Sivas Massacre message from Şişli Mayor Şahan

Şişli Mayor Resul Emrah Şahan, who is currently imprisoned at Silivri Prison, released a commemorative message through his lawyers specifically for the 33rd anniversary of the Sivas Massacre. In his message, Şahan touched upon key points for strengthening social peace and emphasized the necessity for Turkey to confront its past.

In his message, Mayor Şahan stated, "In these days when we are talking about peace, it is necessary for all parties in Parliament and Turkey's democrats to take a common stance and for Madımak to be turned into a Museum of Shame. Furthermore, it is inevitable to establish a solid legal framework to combat discrimination and hate speech, and to ensure the guarantee of equal citizenship," he said.

Reflecting on his childhood, Şahan noted that the pain he experienced at that time left deep marks on him, sharing his grief with the words: "July 2, 1993, is a great pain that we watched helplessly on live television; for me, as a small child, it is a memory etched into my mind when those who returned from Madımak came to our family home. It is a wound that will never be erased from Turkey's collective memory, just as it will never be erased from my childhood."

Şahan stated that the passing years do not indicate a reduction in pain, but rather the necessity of confrontation. He also emphasized that leaving the burden of the massacre primarily on the shoulders of the Alevi community is a shared responsibility of the entire country.

Pointing out the need to leave behind lasting works that will keep the memory of the 33 victims alive on the thirty-third anniversary, Şahan said, "Despite everything, in these days when we are talking about peace, all of Turkey's democrats must show a common will on these two issues. First, Madımak must definitely and without delay be turned into a Museum of Shame. This demand, which has been voiced for many years, is a requirement of showing respect to the lives lost and protecting social memory."

Touching upon the importance of preserving the sites where crimes against humanity were committed and keeping the memory alive, as is done in many countries around the world, Şahan stated that remembering the past is one of the most important guarantees in preventing similar tragedies.

"The expression 'Museum of Shame' is extremely important. Because shame is a society's courage to look at its own dark pages. It is the language of confrontation, not of crime. It is a shared promise made so that the same evil is not experienced again. Secondly, a strong legal framework against discrimination and hate speech must be established."

Stating that the Anti-Discrimination Law should be brought to the Parliament's agenda without delay, Şahan conveyed that such a regulation would guarantee the legal equality of all citizens in the country. He particularly drew attention to the fact that the path to restoring an environment of peace, unity, and trust lies through law and a shared social memory.

Emphasizing that peace will be possible through legal guarantees and social memory, Şahan underscored that lasting peace can only be achieved by recognizing the pain, the principle of equal citizenship, and by placing conscience at the center of social life.

Finally, addressing political party leaders, Şahan made the following call: "On this occasion, I call upon all political parties under the roof of the TBMM and Turkey's political leaders. Let us show a common will regarding the transformation of the Madımak Hotel into the Madımak Museum of Shame. Let us bring the Anti-Discrimination Law to the TBMM agenda and build the legal guarantees of equal citizenship together."

Pointing to the necessity of the Sivas Massacre and all social tragedies remembered with shame in history being clearly included in the state's official memory, Şahan expressed that this confrontation with the past would create the will to change the future. Şahan concluded his words by saying, "Because a common future is built by societies that show the courage to confront their common past. The shame of Madımak reminds us of our responsibility to the future. I commemorate all the lives we lost on July 2 with respect, longing, and gratitude."

News Source: 12punto