Prominent NGO urges West to support democracy in Turkey

A leading Turkish-American NGO has taken out an advert in a major US newspaper calling for the world to stand by Turkey’s democratically elected government after the defeated coup of July 15.

The Turkish-American National Steering Committee (TASC) in Saturday’s one-page New York Times advert said: “Because defending democracy in Turkey is also defending democracy in the US and in the world. We cannot remain indifferent.”

Giving a brief introduction to the bloody putsch attempt, where 240 were martyred and nearly 2,200 injured, TASC stressed that the Fetullah Terrorist Organization (FETO) attempted “a coup against democracy and the rule of law”.

New York Times advert taken out by Turkish-American NGO says West ‘let down’ Turkey’s people after July 15 coup plot

The deadly coup attempt was organised by the US-based preacher’s followers, according to the Turkish government. The US is still processing two tranches of documents Turkey sent for Gulen’s extradition from the United States.

According to TASC’s advert, millions of Turkish citizens from all walks of life flowed into the streets and put their lives in danger to defend and protect Turkish democracy and the elected government.

TASC said that the West failed to show solidarity and support with the Turkish people and their democracy. Instead, Western countries “dishonorably” tried to justify the coup, according to the advert.

“The Western world is failing this democracy test by letting down the Turkish people that defended our common values,” it said.

Meanwhile, the representatives of Turkey’s ruling Justice and Development (AK) Party and main opposition parties, Republican People’s Party (CHP) and National Movement Party (MHP) in the US have signed a joint memorandum against the July 15 coup plot.

Thanking the Turkish people on behalf of Turkish citizens living in the US, the representatives promised to do their best that Gulen would be punished.

“Our nation, political parties and parliament have shown an honorable solidarity and full unity against the coup and have given the proper response to the coup plotters,” the memorandum said.

“We want to reiterate that the steady determination by all segments of society against the malicious coup attempt is very important in terms of that Turkey’s long-established democratic tradition is put forth one more time and that our democracy gets even better.”