The Directorate of Communications conducted a programme themed "National Will and Democratic Resistance: The 10th Anniversary of 15 July" on 13 July 2026, in Bern, the capital of Switzerland, commemorating the 10th anniversary of 15 July Democracy and National Unity Day.
The Directorate of Communications, in partnership with the Embassy of Türkiye in Bern, presented a program titled "National Will and Democratic Resistance: The 10th Anniversary of 15 July" that included an explanation of the Turkish nation's unwavering defence of its constitutional order and democratic legitimacy. The event, which garnered the interest of many academics, journalists, politicians, diplomats, and citizens, focused on the coup attempt by the Fetullah Terrorist Organisation (FETO) on the night of 15 July 2016, which targeted the constitutional order, and the resistance of the Turkish people.
The programme began with the inauguration of the 15 July Visual Memory Photo Exhibition, which was designed to restore recollections of what occurred on the night of 15 July. Subsequently, the thematic video "15 July, Victory of Democracy" was presented. Şebnem İncesu, Ambassador of the Republic of Türkiye to Bern, delivered the opening remarks.
During the programme, which featured a video message from Head of Communications Burhanettin Duran, İncesu stated that the event, marking the 10th anniversary of the failed coup attempt against the nation's will, democracy, constitutional order, elected president, and government, sought not only to commemorate but also to establish a collective memory, enhance shared remembrance, and fortify the aspiration for a more robust future informed by historical lessons.
İncesu stated that Türkiye has encountered numerous challenges in its political history while safeguarding and enhancing its democratic framework, adding, "At both the social and institutional levels, these challenges have helped to build democratic understanding and culture. The 15 July coup attempt, one of the gravest assaults on democracy in our country's recent history, has been a turning point in terms of safeguarding democratic legitimacy, manifesting the will of the nation as well as ensuring the continuity of state institutions."
İncesu pointed out that the resistance mounted against the coup attempt is an example to be regarded not only in terms of its place in Türkiye’s political history but also in terms of the universal principles of safeguarding democratic legitimacy and preserving the constitutional order based on the will of the people. She stated, "The principle that 'sovereignty belongs unconditionally to the nation' emphasises that the will of the nation is above all forms of tutelage and that those who exercise the authority to govern derive their legitimacy from the nation. This principle was firmly confirmed on the night of 15 July."
Stating that the fight against FETO has not come to an end, İncesu explained, "Although 10 years have passed since the 15 July coup attempt, new members of the organisation are being captured through the operations of law enforcement units, and the organisation’s extensions are being uncovered. Having lost its main organisation in our country, FETO has sought to maintain its presence abroad—particularly in the education sector and other fields—through financial support from sources in Western countries. It carries out disinformation and provocation campaigns via press and social media."
İncesu stated that FETO poses a threat to every country in which it operates, emphasising that it is of utmost importance to prevent the organisation from exerting its harmful influence.
The panel session was moderated by Prof. Nurettin Acır, faculty member at National Defence University's Air Force Academy. Sena Nur Çelik Kanat, MP for İstanbul of the Justice and Development (AK) Party; Jean-Daniel Ruch, Former Ambassador of Switzerland to Ankara; Catherine Fianko Bokongo, international journalist accredited to the United Nations Office at Geneva; and Assoc. Prof. Murat Yiğit, faculty member at the National Defence University were among the panellists. Following Acır’s remarks highlighting the significance and meaning of this event held to mark the 10th anniversary of 15 July, the panel session commenced.
"It is a serious mistake to regard FETO as a threat confined solely to Türkiye"
Speaking at the panel, AK Party İstanbul MP Sena Nur Çelik underlined that democracy was defended under the leadership of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan on the night of 15 July. She said, “I was also at the Grand National Assembly that night. Young and old alike, our people stood against the treacherous coup attempt. We stood in front of the tanks. Civilians were fired upon. Yet the Turkish nation did not give up. They were ready to sacrifice their lives for Türkiye."
Recalling that the Turkish nation held “democracy vigils” in the nights following 15 July, Çelik stated, "It is a serious mistake to regard FETO as a threat confined solely to Türkiye. We call on countries to investigate FETO-linked structures and to cooperate on extradition requests.”
Former Swiss Ambassador to Ankara Jean Daniel Ruch also recalled that Türkiye had hosted the NATO Summit the previous week, saying, 'Europe has a strong interest in a strong, prosperous, democratic, stable and autonomous Türkiye. The NATO Summit once again reinforced the country's strategic importance.”
Emphasising that Türkiye plays an important role in promoting peace and stability both in the region and beyond, Ruch said that the determination demonstrated by Türkiye on the night of 15 July had been remarkably strong.
Meanwhile, Associate Professor Murat Yiğit, a faculty member at the National Defence University, provided an overview of Türkiye's political history and stressed that the events of the night of 15 July had demonstrated the paramount importance of the national will.
As part of the programme, a video titled “15 July: Victory of Democracy” was also screened.
