On Saturday 25 October, activists, trade unionists, and community organisers gathered at the National Education Union (NEU) Headquarters in London for the annual SPOT Conference, united by a vital question: Has Turkey waved goodbye to democracy?
Throughout the day, speakers from Turkey and the UK explored the growing threats of authoritarianism, right-wing populism, and fascism. They shared a clear message of unity: international solidarity with the people of Turkey and the working class everywhere is more crucial than ever.
Facing the Challenges in Turkey
The morning session, chaired by journalist and SPOT steering committee member Ceren Sagir, examined the deepening crisis of democracy in Turkey. Levent Tüzel (EMEP) described escalating repression, from the arrest of journalist Merdan Yanardağ on espionage charges to the imprisonment of opposition politicians and the removal of elected mayors. He warned that the government’s attacks on dissent and its nationalist drive to suppress the Kurdish movement are symptoms of a regime intent on silencing all opposition.
Tüzel also denounced Turkey’s collaboration with imperial powers such as the US and UK, who have been complicit in regional wars while betraying the rights of Palestinians and other oppressed peoples. His call was resolute: “No passage for fascism! Long live international solidarity!”
Berdan Öztürk (DEM Party MP) spoke movingly about the Kurdish people’s struggle to preserve their language and culture amid ongoing state repression. He stressed that without a democratic and peaceful resolution to the Kurdish question, there can be no democracy in Turkey.
Journalist Hakki Özdal (Evrensel) offered a sharp analysis of Turkey’s economic and political crisis, describing a nation dominated by a centralised presidential system, widespread poverty, and arbitrary rule.
From the UK, Aslı Gul (Day-Mer) drew parallels between the struggles of migrants in Turkey and Britain. She described how the Turkish government’s repression now extends beyond its borders—targeting members of the diaspora who engage in activism or even cultural events. Her message was one of defiance: “We are not afraid, we will not be silent, we will not obey.”
Rights, Freedom, and Turkey’s Place in the World
The afternoon session, chaired by Louise Regan (NEU), explored Turkey’s foreign policy and its links to human rights abuses. Alev Demirel (MEP) criticised the EU’s “pragmatic” approach, which treats Turkey as both a military partner and a buffer zone for refugees displaced by conflicts that Europe itself fuels.
Mustafa Yalçıner, journalist and author, exposed Turkey’s deepening alignment with US imperial interests and its opportunistic interventions in Cyprus, Syria, Iraq, and Libya. He argued that Erdoğan’s regime serves both the domestic elite and international monopolies, trading away democratic principles for profit and power.
Building Solidarity – What Next?
The final session, chaired by Baroness Christine Blower (SPOT), focused on strengthening solidarity between movements in Turkey, the UK, and Europe.
Lindsay German (Stop the War) also addressed the conference noting the importance of demonstrations and collective organising in order to stop the tide of right of facism and stand up to the Starmer government’s complicity in the genocide in Palestine. Noting the rising of right wing populism in the UK and Turkey’s authoritarian regime, Lindsay German called for unity and solidarity to fight back against war mongering and genocide.
Louise Regan spoke about Turkeys role in the genocide in Gaza. Despite the rhetoric in 2024 Turkey was the fifth largest supplier to Israel with exports totalling 2.86 billion dollars. Turkeys trade with Israel was redirected via third countries circumventing the official trade ban particularly through Greece where Turkish exports rose by 71% in May 2024 compared with the previous year. Turkish exports to Palestine increased by 423% but in many cases although Palestine was listed as the final destination goods arrived at Israeli ports. Also a report by the Stop Fuelling Genocide campaign revealed that 10 shipments of crude oil were made from to Turkey to Israel in 2024. Activists argue that crude oil refined in Israel contributes to fuelling its military equipment. So whilst Erdogan states that he supports the Palestinian it is clear Turkey continue to trade with Israel. There is also repression of those who want to take action for Palestine and dozens of people have been imprisoned.
NEU knows that the Turkish authorities continue to suppress union rights and persecute activists. There are mass dismissals, union busting and collective bargaining rights are severely hampered. There has also been an increase in arbitrary arrests of trade unionists. Earlier this year NEU were due to have guests from Egitim Sen (NEU’s sister trade union) but the week before they were due to arrive seven members of the executive committee were arrested and place under house arrest, including their general secretary, for taking strike action. This was clearly an attack on the fundamental rights of freedom of assembly and collective action which we are seeing happen more and more.
Mariela Kohon (TUC) and Simon Dubbins (Unite the Union) spoke about international solidarity campaigns and delegations they had sent to Turkey to observe trials and support trade union rights. He underlined that without democratisation of the Kurdish issue, there can be no democracy in Turkey, and urged unions to be wary of collaborating with pro-government “yellow unions” such as Hak-İş.
Christine Blower highlighted the need for trade unions to take an active stance, lobbying MPs on femicides and wider human rights abuses in Turkey. Rob Williams (NSSN) called for UK unions to confront Starmer’s government, which is now aligned with figures like Trump, Netanyahu, and Erdoğan, both industrially and politically.
The conference underscored Turkey’s complex and troubling role in the Middle East, which has been particularly marked by its double-crossing both the Kurdish and Palestinian peoples, while serving as a regional enforcer for NATO and Western powers. Speakers warned that trade, militarism, and neoliberal capitalism are propping up authoritarian regimes and fuelling the rise of the far right, not just in Turkey but across Europe.
The message from the conference was clear: the fight for democracy and justice in Turkey is part of a global struggle. Together, we can resist authoritarianism, build solidarity across borders, and fight for a future based on equality, peace, and workers’ rights.
Get Involved
Join SPOT campaigns and demonstrations for democracy and human rights in Turkey.
Affiliate your trade union branch with SPOT.
Build alliances with unions, community groups, and progressive organisations in the UK and Europe.
Stay informed: Follow SPOT on social media and attend upcoming events.
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Together, we are stronger. Let’s keep building bridges, amplifying voices, and standing up for human rights, democracy and justice wherever we are.