Writer Cihangir Islam, who attended the International Peace and Democratic Society Conference organised in Istanbul by the Peoples’ Equality and Democracy Party (DEM Party), said that meeting with Abdullah Öcalan was the right step and that any real solution must involve speaking with him.
Cihangir Islam, who took part in the International Peace and Democratic Society Conference organised in Istanbul by the DEM Party, spoke to ANF about the process.
Islam drew attention to those who are trying to sabotage the process and said, “Unfortunately, I see this both in the press and on social media. There is a group that wants the process to fail. Some of this may be rooted in economic reasons, some of it may be deeply personal, perhaps even tied to childhood trauma, I cannot know, but in the end this is what we are confronted with. The first thing to do, in my view, is not to bring such provocations to the forefront. We must show respect to people who have suffered. We must show respect to those who have lost their children. We must do everything we can to ease their pain and to improve their situation. Within society, space should not be given to those who sabotage social peace. Those who want peace must continue.”
Islam said he personally supported the Parliamentary Commission’s visit to Abdullah Öcalan on Imrali Island, noting that the interlocutor in the matter was clear. Islam also added: “The visit itself became a subject of debate. My personal opinion was that they should have gone. When you declare an intention for a solution and sit at a table, that already places you on equal ground with the person across from you. You will now sit in the same chairs and speak. If, at the end of this process, there is resentment, then what we hope for is reconciliation, shaking hands. My wish was for all of them to go. They did not. There is no need to exaggerate this. If people are in the commission, it means they are carrying certain responsibilities. It may have been shaped by the political principles of political parties. We should tolerate this and continue on our path. The state’s response should be asked to the state. I am someone who was dismissed by decree-law. There are people who face immense hardship because they were dismissed by decree-law. This issue must also be resolved.”
Islam highlighted the accuracy of Devlet Bahçeli’s remarks and concluded his words as follows: “Who else are you going to speak to other than Öcalan? What Mr. Bahçeli said is correct. If you are going to produce a solution, you must address the person you are sitting across from. You will reach a solution with him. If a group, a people, are pointing to that place, it means they are showing you whom you need to speak with.”