Sanitation worker Mehmet Kaplan, father of
three children and member of PSI affiliate, DİSK/Genel-İş Union in Cizre
Municipality (Şırnak), was shot dead on 17 January in front of his house while
another worker was seriously injured and a further three arrested in separate
incidents.
Mr. Ramazan Uysal, also a member of
DISK/Genel- İş was shot and lost his arm on 14 December 2015 while he was
working at water valves for the Cizre Municipality. In addition, PSI was informed of the
arrest and detention of three members of DISK/Genel-İş for their trade union
activities: Mr. Mazlum Özmen, union representative and a municipal police
officer, Mr. Mesut Ayık, driver and Mr. Nedim Oruç, press officer.
These are only the latest in a series of
violations of trade union and human rights that have been taking place in
Turkey over the last few years, tarnishing the image and name of a democratic
republic.
PSI strongly condemns the murder and persecution of the members of its affiliated union and has written to the Turkish Prime Minister, Mr. Ahmet Davutoğlu calling on the government to:
·
conduct an exhaustive, genuine and rapid investigation
to identify the perpetrators of the murder of Mr Kaplan - and any others that
might be involved - and bring them to justice;
·
conduct a full investigation to clarify the shooting
of Mr Uysal;
·
immediately release the imprisoned Genel- İş members
and cease the systematic attacks on trade union members.
PSI has reminded the Turkish government
that repression and detention of workers for their trade union activities is a
breach of Turkey’s obligations under ILO Convention No. 87 and other human
rights instruments, PSI further calls on the Turkish authorities to guarantee
the effective protection of workers and trade unionists’ lives.
PSI stands in solidarity with DISK/Genel-İş members and calls on all its affiliates
to support the protests in Istanbul’s Taksim square and throughout Turkey by sending a letter of protest the Turkish Prime Minister.
More information:
·
See PSI’s letter of protest
·
Download the model letter
·
See more of PSI’s work on trade union rights
Public Services
International
is a global trade union federation representing 20 million working women and
men who deliver vital public services in 150 countries. PSI champions human
rights, advocates for social justice and promotes universal access to quality
public services. PSI works with the United Nations system and in partnership
with labour, civil society and other organisations.