Jan 25, 2023
Incident Information
Date of incident: January 13th, 2023
Location of incident: Germany
Identifying information of perpetrator: Mustafa Açıkgöz, MP of AKP, Nevşehir
Source: https://twitter.com/kulmustafa77_ac/status/1613936332144873474, https://www.dw.com/tr/akpli-vekilin-almanyadaki-konuşması-tepkilere-yol-açtı/a-64403966
Hate Speech Analysis
Transcription of hate speech statement: "Just as we do not give them the right to live in Turkey, we will not give them the right to live in Germany. We will not give them a place in Turkey. God willing, we have finished them there, wherever they hide in the world, we will bring them out of their hiding places and destroy them."
Target group(s) of hate speech: Kurds accused of supporting the outlawed Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) and members of the Gülen movement
Justification of hate speech: The target group is described as "a despicable terrorist organisation trying to transform and Christianise Islam."
Analysis of the hate speech statement: This statement contains hate speech and incitement to violence against specific groups of people, namely the Kurds and members of the Gülen movement. The language used, such as "we will not give them the right to live" and "we will bring them out of their hiding places and destroy them," suggests a disregard for the lives and safety of these individuals and a willingness to use violence against them. Additionally, the fact that this statement was made in Germany, where many of these individuals may be seeking refuge, highlights the potential dangers they may face even outside of Turkey.
Contextual information: The statement was made during a program in Germany, in which the MP was visiting an association close to the MHP, and was part of AKP's election campaigns. He also visited the branches of the Union of European Democrats, the European branch of the AKP in Europe and also participated in propaganda activities in European mosques affiliated with the Diyanet.
Impact of the statement: The statement has the potential to incite violence and threaten the safety of the targeted individuals, both in Turkey and in Germany. It also shows a disregard for the laws and values of the host country, and could potentially incite violence within Germany.
Responses to the statement: Prof. Burak Çopur, the academic who exposed the threatening speech, called on the German authorities to take action. Çopur then announced that the police had taken action. "The German police have taken action... Here, your chieftain's pipe does not blow," he said. The Cologne Police have launched an investigation into the remarks of AKP Nevşehir MP Mustafa Açıkgöz for using threatening and hateful expressions against Kurds and members of the Gülen Movement in his speech at the Neuss Ülkü Ocakları in Düsseldorf, Germany. The German Interior Ministry will be discussing the matter as "threats to internal security" and will be included in the internal intelligence report to be updated by the German Interior Ministry.
Conclusion
The statement made by AKP MP Mustafa Açıkgöz is deeply concerning as it contains hate speech and incitement to violence against specific groups of people, namely the Kurds and members of the Gülen movement. The language he uses suggests a disregard for the lives and safety of these individuals and a willingness to use violence against them. The statement was made in Germany, where many of these individuals may be seeking refuge, highlights the potential dangers they may face even outside of Turkey. It also shows a disregard for the laws and values of the host country, and could potentially incite violence within Germany. The responses of the German authorities, in this case, the police, have launched an investigation and the German Interior Ministry will be discussing the matter as "threats to internal security", and will be included in the internal intelligence report to be updated by the German Interior Ministry. The German authorities are taking the necessary measures to counter the hate speech and to protect the targeted groups and maintain internal security.