The panel titled "Don't Forget, Face 1915", organized by HDK, the Peoples Democratic Congress - Ankara Provincial Council wanted to organize, was banned by the Ankara Governor's Office after Zafer Party’s leader, which is a Kemalist-nationalist party, Ümit Özdağ targeted the event.
The Ankara Provincial Assembly of the Peoples' Democratic Congress (HDK) was banned by the Ankara Governor's Office from having a panel discussion titled "Don't Forget, Face It, 1915" on the anniversary of the Armenian Genocide, which began on April 24, 1915. Zafer Party Chairman Ümit Özdağ, known for his nationalistic, racist, Kemalist positions, targeted the event on the virtual media. Different social media accounts also called for the event to be attacked. Following this provocation, the Ankara Governor's Office, an appointed position by the Turkish government, banned the event.
HDK Ankara Provincial Co-Spokesperson published a written statement regarding the censoring and banning. The statement is as follows:
Our panel event was banned because it is claimed to contain socially sensitive subjects." The statement said: "We condemn the ban decision. A scientific panel within the scope of freedom of expression that will shed light and bring forth the material truth is banned after facing hatred, hostility, and violence by calls on social media inviting the public to attack the event. In addition, these calls to commit crimes are being disseminated by Zafer Party Chairman Ümit Özdağ and others. To prevent the provocations that these people create, we are postponing the 'Don't Forget, Face 1915' panel to a later date.
Source: Mesopotamia Agency
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