Ban on May 19 celebrations at stadiums lifted

Duvar English

National holiday May 19th Commemoration of Atatürk, Youth and Sports Day can be celebrated by students and citizens in stadiums once again after seven years, the Council of State has ruled.

Until 2012, the May 19 celebrations used take place in stadiums. The Education Ministry however issued a circular in 2012, saying that the celebrations would be limited to school premises only, citing disruptions in education.

The main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) criticized the government's decision to change the way celebrations had taken place for years, prompting one of its lawmakers to take the issue to the Council of State -- the highest administrative court in Turkey.

The Council of State's 10th chamber annulled the Education Ministry's circular in 2016. But the legal case has come to an end only recently, with the approval of the 10th chamber's decision by the Plenary Session of Administrative Chambers of Council of State, daily Sözcü reported on Dec. 17.

"The cancelling of 19 May celebrations [in stadiums] with a completely arbitrary regulation, was part of a conscious attack against symbols that represent Turkey's unity," Namık Havutça, a lawmaker from the CHP for the 24th, 25th and 25th legislative terms, said.

With the Council of State's latest ruling, people and students will be able to celebrate May 19 Commemoration of Atatürk Youth and Sports Day in the way that they used to before 2012.