The Erzurum Provincial Organization of the Peoples’ Equality and Democracy Party (DEM Party) held a meeting as part of the “Peace and Democratic Society Meetings.”
The meeting held at the Necip Fazıl Kısakürek Cultural Center on Saturday was attended by a large number of people, including Meral Danış Beştaş, Co-Spokesperson of the Peoples’ Democratic Congress (HDK), and Pervin Buldan, Member of Parliament for the DEM Party and Member of the Imrali Delegation.
Beştaş: We are working day and night to democratize the Republic
HDK Co-Spokesperson Meral Danış Beştaş stated: “Let’s join hands and put an end to war, death, inequality, and discrimination in this country, and let’s become a country of freedom. We are working day and night to democratize the Republic together. We no longer want to hear news of death on this land. No threat, no pressure has ever deterred us from our path, and nothing ever will.”
Buldan: This issue concerns the future of all peoples living in Turkey, not just the Kurds
Pervin Buldan, a member of the Imrali Delegation, said, “We are trying to explain how valuable peace is. When we talk about Turkey’s future, we are of course discussing an issue that concerns the future of all peoples living in Turkey, not just the Kurds. The process in 2013-2015, which was interrupted for 10 years, was a process we wish had continued, perhaps one whose value we didn’t fully appreciate. But the 10-year loss after 2015 cost us all a great deal. It cost Turkey a great deal.”
‘Öcalan has demonstrated responsibility, will, and determination’
Pervin Buldan continued: “We held talks with Mr. Öcalan and the talks are still ongoing. The most recent meeting took place on November 3. In all the meetings held since October 1, Mr. Öcalan has stood before us as an actor who has demonstrated responsibility, will, and determination. Perhaps the process began with Mr. Bahçeli’s call, but the will demonstrated on Imrali Island was a great one. Mr. Öcalan has played a major role in this process, with calls to end the 40-year conflict, with the willpower demonstrated, and by taking on great responsibility. In every meeting we have had, Mr. Öcalan said that the time has come for politics, dialogue, negotiation, and peace instead of violence, conflict, and weapons. Of course, in saying this, he is explaining that everyone must recognize the rights and the future of the Kurdish people. As someone who has held meetings with both the state and Mr. Öcalan, I can say that both sides have shown great determination to resolve this issue.
‘Peace is a matter that transcends politics’
The regulations to be implemented are, of course, important. We are talking about the fate of people who lay down their arms under transitional law and about democratic integration. We see the enactment of a law as a prerequisite for all of this to develop. We do not yet know who, what, and to what extent the transitional law to be enacted will cover. Preparations are underway. There are preparations on the part of the government, but we are also making our own preparations. Mr. Öcalan is an important actor. I would like to reiterate that his conditions must be improved as soon as possible. Yesterday, the commission made an important decision and will visit Imrali Island in the near future. Its members will hold a meeting with Mr. Öcalan. However, we certainly do not approve the stance taken by the CHP. This should not be the approach to the Kurdish issue. Everyone must do their part to ensure that a solution can be developed, because peace is a matter that transcends politics.
‘Öcalan speaks of a shared future’
Mr. Öcalan speaks of a solution specific to Turkey. He speaks of a shared future. He speaks of the thousand-year brotherhood between the Turkish and Kurdish peoples. Today, it is highly significant to express these sentiments from Erzurum, a place where the seeds of that brotherhood were sown and nurtured. We will certainly live as brothers, but we will also live as equals.”