POLITICIANS, campaigners, journalists and trade unionists from across Europe will gather in London this weekend to discuss whether Turkey has “waved goodbye to democracy.”

At the annual conference of Solidarity with the People of Turkey (Spot), speakers will discuss the current situation in the country and the implications for migrant workers living in Britain, along with the wars in Palestine and the wider Middle East. 

Speakers will include German MEP Ozlem Alev Demirel, Turkish politicians Berdan Ozturk and Levent Tuzel, of the pro-Kurdish Peoples Equality and Democracy Party (Dem) and the Labour Party (Emep) respectively, Stop the War Coalition convener Lindsey German and the TUC’s Mariela Kohon. 

Spot said in a statement: “As political repression deepens and democratic freedoms continue to erode in Turkey, questions about the country’s democratic future have never been more urgent. 

“This year’s event will examine the ongoing attacks on press freedom, workers’ rights and democratic institutions in Turkey, as well as the role of the international community in standing up for justice and solidarity.”

The event will be held at the National Education Union headquarters, Hamilton House, Mabledon Place, London WC1, on Saturday from 10.30am to 3pm.