“Amnesty for political prisoners is a prerequisite for peace”
“Amnesty for political prisoners is a prerequisite for peace”
An indiscriminate amnesty for the political prisoners is a prerequisite for peace and the solution of the Kurdish problem” said co-chair of Paris based Peace Movement Arielle Denis who came to Istanbul to take part in the 6th European Social Forum. ANF made an interview with Arielle Denis about Kurdish issue in Turkey.
* What kind of activities does your movement carry out regarding the Kurdish issue?
- Peace Movement is mostly cooperating with the Kurdish cultural organisations in France. There is a Kurdish Cultural Centre in Paris. We celebrate Newroz every year in conjunction with them. The French Government is using Turkey as a scapegoat in order to justify their right wing politics, namely anti- immigrants, anti-Muslims. They are also aiming at impressing pro- Le Pen and other hard liner voters. They express it clearly that they are anti-Turkey and that is why there opposing Turkey’s membership in the EU. They avoid talking about Turkey. The newspapers do not write enough about what in Turkey is going on. But, fortunately there are solidarity movements through which we can heard about the truths.
* What do you think about the Kurdish problem?
- All the rights of the people should be respected. Kurdish problem is not related to Turkey only but also other countries where the Kurds live as well as the international community. International community should contribute a peaceful and democratic solution for Turkey. A short while ago everybody was thinking that the path to peace is open now we see that the tension is getting high.
*The Kurds are asking for constitutional equality. Do not you think that it is a legitimate demand?
- Of course it is. Demands for equal citizenship are the basis of human rights. Therefore, it is a legitimate demand. What I find surprising is not only that the Turkish government refuses to give constitutional guarantees to the Kurds but also laying the blame of the conflict and war on Kurds.
* What do you think about the autonomy demands of the Kurds?
- This is a topic which needs to be decided by the people. I am fighting for the recognition of the right to self-determination of the Kurdish people and its realisation. Because it is their right and freedom. But I am not in a position to tell them what to do or not to do. For instance, in France I am supporting the independence of Tahiti, However, if at the end of a referendum only %10 are in favour of independence then I am not entitled to say anything. I cannot impose them autonomy. It is a complicated issue actually.
* How does the French government see the Kurdish problem?
- They are following whatever Ankara does. I mean when Turkey says that PKK should be considered as terrorist then next day the French government raids legal organisations close to the PKK and arrests the people working there. In these situations we organise protest in front of ministry of interior.
* Do you ever manage to get the detainees released?
- When they don’t have residence permit problem, yes. Because these paper problems fall within the scope of the French law. But when there is a political pressure we are organising a movement including human rights organisations and try to bring an end to the suppression.
* According to you how can this problem be solved?
- I think it is very important that Kurdish friends and others who are struggling for a peaceful solution need to make more noise, make their voice heard and build alliance with peace initiatives. They should work harder to make themselves visible within UN. Because not only the Turkish people but also entire region will benefit from peace. I mean it is a struggle conducted on behalf of everybody. But the first step on the way to the solution is issuing an indiscriminate amnesty for the political prisoners.
* What kind of activities does your movement carry out regarding the Kurdish issue?
- Peace Movement is mostly cooperating with the Kurdish cultural organisations in France. There is a Kurdish Cultural Centre in Paris. We celebrate Newroz every year in conjunction with them. The French Government is using Turkey as a scapegoat in order to justify their right wing politics, namely anti- immigrants, anti-Muslims. They are also aiming at impressing pro- Le Pen and other hard liner voters. They express it clearly that they are anti-Turkey and that is why there opposing Turkey’s membership in the EU. They avoid talking about Turkey. The newspapers do not write enough about what in Turkey is going on. But, fortunately there are solidarity movements through which we can heard about the truths.
* What do you think about the Kurdish problem?
- All the rights of the people should be respected. Kurdish problem is not related to Turkey only but also other countries where the Kurds live as well as the international community. International community should contribute a peaceful and democratic solution for Turkey. A short while ago everybody was thinking that the path to peace is open now we see that the tension is getting high.
*The Kurds are asking for constitutional equality. Do not you think that it is a legitimate demand?
- Of course it is. Demands for equal citizenship are the basis of human rights. Therefore, it is a legitimate demand. What I find surprising is not only that the Turkish government refuses to give constitutional guarantees to the Kurds but also laying the blame of the conflict and war on Kurds.
* What do you think about the autonomy demands of the Kurds?
- This is a topic which needs to be decided by the people. I am fighting for the recognition of the right to self-determination of the Kurdish people and its realisation. Because it is their right and freedom. But I am not in a position to tell them what to do or not to do. For instance, in France I am supporting the independence of Tahiti, However, if at the end of a referendum only %10 are in favour of independence then I am not entitled to say anything. I cannot impose them autonomy. It is a complicated issue actually.
* How does the French government see the Kurdish problem?
- They are following whatever Ankara does. I mean when Turkey says that PKK should be considered as terrorist then next day the French government raids legal organisations close to the PKK and arrests the people working there. In these situations we organise protest in front of ministry of interior.
* Do you ever manage to get the detainees released?
- When they don’t have residence permit problem, yes. Because these paper problems fall within the scope of the French law. But when there is a political pressure we are organising a movement including human rights organisations and try to bring an end to the suppression.
* According to you how can this problem be solved?
- I think it is very important that Kurdish friends and others who are struggling for a peaceful solution need to make more noise, make their voice heard and build alliance with peace initiatives. They should work harder to make themselves visible within UN. Because not only the Turkish people but also entire region will benefit from peace. I mean it is a struggle conducted on behalf of everybody. But the first step on the way to the solution is issuing an indiscriminate amnesty for the political prisoners.
