Incident Information
Date of Incident: July 16, 2023
Location of Incident: Indonesia
Identifying information of Perpetrator(s) Hakan Fidan, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ex-Chief of Turkey’s National Intelligence Organisation (MİT)
Source: https://www.yenisafak.com/gundem/fetoye-dunyayi-dar-edecegiz-4545599
Hate Speech Analysis
Transcription of the hate speech statement: " Yeni dönemde de kurumlarımızla eş güdüm ve dostlarımızla etkin iş birliği içinde dünyayı FETÖ’ye dar etmeye devam edeceğiz. " (Translation: In the new period, in coordination with our institutions and in effective cooperation with our friends, we will continue to make life unbearable for FETÖ.)
Target group(s) of the hate speech: The hate speech in this statement is directed against alleged members of the Gülen movement.
Justification of the hate speech: There is no justification for hate speech. Hate speech is generally rooted in prejudice, intolerance, and a desire to demean or harm individuals based on their true or perceived affiliation, characteristics or beliefs.
Analysis of the hate speech statement: The perpetrator refers to members of the Gülen movement or alleged members of the movement because the perpetrator uses the term 'FETÖ' his statement. It is important to acknowledge that "FETÖ" is a derogatory label used by the Turkish government to stigmatize and marginalize followers of Fethullah Gülen, a Turkish Islamic scholar residing in the United States. The deliberate usage of this term on the media outlet’s website perpetuates negative stereotypes and contributes to the stigmatization of individuals associated with the Gülen movement. It is important to recognize that hate speech targets specific groups or individuals based on their characteristics, affiliations, or beliefs, and serves to demean, marginalize, or incite hatred towards them. By employing the term "FETÖ" to refer to individuals allegedly affiliated with the Gülen movement, the statement contributes to the amplification of discriminatory and harmful rhetoric. Such language further reinforces negative perceptions, fuels social division, fans the flame of hatred and can lead to the marginalization and discrimination of the targeted group. It has to be emphasized on the fact that the perpetrator publicly states in his statements that hatred and resentment against the Gülen movement will continue in the new period which is directly an incitement to violence and arbitrary detentions. Furthermore, during Hakan Fidan’s presidency of Turkey’s National Intelligence Organization between 2010 and 2023, thousands of members of Gülen movement were tortured, some of them were killed and dozens of peopled affiliated to Gülen movement were abducted.
Contextual information: The hate speech statement is part of a statement of Hakan Fidan, Minister of Foreign Affairs and ex-chief of Turkey’s National Intelligence Organisation, who used the term "FETÖ" in his statement. "FETÖ" is a derogatory term that the Turkish government coined to refer to the faith-based Gülen movement, which it deems a terrorist group responsible for a failed military coup in July 2016. Its US-based leader, Fethullah Gülen, denies any involvement in the putsch. The European Union and the United States have refused to adopt Turkey’s views on the group. The context of the post suggests a potential misuse of the term "FETÖ" to label and stigmatize individuals associated with the Gülen movement.
Impact of the statement: The usage of the term "FETÖ" may contribute to further stigmatization and discrimination against individuals associated with the Gülen movement and be a reason to legitimize arbitrary detentions. It has the potential to perpetuate negative stereotypes and create a hostile environment for this specific group.
Conclusion
The statement contains hate speech due to the usage of the derogatory term "FETÖ" to refer to individuals associated with the Gülen movement. Hate speech targets specific groups or individuals based on their characteristics, affiliations, or beliefs, and serves to demean, marginalize, or incite hatred towards them. The usage of such hate speech perpetuates negative stereotypes, contributes to the stigmatization of individuals, and fosters an environment of discrimination and social division. It is crucial to recognize the harmful impact of hate speech and to promote responsible journalism that upholds principles of equality, fairness, and respect for all individuals, regardless of their affiliations or backgrounds