The Kurds declare Democratic Autonomy
The Kurds declare Democratic Autonomy
Congress for a Democratic Society (DTK), a platform for Kurdish associations and movements, the main Kurdish party, BDP, have proclaimed democratic self-government, saying that the Kurds do not want to live without a status.
The 850 delegates of the DTK, meeting Thursday, July 14 in Diyarbakir, the capital of Turkish Kurdistan, have decided to proclaim a "democratic autonomy" for the peaceful resolution of the Kurdish question.
"In the light of international conventions on human rights, respect for the territorial integrity of a common land and the prospect of a democratic nation, we, the Kurdish people, pledge our Democratic Autonomy, as well as national commitment to unity of the peoples of Turkey, "says the final declaration, read by the co-chair of the DTK, Aysel Tugluk.
Stressing that democratic self-government is the natural system of all communities, Tugluk indicates that this autonomy is not intended to destroy a state and build another.
For the DTK, autonomy is not a democratic state system, but a system in which the Kurdish people could govern themselves.
The DTK also claims that the Kurdish people will no longer accept living without a status and called on the international community to recognize that right.
BOYCOTT OF PARLIAMENT TO CONTINUE
This announcement comes as the main Kurdish party BDP continues to boycott the Turkish parliament since the elections on June 12
Kurdish MPs demand the signing of a bilateral protocol between the BDP and the ruling AKP of Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan. But the government refuses to agree on draft legislation that could finally pave the way for the release of six Kurdish deputies in prison, including Hatip Dicle, a figure of the Kurdish movement. The parliamentary seat of the latter was removed on June 20, eight days after the election, by the High Electoral Board(YSK), under the pretext of his being sentenced to 20 months in prison for remarks under the Terrorism Act.
Independent candidates for the Bloc "Labour, Democracy and Freedom", supported by the BDP main Kurdish party, the poll came out victorious, winning 36 seats against 22 in 2007, despite a very unfair campaign and fraud across the country, especially in the Kurdish region.
The 850 delegates of the DTK, meeting Thursday, July 14 in Diyarbakir, the capital of Turkish Kurdistan, have decided to proclaim a "democratic autonomy" for the peaceful resolution of the Kurdish question.
"In the light of international conventions on human rights, respect for the territorial integrity of a common land and the prospect of a democratic nation, we, the Kurdish people, pledge our Democratic Autonomy, as well as national commitment to unity of the peoples of Turkey, "says the final declaration, read by the co-chair of the DTK, Aysel Tugluk.
Stressing that democratic self-government is the natural system of all communities, Tugluk indicates that this autonomy is not intended to destroy a state and build another.
For the DTK, autonomy is not a democratic state system, but a system in which the Kurdish people could govern themselves.
The DTK also claims that the Kurdish people will no longer accept living without a status and called on the international community to recognize that right.
BOYCOTT OF PARLIAMENT TO CONTINUE
This announcement comes as the main Kurdish party BDP continues to boycott the Turkish parliament since the elections on June 12
Kurdish MPs demand the signing of a bilateral protocol between the BDP and the ruling AKP of Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan. But the government refuses to agree on draft legislation that could finally pave the way for the release of six Kurdish deputies in prison, including Hatip Dicle, a figure of the Kurdish movement. The parliamentary seat of the latter was removed on June 20, eight days after the election, by the High Electoral Board(YSK), under the pretext of his being sentenced to 20 months in prison for remarks under the Terrorism Act.
Independent candidates for the Bloc "Labour, Democracy and Freedom", supported by the BDP main Kurdish party, the poll came out victorious, winning 36 seats against 22 in 2007, despite a very unfair campaign and fraud across the country, especially in the Kurdish region.
