CHP Leader Özgür Özel at the Srebrenica Commemoration Ceremony: "I Expressed That It Was Not Right to interrupt Erdoğan's Message

CHP CHAIRMAN ÖZGÜR ÖZEL:

-"WE WERE CONVINCED THERE WAS NO ILL INTENT"

-"MANY EU MEMBERS ARE NOT TAKING RESPONSIBILITY"

-"THEY REMAIN SILENT ON PALESTINE"

The Chairman of the Republican People’s Party (CHP), Özgür Özel, spoke after attending the 29th anniversary of the Srebrenica massacre in Bosnia and Herzegovina, addressing the interruption of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s video message. Özel stated, “President Erdoğan’s video message, broadcast on behalf of Turkey as it is every year, was cut off right when he was making a call regarding Palestine. The broadcast moved on to the next speaker. We expressed that it was not right for Turkey's message to be interrupted because it is a message presented on behalf of all of us. They made a satisfactory explanation, saying only one minute of the message remained. The interruption was only ioccured in the hall due to a cable issue, while the broadcast continued. After verification from Turkish officials, we were convinced that there was no ill intent.”

CHP Chairman Özgür Özel attended the ceremony held at the Potočari Memorial Center in Bosnia-Herzegovina on the 29th anniversary of the Srebrenica massacre. Signing the Book of Honor at the event, Özel wrote: “As the Chairman of the Republican People’s Party, I am here today on the 29th anniversary of the genocide to ensure that this immense pain is not forgotten and to continue the pursuit of justice. Alongside my delegation, we once again condemn the Srebrenica massacre, one of the most tragic and shameful events in the history of humanity. The responsibility lies with the entire international community. I remind everyone that the mistakes made back then are being repeated today in Palestine. May our condolences be with all.”

"IF A MASSACRE IS FORGOTTEN, IT WILL BE REPEATED"

Later, Özel attended the commemoration ceremony. A moment of silence was observed, and a wreath was laid at the Srebrenica Memorial. Speaking to journalists afterward, Özel said, “Today is July 11, 2024, marking the 29th anniversary of the Srebrenica massacre. Our delegation, including our general secretary, deputy chairpersons, and party assembly members, were in Sarajevo yesterday, and today we are in Srebrenica. We have participated in all the ceremonies along with other delegations from Turkey. We just witnessed the most difficult part: the funeral prayers for the 14 victims, identified only this year, and the burial ceremonies. It was like reliving those tragic days and that pain together. Experiencing this is crucial because, as Alija Izetbegović said, if a massacre or genocide is forgotten, it will be repeated. Being here ensures it is not forgotten.”

Özel emphasized, "Next year will mark the 30th anniversary. We anticipate even greater participation for the commemoration."

“WE CONDEMN AND DENOUNCE IT WITH THE STRONGEST REACTION”

Özel continued, “Many Bosniak citizens from Turkey and other attendees from different ethnic backgrounds were here, including those ashamed of the crimes committed by some Serbs. Unfortunately, recently, there have been attempts to stir separatism here, as we witnessed today. While some continue to honor the memory of those massacred, others try to glorify the perpetrators of these crimes. We condemn and denounce this with the strongest reaction. The international community has recognized this as genocide, and the United Nations declared today as a day of remembrance. Despite this, some Serbian officials and local politicians still refuse to acknowledge it and attempt to legitimize the perpetrators. We firmly reject this. We visited the graves of many victims born in 1974 and spoke with their mothers. We told them, ‘Consider us as your children, and consider everyone in Turkey as your family. Your children, brothers, sisters, and parents are the family of all of Turkey. We once again condemn this genocide.’”

“THEY ARE NOT DOING WHAT’S NEEDED”

Özel also remarked, “Turkey did its part during the events of 1990-1995. The then-CHP Chairman, Deniz Baykal, warned of the impending danger two years before the massacre. The international community remained indifferent. Dutch troops, serving under the UN mandate, handed over people who sought refuge to their deaths instead of protecting them. Despite recently limiting their responsibility to those within a fence, which is a gross misjudgment, they were responsible for the entire area. While they now admit some liability and offer limited compensation, back then, they remained silent. Today, they are silent again regarding Palestine and fail to take appropriate action. We commend those European Union members, like Spain, who have recognized Palestine. We appreciate our political allies who have voiced their intention to recognize Palestine. We view developments in the UK and France after the recent elections positively. However, we must stress that the time to act is when genocide is happening, not years later with symbolic decisions. I want to express this clearly. A Bosniak sister gave me a hand-knitted brooch symbolizing July 11, representing innocence and peace, featuring the colors of the Palestinian flag and Srebrenica. I will bring this brooch back to Turkey and wear it next year during the commemoration and during my visit to Palestine. I also thank the members of the press for their diligent coverage today.”

ERDOĞAN’S MESSAGE INTERRUPTION

Regarding the interruption of President Erdoğan’s video message, Özel responded to a question saying, “Since numerous countries were represented here, each country had one speaker. If a country’s president or prime minister attended, they spoke. We were here with the Minister of Justice. As usual, President Erdoğan’s video message, representing Turkey, was broadcast. We listened together. Just as he made a call regarding Palestine, the broadcast was cut off, and the next speaker began. We tried to reach the relevant officials. Eventually, we were told that only one minute was left and that the interruption was due to a cable issue, and the broadcast continued afterward. The Information Directorate in Turkey confirmed this, and we were satisfied with the explanation. They said it was the last 50 seconds and that they couldn’t rewind due to live streaming. We raised our concerns because, while other presidents’ messages were fully broadcast, ours was cut off, especially at the mention of Palestine. But we are convinced that there was no ill intent.”