Government's donation request letter sent to minority foundations 'means of oppression,' HDP MP says

Duvar English

A deputy from the Peoples' Democratic Party (HDP) has said that a letter the government sent to the country's minority foundations seeking donations from them amid coronavirus outbreak was a means of “oppression.”

Garo Paylan said in a parliamentary question submitted to the Parliament that the minority foundations themselves were facing financial difficulties and were the ones that should be supported by the government.

Paylan's parliamentary question came after President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan initiated a funding raising campaign earlier this week to help low-income families hit by the virus outbreak's economical consequences.

Paylan said that within the context of this “We are enough for each other, Turkey” campaign, a letter was sent to all foundations (including minority foundations) from the Culture Ministry's General Directorate for Foundation, seeking donations from them.

“It is obvious that the sent letter which was signed by the head of the General Directorate for Foundation will lead to a pressure for the minority foundations to partake in the relevant campaign. The relevant donation campaign, which has been launched under the name of 'solidarity,' has turned into a tool of oppression,” Paylan said in the parliamentary question.

“Did you consider that the support which you demanded for the 'We are enough for each other, Turkey' campaign will be seen by the minority foundations as a tool of oppression and that the letter itself will be evaluated as an order?” Paylan asked, directing his question to Culture Minister Mehmet Ersoy.