The UN Representative of the Movement Against Racism and for Friendship Among Peoples (MRAP), Gianfranco Fattorini, sees the current resolution process in Turkey as a possible opportunity for social peace. However, he stressed that this requires a serious examination of the root causes of the Kurdish question.
In an interview with ANF, Fattorini said that the process for peace and a democratic society initiated by Abdullah Öcalan could create an important foundation for a peaceful solution to the Kurdish question. At the same time, he criticized the fact that a security-oriented approach still dominates, saying that a look at the report of the commission established in the Turkish parliament shows that the focus remains strongly on combating terrorism.
According to Fattorini, the developments of recent decades are closely linked to the way the Turkish state has treated minorities. In particular, he said, the lack of recognition of the rights of the Kurdish people has contributed to deepening the conflict. “We know very well that much of what has happened over the past fifty years and beyond is a result of a lack of respect for minorities in this country,” Fattorini stated. The disregard for the rights, culture, and language of the Kurds has further intensified tensions, he added.
Doubts about political willingness
The human rights advocate also referred to the severe humanitarian consequences of the war in Kurdistan. “Tens of thousands of civilians have been killed over the past decades. Against this background, it is understandable that reactions have occurred,” he said and remarked that the current peace process should therefore be welcomed. At the same time, however, he sees no clear political will on the part of the Turkish state so far to acknowledge its own responsibility for the situation that has arisen.
Öcalan must be directly involved in the process
For a successful peace process, Abdullah Öcalan must also be directly included as a representative of the Kurdish people, Fattorini said. As an example, he pointed to international experiences and the case of Nelson Mandela, who actively participated in the peace process in South Africa. “Even though Mandela was not yet fully free at the time, he still took part directly in negotiations. It would therefore be desirable for the Turkish authorities to allow Öcalan to work under conditions that enable more respectful treatment and facilitate his participation in the political process,” Fattorini said.
Creating international awareness
Fattorini noted that MRAP is also working at the international level to make the situation in the region more visible. The organization organizes conferences and discussion events at the UN Human Rights Council for this purpose. “Our goal is to inform the international public about the situation in Turkey and to call on states and international institutions to engage more actively with the situation of the Kurdish people.”
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