Mehmet Bozgeyik, co-president of the confederation of public employees’ trade unions (KESK), gives passionate address to UNISON local government conference
Turkey
![Turkey police squad protecting government against riot - protest fighting concept, military 3D Illustration on flag background](https://www.unison.org.uk/content/uploads/sites/53/2023/06/p24-Turkey-police-235x130.jpg)
Turkey may now be Türkiye, but the state’s attacks on trade unions continue. Janey Starling talked to the president of the Confederation of Public Employees Trade Unions
![Christina McAnea and fellow trade unionists outside the court in Ankara](https://www.unison.org.uk/content/uploads/2022/07/Outside-the-court-235x130.jpg)
In a court in Ankara, I saw first-hand how the Turkish state is determined to deny justice to trade unionists accused of ‘terrorism’ for doing their union duties
![International trade union and NGO representatives who came to witness the trial](https://www.unison.org.uk/content/uploads/2022/04/turkey-trial-235x130.jpg)
UNISON stands in solidarity with eight trade unionists in Turkey charged with terrorism offences for carrying out their union duties
![](https://www.unison.org.uk/content/uploads/2018/11/wristbands-235x130.jpg)
Conference hears of treatment of the Palestinian people, plus the plight of LGBT workers in Colombia, Turkey and Jamaica
Although the UK government vocally condemned the attempted coup in Turkey for undermining democracy, they have remained almost silent on the subsequent state of emergency, mass detentions and dismissals, and the erosion of democracy and rights.
Since the failed coup a year ago, Turkey has experienced an unprecedented erosion of democracy, human rights and the rule of law.