As part of the 15 July Democracy and National Unity Day commemorations organised by the Presidency's Directorate of Communications, the Belgian leg of the panel series entitled “National Will and Democratic Resistance: 15 July on Its 10th Anniversary” was held in Brussels.
The event, which garnered the interest of many academics, journalists, politicians, and diplomats, began with a video message from the Presidency’s Head of Communications, Prof. Burhanettin Duran.
In his video message, Head of Communications Duran emphasised that Türkiye has the strength and determination to combat any threat targeting its sovereignty and independence. Noting that FETO poses a security threat not only to Türkiye but also to every country in which it operates, Duran highlighted the importance of friendly and allied countries acting in solidarity with Türkiye against the organisation.
Head of Communications Duran stated that 15 July offers important lessons for the international community in combating hybrid threats, disinformation, and crises of truth. He added that cooperation and solidarity in addressing global problems should be strengthened and that the vision of a fairer international order should prevail.
The panel 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 panel, which opened with remarks by Türkiye’s Ambassador to Brussels, Görkem Barış Tantekin, and was moderated by Brussels Communications Counsellor Şeyda Bilen, featured a screening of the “15 July” thematic video and brought together Prof. Murat Yeşiltaş of Ankara Social Sciences University, former Member of Parliament for İstanbul Dr Ravza Kavakcı Kan, and Assoc. Prof. Murat Aslan of Hasan Kalyoncu University as speakers.
The panel explored the many dimensions of the 15 July coup attempt. Ambassador Tantekinnoted that the coup attempt was thwarted through the leadership of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, the state's resolute stance, and the nation's standing up to defend democracy, stressing that FETO constituted a serious security threat extending beyond Türkiye to every country in which it operated.
In his speech, Prof. Murat Yeşiltaş stated that the events of 15 July were distinct from previous coups in their chain of command, methods, and objectives, adding that FETO sought to reshape both the state and society, rather than merely overthrowing the government.
Dr Ravza Kavakcı Kan noted that the public resistance displayed on the night of 15 July reflected Türkiye’s growing democratic consciousness and went on to assess the judicial proceedings carried out after the coup attempt as well as the international community’s response to the events.
In his speech at the panel, Prof. Murat Aslan described the events of 15 July as an uprising orchestrated by FETO rather than a conventional military coup. Assoc. Prof. Aslan emphasised the importance of understanding the organisation's ideological structure and long-term organisational strategy in order to properly analyse the events of 15 July.
As part of the programme, a photo exhibition themed around 15 July was opened, followed by the screening of the film "Break of Dawn".
