Our rights and freedoms have been gained through significant struggles and serious loss. 1st May Workers’ Day is the success of a struggle, which has started 1800s and still continues and many worker leaders have died for this struggle. In our time 1st May, which is official holiday in many countries, symbolizes the unity of working class and its international solidarity and celebrated as worker’s festival.
Despite all of the efforts, 1st May has not been declared as official holiday. Massive and enthusiastic celebration of the 1st May, as WORKER’s FESTIVAL, is blocked by means of some administrative or judicial decisions. In 1977 during the celebration in Taksim Square, 37 people have lost their life because of the gun attack by dark forces. This year celebration has a unique importance because of the 30th commemoration of the 1977 massacre. Celebration in Taksim Square is a common wish of all of us.
As Human Rights Association, we demand the following issues;
- Declaration of 1st May, WORKER’s FESTIVAL, as official holiday by Turkish Grand National Assembly (TBMM),
- Composition of Research Commission, in the TBMM, to find out guilty and responsible people of 1the 977 massacre,
- Abolishing all difficulties for syndicate activities, collective bargain and using strike rights,
- Abolishing all policies and implementations that violate social state principle and transform any kind of public services into goods, which are bought/sold,
- Starting an effective struggle against Unemployment and Poverty,
- Stopping any kind of discrimination,
- Developing political, economic, social and cultural policies to provide internal peace,
- Conducting peaceful policies rather than violence policies, which based on weapons, in internal and international places.
LONGLIVE 1st MAY WORKER’s FESTIVAL
HUMAN RIGHTS ASSOCIATION