Ahmet Taner Kışlalı commemorated on the 24th anniversary of his death

Journalist and writer Ahmet Taner Kışlalı, who lost his life on October 21, 1999, as a result of a bomb placed in his car parked in front of his house, was commemorated by his family and loved ones.

The memorial program, organized by the Atatürkist Thought Association (ADD) at the site where Kışlalı lost his life, was attended by his wife Nilüfer Kışlalı, as well as politicians, journalists, NGO representatives, and citizens.

Speaking at the ceremony, which began with a moment of silence and the singing of the National Anthem, CHP Women's Branch Chair Aylin Nazlıaka said that Kışlalı was an exemplary and pioneering person who lived up to all the titles he held as a scientist, politician, educator, intellectual, journalist, husband, father, and citizen.

Stating that Kışlalı was an unwavering defender of Atatürkist thought and republican values, Nazlıaka remarked, "We lost him as a result of a treacherous attack because he was at the forefront of the struggle for a secular, democratic, and enlightened Turkey. Those who thought they killed him were wrong. He was a defender of rights who loved democracy. He continues to shed light with his ideas and exemplary personality."

Stating that Kışlalı listed the fundamental elements of democracy as "freedom, elections, and an independent judiciary," Nazlıaka claimed that these elements are currently under a major attack.

Nazlıaka noted the following:

"The AKP government, under which we search for justice with a candle, has officially shelved freedoms, fair election conditions, and an independent judiciary. We are being governed by being increasingly polarized, divided, and pressured because we are in opposition. We went through an election in May that we strongly believed we would win. An election took place where we competed under unequal conditions with dubbed and edited videos. Our hope was so high that the results created a disappointment for each of us. A social trauma was experienced."

Asking "So what will we do?", Nazlıaka recalled Kışlalı's emphasis on the importance of organization and struggle in a column, where he said, "Everyone has a lot they can do within their own circumstances. Some of us have money, some have energy, some have knowledge, some have skills, and some have time. As long as these can come together and unite."

ADD Vice President Sefa Yenice stated that the 1990s were years marked by murders targeting Atatürkists, saying, "Uğur Mumcu, Çetin Emeç, Bahriye Üçok, Muammer Aksoy, and others. We must think about what the purpose was in these murders. Our professor used to say, 'The biggest obstacle before those who want to establish a religious state is Kemalism; the biggest obstacle before those who want to divide Turkey according to ethnic origins is Kemalism.' For all Kemalists, the republic is a claim. Today, we are still pursuing this claim, we are its followers, and we are its owners."

Following the program in front of his house, Kışlalı was also commemorated at the Ahmet Taner Kışlalı Park, where a wreath was laid in front of his statue.