CAMPAIGNERS and trade unionists gathered outside the Turkish embassy in London today to demand an end to mass opposition arrests by Turkey’s government.

More than 300 politicians, trade unionists, artists and activists have been detained this week for alleged ties to the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK).

Campaigners warn more raids are expected and say many detainees have no ties to the PKK.

Solidarity with the People Of Turkey (Spot), which organised the protest, said “fake terror accusations are a common tactic to divide and jail opposition forces.”

Among those arrested is Birtek-Sen union general secretary Mehmet Turkmen, who has been leading 3,000 textile workers across 20 factories in industrial action for wage increases.

During the protest, National Education Union NEC member and Spot spokeswoman Louise Regan was blocked from handing in a letter to the Turkish ambassador calling for an end to the crackdown by emassy staff.

Unison international officer Mark Beacon, also barred from delivering a letter from union general secretary Christina McAnea, urged the Turkish government to release Mr Turkmen and other union members, lift the restrictions on trade unionists and protect the right to organise.

“And they must respond to the legitimate concerns of workers demanding fair pay in response to the inflation crisis, which has seen the cost of living skyrocket,” he added.

“Mehmet is the latest in a long line of trade unionists charged with criminal offences for defending workers’ rights.

“He joins many of our friends in [trade union federations] who regularly face charges, judicial harassment and lengthy trials intended to silence the trade union movement.

“We stand in solidarity with them all and we call on the government to end its vicious crackdown on trade unionists.”

Mr Beacon condemned “the shocking erosion of human and workers’ rights, of democracy and the rule of law” under Turkey’s leadership.

“We say to the government of Turkey: you cannot silence all those who stand for democracy and human and workers’ rights,” he said.

“Trade unionism is not a crime. Free Mehmet and all our trade union colleagues who are under attack.”

TUC senior international officer Stephen Russell highlighted the global struggle for trade union rights worldwide, adding: “We stand with Mehmet, we stand with his union and we will continue to stand by your side in this global struggle.”