The Peoples’ Equality and Democracy Party (DEM Party) members of the National Solidarity, Brotherhood, and Democracy Commission issued a written statement regarding the 6th and 7th meetings held on August 27-28.
The statement on Friday said: “We are aware that steps taken towards a democratic solution to such a historical issue cannot be limited to commission members alone. We maintain our belief and determination that the contributions we expect will reinforce the establishment of a system based on democracy and the rule of law.”
Although there are some differences in the descriptions and recommendations of bar association presidents regarding the commission’s work, we would like to emphasize that we also expect contributions from the Union of Bar Associations and all bar associations, whether heard or unheard in the commission, regarding the legal regulations required by the process.
We are aware that steps taken towards a democratic solution to such a historical issue cannot be limited to commission members alone. We maintain our belief and determination that the contributions we expect will strengthen the construction of a system based on democracy and the rule of law.
We would like to express that we attach high value to suggestions such as the provision of transitional justice, which was highlighted in some of the presentations by previous speakers of the Grand National Assembly of Turkey, amending the Law on the Execution of Sentences, strengthening the freedom of expression, removing legal regulations permitting the appointment of trustees, implementing ECtHR rulings and the right to hope as required by these rulings, complying with the Constitutional Court rulings, and regulating the definition of citizenship on the basis of inclusive and equal citizenship. These approaches and perspectives are historically valuable in terms of moving away from understandings that view the Kurdish question as a security issue, eliminating the root causes of the problem, and creating a climate for a democratic solution.
We would like to emphasize that we consider it extremely important to refrain from using inflammatory language and engaging in behavior that could provoke different segments of society throughout the commission’s activities, to ensure that the process is not used as a tool for internal political calculations, and to prevent any shift in focus.
The outcome of the two-day discussions, which has been proven once again from our perspective, is to develop an effort and language that will serve the democratic, free, fair, and egalitarian common future that the people of our country deserve, as a necessity of the spirit of listening to and understanding one another and of a solution-oriented mindset. Let us not forget that our differences are our richness; each of our mother languages should also be the language of peace.”