İmamoğlu's letter read at CHP's Brussels rally: 'The goal of those holding me and my colleagues captive...'

The Republican People's Party (CHP) took its "Standing Up for the National Will" meetings to Europe, organizing a large-scale rally in Brussels. At the event, which drew significant interest from expatriates arriving from various European countries, a letter sent by the imprisoned Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality (İBB) Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu from Silivri was read.

The event in Brussels was held at Place Jean Rey, one of Europe's key political hubs. Mayors from cities including Rome, Amsterdam, Budapest, Thessaloniki, Timișoara, Cologne, and Frankfurt sent messages of solidarity to the event. Brussels Mayor Philippe Close participated via a video message.

İmamoğlu's letter was read by CHP Secretary General Selin Sayek Böke. The letter emphasized democracy, justice, and courage, noting that Europe is also facing similar challenges. İmamoğlu stated that the lack of justice leads to authoritarianism and that this struggle is important not only for Turkey but also for the future of Europe.

In his letter, shared with the public by Böke, İmamoğlu said the following:

“My dear citizens, my friends, brothers, and fellow travelers living in Europe… I know that a part of your mind and heart is always in Turkey. Believe me, our minds and hearts are always with you, too. Because this country is not just connected by borders; it is a country bound together by faith, love, and hope. I am speaking to you today again from Silivri. But I know that my voice finds an echo here, in the heart of Europe, in your hearts.

In this difficult period, there are three words in all of our minds and hearts: Democracy, justice, and courage. These three survive by holding onto one another. Because today, it requires courage not only to demand democracy and justice but also not to remain silent in the face of the stripping away of our democratic rights and injustice. The European Union was also formed once with this very courage. With the great courage shown by war-weary peoples for peace, freedom, and human dignity.”

“LIKE MANY COUNTRIES IN THE WORLD, EUROPE IS ALSO GOING THROUGH A GREAT TEST”

“But today we see that Europe, like many countries in the world, is going through a great test. This test is not only economic or diplomatic; it is a moral and conscientious test. The climate crisis, wars, migration, the energy crisis, inequality… And most importantly; the shaking of the people's trust in institutions.

In this environment, authoritarian leaders twist and bend the truth, turning justice into a tool for their own power. They try to reduce democracy to just the ballot box and law to a political cudgel. Today, the people of Ukraine are resisting for freedom. The ceasefire that followed the great suffering in Gaza is promising. However, we have seen that the attitudes of states that fall behind the conscience of their own societies make the world more insecure and humanity more weary.”

“IF JUSTICE DIMINISHES IN ONE PLACE, AUTHORITARIANISM AND DESPOTISM STRENGTHEN EVERYWHERE”

“Although these two pictures appear in two different geographies, they actually show the same truth: If justice diminishes in one place, authoritarianism and despotism strengthen everywhere. When the geography of justice narrows, the tyranny of despots expands. As Europe drifts away from its own values and pursues short-term interests, it endangers its own democracy in the long run. I was elected Mayor of Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality three times by the free votes of the people. Even though my freedom has been taken away today, my struggle has never ended.

Because this is not just my struggle; it is the struggle for a fair and free Turkey. This is a struggle for honor and dignity by a great nation exhausted by poverty, injustice, and lawlessness. And thank God, I am not alone… Lies, slanders, pressures, bullying, threats, and blackmail are not yielding results. On the contrary, millions are uniting in our struggle. They are standing shoulder to shoulder, hand in hand. The peaceful struggle shown by young people in universities, women in squares, and our beloved nation on the streets proves how deep and strong our country's belief in democracy is.”

“THE WILL OF THE PEOPLE IS IN CONSCIENCES, BALLOT BOXES, AND SQUARES”

“Even in developed countries, there is a crisis of legitimacy. Authoritarian governments squeeze democracy into the ballot box, ignore the law, and even trample it underfoot. But we know that the will of the people is in consciences, in ballot boxes, and in squares. And no power can silence that will. We will continue our struggle until we carry the voice of the people to the heart of the state, to the center of justice. We will make our decisions not behind closed doors, but by looking into each other's eyes, from the same level.

In fact, in Istanbul, we took the first steps of this understanding. Our participatory management model is not just a city practice; it is a model of democracy for the Turkey of the future. Today, I call out to all democrats in Europe: This struggle concerns not only the future of Turkey but also the future of Europe. Europe needs to reclaim its values and defend justice and democracy everywhere. Because injustice has no nation, it has no geography.”

“THE GOAL OF THOSE HOLDING ME AND OUR COLLEAGUES CAPTIVE IS THEIR OWN FUTURE”

“The goal of those holding me, our mayors, and our colleagues captive is their own future, their insatiable ambition for office. They are engaged in a helpless and unlawful attempt directed at the national will and the essence of democracy. Our only demand is a fair trial. We want justice not just for ourselves, but for everyone. Because we know that justice is now needed not for one person, but for everyone. We know that without justice, there will be no bread, no peace, and no unity. Yes, Turkey is going through a difficult period today. But we are waging a struggle of honor that is hard to describe for days that keep hope, not despair, alive, and that restore justice and unity.”

“Turkey will determine its path in accordance with the common interests of the nation, not this or that person, or this or that party. Turkey will grow, prosper, strengthen, and share fairly with the power of justice, equality, and brotherhood. Being a citizen of the Republic of Turkey will be a privilege that is envied and respected all over the world.

We will trust each other. We will never leave a single friend behind. We will stand shoulder to shoulder and we will shout that phrase that makes them tremble when they hear it, without tiring: Everything will be very beautiful! Everything will be very beautiful! Everything will be very beautiful! I embrace you all with longing and yearning. Ekrem İmamoğlu. Silivri Dungeon.”

News Source: 12punto