06.08.2026 14:20
New Party Chairman Özgür Özel visited the families of martyrs and veterans who were protesting in Güvenpark. Responding to the crowd's call to "not sign the framework law," Özel said, "We already did not sign it," and stated that they would stand by the families of martyrs and veterans until their demands were met. He also emphasized that they support the complete end of terrorism, but they will not be part of any step that ignores the sensitivities of the families of martyrs and veterans.
The new party chairman Özgür Özel visited the relatives of fallen soldiers and veterans who have been protesting in Ankara's Güvenpark for 25 days. Özel was accompanied by members of parliament, party officials, and mayors.
Erdem Çerçioğlu, the chairman of the Association of Families of Martyrs and Veterans, noted that Özel was the first party leader to visit the protest site, and stated that they could not get results from the meetings held in the Turkish Grand National Assembly's National Defense Commission. Reminding that they are on the fifth day of their hunger strike, Çerçioğlu expressed that the current regulation does not meet expectations and asked Özel to say "no" to the framework law proposal.
ÖZEL: WE DID NOT SIGN IT ANYWAY
Meanwhile, citizens at the protest site chanted "Do not sign the framework law." Responding to the crowd, Özel made a striking statement. Saying "We did not sign it anyway," Özel stated that they were not among the parties that signed the proposal, adding that they are working on the regulation together with their legal experts and will voice their objections during the committee stage.
"WE ARE WITH YOU UNTIL YOUR RIGHTS ARE GIVEN"
Reminding that he also came to Güvenpark on the first day the protest began, Özel said that over the past 25 days the families have maintained their determination, and over the last five days they have expressed their demands more strongly through the hunger strike.
Stating that the rightful demands of the relatives of martyrs and veterans must be met, Özel noted the following:
"We are at the same point today as we were on the first day. We are with you and behind you until you get results, until your rights are given, until everyone says 'I am satisfied with these regulations.' We will continue to support this struggle to the end."
"THE 19-ARTICLE PROPOSAL HAS BEEN WAITING IN PARLIAMENT FOR TWO YEARS"
Özel also explained that they had previously conducted a comprehensive study to solve the problems of the families of martyrs and veterans.
Stating that under the coordination of retired Rear Admiral Yankı Bağcıoğlu, meetings were held with more than 250 associations and foundations across Turkey and workshops were organized, Özel said that all demands were compiled into a common text.
Stating that the prepared 19-article law proposal envisages amendments to 18 different laws, Özel noted that the proposal has been awaiting in the Turkish Grand National Assembly for two years and said, "If this proposal had been enacted, neither a family of a martyr nor a veteran would have an unresolved problem today."
"THE SUBMITTED PROPOSAL IS BETTER THAN NOTHING BUT NOT ENOUGH"
Arguing that the current proposal prepared by the AK Party contains some regulations but falls far short of expectations, Özel said that an impression is being created in the public that all problems are being solved.
Expressing that improvements are insufficient in many areas such as the salary to be paid to the families of fallen soldiers, honorary pension, and the rights of veterans who are not considered disabled, Özel said, "It is better than nothing but it does not meet expectations. We have the opportunity to solve the other 16 articles as well. We will follow up on all of them."
"WE WILL NOT BE PART OF ANY WORK THAT WOULD PREVENT US FROM LOOKING INTO THE EYES OF THE FAMILIES OF MARTYRS"
Also making assessments regarding the framework law proposal, Özel said they advocate the complete end of terrorism and the irreversible abandonment of weapons.
Stating that all regulations must be made on a democratic basis, Özel emphasized that the sensitivities of the families of martyrs and veterans are indispensable for them, and used the following statements:
"We advocate the complete silencing of weapons, that not even a single weapon remains in the hands of the terrorist organization. But we will not be part of any work that would prevent us from going to the families of martyrs and veterans and looking into their eyes."
"THIS PROBLEM MUST BE SOLVED NOW"
Stating that the fight against terrorism in Turkey is now largely carried out by the professional army, Özel expressed that the grievances experienced by the relatives of fallen soldiers and veterans should no longer be postponed.
Reminding that there are approximately 5,500 relatives of fallen soldiers and veterans, Özel said, "We believe that solving the problems of these people who lost an arm, a leg, an eye, or buried their children will not be a great burden for the state. This issue must be resolved without further delay. We will follow it up to the end."