Panel Held for July 15 Democracy and National Unity Day
A 15 July panel examined democracy, civil–military relations, and Türkiye’s democratisation, with academics discussing political, legal, and social dimensions.
A panel was held at Istanbul Nişantaşı University to mark July 15 Democracy and National Unity Day. The program began with opening remarks by our Rector, Prof. Dr. Ayşegül Komsuoğlu Çıtıpıtıoğlu, emphasizing that July 15 symbolizes the nation’s determination to defend democracy and independence. The Rector underlined that this resistance represents a powerful collective memory that must be passed on to future generations.
Moderated by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Tacettin Gökhan Özçelik, the panel addressed recent structural transformations in civil–military relations in Türkiye and the process of breaking with the culture of coups. July 15 was highlighted as a turning point at which the public directly opposed a coup attempt.
The panel also examined the historical development of military–political relations in Türkiye and discussed the effects of past military interventions on democracy. Participants noted that reforms within the Turkish Armed Forces have contributed to the institutionalization of democracy and emphasized the importance of strengthening democratic awareness throughout society to overcome the culture of coups.
With the participation of expert academics from different fields, the event concluded as a meaningful gathering exploring the political, legal and social dimensions of July 15.
