The Democratic Regions Party (DBP) held its 7th Ordinary Congress in the Kızıltepe (Qoser) district of Mardin (Mêrdîn). The event took place in a local wedding hall and was attended by a large crowd. The congress began with the election of the council board.
During the congress, Peoples’ Equality and Democracy Party (DEM Party) MP Saliha Aydeniz emphasized the importance of protecting and advancing the Peace and Democratic Society Process. Aydeniz said: “Our party plays a crucial role in building a democratic society. Today, a new process has begun thanks to the resistance of our people. Everyone should know that this process was made possible through collective struggle. The resistance of women, the young people, and the peoples brought us to this point. Kurds have resisted everywhere. When the Kurdish people’s leader, Abdullah Öcalan, made his call for a Democratic Society, he also placed responsibilities on the state. Because peace is not only a need of the Kurds or the peoples, it is also necessary for the state itself. The state must change as well. For this reason, peace cannot be one-sided. Just as the Kurdish people’s leader Abdullah Öcalan made his call and the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) convened its congress to declare its stance, the state must also adopt a clear, sincere, and courageous position.”
Öcalan must be free
Aydeniz stated that those who wish the process to advance and succeed must first struggle to ensure that Abdullah Öcalan can live and work freely. She said: “If the state truly wants to resolve this issue sincerely, it must ensure Mr. Öcalan’s freedom. This is not solely a Kurdish issue; it is an issue of Turkey’s democratization. Therefore, the state must approach it accordingly. The Commission should also visit and meet with the Kurdish people’s leader as soon as possible.”
Financial and activity reports were later presented, and Metin Aslan together with Sultana Yusufoğlu were elected as the new co-chairs of the DBP district organization.