Mar 22, 2023
Incident Information
Date of Incident: March 6th, 2023
Location of Incident: Turkey
Identifying Information of Perpetrator: Ibrahim Karagül, Journalist, editor-in-chief of the pro-government Yenişafak newspaper
Source: https://twitter.com/ibrahimkaragul/status/1632757051884466178
Hate Speech Analysis
Transcription of hate speech statement: "FETÖ[1] wanted Ekrem to run for President. Akşener imposed Ekrem. Kılıçdaroğlu did not accept. FETÖ created the crisis and blackmailed him. But no result was achieved. FETÖ took a step back. He agreed to Ekrem's vice presidency. And the table was set again!"
Target group(s) of hate speech: The hate speech targets those who are alleged to be members of the Gülen movement.
Analysis of the hate speech statement: The statement by İbrahim Karagül is a clear example of hate speech directed at the Gülen movement. The use of the term "FETÖ," which is an acronym that refers to the "Fethullahist Terrorist Organization," is a term that the Turkish government uses to refer to the Gülen movement, indicating a clear bias against this group. The statement suggests that the Gülen movement is behind the political crisis in Turkey and implies that they use blackmail and manipulation to achieve their goals.
Contextual information: The statement was made in the context of the upcoming elections in Turkey, where the opposition parties have formed a coalition against the ruling party. The Gülen movement has been a frequent target of the Turkish government's crackdown on opposition groups, with thousands of alleged members of the movement being arrested, fired from their jobs, and subjected to other forms of persecution.
Impact of the statement: The statement by İbrahim Karagül promotes hate and prejudice against the Gülen movement, which can lead to further discrimination and persecution against its members. It also undermines the credibility of opposition parties by suggesting that they are influenced or controlled by the Gülen movement.
Responses to the statement: There has been no official response to the statement by İbrahim Karagül, but it has been criticized on social media for promoting hate and prejudice.
Conclusion
The statement by İbrahim Karagül is a clear example of hate speech directed at the Gülen movement. Hate speech is harmful and promotes prejudice and discrimination, and there is no justification for it.
[1] FETÖ is a derogatory term that the Turkish government coined to refer to the faith-based Gülen movement, which it deems a terrorist group responsible for a failed military coup in July 2016. Its US-based leader, Fethullah Gülen, denies any involvement in the putsch. The European Union and the United States have refused to adopt Turkey’s views on the group.