‘Those silent on chemical attacks against Kurds are complicit in Turkey’s crimes’

The Democratic Society Congress (DTK) and Democratic Regions Party (DBP) held a public meeting in the Viranşehir district of Urfa province as part of the ‘Time for Freedom’ campaign. DTK co-chair Berdan Öztürk, DBP co-chair Saliha Aydeniz, Peoples’ Democratic Party (HDP) Urfa deputies, members of the Urfa Peace Mothers Council and numerous other people attended the meeting at the HDP Viranşehir headquarter.

Speaking at the event, DTK co-chair Öztürk pointed out that the Turkish state system is based on “exterminating the Kurds”. “A policy based on this principle is currently being pursued not only here, but also in four parts of Kurdistan. Another fact is that the Kurds have never accepted anti-Kurdish policies. We have paid a huge price. However, we have never accepted captivity and we have always fought for freedom. Turks and other nations live together in the country, but one of the most ancient peoples is the Kurds. We have never favoured discrimination of any nation. We have always defended a common life. We have always advocated for differences in faith and culture. However, century-old policies have been pursued to break the will of the Kurdish people in four parts of Kurdistan.”

THEY DON’T WANT ÖCALAN’S IDEAS TO BE PROMOTED

Öztürk stressed that the recent military mandate to keep troops in Syria and Iraq passed in the Turkish parliament is proof of 100 years of Kurdish denial and destruction. He pointed out that the isolation of PKK Leader Abdullah Öcalan has been aggravated since April 5, 2015, adding, “They want to silence his voice. They do not want Öcalan’s ideas, which offer an alternative life, to be promoted in Turkey and the Middle East.”

“We also saw the administrations of Demirel, Çiller and Yılmaz, but no one perpetrated persecution as much as the ruling AKP-MHP government. The persecution is continuing, and the military mandate was passed by the parliament for the continuation of this persecution,” Öztürk said.

The DTK co-chair continued, “Most recently, chemical weapons have been used by the Turkish army in South Kurdistan. The war is currently continuing without rules in the Kurdistan region in northern Iraq. Responsible for this is not only Turkey, but also the US and European countries. Because the US and European countries keep silent as chemical weapons are used. The Erdogan-Bahceli government has a dirtier mindset than Saddam did. They are trying everything to bring the Kurdish people to their knees. They want the Kurdish people to abandon their language, culture and land.”

Öztürk stated that the isolation that started in İmralı prison has spread to the whole country. “Currently, not only the Kurds, but also all the peoples of Turkey are under isolation. No one is allowed to express any issue. This is called isolation. The greatest persecution is continuing in Imrali Prison.”

Recalling the peace process between 2013 and 2015, the DTK co-chair referred to a statement of Kurdish leader Öcalan who said that ‘The solution will be reached on the table, not in the war’. According to Öztürk, the AKP-MHP government is afraid of democracy and the Kurds, and that’s why there has been so much pressure. “The Kurds have proven themselves against all pressures. In recent years, our people have been persecuted yet they have never given up their demands. The state has collapsed in Turkey, all the institutions of the state and their meaning have been emptied. The economy has collapsed. Dollar to TL rate stands at 9.60. Even wheat is imported. People are unable to pay their rent. The reason for this is the dirty war and the denial of the Kurdish people. They are trying to get results with the same method. Mr. Öcalan said that ‘The way you handle things is not the right one. You will eventually come to the table again’. Unfortunately, there is no other way. The Turkish authorities vowed to finish off the Kurdish opposition. Yet, the Kurds continue to raise the same demands. The demands of the Kurds are recognized by all the states of the world. The existence of Rojava asserts the existence of a significant paradigm.”

AKP-MHP WILL BE BROUGHT TO ACCOUNT FOR CRIMES AGAINST THE KURDISH PEOPLE

Öztürk continued, “They have committed serious crimes against the Kurdish people, and they will be held accountable for this. They know that if the war ends, they will be removed, so they passed the mandate. The whole world knows who backs terrorists in Rojava. If there are terrorists there, they are not the Kurdish people. The Turkish officials try to label the Kurdish people terrorists. Their mentality is separatist. This system cannot go on like this. The political system of the country was formed in a wrong way when it was introduced 100 years ago. The shortcomings of the system are perpetuated by the AKP-MHP government. I sincerely say that they have nothing left in their hands. Even the cost of 40 years of civil war in Turkey is 3-4 trillion US dollars. Why did you spend so much money, against whom? The way and the methods to resolve issues are clear. The most urgent problem is the Kurdish problem. If the Kurdish problem is not resolved, no other problems of Turkey will be resolved. Nobody should talk about democracy or freedom in vain. This country needs an honourable peace. Nothing is solved by wars. As Mr. Öcalan once said, Turkey will improve in terms of economy, democracy and freedoms if peace is achieved through negotiations. How can we achieve an honourable peace? An honourable peace cannot be achieved by making concessions to the US or Russia. You will eventually have to recognize Mr. Öcalan’s proposals. A democratic constitution and unity are needed. You tried the same methods 100 times through wars, deaths and arrests. However, you have failed. A democratic constitution should be formed by abandoning these old methods.”

KDP MAKES A SERIOUS MISTAKE

Öztürk also remarked on the attitude of the KDP, the ruling party of South Kurdistan. “The KDP is making a serious mistake. Those who massacred civilians in North Kurdistan are not your friends. The Turkish government cannot be a friend of Rojava. We and our people know that your aim is not the freedom of the Kurdish people, but the interests of your own family and tribe. You have no reputation in the eyes of the Kurdish people. So far, the KDP has not raised a voice against the Turkish occupation in South Kurdistan. They did not say that there is a government over there. You still have a feudal mindset. Get rid of this mistake as soon as possible. The Kurdish people in Bashur, Bakur, Rojava and Rojhilat are all watching you. If you insist on these mistakes, you will vanish away, too. You consider those who persecute worse than Saddam as our friends. Many parties and institutions in Bakur, Rojava, Rojhilat and Bashur are ready for a Kurdish national unity. It is only the KDP that is not ready. Everyone should realize that. Our people who have suffered from this persecution for 100 years should get rid of it.”

Öztürk said that the resistance of the Kurds is getting favourable results and added, “Do not lose hope. The Kurdish people will succeed anyway.