“Democracy is to have different ideas, even extreme ones. In democracy there is space for all of them and bridges to connect them. In Turkey we are losing those bridges, and everyone is trying to destroy spaces for the opposite side. When we look at this, Istanbul is like different courtyards divided by big, thick walls.” TryingDifferentDemocracyWallLosing Author:Burhan Sonmez
“So many academics have been imprisoned or expelled from their university posts just because they signed a letter calling for peaceful solution to the Kurdish issue. They are all declared enemies of the state by the president. Just because they published a letter saying, "stop killing each other and begin talking for a peaceful resolution." That kind of intolerance from the government towards the rest of society - especially people in favor of freedom of speech, human rights, and more democracy for everyone - is a very important issue in Turkey.” PeopleKindImportantPresidentEnemyDemocracySolutionsKillingHuman RightsPeacefulResolutionIntoleranceFreedom Of Speech Author:Burhan Sonmez
“Syrian people have right to fight for democracy and freedom in their country but they don't need the penetration of foreign elements, fundamentalist ideologies and violence.” PeopleCountryFightingDemocracyViolenceIdeologyFundamentalist Author:Burhan Sonmez