Erhürman Slams Silence Over Ortaylı's Remarks: "The Real Issue Is the Failure to Speak Out from the Presidency"

Speaking out on social media, Erhürman pointed to what he sees as the deeper concern: “The real issue is the inability to show the will and wisdom to speak even two words from the office of the presidency, which is supposed to represent all of the people, when such words are directed at a significant segment of the public.”

Erhürman noted that while Ortaylı’s statements might be dismissed as arrogance—regardless of his academic credentials—the more serious problem is the silence of those in power. “Having knowledge in many fields doesn’t mean you are immune from being ignorant in others,” he said. “Knowing facts doesn’t mean you understand democracy or respect the will of a people. Knowledge is one thing; courtesy is another.”

He acknowledged that Ortaylı’s comments, though offensive, could be brushed off as impertinence. “But the real matter,” he stressed, “is the lack of resolve from the presidency to defend its people when such remarks are made about a very significant part of them.”

Referring specifically to Ortaylı’s suggestion that supporting the Annan Plan was an act of betrayal lacking in intelligence, Erhürman said: “Even if his remarks could be misinterpreted in terms of language—implying he referred to those who voted ‘no’—his response to journalist Hasan Hastürer afterward made the situation perfectly clear.”

Erhürman concluded by underscoring the obligation of those in leadership to defend the public’s democratic choices, stating: “What matters is not just what was said, but who failed to speak when it mattered most.”