrorism decisions and the right to self-defense
in the UN Convention.
Syria's
territorial integrity, sovereignty and political unity are respected.
Therefore,
this operation is legitimate and in accordance with international law.
Our
country has been subjected to more than a hundred harassing and hostile actions
in the last two years by the elements of terrorist organization located across
the border, especially in the east of Euphrates.
These
terrorist organizations also carry out attacks on Syria and against Syrians.
Complaints
and reactions of local people in Syria to the increasing human rights
violations, forced migration, harassment and persecution of terrorist
organizations are constantly increasing.
Everyone
should now see this clearly; we cannot be expected to remain silent to
terrorist groups that kill innocent people and pose an open threat to the
security of our country.
Beginning
with Operations Euphrates Shield and Olive Branch, Turkey is giving the
necessary response to the terrorist organizations and their supporters in the
most powerful manner.
At
the same time, utmost attention is paid to the protection of civilians and
innocents.
We
have already shown this in both Euphrates Shield and Olive Branch operations.
Life
has returned to normal in the region where terror previously prevailed; peace
and tranquility returned.
We
also prepared the ground for the return of the Syrians who had to leave their
homeland.
Turkey's
shown the world that it has utilized every available resource to help these
regions.
Because
we believe that those who cannot mend hearts and people, cannot reconstruct the
world.
Turkey
has never been, and will never be, in favor of destruction.
We
side with peace, tranquility and fraternity.
Turkey's
counterterrorism-oriented efforts will bring an end to crimes against humanity such
as ethnic and religious cleansing perpetrated by the PKK / PYD / YPG; pave the
way for the return of Syrians who have been displaced due to actions of Daesh;
as well as contributing to Syria's territorial integrity and unity.
Therefore,
every operation launched by Turkey has been supported by Syrian immigrants as
well as the oppressed and disadvantaged local populace.
As
in the past, the Turkish Army is greeted warmly.
In
the light of all these facts, we invite the international community to support
our country by expressing its intention to stand against terrorism and to make
universal human rights dominant in this region.
With
the diplomacy of our government and Turkish Armed Forces, we inform the
international public correctly.
We
have started to work with our counterparts abroad and relay this rightful
stance of our country to the world public.
In
the next week, we will re-share this statement with all of our organizations
throughout the country and spread it across the country.
Finally,
we want everyone to know:
The
Turkish nation, business and civil society will give the best answer to the
threats to Turkey and Turkey's economy.
in
the face of these threats, each individual of this country will work more, will
produce much more for the future of Turkey.
This
is not a day to wait in silence, but to raise our voice in unity, one and
together as a nation.
On
the other hand, we urge all citizens to be wary of information pollution and
provocations, especially on social media.
Those
who live in this region are our neighbors, our brothers.
No
one can destroy the law of brotherhood and neighborhood among us who are
members of the same civilization, the same culture and the same faith.
None
may create strife among us; cannot make us enemies.
With
our prayers and hearts, as Turkey’s civil society and the business world, we stand
with our government and our heroic soldiers.
We
believe that our Turkish Armed Forces will destroy the elements of terror in
the region and will defeat the terrorist organizations.
We
pray for the grace of Allah upon our soldiers and martyrs whom we martyred
yesterday.
We
hope for rapid recovery to the wounded.
May
Allah bless our soldiers and grant our army victory. May Allah stand with us
and aid us.”