Turkey marks 46th anniversary of September 12 military coup FAST-MOVING

Political leaders and organizations in Turkey have issued statements marking the 46th anniversary of the September 12, 1980, military coup. The coup, led by the National Security Council under General Kenan Evren, resulted in the suspension of the constitution, the dissolution of the Grand National Assembly, and the banning of political parties.

Various figures, including Mustafa Destici of the Great Unity Party (BBP), Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu of the CHP, and representatives from the AK Party and MHP, condemned the intervention as a violation of the national will and a dark period in democratic history. Commentators noted the lasting impact of the coup on Turkey's legal, political, and social structures, citing the widespread use of executions, political bans, and human rights violations during that era.

Some statements also addressed the legacy of the 1982 Constitution and the ongoing movement toward a new, civilian-led constitutional framework. Discussions highlighted the trauma experienced by various political groups and the enduring societal scars left by the military's intervention in civil governance.