Category: gonul erden

International motions on women’s rights and Palestine passed at NDC

Chaired by Libby Nolan, the third morning of UNISON’s 2023 national delegate conference saw declarations of international solidarity, particularly on women’s rights and Palestine.

The conference session began with a one minute silence to pay respects to Alan Jinkinson, UNISON’s first general secretary who died last year.

Delegates then heard two impassioned speeches from trade union leader Gonul Erden and Rosa Pavanelli (pictured), the general secretary of Public Services International, the global union federation for public sector trade unions.

Ms Erden, only recently released from prison in Turkey, addressed UNISON members over video message: “My main strength in overcoming this difficult period comes from solidarity from comrades like you.”

Rosa Pavanelli’s speech, calling for global solidarity to defeat the rise in “far right populism”, was met with a standing ovation.

Women’s rights

The first motion passed was on ‘defending and improving women’s rights internationally’. Introduced by the national women’s committee, the motion invited powerful speeches from numerous activists. 

Branch secretary of Camden UNISON Liz Wheatley said: “We live in a world where women are treated as second-class citizens, it’s true here, and it’s true around the world.”

Ms Wheatley also called for solidarity with Carla Foster, the mum of three who received a prison sentence this week for ending her pregnancy. Ms Wheatley said: “UNISON has a proud history of defending abortion rights”

Another speaker articulated how intertwined the struggles for labour rights and women’s rights are: “All of these issues are interlinked. If you want to fight sexual harassment at work, you need secure employment. If you want to flee an abusive relationship, you need the money to do it. Economic independence is crucial. All of these things go together.”

The motion calls on the union’s commitment to:

  • continue to work internationally to defend abortion rights;
  • continue to work with the International Committee and the National Women’s Committee to provide solidarity with women who are on the frontline in demanding trade union rights, peace and social justice, specifically in Colombia and Turkey;
  • work with the National Women’s Committee to show solidarity with women in Iran and explore ways to help them fight oppression and discrimination.

Palestine

The second motion passed was on trade union solidarity with Palestine. 

Introducing the motion, a speaker from Belfast referred to the recent Amnesty International report that officially categorises Israel as an apartheid state. 

The motion calls on the national executive council to:

  • encourage distribution of and discussion on the new guide for UNISON activists: ‘Talking about Palestinian rights’;
  • support Amnesty International’s call on the International Criminal Court to consider the crime of apartheid;
  • support branches to campaign for local government pension funds to engage with the companies they invest in and to demand they end their involvement in the occupied Palestinian territory and in the violation of Palestinian human rights;
  • defend the right of public bodies to purchase, procure and invest ethically, including by using BDS in support of Palestinian rights.

The motion was amended to include a commitment to “work with Labour Link to secure a commitment from the next Labour government to recognise Palestine as an independent state”. 

Proposing the amendment, Glenn Williams from the North West region reminded delegates that 72% of the 193 UN member states recognise Palestine as a state.

The article International motions on women’s rights and Palestine passed at NDC first appeared on the UNISON National site.

A message of solidarity from trade unionists in Turkey

On the second day of UNISON’s local government conference, long-term friend of the union and trade union leader Mehmet Bozgeyik (pictured above, right) addressed delegates with a powerful speech.

Mr Bozgeyik is co-president of the confederation of public employees’ trade unions (KESK), Turkey.

Opening his speech, Mr Bozgeyik thanked UNISON members for their ongoing support for trade union members facing different forms of harassment in Turkey, which he described as an ‘autocratic’ country.

Mr Bozgeyik continued: “As you know, Turkey is not an isolated case in the world. There is a global trend of right wing populism all over the world.

“We just had general elections, which could have been an opportunity to change the ruling party. However, as international reports show, there was no equality in the competition in these elections.”

He said the elections were marked by polarisation and repressive policies, with the media playing a crucial role in spreading misinformation. He also described how, in the previous election in 2019, the government removed newly elected mayors and replaced them with state officers. 

“We know that this appointment of trustees is a practice from the military regime, but it’s the first time under the civilian regime that the government has appointed trustees. When they began work, they adopted aggressive policies on trade union leaders, which resulted in dismissals of our members.”

However, Mr Bozgeyik remained defiant. “We strongly believe in the fact that we will win his struggle, together with other democratic forces which are making efforts to achieve peace, human rights and rule of law in this country. We will win for sure.

“We are struggling for our fundamental rights every day.”

Mr Bozgeyik said: “I would like to thank the UNISON family for showing solidarity with us and for our members from KESK who have been in prison for two years.”

UNISON has long supported the ongoing trials of union leaders Gonul Erden and Selma Atabey, who face charges of terrorism for their trade union activities.

“On 5 June last week, our leader Selma Atabey was released from prison. In March, Gonul Erdem was released from prison. They are under house arrest so cannot attend this conference, but would like to express their gratitude for your solidarity.”

Mr Bozgeyik continued to draw parallels between the battles that local government workers face across the world.

“There is a global economic crisis. I’m sure you are also facing the results of this crisis. We’re feeling the effects of this, and of capitalist policies which are not good for ecology, or citizens.

“We have been following UNISON’s actions and strikes against neoliberal policies and low wages. We extend our greetings to your struggle and congratulate you in this struggle against low wages.

“We are struggling to build a brighter future, and we are struggling together. Long live solidarity, long live UNISON, we will win together.”

The article A message of solidarity from trade unionists in Turkey first appeared on the UNISON National site.

UNISON attends trade unionist trial in Turkey

Last month, UNISON representatives attended the trial of former union leader and friend of the union, Gonul Erden. 

Ms Erden, alongside several colleagues, is facing charges of ‘terrorism’ for her trade union work when she was co-president of SES, the public health and services union in Turkey. 

Eight current and former leading members of SES, including Ms Erden, were arrested in May 2021, when police raided their homes. Five members are accused of leading a terrorist organisation, while the three others are accused of being members of a terrorist group.

Ms Erden is accused of leading an armed terrorist organisation and, despite being initially granted bail, has been held in a high security prison since September 2021, after the prosecutor appealed the bail decision. 

In addition to ‘accusations’ of attending UNISON conference and wearing a shawl in Kurdish colours at her sister’s wedding in the UK, Ms Erden is also alleged to have attended a terrorist training camp in Iraq. 

The prosecution’s case hangs on the claims of one witness, thought to have been involved in a plea bargain, who has also testified against at least another 450 individuals.

Clear evidence that Gonul was in Turkey and nowhere near Iraq at the time seemed to have little traction with the judges or prosecution, nor did the fact that months of monitoring and phone surveillance had produced no compelling evidence against her. 

During the 3 October hearing, Gonul gave a passionate and defiant defence, explaining how she had dedicated her life to the trade union movement and the struggle for workers’ and human rights.

It became evident that the prosecution’s case against Gonul was not for any crime, but for her role in championing workers’ and women’s rights and her legitimate criticisms of the government and its policies.

As the day’s proceedings drew to a close, Gonul turned to her family and friends in the court and smiled, before being taken away by armed guards. Despite 13 months in prison in appalling conditions, the authorities had not and would not crush her spirit.

Selma Atabey, the current co-president of SES, also faced trial. She connected to the courtroom via a remote system; however, due to the poor connection, she could not make her statement and no one was able to hear her. 

For the judges and the prosecution, this was no reason to postpone the trial. Ms Atabey asked the presiding judge to arrange her transfer from the prison to the courtroom in the next hearing.

UNISON President Andrea Egan was in Ankara to observe the hearing. This was the third time UNISON has observed a hearing in this ongoing trial, with general secretary Christina McAnea attending the previous hearing in July this year.

Ms Egan commented: “It was an enormous privilege to observe this trial and show UNISON’s solidarity. Although the situation was dire, the lawyers told us it would have been far worse if international observers weren’t there. 

“Seeing two strong women who have given their lives to the movement and the fight for workers’ and human rights was deeply inspiring for me.

“Despite their horrendous situation, separated from family and friends, and in prison for what they deeply believe in, Gonul and Selma remain passionate and defiant. They are true heroes of the trade union movement.”

Turkey has experienced a rapid erosion of democracy, human rights and the rule of law in recent years, leading to a steep increase in attacks on trade unionists and human rights defenders.

According to the ITUC, Turkey continues to rank amongst the 10 worst countries in the world to be a trade unionist; for many, the threat of arrest or even imprisonment is considered an occupational hazard.

UNISON head of international relations Nick Crook said: “When trade unionists in Turkey are arrested, detained or put on trial for defending worker’s rights, it’s important they know that they are not alone and UNISON and trade unionists throughout the world are in solidarity with them.

“It’s also essential that the authorities know that the eyes of the world are on them, particularly in such a politicised trial.”

The next hearing in the trial will take place on 26 December. UNISON will continue to campaign and put pressure on the governments of Turkey and the UK until all colleagues in Turkey are acquitted, and trade union rights are respected.

The article UNISON attends trade unionist trial in Turkey first appeared on the UNISON National site.