Co-chair of the Peoples’ Equality and Democracy Party (DEM Party), Tülay Hatimoğulları, said that the meeting would focus on the social reflections of Abdullah Öcalan’s “Call for Peace and Democratic Society” and the importance of activities carried out at the local level.
Tülay Hatimoğulları stated, “We know well that local activities are of great importance for socializing peace. In this sense, I also wish for a productive meeting.”
Regarding the attacks against Greeks in Istanbul on 6-7 September 1955, which to described as a “pogrom,” Tülay Hatimoğulları stressed that this dark history must be confronted and that an apology should be made to the communities that were victimized.
Addressing Israel’s assaults on Gaza, she underlined that more than 60,000 Palestinians have been killed over the past two years and called on international institutions to stop Israel.
Hatimoğulları added that aid drops from the air are “a disgrace to humanity,” and emphasized the urgent need to open the Rafah Border Crossing and establish a strong humanitarian corridor.
Tülay Hatimoğulları also stressed that wars and conflicts are not limited to Gaza and continued: “We are going through a period spreading to Lebanon, Yemen, Iraq, and Iran, with a high likelihood of Turkey also being affected. In this international context, consolidating internal peace in Turkey emerges once again as a necessity. Mr. Öcalan’s ‘Call for Peace and Democratic Society’ has become like a shining torch in the midst of wars across the Middle East, extending even to the West, including the Russia-Ukraine war. Therefore, we must embrace peace more strongly in this sense. Looking at the historical meaning of this call in light of political and social developments in the region, economic changes, and the steps taken by imperialist powers to redesign the region, we once again see how important it is.”
Internal peace cannot be invoked while threatening Rojava
Tülay Hatimoğulları also drew attention to the threats directed at Rojava and said:“Especially regarding the politics pursued in Turkey, we want to state very clearly that invoking ‘internal peace’ in Turkey while at the same time threatening Rojava is a contradictory approach. Today, if peace is to be established with Kurds in Turkey, then peace must also be sought with Kurds in Syria, Iraq, and Iran. If we are to establish peace and democracy here, we must also do the same with Syria, with which we share a 914-kilometer border. If Turkey truly wants to create a security corridor, it must never forget that security comes through peace. Security is not achieved with war, weapons, bullets, tanks, or cannons. Security is achieved by granting every people their rights. It is achieved by establishing equal citizenship. It is achieved by accepting and building democracy.”
The co-chair of the DEM Party added: “The most important task there is undoubtedly to ensure that all different peoples and faiths feel represented in governance, to make them feel equal citizenship in Syria, and to build a democratic Syria. Our proposal to Turkey is to develop this very policy. The greatest contribution Turkey can make to Syria is to support only peace and democracy there.”
Commission fails to focus on core issues
Tülay Hatimoğulları highlighted the parliamentary commission established on the Kurdish question and said: “Unfortunately, despite the concrete steps taken by Öcalan and the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK), the government and the state have not yet taken any concrete steps. The most important step has been the establishment of the commission, but the commission is not sufficiently focusing on its main issues.”
Bold and groundbreaking steps must be taken
Hatimoğulları continued: “The commission must strengthen social consensus and bring democratic integration and freedom laws onto the parliamentary agenda through a special law. The absence of draft work on these issues in the new legislative term starting on 1 October is a sign of stalling policies. One of the most urgent issues for the commission is the ‘right to hope.’ Mr. Öcalan’s conditions for living and working freely must be established without delay. Öcalan wants to take an active role in ensuring the success of the process. It is of vital importance that the commission visit Imralı and meet with Öcalan. The commission must be courageous, break the mold, and take groundbreaking steps.”
The state must take concrete steps
Hatimoğulları concluded her remarks as follows: “The people wholeheartedly support the peace process, but trust can only be built if the state takes concrete steps. The appointment of trustees, the enforcement of the trustee law, the removal of elected municipal co-chairs from office, the continued imprisonment of ill prisoners, and the ongoing extension of sentences undermine trust in the process. Society’s demand for peace is strong. Eighty-six million citizens want peace, yet the government’s pressures on the opposition erode this belief. Operations against the Republican People’s Party (CHP), detentions, the cancellation of congresses, and possible trustee appointments are undemocratic. The peace process is strengthened not through pressure on the opposition, but by convincing all segments of society. Turkey is experiencing one of the greatest economic crises in its history. Nearly 50 million people live below the hunger and poverty line. Families cannot afford to pay rent. The process of peace and democratization must also encompass the rights of workers, laborers, the poor, shopkeepers, farmers, retirees, and those dismissed by statutory decrees. The DEM Party, while organizing this process, stands with everyone not only with our messages but with our organized stance. The ‘Call for Peace and Democratic Society’ marks the beginning of a new period of struggle. Expanding the struggle for democracy is Turkey’s need. Therefore, all segments of society must embrace this process.”
The meeting continued behind closed doors.