Medical chambers protest arrest of TTB chair Fincancı

Some medical chambers affiliated with the Turkish Medical Association (TTB) have protested TTB chair Şebnem Korur Fincancı’s arrest over the alleged charge of “making propaganda for a terrorist organization” in the capital Ankara.

Friday October 28 2022 04:28 pm

Duvar English

Some medical chambers affiliated with the Turkish Medical Association (TTB) on Oct. 28 protested the arrest of TTB and The Human Rights Foundation of Turkey (TİHV) chairs Şebnem Korur Fincancı.

Medical chambers gathered in front of the TTB’s headquarters in the capital Ankara, chanting the slogans of "Detentions, arrests, oppression cannot intimidate us", "Long live our organized struggle.”

Ankara Medical Chamber chair Muharrem Baytemur stated that the 70-year-old Turkish Medical Association will continue to contribute to democracy and said, “The TTB has never been silent. We will continue to be here to contribute to the democratic process of the country, the rights of our colleagues, as it has been for 70 years.”

The Istanbul Medical Chamber General Secretary Ertuğrul Oruç stated that the lynching campaign launched for Fincancı resulted in her arrest. Oruç said, “Our teacher Şebnem should be released immediately. The oppression that is being applied to the TTB today is trying to be applied to other professional organizations, trade unions and political parties.”

The Izmir Medical Chamber General Secretary Ceylan Özkan stated that the TTB is being tried to be pacified, and said, “We will continue to do our profession in these lands and to protect the people's right to health. We will fight any kind of attack that is aimed at the TTB.”

Media close to the PKK published videos which reportedly showed chemical weapons being used by the army against the PKK in northern Iraq. Several Turkish officials have denied the allegations in question, including President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan.

After the allegations, Fincancı said she examined the footage of the alleged use of chemical weapons and said, "Obviously, one of the toxic chemical gases that directly affects the nervous system was used. Although its use is prohibited, we see it used in conflicts here.” Fincancı said independent delegations must carry out investigations in the region regarding the allegations.

An Ankara prosecutor’s office then launched an investigation against Fincancı over the alleged grounds that "making propaganda for a terrorist organization" and "insulting the Turkish nation, the state of the Republic of Turkey, state institutions and organs.”

Targeting Fincancı, President Erdoğan said, if necessary, they will change TTB chair by “legal regulation,” following Fincancı’s remarks.

Erdoğan further said they will change the regulation on the structure of professional organizations, so that they can “get rid of the supporters of terrorist organizations.”

Moreover, Erdoğan's ally and the leader of the far-right Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) said on Oct. 25 that Fincancı’s citizenship must be revoked during his party’s parliamentary group meeting. Bahçeli also called for the closure of the TTB.

An Ankara court on Oct. 27 arrested Fincancı over the alleged charge of “making propaganda for a terrorist organization.”