Emily Casswell talks to students in Istanbul about the Taksim Gezi Park protests of last summer, and finds them ashamed of their government’s undemocratic actions with little else to do but laugh.
People in Istanbul have taken to the streets to call for the resignation of Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan over the corruption scandal that has engulfed his cabinet
As Turkey’s economy slows down, Turks are increasingly concerned about the denial of basic human rights. The AKP-led government limits freedom of expression and undermines Turkey’s secular tradition, exacerbating social divisions. Erdoğan’s foreign policy has embroiled Turkey in regional conflicts, including the morass in Syria.
Since the start of the protests on 31st May, Turkey has witnessed media censorship, police brutality, protests by the thousands, and the injury and deaths of protesters.
The use of force against mass protests in Turkey has created an even stronger opposition than Erdogan could have imagined. This spark may yet turn into a massive fire.