The memorial site for the victims of the deadliest terrorist attack in Turkey's history, the 10 October Memorial in Ankara, has been the target of an attack. Unknown perpetrators deliberately damaged parts of the memorial commemorating the people killed in the attack on a peace demonstration on October 10, 2015. According to the “Peace Association 10 October”, the attack was directed particularly against parts of the image on which the flags of the HDP, the predecessor of the DEM Party, could be seen. The act is said to have taken place recently. It is not yet known who was behind it.

“It's not the first attack – but it's enough”

The association's co-chair, Mehtap Coşkun Sakinci, expressed her outrage, saying: “It's not the first time that the memorial has been attacked. We have filed criminal charges several times – but nothing has ever been done.”

There are a large number of surveillance cameras in the immediate vicinity of the memorial. The site is also located in a very busy place. “Attackers can be easily identified if desired,” she emphasized.

“The families voluntarily provided us with the most beautiful, vivid photos of their loved ones. The fact that these pictures in particular are being destroyed reveals a clear hostility towards the HDP and its members,” said Sakinci.

The association intends to take legal action against the attack and calls on the Ankara Chief Public Prosecutor's Office to launch an immediate investigation.

“We will not let this attack go unpunished”

Ihsan Seylan, who lost his nephew Ümit Seylan in the 2015 attack and is now the spokesperson for the Children's Commission of the DEM Party, also reacted to the attack: “We have experienced similar attacks several times in the past and always informed the authorities – but nothing happened. This silence is unbearable.”

Seylan announced that he would continue to exert pressure together with other relatives and activists. “Anyone who attacks the memory of our dead attacks us all.”

Background: The massacre of October 10, 2015

On October 10, 2015, two suicide bombers of the jihadist militia Islamic State (ISIS) carried out a double bombing attack at a peace rally near Ankara's main train station. 104 people were killed and over 500 injured. The demonstration was organized by the HDP and left-wing parties, civil society groups, trade unions and peace initiatives. Under the slogan “Work, Democracy, Peace”, the demonstration called for an end to the Turkish state's war against the Kurdish population. To this day, the Turkish government is accused of failing to investigate and provide adequate protection for victims.