Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Turkey

Hosted by TOBB President M. Rifat Hisarcıklıoğlu, the Civilian Initiative Against Terror - comprised of TOBB, TESK, TZOB, TÜRK-İŞ, MEMUR-SEN, TÜRKİYE KAMU-SEN, TİSK and HAK-İŞ – met with Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoğlu, Deputy Prime Minister Ali Babacan, Customs and Commerce Minister Nurettin Canikli and the Minister for Food and Agriculture, Mehdi Eker. Over a thousand guests attended the meeting wherein the declaration was made.

In his opening speech, TOBB President M. Rifat Hisarcıklıoğlu stated that Turkey is facing a wave of terrorism both domestically and internationally and said, “Our first demand as citizens is the establishment of our safety and peace throughout the country.”

Hisarcıklıoğlu stated that they’ve come together as organizations which represents all parts of society in every region of the country.

Thanking Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoğlu for attending the meeting, Hisarcıklıoğlu said, “We share a common concern. Turkey is facing a wave of terrorism both domestically and internationally. Our first demand as citizens is the establishment of our safety and peace throughout the country.”

Stating that it is the primary responsibility of the state to ensure public safety and peace, Hisarcıklıoğlu stated that they support all endeavors to ensure these conditions within the rule of law.

- Joint declaration from NGOs

Representatives of the 8 NGOs which make up the initiative read the text of the declaration following Hisarcıklıoğlu’s speech. Great sorrow was expressed in the declaration, emphasizing that the proper way to conduct politics is through the ballot, not violence.

Stating that the place to discuss and solve problems is the parliament, the declaration states that, “Whatever the reason, terror can’t be considered an ethical method to conduct politics.”

The NGOs joint declaration is as follows:

“We’ve come to Ankara from the four corners of Turkey.

We are the employees, craftsmen, farmers, workers, civil servants and entrepreneurs of our country.

We share a connection through democracy, rule of law and a respect for human life.

We share a common concern. Turkey is facing a wave of terrorism both domestically and internationally.

Unfortunately, we have lost many civilians to heinous acts of terror, our law enforcement officers and soldiers have been martyred.

As the civilians of this country, we are here today because of the great sorrow we feel as well concern for the future.

The proper way to conduct politics is through the ballot.

Our nation showed great favor for the ballot, displaying great maturity.

The rate of attendance in the election and the level of representation in the parliament is the clearest indication of this.

It is clear that the place to discuss and solve problems is the parliament.

Whatever the reason, terror can’t be considered an ethical method to conduct politics.

We’ve come here from the four corners of Turkey to condemn terror.

As citizens, our first demand as citizens is the establishment of our safety and peace throughout the country.

It is our most basic right and expectation to live in a safe country.

Without safety, there can be no freedom of thought and expression; no freedom of religion and conscience.

Without safety, there can be no free enterprise.

Without safety, there can be no craftsmen, workers, farmers, entrepreneurs or civil servants

Without safety, there can be no freedom to conduct business.

Today, we are here to show that we stand with our government in condemning terror which opposes our freedoms and to show that we will protect our freedoms.

One thing must be recognized above all: All terror restricts our freedoms.

It distracts us and depletes our resources.

Terror and terrorists prevent inners peace and darken our future.

We will not allow terror to darken our children’s future.

We will not fall to this trap.

We will protect the unity, prosperity and future of our country.

That is why we are here today.

Protecting the unity of our country, to ensure peace for our nation and attaining peace and trust within the rule orf law is the duty of the state.

It is clear that maintaining public order is the primary duty of the government.

Without public safety, there can be no production or service.

Without public safety, there can be no employment or education.

Without public safety, there can be no increase in prosperity.

Without public safety, there can be no happy future for our children.

That is why we are here today.

We, like our nation, are greatly saddened and concerned with regards to the rising wave of terror.

We know that these terror attacks aim to disturb the peace and destabilize our country, creating an environment of fear and chaos.

We are here to trounce the ploys of those who would divide our nation, disturb our peace and bring about chaos and instability.

That is why we’ve come from the four corners of Turkey to share our thoughts and sentiments with the Prime Minister.

We support all endeavors to ensure public safety within the rule of law.

We believe that everyone must remain calm and collected during this period of time and in that regard, we are here to discuss our responsibilities.

We, the Turkey-European Union Joint Arbitration Committee Turkey Branch have put ourselves forward as a whole organization which encompasses every part of the country.

We stand ready to undertake all duties which fall to us in order to protect our nation, future, development goals and freedom; the establishment of the rule of law and maintaining public order.

It is with this in mind that we act and invite all who share our sensibilities to join the Civilian Initiative Against Terror.”