Interview with Prof. Büþra Ersanlý - SPECIAL
Interview with Prof. Büþra Ersanlý - SPECIAL
In an interview she gave to jailed ANF journalist Zeynep Kuray, academician Prof. Büþra Ersanlý (who is also in prison) well known for her 30 years long research on nationalist history writing and textbooks in Turkey, evaluated the recent process in the country.
It was only long after we were put in Bakýrköy Closed Prison for Women that we learned about the completion of KCK accusation. We weren’t surprised in the face of the “accusations” directed to us because we already knew the fact that this case is political, not judicial. The situation of Prof. Büþra Ersanlý, for whom up to 22,5 years imprisonment was asked for allegedly being a KCK executive on the grounds that she gave lectures at BDP politics academy, is the most typical indicator of this truth.
Prof. Ersanlý pointed out that the conducted case aimed to judge the BDP, not the KCK itself and underlined that the political power cannot tolerate an alternative opposition movement. Reminding that the Kurdish problem has been tried to be solved through denial and elimination for the last 40 years, Ersanlý noted that a mentality which eliminates Kurds even in history books cannot speak of equality.
“I am a member of the BDP because I am of the opinion that one-day small and short reform-like advances cannot possibly relieve inner consciences”, said Prof. Ersanlý.
* How would you evaluate this process which consists of you as well and has dragged academicians, human rights defenders, lawyers, politicians and journalists into prison under the name of so-called KCK operations?
- We were taken hostage when the mutual negotiations within the scope of the Kurdish question were interrupted, which has nothing to do with me or BDP executives. With an aim to remove BDP executives from the political life, the government in its own way displayed a reaction by means of pressure against the circle which it accepts as its enemy. And while doing this, it revealed that it cannot tolerate an alternative opposition movement. This is the picture of to what extend the government appreciates pluralism, compromising and dialogue! The solution to the Kurdish problem lies in conducting a dialogue; e.g. in the matter of mother language which is one of the basic principles of human rights. This matter was one of the basic demands put forward by the BDP.
* Today, we have learned that the KCK accusation has been completed. Which intolerance could be the reason for up to 22,5 years imprisonment sentence asked for you on the grounds of giving lectures at BDP politics academy?
- I don’t know what the KCK is and my membership to something I don’t know therefore cannot be a matter of discussion. Within the framework of my book “Politics Everywhere and All Times; the Political Culture, Political System and Women in Turkey”, I several times gave lectures at the Politics Academy. I proposed to give this lecture within the scope of the former DTP and current BDP’s project on becoming Turkish. This is a matter completely related with the freedom of thought and academic freedom.
On this subject, I gave lectures for many years in 20 cities of Turkey in an environment which consisted of women member to many different political parties, including CHP, SHP, AKP, MHP, HADEP, DTP and many others. My will is clear; to perform alternative opposition in BDP for a peaceful solution. I have a strong resistance against injustices and a strong belief in heading for what is fair.
My character requires taking part in the struggle, not supporting it from outside. I took a stance there where women, Kurds, Alewis, laborers, natural and historical riches stood side by side as a principle. Therefore, the so-called KCK case is a farfetched case because this operation is conducted against the BDP, not the KCK.
* In conclusion, what do you think about the conflict between the sect and the government which is said to have broken out within the scope of KCK operations? What is the connection between this conflict and the court’s demand to call MIT executives to testify on the basis of Oslo meetings?
- I don’t know the details of this fight for power but as much as I have followed the issue from the press, this matter looks like a difference in the ways of ‘ending’ the Kurdish question. However, this ending aims to prevent the legal and political party BDP as well as its activities. In this way, the process progresses far from dialogue as my and other BDP members’ contribution to peace are ignored and removed.
* Is it really that much difficult to find a solution to the matter?
- The problem is intended to be solved by means of denial and elimination for 40 years, to the extent I know. How plausible could it be to assert the equality of rights and individuals of a culture and community, Kurds in other words, who have been completely excluded from history books of this country? The matter still stands at this level…It is therefore difficult to settle with… The mentality has unfortunately not changed due to the lack of an atmosphere and education for equality and sharing in our education, information and profession areas.
* Bakýrköy L Type Prison
It was only long after we were put in Bakýrköy Closed Prison for Women that we learned about the completion of KCK accusation. We weren’t surprised in the face of the “accusations” directed to us because we already knew the fact that this case is political, not judicial. The situation of Prof. Büþra Ersanlý, for whom up to 22,5 years imprisonment was asked for allegedly being a KCK executive on the grounds that she gave lectures at BDP politics academy, is the most typical indicator of this truth.
Prof. Ersanlý pointed out that the conducted case aimed to judge the BDP, not the KCK itself and underlined that the political power cannot tolerate an alternative opposition movement. Reminding that the Kurdish problem has been tried to be solved through denial and elimination for the last 40 years, Ersanlý noted that a mentality which eliminates Kurds even in history books cannot speak of equality.
“I am a member of the BDP because I am of the opinion that one-day small and short reform-like advances cannot possibly relieve inner consciences”, said Prof. Ersanlý.
* How would you evaluate this process which consists of you as well and has dragged academicians, human rights defenders, lawyers, politicians and journalists into prison under the name of so-called KCK operations?
- We were taken hostage when the mutual negotiations within the scope of the Kurdish question were interrupted, which has nothing to do with me or BDP executives. With an aim to remove BDP executives from the political life, the government in its own way displayed a reaction by means of pressure against the circle which it accepts as its enemy. And while doing this, it revealed that it cannot tolerate an alternative opposition movement. This is the picture of to what extend the government appreciates pluralism, compromising and dialogue! The solution to the Kurdish problem lies in conducting a dialogue; e.g. in the matter of mother language which is one of the basic principles of human rights. This matter was one of the basic demands put forward by the BDP.
* Today, we have learned that the KCK accusation has been completed. Which intolerance could be the reason for up to 22,5 years imprisonment sentence asked for you on the grounds of giving lectures at BDP politics academy?
- I don’t know what the KCK is and my membership to something I don’t know therefore cannot be a matter of discussion. Within the framework of my book “Politics Everywhere and All Times; the Political Culture, Political System and Women in Turkey”, I several times gave lectures at the Politics Academy. I proposed to give this lecture within the scope of the former DTP and current BDP’s project on becoming Turkish. This is a matter completely related with the freedom of thought and academic freedom.
On this subject, I gave lectures for many years in 20 cities of Turkey in an environment which consisted of women member to many different political parties, including CHP, SHP, AKP, MHP, HADEP, DTP and many others. My will is clear; to perform alternative opposition in BDP for a peaceful solution. I have a strong resistance against injustices and a strong belief in heading for what is fair.
My character requires taking part in the struggle, not supporting it from outside. I took a stance there where women, Kurds, Alewis, laborers, natural and historical riches stood side by side as a principle. Therefore, the so-called KCK case is a farfetched case because this operation is conducted against the BDP, not the KCK.
* In conclusion, what do you think about the conflict between the sect and the government which is said to have broken out within the scope of KCK operations? What is the connection between this conflict and the court’s demand to call MIT executives to testify on the basis of Oslo meetings?
- I don’t know the details of this fight for power but as much as I have followed the issue from the press, this matter looks like a difference in the ways of ‘ending’ the Kurdish question. However, this ending aims to prevent the legal and political party BDP as well as its activities. In this way, the process progresses far from dialogue as my and other BDP members’ contribution to peace are ignored and removed.
* Is it really that much difficult to find a solution to the matter?
- The problem is intended to be solved by means of denial and elimination for 40 years, to the extent I know. How plausible could it be to assert the equality of rights and individuals of a culture and community, Kurds in other words, who have been completely excluded from history books of this country? The matter still stands at this level…It is therefore difficult to settle with… The mentality has unfortunately not changed due to the lack of an atmosphere and education for equality and sharing in our education, information and profession areas.
* Bakýrköy L Type Prison
