Veterans protest in Ankara for equal pension rights

Military veterans in Turkey have been holding a continuous protest in Ankara’s Güvenpark since July 13 to demand equal rights and pension parity. The demonstrators, primarily enlisted veterans (er gaziler), are protesting the significant wage gap between themselves and higher-ranking veterans. While officers and non-commissioned officers receive substantially higher pensions, enlisted veterans report receiving approximately 40,000 to 50,000 TL, compared to much higher amounts for their counterparts.

Beyond financial disparities, the veterans are calling for equal access to military social facilities, camps, and OYAK benefits. They also highlighted difficulties in accessing high-quality prosthetic replacements, noting that they often must travel to Ankara to receive necessary medical equipment.

The protest has seen moments of physical strain; a brief hunger strike in early August led to several veterans being hospitalized, and one veteran, Erdal Özdemir, passed away following health complications. Despite attempts to march toward the Grand National Assembly of Turkey to voice their concerns, protesters were prevented from proceeding by police.