An era has come to an end: Turkey bids farewell to human rights and labor advocate Şükran Soner

WE HAVE LOST ŞÜKRAN SONER, A PILLAR OF THE PRESS AND THE LABOR MOVEMENT

We are deeply saddened by the loss of Şükran Soner, a master journalist, labor unionist, and writer for Cumhuriyet, who dedicated her journalistic career—spanning more than half a century—to defending the working class, laborers, and human rights.

In her professional career, which began in 1966 at the Cumhuriyet newspaper, Soner did more than simply exemplify journalism; through the labor and education sections she curated, she brought the issues facing the working world to the front pages, and by personally taking her place on the front lines of the labor movement, she combined her pen with action. Her leadership career, which spanned from General Education Secretary to President of the Turkish Journalists’ Union (TGS), and her tireless energy in the civil society organizations she founded—most notably the Human Rights Association—will always serve as a guide to us, the workers in culture and the press.

Şükran Soner, who never compromised on the principles of the Republic or the power of organized struggle under any circumstances, and who never shied away from taking responsibility in the name of press freedom and the labor struggle, will live on in our memories as one of the golden pages of our union’s history through her honorable stance.

As the Culture Workers’ Union, we bow with respect before the memory of this great pillar who dedicated her life to labor, justice, and human rights; we extend our condolences to her family, the staff of Cumhuriyet newspaper, the press community, and the entire working class.

Her legacy will be our guiding light.

The Executive Board of the Culture Workers’ Union