The DEM Party Commission Members issued a written statement regarding their decision to temporarily leave from the National Solidarity, Brotherhood, and Democracy Commission’s latest meeting in response to provocative remarks made by Mehmet Beşir Şimşek, Vice President of the Islamic Propagation Association, known for his proximity to Hezbollah.
The statement, issued on behalf of DEM Party Commission members Gülistan Kılıç Koçyiğit, Meral Danış Beştaş, Hakkı Saruhan Oluç, Celal Fırat, and Cengiz Çiçek, said: “The National Solidarity, Brotherhood, and Democracy Commission held its 10th and 11th meetings. Over two days, academics and civil society organizations shared their views with our commission. The administrative, political, and legal measures emphasized in the presentations included strong recommendations for a democratic solution and peace regarding the Kurdish issue. We value these suggestions highly and benefit from them, believing they will contribute to the commission’s future work.
The presentations heard by the commission clearly reflect global experiences as well as Turkey’s accumulated knowledge on peace and democratic solutions. In this regard, we want to stress that we are not at the beginning of this journey. At today’s [Thursday] meeting, a guest’s presentation sparked various debates. To clarify these discussions, we feel the need to share some points with the public.”
A representative showed anti-solution attitudes
The statement continued: “First, peace begins with language. If we are talking about peace today, it is everyone’s duty to adopt a suitable tone and style. Unfortunately, a representative heard in the commission used poisonous language and adopted an anti-solution stance that did not serve peace. Throughout his speech, the guest used divisive and highly problematic language serving a lack of resolution. He delivered what could be described as a “how not to achieve peace” presentation to a commission gathered for peace and solutions. As is known, hopes for peace cannot grow through such language and attitudes.
This guest, speaking with all the hatred he holds against the Kurdish people’s struggle for freedom and peace, provocatively dug into the past in an effort to turn the commission into a place of no resolution rather than solutions. His violent, masculine, sexist, and hate-filled language not only seriously disturbed DEM Party commission members but also many MPs from other parties. Exercising our democratic right, we reacted to this poisonous discourse.”
The statement underlined that “since its inception, the commission has listened to individuals and institutions of differing views with democratic maturity. We have been especially careful to protect an environment where different opinions can be expressed responsibly. However, we note that today’s guest’s speech harmed hopes for peace and attempted to poison the working environment that the commission has maintained until now.
As the DEM Party, we aim to prioritize the language of peace and the reasoning of democratic solutions, and to play a positive role in this regard. We have consistently emphasized that all parties in the commission should adopt the same responsible approach, and we reiterate this need here. We hope that in the coming days, those speaking before the commission will use a responsible and sensitive language that contributes to social peace and aligns with the spirit of the process. As staunch defenders of careful language in this painstakingly developed process, we affirm that we will not tolerate approaches that poison reason and conscience, obscure the environment, or disrupt the formation of common sense.”
Importance of a language of peace
The statement added: “Regarding recent media reports claiming that ‘the DEM Party commission left,’ we want to clarify that this does not reflect the truth. We did not withdraw from the commission; we left the session temporarily to draw attention to the language of peace until the guest completed his speech due to his insistence on using poisonous language.
The National Solidarity, Brotherhood, and Democracy Commission is a crucial part of the Peace and Democratic Society Process. Its strong continuation will fully open the doors to a new era in Turkey.”
The statement stressed that “in the coming days, the commission should review transitional laws, execution laws, anti-terror laws, and local governance laws in parallel and forward them to specialized commissions. From October 1 onward, the Turkish Parliament should undertake a ‘peace session,’ with the National Solidarity, Brotherhood, and Democracy Commission serving as the core of this work.
Furthermore, it is historically significant that the European Council’s Committee of Ministers is expected to make a clear decision on the right to hope and reference the commission for legal regulation. Considering the committee’s proposals on the right to hope will provide an important contribution to the peaceful future of the people of Turkey.”