Mothers of the disappeared in Turkey gather for 500th time in Istanbul

A former prime minister from the 1990s was incidentally seen on the sidelines of the demonstration venue The mothers of people who have disappeared mainly at the hands of the state in recent decades, known as the “Saturday Mothers,” met for the 500th time Oct. 25 since their first gathering in the mid-1990s. A large crowd, including intellectuals and politicians, attended the meeting at the Galatasaray Square in Istanbul’s central Beyoğlu district. 

Melda Onur, a main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP) deputy, said in a posting on her Twitter page that Mesut Yılmaz, a former prime minister and a party leader in 1990s, was seen on the sidelines of the demonstration, as she also attached a photograph of Yılmaz. 

It was then understood that Yılmaz was at the neighborhood to vote for the new president of the Galatasaray sports club, as the demonstration takes place in front of the Galatasaray High School building, where the voting was also taking place. 

The landmark meeting comes amid calls for solidarity from the Scholars for Peace initiative.

The initiative, group together over 150 scholars from 50 universities, published a statement in solidarity with the Saturday Mothers and called for attendance at the rally.

The statement said the mothers would meet for the 500th time today, noting that the individuals responsible for the disappearances had yet to be investigated despite the passage of decades.

“Neither past administrations nor the current one have investigated or punished the individuals responsible for the loss of hundreds of people. As if this weren’t enough, some of those responsible have even made advancements and received promotions in their ‘careers,â€...