The March Of Silent Shoes
The March of Silent Shoes
Text of Nazire Dedemans Speech
September 28th Individual Disarmament Day
Taksim Square
28 September 2009
September 28th Individual Disarmament Day The problems name is obvious: Individual Armament! The solution is evident: Individual Disarmament
We gathered for the 9th time to protest against individual armament on behalf of our citizens who lost their right to life as a result of individual armament. Because, the victimhood caused by individual armament still continues
This year, we witnessed horrible tragedies caused by individual armament. We saw, read every day in the newspaper the news about the citizens who lost their life due to firearms and we felt sorry for them
We witnessed the Köroğlu family in Zonguldak, tens of citizens in the Bilge Village in Mardin being slaughtered by firearms
The problems name is obvious: Individual Armament! The solution is evident: Individual Disarmament
Firstly as a mother, then as a woman and a citizen, I once again emphasize the following figures to remind that individual armament is one of the most important problems that threaten the right to life: in Turkey, approximately 3000 people; that is to say, on average 8 people each day die by firearms. Of these citizens, 700, that is to say, on average 2 people each day die from firearm accidents
Victimhood is not limited only to those who lost their lives, but is two-sided. The deprivation and the pain that remain after those who died hurt their families, relatives for life. If we also consider those who remain after those who died, at least 15,000 people are victim of individual armament each year. The murderers will carry for life the responsibility of killing a world.
It shouldnt be forgotten; it is impossible to assure security with individual armament
On the contrary, the arms possessed by individuals might cause more danger. Researches show that the presence of arms in the house increases by 41 per cent the risk of death of one member of the family by murder, suicide or accident.
Because, arms are at the same time a provocation tool. An armed person could hurt people accidently or during an anger outburst, even if they didnt intend to hurt. Moreover, if other people have arms, the risk of death or injury would be higher.
A person, who cannot control his/her anger and who carries an arm for security reasons, might easily use his/her arm during a temper tantrum in the traffic, in the house or in the workplace. Therefore, people who suffer problems such as alcoholaddiction, anger control, drug addiction, psychological disorders shouldnt be armed for any reason. Arms shouldnt be carried in places where the stress level is high, such as in the traffic, and in places of entertainment where emotional outbursts occur often due to the alcohol.
Recently, the news about small children killing people by firearms is seen often in the media. Because, our children grow up in the shadow of their fathers arms and in the shadow of violence that is in the television and in the computer games
Peace starts firstly between two people
To teach them peace and reconciliation is firstly the duty of the parents and then of the teachers. Therefore, lets firstly use the language of peace and reconciliation during our communication with our children. Then, lets firstly learn the media literacy and then teach it to our children. It is in our hand to shape with the awareness of citizenship the relationship of us and of our children with the mass media means
As a mother who suffered this pain 16 years ago, whose child had been murdered, I call out to mothers, fathers, teachers, parents: lets keep our children out of armament. We should not place killing but keeping alive, living in peace to their subconscious. These things are in our hand. The fight that we will start as individuals will become, is becoming a social fight over time. It isnt absolutely necessary to suffer this pain in order to take these measures.
16 years ago, when we established the Umut Foundation, we emphasized the importance of trusting the rule of law and the justice. We attached importance to the awareness of citizenship and the culture of peace. We carried out and we still carry out our works on individual disarmament based on these concepts
30 out of every 100 people in Turkey say no to individual armament. Today, if a public opinion on individual armament is created in Turkey, this success is a result of the association among the Umut Foundation, the media and the citizens. However, we are still at the beginning of our fight
And we should maintain this association by making it stronger and richer.
The Draft Law on Weapons, which is at the Turkish Grand National AssemblyInterior AffairsCommission, is an important step for individual disarmament. However, in order this step secures the citizens right to life, the sociological facts regarding individual armament in Turkey should also be taken into consideration...
We call on in order 8 citizens on average dont die every day due to individual armament in our country.
In commemoration of the children, mothers, fathers, siblings, spouses who lost their lives due to individual armament, while we placed shoes on the red carpet for the 9th time and while we protested against individual armament, I call out to the deputies of the Turkish Grand National Assembly and to the public:
In todays Turkey, a Draft Law on Weapons that will be updated appropriately to the current sociological facts should be based on the respect to the right to life and to the understanding of individual armament. It should secure the right to life, not the pecuniary advantages.
Regarding the Draft Law on Weapons, the Umut Foundation expects that final declaration, which will be announced shortly here, is taken into consideration. Firearms that have no other function than killing should be prohibited in the same way the legal regulations regarding materials harmful to human life are put into effect.
I think that the suffered pain gave enough advice for everybody regarding Individual Disarmament.
Therefore, I call out one more time: Give support to Individual Disarmament
Become a follower of this subject
Do it for our children. Because, a persons right to life is above everything else
For futures full of hope...
Nazire DEDEMAN
Umut Foundation Founder President