Democratic Regions Party (DBP) Şırnak Provincial Co-President Salih Güvenç responded to news articles claiming that autonomy was declared in Şırnak, and said that they did not declare autonomy or a canton, but said that they no longer recognize this fascist state. Güvenç warned that people would make their own choice and declare autonomy if the state insisted on its current policies of war, since people have not yet run out of alternatives.

Mainstream Turkish media covered the statement of Şırnak People’s Assembly, that was issued after state terror claimed the lives of 3 people and injured dozens, as the declaration of autonomy and establishment of a canton.

In its statement from yesterday, People’s Assembly had said that all state institutions have lost their legitimacy and people would build a life based on democracy and self-governance.

IS AUTONOMY DECLARED IN ŞIRNAK?

DBP Şırnak Provincial Co-President Salih Gülenç from Şırnak People’s Assembly answered the above question in the following way.

'OUR STATEMENT WAS MANIPULATED'

Gülenç noted that their statement was manipulated by certain circles, and they only said that people would govern themselves in order to stop the actions of a fascist state, as opposed to declaring autonomy or establishing a canton.

Gülenç stated that they did not recognize the current fascist, colonist and denialist state and its institutions, and reminded the recent prevention of 13 martyrs’ bodies’ delivery at Habur border gate and the current prevention of 20 martyrs’ bodies’ delivery at Mürşitpınar border gate. Gülenç criticized state officials’ disrespect and ignorance towards martyrs’ bodies, and asked why anyone should recognize such a state. Gülenç said that they would not recognize a system that marginalizes people, but would work with political parties in a state that side with peace and democracy. Gülenç stated that they were in a political position against state violence and policies that ignore people, and people would declare autonomy and establish cantons if the state continued to resist democratization and limit people’s abilities to express themselves.

Gülenç highlighted solders’ and police officers’ violence against civilians in Silopi, and said that this violence resembled the brutality of ISIS. Gülenç recalled forest fires caused by state officials, and said that his family returned two years ago to its village that was evacuated 25 years ago. Gülenç noted that other families also returned, but their villages such as the ones near Cudi and Gabar mountains have been bombed by Turkish state’s warplanes recently.

Gülenç said that they have been trying to communicate with state officials but failed to do so due to a central decision made by President Erdoğan. Gülenç ended his statement by saying that local officials should not allow the central government’s manipulative policies, since the process of conflict would end and negotiations would restart inevitably.