Turkey's Saturday Mothers hold 1111th gathering at Istanbul's Galatasaray Square demanding truth on forced disappearals

The human‑rights group known as the Saturday Mothers met for the 1111th time in Istanbul's Galatasaray Square, continuing a three‑decade‑long weekly protest. Families of people who disappeared while in police custody called for the state to reveal the fate of their loved ones, open archived files, and bring alleged perpetrators to trial.

Despite a Constitutional Court ruling against the gatherings and a municipal limit allowing only ten participants, the demonstrators assembled openly, displaying photographs and mourning ribbons. Human Rights Association member Sebla Arcan emphasized that “1111 is not just a number; it marks an era of impunity,” urging an end to the policy of en‑forced disappearances and the legal obstacles that keep the courts closed.