Turkey to observe World Unity Day tomorrow

July 15 marks one year since failed coup, says Turkish Consul-General Murat Onart

KARACHI: To remember the lives lost in Turkey during the failed coup last year and how civilians came out in support of the government, Turkish people around the world will observe World Unity Day on July 15.

This was announced by Turkish Consul-General Murat M Onart during a press conference at his residence in Karachi.

Before briefing participants about the day, two documentary films featuring pictures and videos of the coup were screened, giving viewers a timeline of the events. The videos also focused on the suffering of the people and how several officers died in the attack at the general staff headquarters, parliament and other places.

Turkey has similarities to Pakistan and in the back of their minds, people always think the military will take over, but last year when the coup was attempted it was instigated not by the military but by a terrorist organisation with roots in the administrative side of Turkey, said Onart. He said these terrorists had infiltrated the police, judiciary and bureaucracy.



"That night 253 people died due to this brutality and more than 2,000 were injured," he said. The consul-general also said that usually the opposition is fighting against the state, but that night everyone came out to express their support of the state, which is why the day will be remembered as unity day in Turkey.

Answering a question, Onart said that people of Turkey support democracy and the ones protesting in favour of Muhammed Fethullah Gulen are few, because the election turnout in Turkey is almost 85%.

He also said that there is a threat of the Fethullah Terrorist Organisation (FETO), as well as the Da’ish, Kurdish Workers Party and many other leftist parties. Other than this, Turkey is also facing issues due to its close geographical proximity to the war in Syria and the conflict between Saudi Arabia and Qatar.

Regarding whether the country has overcome last year's coup attempt, Onart said that people have regained confidence in the administration as the FETO supporters have been kicked out of the government.