Statement on 'Caliphate' from ÇYDD: Palestine is an excuse, calling for a caliphate is a clear crime

The Association for Supporting Contemporary Living (ÇYDD) has issued a statement regarding the display of a caliphate flag at a rally in support of Palestine and the subsequent events. The statement included the following: "Calling for a caliphate in the Republic of Turkey during demonstrations held under the pretext or excuse of solidarity with the Palestinian people, or on social media, is a clear crime."

ÇYDD released a statement today regarding the display of a caliphate flag and the calls for a caliphate made by the Hizb ut-Tahrir group at a rally in support of Palestine held in Istanbul on the first day of the new year. The statement issued by the association included the following remarks:

"It has been reflected in the public sphere that slogans calling for a caliphate were chanted and flags were displayed during a march in support of Palestine. We, as a nation, react to the oppression suffered by the Palestinian people and the severe human rights violations occurring in the region; however, calling for a caliphate in the Republic of Turkey during demonstrations held under the pretext or excuse of solidarity with the Palestinian people, or on social media, is a clear crime.

Calls for a caliphate made on the territory of the Republic of Turkey constitute a rebellion against the Republican regime and the fundamental characteristics of the state as defined in the Constitution, especially at a time when we are celebrating the 100th anniversary of the Republic.

In accordance with Article 2 of the Constitution of the Republic of Turkey, Turkey is a democratic, secular, and social state governed by the rule of law, loyal to Atatürk's nationalism and based on the fundamental principles stated in the preamble. This characteristic of our Republic is unchangeable and cannot even be proposed for change.

Immediately following the proclamation of the Republic, the caliphate was abolished by the law dated March 3, 1924. This law is one of the most important legal regulations of the Republic and remains in force today.

We would like to remind everyone that no one has the right to reverse the regime, law, and public order in Turkey, nor the right to commit crimes. Attempting to abolish the order envisioned by the Constitution of the Republic of Turkey is a crime with very heavy sanctions under the Turkish Penal Code. Public prosecutors must immediately initiate investigations in the face of calls for a caliphate that are contrary to the principle of secularism and the Constitution.

The reasons for the abolition of the caliphate, the fact that it had already lost its political and historical influence, and that it has no place in a secular society and state structure, are also in our social memory.

Advancing on the path of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk since its establishment, ÇYDD defends and will continue to defend the fundamental values of our Republic, which is a democratic, secular, and social state governed by the rule of law as enshrined in the Constitution."