Turkish author and journalist ECE Temelkuran has opened up about her harrowing experiences living under a regime she describes as fascist, revealing the constant death threats that forced her into exile. In a candid interview, Temelkuran detailed the systematic erosion of democratic institutions in Turkey and the personal cost of speaking out against the government.
A Life Under Threat
Temelkuran, known for her sharp political commentary and bestselling books, said that the threats against her life became unbearable after the 2016 failed coup attempt. 'I received messages every day, sometimes dozens, promising to kill me or harm my family,' she recounted. The state's failure to investigate these threats made it clear that she was not safe.
The author's works, including 'Turkey: The Insane and the Melancholy,' have been banned in her home country. She has become a vocal critic of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's government, which she accuses of dismantling the secular republic established by Mustafa Kemal Ataturk.
Life in Exile
Now living in Europe, Temelkuran reflects on the loneliness of exile but also the freedom to write without fear. 'I miss my homeland every day, but I cannot return until there is a change in the political climate,' she said. Her latest book, 'The Fall of the Dawn,' explores the global rise of authoritarianism and offers a cautionary tale for democracies worldwide.
Temelkuran remains hopeful that Turkey will one day reclaim its democratic values. 'The people have not given up; there is a strong opposition, and I believe change is possible,' she stated.
A Warning to the World
Her experiences serve as a stark warning about the fragility of democracy. 'What happened in Turkey can happen anywhere if we are not vigilant,' she warned. Temelkuran calls on international communities to support journalists and activists under threat, emphasizing that silence in the face of oppression only emboldens tyrants.
