Prime Ministry approved Kimse Yok Mu, now accused of ‘terrorism’

The humanitarian aid group Kimse Yok Mu, now accused of being an armed terrorist organization, had been directed by the Prime Ministry’s Disaster and Emergency Management Authority (AFAD), casting doubt on such claims.
The humanitarian aid group Kimse Yok Mu, now accused of being an armed terrorist organization, had been directed by the Prime Ministry’s Disaster and Emergency Management Authority (AFAD), casting doubt on such claims.


Date posted: April 19, 2015

YUNUS TIRYAKI | ISTANBUL

Syrian Democratic Turkmen Movement (SDTH) President Abdülkerim Ağa said that it was the Prime Ministry’s AFAD officials who had directed Kimse Yok Mu to provide assistance to Syria’s native Turkmen population, and that the charges now being levelled against the organization saddened them, and were not to be taken seriously.

The charges of being an armed terrorist organization came to light recently when Ankara Chief Public Prosecutor Musa Yücel issued a subpoena to Kimse Yok Mu’s management, asking for information regarding the charity’s activities for Eid al-Adha, or the Feast of the Sacrifice. When Kimse Yok Mu’s lawyers went to the Ankara Courthouse to find out about the details of the organization, they discovered that the investigation included charges of being an “armed terrorist organization,” however were unable to examine the contents of the file due to court-ordered confidentiality of the case.

Ağa noted that they did not put stock in the charges against the organization, adding that it was the Turkish government itself that had directed Kimse Yok Mu to them. Pointing out that Kimse Yok Mu distributed food, items and other essentials at the border with Syria, “Initially it was AFAD that was providing aid for us, but later AFAD officials directed us to Kimse Yok Mu, saying they were providing aid as well.”

He added that as Syrian Turkmen, they have seen nothing but help from Kimse Yok Mu. “Those allegations of being a terrorist organization are both ugly and unbefitting. I don’t believe such allegations. Hopefully these days will come to an end,” Ağa said.

The political opposition also slammed the investigation, with main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP) deputy İhsan Özkes saying it was a “completely ridiculous” allegation, saying “it’s clearly a politically motivated decision.” CHP deputy Akif Hamzaçebi added, “This is an investigation that bears no seriousness, consistency or a single shred of logic.” He added that Kimse Yok Mu is an organization that has been very beneficial to the public, its benefits having been certified by then-Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and the cabinet. “What we have here is an association that the AK Party administration has declared as being beneficial to the public, yet is having investigated for being an ‘armed terrorist organization’.”

Established in 2002, Kimse Yok Mu provides aid to 4.5 million people in 113 countries around the world. The charity was awarded the Turkish Parliament Outstanding Service Award in 2013, and is the only Turkish aid organization that holds special consultative status with the UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC). It also developed relief programs in partnership with the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) in 2013.

Source: BGNNews , April 19, 2015


Related News

AFSV Condemns Erdoğan’s Persecution of the Hizmet Movement

The push by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan for the Prime Minister’s cabinet to designate the Hizmet movement — also known as the “Gülen movement” — as a terrorist organization only serves to further Erdoğan’s crackdown on dissent, civil society and the media.

African Union and Kimse Yok Mu sign landmark agreement to further aid efforts in Africa

Turkish charity organization Kimse Yok Mu (KYM) has signed a landmark agreement with the African Union (AU), paving way for close cooperation between the two entities to further aid, education and development efforts in Africa.

Written Evidence to UK Parliament’s Foreign Affairs Committee on Hizmet

The Alliance for Shared Values of the US & The Dialogue Platform of the UK have prepared a report on “UK’s relations with Turkey” that focuses on the Hizmet Movement. The report may be downloaded, disseminated for free and even printed. Representatives from these organizations were personally invited to submit written evidence by the Committee to explain Hizmet and provide Hizmet’s response to the AKP government’s allegations against Fethullah Gülen and the Hizmet movement.

UN slams Thailand, Myanmar over deportation of Turk

The United Nations expressed grave concern on Saturday over the deportation by Myanmar and Thailand of a Turkish national over alleged connections to a July 2016 coup attempt against Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. Muhammet is at least the sixth person to be deported from Southeast Asia over alleged connections to Gulen’s movement, the UN said.

Thousands pay final respects to Gülen’s brother in Erzurum

Seyfullah Gülen, who died at the age of 72 on Friday and was the brother of Turkish Islamic scholar Fethullah Gülen, was laid to rest in a funeral attended by thousands of people in the eastern province of Erzurum on Sunday.

New constitution must bear spirit of Abant

ABANT — Turkey has long been trying to rid itself of the remnants of the Constitution of 1982, which was the product of the military coup of September 12, 1980, as it goes through a process of confronting and settling accounts with military tutelage and coups. Bülent Keneş, Sunday March 11, 2012 Almost all political […]

Latest News

Fethullah Gülen’s Condolence Message for South African Human Rights Defender Archbishop Desmond Tutu

Hizmet Movement Declares Core Values with Unified Voice

Ankara systematically tortures supporters of Gülen movement, Kurds, Turkey Tribunal rapporteurs say

Erdogan possessed by Pharaoh, Herod, Hitler spirits?

Devious Use of International Organizations to Persecute Dissidents Abroad: The Erdogan Case

A “Controlled Coup”: Erdogan’s Contribution to the Autocrats’ Playbook

Why is Turkey’s Erdogan persecuting the Gulen movement?

Purge-victim man sent back to prison over Gulen links despite stage 4 cancer diagnosis

University refuses admission to woman jailed over Gülen links

In Case You Missed It

Jailed woman in hospital for delivery to be returned to jail with new-born

TAA holding annual Turkic American Convention in Washington

UN praises Kimse Yok Mu for aid efforts in Somalia

Islamist vs. Islamic

Philippine House speaker receives Turkish school delegation

Six Turks arrested in Kosovo over Gulen links extradited to Turkey

Gulen suspect testifies before US Congress on recent coup attempt

Copyright 2023 Hizmet News