Turkey: The Freedom and Solidarity Party (Ozgurluk ve Dayanisma Partisi, ODP), including its position on military service, conscription and conscientious objection; relationship of the ODP with the party in power (2012-August 2014)

1. Overview of the ODP

Sources describe the Ozgurluk ve Dayanisma Partisi (ODP), translated as the Freedom and Solidarity Party [or Liberty and Solidarity Party (PHW 2013, 1476)], as a socialist (Hurriyet Daily News 26 June 2009; ODP 6 Aug. 2014; Canada 7 Aug. 2014) or "leftist" party (Today's Zaman 11 July 2011; Associate Professor 14 Aug. 2014). In correspondence with the Research Directorate, an official at the Embassy of Canada in Ankara said that the ODP "self-identifies with the tenets of Libertarian Socialism" (Canada 7 Aug. 2014). In correspondence with the Research Directorate, a member of the ODP described the ODP's goal as working towards "a free, autonomous, internationalist, democratically planned, ecological, anti-militarist, feminist socialism in the aim of removing capitalist and imperialist dominance and establishing labor power" (ODP 6 Aug. 2014). The Canadian official said that the ODP's political platform "is based on egalitarianism, libertarianism, anti-sexism, environmentalism, and democracy" (Canada 7 Aug. 2014). In correspondence with the Research Directorate, an associate professor of Political Science at Loyola University Chicago, who specializes in Turkish politics, described the party as having "a strong focus on multiculturalism, environment, anti-militarism, decentralization/local self-governance, human rights abuses, and anti-imperialism" (Associate Professor 14 Aug. 2014). He also noted that the ODP "does not espouse violence as a method of political struggle" (ibid.).

Sources indicate that the ODP was founded in 1996 (Europa 2014; Hurriyet Daily News 26 June 2009; Associate Professor 14 Aug. 2014). According to Political Handbook of the World, the ODP was formed after the December 1995 election "as a broad alliance of various socialist factions together with elements of the once powerful Dev-Yol movement" and was "backed by leftist intellectuals, feminists, and human rights activists" (PHW 2013, 1476).

Sources report that Alper Tas is the leader of the ODP and was elected to that position in June of 2009 (ibid.; Hurriyet Daily News 26 June 2009). The former leader, Ufuk Uras, resigned in 2009 due to ideological differences between different factions of the party (ibid.; PHW 2013, 1476). Some sources say that Alper Tas is a co-chair (Europa 2014) or "co-president" of the ODP (VR-DER 11 Aug. 2014). Europa World Online lists both Alper Tas and Bilge Seckin Cetinkaya as the chairs of the ODP (Europa 2014).

Sources indicate that the ODP is headquartered in Ankara (Europa 2014; Canada 7 Aug. 2014). Today's Zaman decribes the city of Hopa, in Artvin province, as a "stronghold" of the ODP (1 June 2011).

According to the ODP member, the ODP has a membership of approximately 6,000 people (ODP 6 Aug. 2014). The Canadian official estimated the membership at 20,000 and with a "firm support base" of approximately 100,000 people (Canada 7 Aug. 2014). The ODP is reportedly a member of the Party of the European Left (EL) (EL 19 Mar. 2014).

According to PHW, in the 2009 municipal election, the ODP received 0.16 percent of the vote (PHW 2013, 1476). Sources indicate that the ODP candidates failed to win any seats in the 2011 election (PHW 2013, 1476; All About Turkey N.d.). The Associate Professor said that the ODP won a single district municipality in the 2004 and 2009 elections, has never received more than 1 percent of the national vote, and received fewer than 60,000 votes (0.14 percent) in the 2014 local elections (Associate Professor 14 Aug. 2014).

2. Position on Military Service, Conscription and Conscientious Objection

Sources indicate that the ODP is against military conscription (Canada 7 Aug. 2014; VR-DER 11 Aug. 2014; Associate Professor 14 Aug. 2014). The ODP reportedly supports the right to conscientious objection and claims that conscientious objection should have "legal status" (ODP 6 Aug. 2014; VR-DER 11 Aug. 2014; Associate Professor 14 Aug. 2014). In correspondence with the Research Directorate, a representative of the Association of Conscientious Objection (Vicdani Ret Dernegi, VR-DER) said that the ODP is one of the few parties that includes the right to conscientious objection in its party program (VR-DER 11 Aug. 2014). He explained that, while the ODP does not "represent" the conscientious objection movement, the ODP works in solidarity with the movement and the VR-DER (ibid.). He noted that VR-DER has active members who are also members of the ODP (ibid.).

According to the Canadian official, the ODP has taken part in demonstrations in favour of conscientious objection (Canada 7 Aug. 2014). The Istanbul-based news agency Bianet reports that the ODP was one of 15 organizations and political parties that assembled in Istanbul in October 2006 to launch the "Conscientious Objection Platform" in support of defending the rights of people who refuse to perform compulsory military service (Bianet 27 Oct. 2006). According to the Associate Professor, the ODP "actively campaigns to have the Turkish state recognize conscientious objection (CO) as a right and asks the state to release individuals who are imprisoned because of their conscientious objection" (14 Aug. 2014).

Sources indicate that the ODP is against militarism (ODP 6 Aug. 2014; Canada 7 Aug. 2014; Associate Professor 14 Aug. 2014). According to the ODP member, the ODP warns of the "danger" of military preparedness in the world and criticizes the funding of military expenses in lieu of social needs, such as addressing poverty and ecocide (ODP 6 Aug. 2014). The same source explained that the ODP "supports anti-militarist efforts like demolishing NATO, nuclear, biological and chemical disarmament, elimination of mines ..." (ODP 6 Aug. 2014). The Associate Professor also noted that the ODP is critical of NATO, opposes US bases in Turkey and advocates for a significant decrease in military spending (14 Aug. 2014). Sources report that the ODP maintains that the legal status of the MGK (National Security Council) should be terminated (ODP 6 Aug. 2014; VR-DER 11 Aug. 2014). According to the VR-DER representative, the ODP believes that domestic security should not fall under the jurisdiction of the military and that this power "should be prevented by legislative and administrative arrangements" (VR-DER 11 Aug. 2014).

Sources report on instances in which the ODP protested on issues related to the military (Today's Zaman 11 Sept. 2011; PHW 2013, 1476; Trend 12 Mar. 2012). Today's Zaman reports that in September 2011, on the occasion of the anniversary of the September 1980 military coup, ODP supporters, along with others, protested in Istanbul against military coups (11 Sept. 2011). In March 2012, the ODP participated in protests against Turkey's involvement in NATO's missile defense system (PHW 2013, 1476; Trend 12 Mar. 2012).

3. Relationship of the ODP with the Party in Power

According to the Canadian official, the ODP are "active demonstrators and vocal critics of the governing AK Party [Adalet ve Kalkinma Partisi (AKP), Justice and Development Party] -- particularly its leadership and history of privatization and deregulation" (Canada 7 Aug. 2014). Similarly, CNN describes the ODP as an "opposition party" to the AKP (CNN 31 May 2011).

The Associate Professor said that ODP members are "often harassed by Turkish security forces," but also expressed the opinion that Turkish authorities do not view the ODP as a "significant threat" due to "its small size and anti-violence stance" (14 Aug. 2014).

On 31 May 2011, protesters in Hopa, who staged a protest against the Prime Minister during his election campaign, clashed with the police and a protester died (CNN 31 May 2011; Hurriyet Daily News 1 June 2013; Today's Zaman 11 July 2011). Protesters reportedly threw stones and climbed police barricades, while the police reacted with tear gas and water cannons (CNN 31 May 2011). Protesters also threw stones at the Prime Minister's bus (CNN 31 May 2011; Today's Zaman 11 July 2011). An official and an emergency room doctor reportedly said that the protester's death was caused by a heart attack, but the ODP accused the AKP of killing the protester (CNN 31 May 2011). Media sources indicate that the autopsy results later showed that the protester died of a heart attack (Hurriyet Daily News 1 June 2013; Today's Zaman 11 July 2011), although one of the sources said the autopsy report linked the heart attack to panic and an exposure to tear gas (Hurriyet Daily News 1 June 2013). Two years later, a group marched to honour the dead protester and the ODP leader called for those responsible to be brought to justice (ibid.).

Today's Zaman reports that on 1 June 2011, the ODP and other leftist groups staged protests against the government in several Turkish cities, including Istanbul, Ankara, Izmir, and in the province of Giresun, in response to the death of the protester in Hopa (Today's Zaman 1 June 2011). Protesters reportedly attacked the police with sticks and stones in Ankara and Istanbul, and "dozens" of people were injured (ibid.). In Ankara, the police dispersed the protesters, approximated at close to 800 people, with tear gas and water cannons and detained 60 protesters (ibid.). In Istanbul, where there were estimated to be nearly 1,000 protesters, the police dispersed the protesters with water cannons and detained 2 people (ibid.). Corroborating information could not be found among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate within the time constraints of this Response.

Today's Zaman reports that the ODP and other leftist groups clashed with the police in Istanbul when protests against the death of the protester continued on 2 and 3 June (Today's Zaman 3 June 2011). Authorities reportedly detained 21 protesters (ibid.). The ODP condemned the death of the protester in front of the office of the AKP (ibid.). Corroborating information could not be found among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate within the time constraints of this Response.

The ODP was among the groups that participated in the Gezi Park protests [1], nation-wide anti-government protests that started in May 2013 in response to government plans to replace the central park in Istanbul with an Ottoman-era military barracks (Today's Zaman 20 Sept. 2013). Further information about the ODP's involvement in the Gezi Park protests could not be found among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate within the time constraints of this Response.

In December of 2013, the ODP staged a rally against corruption and bribery in Istanbul, attracting approximately 150 protesters (Today's Zaman 30 Dec. 2013). The group was reportedly attacked by a man with a knife, followed by a man with a machete, but the police intervened and stopped the altercation (ibid.).

In January 2014, the EL reported that ODP members were among a group of 502 people being prosecuted for their involvement in an organized strike on 28-29 March of 2012, which was reportedly organized by trade unions and leftist parties, and included a demonstration that took place in Ankara, involving "thousands" of teachers, public employees, students and workers from across Turkey (EL 14 Jan. 2014). Further and corroborating information about this incident could not be found among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate within the time constraints of this Response.

In March 2014, the EL claimed that the police attacked the ODP's office in Edirne and detained 14 ODP members (EL 19 Mar. 2014). The same source reported that the police threw gas bombs, broke glass, destroyed the office doors and beat ODP members (ibid.). Further and corroborating information about this incident could not be found among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate within the time constraints of this Response.

This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the Research Directorate within time constraints. This Response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim for refugee protection. Please find below the list of sources consulted in researching this Information Request.

Note

[1] Sources report that during the Gezi Park protests the police used excessive force against primarily peaceful protesters, resulting in the deaths of at least 6 people and one police officer (EU 16 Oct. 2013, 5; Human Rights Watch 2014), and "thousands" of injuries (EU 16 Oct. 2013, 5). According to the European Commission's 2013 Progress Report on Turkey, the police took over 3,500 people into custody, of which 108 people were detained on "suspicion of being a member of a terror organization" (EU 16 Oct. 2013, 5). Similarly, Human Rights Watch reports that authorities brought charges against "hundreds" of protesters and that "several dozen people" faced additional terrorism charges in relation to the protests (2014).

References

All About Turkey. N.d. Burak Sansal. "Political Parties in Turkey." [Accessed 6 Aug. 2014]

Associate Professor, Department of Political Science, Loyola University Chicago. 14 August 2014. Correspondence with the Research Directorate.

Bianet. 27 October 2006. "Conscientious Objection Platform Launched." [Accessed 12 Aug. 2014]

Canada. 7 August 2014. Embassy of Canada in Ankara. Correspondence from an official to the Research Directorate.

Cable News Network (CNN). 31 May 2011. "Clashes Break Out at Campaign Rally for Turkish Prime Minister Erdogan." (Factiva)

Europa World Online. 2014. "Ozgurluk ve Dayanisma Partisi (ODP) (Freedom and Solidarity Party)." [Accessed 1 Aug. 2014]

European Left (EL). 19 Mar. 2014. "The Party of the European Left Denounces the Detention of 14 Comrades in Turkey." [Accessed 12 Aug. 2014]

_____. 14 January 2014. "The EL Expresses Its Full Support to the 502 Political and Social Activists Who Are Going to be Judged by the AKP Laws in Turkey." [Accessed 12 Aug. 2014]

European Union (EU). 16 October 2013. European Commission. Turkey 2013 Progress Report. [Accessed 14 Aug. 2014]

Human Rights Watch. 2014. "Turkey." World Report 2014: Events of 2013. [Accessed 14 Aug. 2014]

Hurriyet Daily News. 1 June 2013. "Groups Mark Anniversary of Death for Hopa Teacher." [Accessed 12 Aug. 2014]

_____. 26 June 2009. "Not Ergenekon, Ideology Divides ODP." [Accessed 11 Aug. 2014]

Ozgurluk ve Dayanisma Partisi (ODP). 6 August 2014. Correspondence from a member to the Research Directorate.

Political Handbook of the World (PHW). 2013. "Turkey." Edited by Tom Lansdorf. Washington, DC: CQ Press. [Accessed 31 July 2014]

Today's Zaman. 30 December 2013. "Man Wielding Machete Attempts to Attack Protesters in Istanbul." [Accessed 5 Aug. 2014]

_____. 20 September 2013. "Turkish Treasury Files Charges Against Gezi Protesters for Public Property Damage." (BBC Monitoring Europe/Factiva)

_____. 11 September 2011. "Thousands Condemn Sept. 12 Coup on 31st Anniversary." [Accessed 5 Aug. 2014]

_____. 11 July 2011. "Forensic Report Confirms Hopa Protestor Died of Heart Attack." [Accessed 5 Aug. 2014]

_____. 3 June 2011. "Leftist Groups Clash with Police in Turkish Capital, Four Officers Injured." (BBC Monitoring Europe/Factiva)

_____. 1 June 2011. "Dozens Injured, Arrested in Turkey as Leftist Protesters Clash with Police." (BBC Monitoring Europe/Factiva)

Trend News Agency. 12 March 2012. "Turkish Opposition Protest NATO Radar." (Factiva)

Vicdani Ret Dernegi (VR-DER). 11 August 2014. Correspondence from a representative to the Research Directorate.

Additional Sources Consulted

Oral sources: Attempts to contact representatives from the following organizations were unsuccessful within the time constraints of this Response: Asker Haklari. A representative of the International Fellowship of Reconciliation was unable to provide information.

Internet sites, including: Asker Haklari; ecoi.net; EU - European Commission; Factiva; Freedom House; Human Rights Association of Turkey; International Federation of Human Rights; Leftist Parties of the World; Middle East Media Research Institute; Truth Justice Memory Center; Turkey Daily News; United Nations - Refworld.