Discussions and assessments on the Peace and Democratic Society Process continue. In all his messages, Abdullah Öcalan draws attention to the efforts of the opposition and the importance of intensifying the struggle, yet initiatives against a solution have increased. From the government to the media, a negative language is being used. Journalist Mehmet Ali Ertaş spoke to ANF regarding the media’s language opposing both the process and peace.
How do you assess the aggressive language of the Turkish media in this process?
The role and position of the press are more evident than ever, because the press has now become the eyes, ears and voice of society. The media can destroy or it can build. What matters is how those who seize the power of the media choose to use it.
Occupying, hegemonic and oppressive powers use the media as a tool of enslavement. Through the press, they spread false, distorted, limited and one-sided information, or present old information as if it were new. They continuously deceive society through the press. They present evil as good and good as evil, rendering society deaf, blind and voiceless.
In contrast, forces that are grounded in an ethical and political society, an ecological and democratic society, and the liberation of women use the press as a tool for enlightenment, knowledge, awareness and access to truth. They constantly try to inform society on the basis of truth and to protect it from the system.
The aim of the dominant powers is power itself, wealth, occupation and enslavement. To achieve this goal, they distort reality. They legitimise plunder and destruction. They legitimise war and murder. They turn a blind eye to rights violations and the oppression inflicted on people.
They rely on the language of war and violence, and with this language they intimidate society and continuously spread domination. They label those who seek justice and their rights as “terrorists”. By distorting and concealing the truth, they present the forces of power as rightful and legitimate, and portray the war waged against society as a just and legitimate one.
In essence, media that serve power close their eyes to the truth and distort reality according to their own interests and those of those in power.
The government in the South also uses a hostile language. The most recent speech by Nechirvan Barzani demonstrated this. How will this approach affect the process?
Hostile language does not serve a solution, nor does it serve peace. Hostile language leads to division, and division is contrary to the unity and integrity of the people. Where there is division and discrimination, where there is no unity and solidarity, the dominant powers can easily bring that society, that people, under their control.
Therefore, Nechirvan Barzani’s hostile language and approach do not serve the unity of the Kurdish people or a solution. They do not serve peace.
The Parliamentary Commission has not yet visited Imrali, and the state has not taken any steps so far. What are your views and assessments on this?
The Commission has met with representatives of many institutions, associations, organisations and individuals. However, it has so far met with everyone except Kurdish people’s leader Abdullah Öcalan. Mr. Öcalan is the chief negotiator. The responsibility for a solution has been assigned to Parliament, to political parties both inside and outside Parliament, and to all democratic civil institutions and organisations.
If the Parliamentary Commission represents all parties, organisations and institutions, then it must go to Imrali and meet with Mr. Öcalan and listen to his ideas and proposals. If the state and the Commission refuse to take any steps towards Imrali, this clearly shows their insistence on maintaining deadlock. It indicates a desire to prolong the process and act in violation of democracy and universal human rights.
If the Commission intends to resolve this issue on the basis of peace and a democratic society, it must go to Imrali without delay and meet with Kurdish people’s leader Abdullah Öcalan. Because if one side of this matter is Parliament, the other side is Kurdish people’s leader Abdullah Öcalan.
The right to hope remains a key issue in this process. In this context, there are ongoing discussions regarding the authority of the Parliamentary Commission, the decision of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe, and the new legislative year of the Grand National Assembly of Turkey. However, although Parliament was opened several weeks ago, the issue has not yet been placed on the agenda. The Commission has not prepared any report or draft. How should this be interpreted?
Turkey has been violating the decisions of the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) and the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR) for 11 years. Eleven years ago, the ECtHR ruled that Turkey must recognise and implement the right to hope. However, Turkey has not taken any steps in this regard.
According to Article 91 of its Constitution, Turkey is bound in every respect by ECtHR rulings. If the ECtHR issues a judgment, it directly concerns Turkey and must be implemented immediately. Unfortunately, although Turkey has been violating the ECtHR ruling for 11 years, the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe, which monitors and reviews the implementation of these decisions, has turned a blind eye to Turkey’s unlawful actions. Looking at this situation after 11 years, we can see that the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe has become complicit in Turkey’s crime by tolerating it.
By turning a blind eye to this crime, it becomes a partner to that crime. The Council of Europe gave Turkey one year, yet Turkey still took no steps. Despite this, during its meeting on 15–17 September, it granted Turkey time until June once again. This shows that Turkey and European states are acting together behind the scenes. They insist on war and on international conspiracy.
However, they can no longer prolong this, because the entire world has now become aware of their crimes and the truth. Today, the whole world says the king is naked. The peoples of the world are now reading the thoughts of Öcalan and supporting Abdullah Öcalan’s philosophy.