The Confederation of Public Workers’ Trade Unions (KESK) held a press conference to denounce the detention of trade union leaders, including Gönül Erden, co-chair of Health and Social Workers Union (SES).

KESK and affiliates unions joined the press conference held at SES headquarters.

 KESK co-chair, Mehmet Bozgeyik, said: “The government immediately acted when it saw preparations for rallies to be underway and women pouring into the streets against violence”.



Bozgeyik pointed out that there is an effort to intimidate opposition and added that an example of this was targeting members of SES who in 2016 organised the so called action “White Flag” on Ankara's Sakarya Avenue to defend the right to health and life.

"Workers will fight for peace no matter the price. They will fight for peace today like they did yesterday and will do tomorrow”, Bozgeyik said.



KESK co-chair confirmed that union members will be at Ankara Courthouse on Tuesday.