Islam Times - Turkish female lawmakers protest NATO missile system

Islam Times - A group of Turkish female lawmakers have staged a protest in front of a NATO radar base in the Kurecik region of the eastern province of Malatya.

The lawmakers from Turkey’s main opposition party, the Republican People’s Party (CHP), voiced their opposition on Saturday to the deployment of the radar system, part of a larger missile system in Europe.

The slogan on their ponchos read “No to the Missile Shield.”

Earlier this year, the US confirmed that the radar system had become operational, noting that American forces were manning the radar base.

Emine Ulker Tarhan, a senior member of the CHP, said the deployment of the radar system violates Turkey’s sovereignty.

She said the reason behind the female lawmakers’ move to stage the protest was to voice their opposition to war as they believe the system could harm Turkey’s security.

The protest by the lawmakers came on the same day that a group of activists also protested against the deployment of the US-made radar in Turkey. This protest, organized by Turkey Youth Union, mainly comprised of student clubs and societies from Turkish universities.

The activists said the radar system could endanger Turkey’s security and harm its relations with its neighbors.

In September last year, Ankara declared its decision to allow the deployment of the system in Turkey.