It has been 44 years since the September 12, 1980 coup, but its place in our memories as a dark stain on democracy is still fresh. This military intervention, remembered as a deep turning point in Turkish political history, suspended democracy and led to radical changes in the country’s governance structure.
It took place at a time when political murders, economic crises and security problems were on the rise. coupwas the result of a process accelerated by internal and external factors. This intervention, which virtually reshaped Turkey, remained in memories as a major trauma that overshadowed democracy for decades.
What happened on September 12? Why was the September 12, 1980 Military Coup carried out? The 44th anniversary of the September 12 Coup!
What Happened During the Military Coup of September 12, 1980
September 12 Coup or 1980 Revolutionofficially named Operation of September 12, 1980 or Flag Operationis a military coup carried out by the Turkish Armed Forces within the chain of command on September 12, 1980. This intervention was the third and last successful intervention of the army in the history of the Republic of Turkey, after the May 27 Coup and the March 12 Memorandum.
The coup began at 03:00 on the night of September 12, 1980, when the Turkish Armed Forces seized TRT, PTT and other communication centers. At 04:00, the Ministry of Interior, General Directorate of Security and the Prime Minister Suleyman DemirelAfter the seizure of ‘s house without any problems, it was announced on radios across the country.
In the first statement, Purpose of the operationIt was stated that the aim was to protect the integrity of the country, ensure national unity and solidarity, prevent civil war and fratricide, re-establish state authority and eliminate elements that threaten the democratic order. At 13:00 on the same day, Chief of General Staff General Kenan Evrenexplained the reasons for the intervention in a speech he made on radio and television.
Coup After the Grand National Assembly of Turkey and the government led by Süleyman Demirel were dismissed, the parliamentary immunity was lifted and a nationwide martial law was declared. While Chief of General Staff Kenan Evren became head of state, legislative power was transferred to the National Security Council.
Political parties were closed down, party leaders were detained, and some were later put on trial. The 1961 Constitution was repealed, a new constitution was prepared and submitted to a referendum on November 7, 1982. In this vote, the constitution was accepted with 91.37% of the votes, and Kenan Evren became president.
After the coup 650,000 people were detained, 230,000 were tried in military courts, and approximately 300 people died in prisons. In addition, 1,683,000 people were blacklisted. Following the 57.88% “yes” vote in the referendum held on September 12, 2010, criminal complaints began to be filed against the coup plotters and the first investigation was opened on April 7, 2011. As a result of the trial that began on April 4, 2012, Kenan Evren and Tahsin Şahinkaya were sentenced to aggravated life imprisonment. However, both men lost their lives before the case was concluded.
After the July 15, 2016 Coup Attempt, the prosecutors and judges who tried Kenan Evren and Tahsin Şahinkaya were expelled from the profession within the scope of the FETO investigation and some of them were put on trial.
Situation and Reasons Before the Coup
Political Instability: The main reasons for the September 12, 1980 Military Coup were the increasing political murders in the country and especially the September 6, 1980 massacre in Konya. Necmettin Erbakan The Jerusalem Rally organized under the leadership of the coup leaders described this rally as “an attempt to instigate sharia.” In this incident, also known as the “Konya Rally,” the crowd sat on the ground during the National Anthem and booed it, chanting, “We want the call to prayer. We are not singing this anthem.” Slogans such as these were chanted.
Erbakan and other members of the National Salvation Party marched in a procession with banners and hymns in Arabic, and calls for sharia were made throughout the rally and protests were held against the state. Chief of General Staff Kenan Evrenstated that they were “very angry” about this incident and said,The March 31 IncidentHe evaluated it as “a rehearsal of ‘.
During the same period, the failure to achieve a result despite 124 rounds of voting in the presidential election that began on March 25, 1980, by the Turkish Grand National Assembly, reinforced the people’s belief that the country’s problems could not be solved through democratic means.
Economic Crisis: Economic problems also had a major impact in the period before the coup. The last prime minister Suleyman DemirelThe foreign trade deficit and foreign exchange crisis, summarized by the words of ‘We need 70 cents’, combined with unemployment, famine and workplace disputes, led to an economic collapse. Inflation, which was 80% in 1979, exceeded 100% in 1980. economic crisis deepened.
Bulent Ecevit Criticizing the price hikes made during his term, Demirel was forced to increase the prices of many products when he came to power. Following the January 24 decisions, the price hikes of 500-800% in fertilizers, 78% in electricity, 100% in ferry fares, and 100% in meat and meat products caused a huge reaction in society. Main opposition leader Bülent Ecevit called on workers to fight for their rights, claiming that Demirel was trying to change the regime.
Security Issues: In the 1970s, clashes between right and left groups in Turkey caused the deaths of thousands of people. These clashes, which intensified after 1978, also spread to the east. PKKIt became more complicated with the establishment of the PKK, which began attacks as a group known as the “Apoists,” further destabilizing the country.
The violent incidents that took place during this period were like a “covert civil war” and more than 4,000 people lost their lives. There were constant escapes from prisons across the country and security issues were on the agenda.
Newspapers dated September 11, 1980 reported on violent incidents throughout the country. Incidents such as the execution of two brothers in Ankara, the deaths of five people in a bomb explosion in Siirt, various murders in Fatsa and Malatya, the killing of four people by sniping at a cinema ticket queue in Mersin, the sniping at a coffeehouse in Eskişehir, and the serious injuries of police officers who tried to remove banners with bombs hung in Istanbul, all revealed the chaos the country was in.
Foreign Policy Effects: Türkiye, as one of the most strategic countries on NATO’s southern flank, was experiencing political and economic instability. This situation was particularly USA The Islamic Revolution in Iran in 1979 and the Soviet Union’s invasion of Afghanistan in the same year made it even more important for Turkey to gain stability in terms of US policies. In this context, the coup was also evaluated as a reflection of Turkey’s search for a new balance in its relations with the West and in its foreign policy.
The 1982 Constitution: The Fundamental Law of the New Era
The September 12, 1980 Coup In the three years since, the majority of important legal regulations in Turkey have been changed. The 1982 Constitution, prepared under the control of the military administration, was accepted with a 92 percent “Yes” vote in the referendum held on November 7, 1982. Referendum During this period, when opposing views and propaganda were prohibited, the constitution was approved by a large margin.
It was claimed that those who voted in the referendum, especially those who voted ‘No’, were under pressure. As the most obvious example of this, it was claimed that the color of the ballot papers could be seen from outside. However, this was not the only reason why the Constitution was accepted; the people’s civil war and chaos Fear of the environment was an important factor in the high rate of acceptance of the constitution.
In the same referendum Kenan Evrenwas automatically elected President. An important article in the Constitution, the temporary 15th article, prevented the coup administration from being tried for life and this article was only removed with the constitutional amendment made in 2010.
Executions and Punishments: The Heavy Costs of the Coup
September 12 CoupFollowing the , the state initiated a comprehensive surveillance and punishment process. Approximately 1 million 683 thousand people were blacklisted as “anarchists” and 230 thousand people were tried by the State Security Courts.
After the coup, death sentences also took a big place. While the death penalty was requested for 7 thousand people, 517 people were sentenced to death. 50 of these sentences were executed. 26 were political prisoners, 23 were criminal prisoners and one was an ASALA terrorist organization militant. In addition, the execution files of 259 people were sent to the Turkish Grand National Assembly.
During this period, many people Turkish Penal Code‘ were tried under various articles. 71 thousand people were brought to court on charges of being members of an organization and other crimes. While 98 thousand 404 people were tried on charges of being members of an organization, 388 thousand people were not given passports and 30 thousand people were dismissed from their jobs after being found to be problematic.
14,000 people were stripped of their citizenship and 30,000 people were forced to go abroad as political refugees. During the same period, 300 people lost their lives under suspicious circumstances, and 171 people were officially documented to have died as a result of torture.
Censorship was also an important part of the coup process. While 937 films were banned on the grounds that they were “objectionable,” the activities of 23,677 associations were suspended. In addition, 3,854 teachers, 120 university professors and 47 judges were dismissed from their posts.
Freedom of the press also suffered a heavy blow. While a total of 4,000 years in prison were sought for 400 journalists, 31 journalists went to prison and 300 journalists were attacked. 3 journalists were killed.
September 12 Case
With the referendum of September 12, 2010, a new era began for the prosecution of those responsible for the coup. As a result of the referendum, with a 58 percent “Yes” vote, the way was opened for the prosecution of those responsible for September 12. Starting on September 13, 2010, those who were victims of the coup filed criminal complaints. Following these criminal complaints, the Ankara Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office launched the first investigation on April 7, 2011. This investigation, which was launched 31 years after the coup, was a first in Turkish history.
As a result, the then Chief of General Staff Kenan Evren and Air Forces Commander Tahsin Şahinkaya were sentenced to aggravated life imprisonment under Article 146 of the Turkish Penal Code. However, when Tahsin Şahinkaya died at the age of 90, two months after Kenan Evren, the case at the Court of Cassation was dropped and the sentences were not finalized.
To join our WhatsApp group CLICK!
On the subject ”May 27, 1960: The First Blow to Democracy!” For the article named CLICK!
