Artists protest draft law targeting state institutions in Turkey

ANKARA

Around 250 members of the Turkey Artist Initiative has gathered at Ankara’s Ulus Square and marched to the Culture and Tourism Ministry. DAILY NEWS photos, Selahattin SÖNMEZ

A group of artists have protested the government’s plans to change the status of their colleagues working at state institutions. Around 250 members of the Turkey Artist Initiative gathered at Ankara’s Ulus Square, in front of the former Parliament and marched to the Culture and Tourism Ministry on Nov. 27.

55 state institutions to be shut-down: Gardner

Sıdıka Özdil Gardner, a spokesperson for the initiative, read out a press statement and suggested that a draft law named the Turkish Art Institution (TÜSAK) actually aimed to close down the current state art institutions.

“We are here to say ‘no’ to the dark AKP [ruling Justice and Development Party] mentality that tries to introduce the Turkish Art Institution Law,” Garner said.

“[This mentality] closes down 55 state institutions with this law, turns our artists into unqualified and subcontracted workers, gives the authority to sell all properties and estates of our arts institutions to 11 people appointed by the Council of Ministers, and puts arts - along with artists - up for sale,” she also added.

A number of main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP) deputies also attended the protest, in a show of support for the group.