The transformation of citizenship before and after the 15 july coup attempt: The case of civil martyrdom

It has been argued that civil martyrdom, which became a common concept after the 15 July coup attempt, has contributed to the inventory of terminology of citizenship in Turkey. The 15 July coup attempt became the foundational mythical ground to legitimise the culminating efforts to reimagine the nation in line with the anticipated transformation of the regime under the rule of the Justice and Development Party (Adalet ve Kalkinma Partisi). Civil martyrdom can be seen to pertain to a singular instance, referring to the civilians who lost their lives on the night of 15 July during the suppression of the coup attempt; however, it broadens the context of martyrdom by dissociating the status from members of the armed forces to apply it to all citizens. The invoked civil martyrdom was instrumental in the transformation of citizenship, which was administered through crafting of political memory as well as regulations in the legal framework concerning duties and rights of citizenship. This article discusses the both areas, the legal regulations and the administration of political memory with the aim of understanding the emerging concept of civil martyrdom in Turkey after the 15 July coup attempt.