When the ‘Terrorists’ Speak the Language of Humanity. Counter-Memory of 15th July Coup d’État
When the ‘Terrorists’ Speak the Language of Humanity. Counter-Memory of 15th July Coup d’État
Date
2022
Authors
Vodopija, Helena
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Global Campus of Human Rights
Abstract
The aim of this work was to understand how the antagonism that constitutes
the core of official memory of the 15 July coup d’état influenced the lives of
those designated as the enemy of the nation – the families of cadets and trainee
officers who were sentenced to life in prison for the alleged involvement in the
coup; to portray the change in their identity – from believers who identify with
nationalist discourse to human rights activists – and depict their creation of
counter-hegemonic movement inspired by the counter-memory of the coup.
The research showed how they regain their political subjectivity through
re-politicising the normalised subject positions of the nationalist discourse,
challenging the embedded antagonism between the nation and its other, and
countering the selective vision of justice by their actions that reflect the belief
in universal humanity.
15 July coup, counter-memory, identity, cadets and trainee officers
Description
Second semester University: Université du Luxembourg.
Keywords
nationalism,
terrorism,
memory,
coup d'etat,
Turkey,
human rights,
media,
public opinion,
activists,
political aspects