Demirtaþ: Time to talk
Demirtaþ: Time to talk
Speaking at the group party meeting on Tuesday, Peace and Democracy Party (BDP) co-chair Selahattin Demirtaþ listed three steps to be taken in the short term to avoid problems in the future: ending of solitary confinement, democratization package and a transparent process of negotiations.
Demirtaþ started his speech extending thanks to all those who supported hunger strikers and to Kurdish leader Abdullah Öcalan for calling for a solution. We managed to prevent death in prisons but people are continuing to die outside, said Demirtaþ and pointed out that significant opportunities have been created by the hint to a new search for a solution during the hunger strike protest.
BDP co-chair underlined that the hunger strike was brought about by the isolation imposed on Kurdish leader Mr. Öcalan, the strong language by government authorities, attackd against demonstrations, arrests and detentions as well as ideological trials at courts and denial of the right to defense in mother tongue. Now that the legitimacy of the highlighted demands has been accepted by all circles, it is the duty of everyone to make a declaration of intention for the fulfillment of these demands without any delay, he stated.
Asking an end to isolation in Imralý means asking for peace and negotiation, BDP co-chair said and, recalling Öcalans most recent call to end the hunger strike, he said: The true perception of his message could lead to a solution which favors everyone. The ending of the hunger strike shouldnt end the discussion on democracy and peace which will beyond doubt favor all circles in the country.
We expect the government to take braver steps that will also be supported by our side and to pay no attention to those who comment steps on the way to democratization as a retreat or concession. It is time to speak and to take urgent steps.
Referring to the critics on prison protest and arguments that there is no need to stage a hunger strike as all democratic ways are open in Turkey, Demirtaþ called attention to the one party system, ten percent election threshold, obstacles to the freedom of expression and demonstration, pressures on free and democratic press as the main obstacles to democratic politics.
BDP co-chair remarked that the Turkish government should stop playing democracy games and start to produce solutions for its internal problems before generating solutions on Syria and Palestine issues. He underlined that they tried to open the way for democratic politics so that arms could be laid down without bringing further deaths along and that they wouldnt mind losing their chair for supporting the demands of the people. Demirtaþ added that they however didnt expect the AKP government to undergo a radical and sudden change.
An undeclared war is being conducted in Syria where the Turkish government has been trying to lead to a chaos by violating the international law and supporting gangs to prevent Kurds from obtaining a political status, said BDP co-chair and stated that Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoðlu should have talks with the Kurdish High Council in Syria to make sure that the re-designed Syria and Kurds in it shall not pose a threat to Turkey. Demirtaþ added that they could mediate between two sides to ensure peace in the region.
Demirtaþ reminded that the great majority of Turkeys people is against an intervention on Kurds and Alewis in Syria, warning that Kurds will display reaction in all areas in the event that they are dragged into the war by virtue of provocations.
The Turkish government should promote good relations with Syrian Kurdistan considering the fact that the Kurdish people are determined to live in peace and strengthen their unity in all four parts of Kurdistan. Any achievement in one of these four parts will mean a common achievement on behalf of all Kurds. And as the Kurds in Turkey, we ask to live together and call for a solution which will be for the good of the Turkish people as well. The Turkish state shouldnt remain silent on this demand by the Kurdish people.
BDP co-chair ended calling on PM Erdoðan and his Minister Davutoðlu to sit down at the table with the BDP, the forth major power and the greatest civil movement in Turkey, and to accept it and treated as an equal actor so that it can play significant roles and take part in the determination of policies for inside and outside the country.
Demirtaþ started his speech extending thanks to all those who supported hunger strikers and to Kurdish leader Abdullah Öcalan for calling for a solution. We managed to prevent death in prisons but people are continuing to die outside, said Demirtaþ and pointed out that significant opportunities have been created by the hint to a new search for a solution during the hunger strike protest.
BDP co-chair underlined that the hunger strike was brought about by the isolation imposed on Kurdish leader Mr. Öcalan, the strong language by government authorities, attackd against demonstrations, arrests and detentions as well as ideological trials at courts and denial of the right to defense in mother tongue. Now that the legitimacy of the highlighted demands has been accepted by all circles, it is the duty of everyone to make a declaration of intention for the fulfillment of these demands without any delay, he stated.
Asking an end to isolation in Imralý means asking for peace and negotiation, BDP co-chair said and, recalling Öcalans most recent call to end the hunger strike, he said: The true perception of his message could lead to a solution which favors everyone. The ending of the hunger strike shouldnt end the discussion on democracy and peace which will beyond doubt favor all circles in the country.
We expect the government to take braver steps that will also be supported by our side and to pay no attention to those who comment steps on the way to democratization as a retreat or concession. It is time to speak and to take urgent steps.
Referring to the critics on prison protest and arguments that there is no need to stage a hunger strike as all democratic ways are open in Turkey, Demirtaþ called attention to the one party system, ten percent election threshold, obstacles to the freedom of expression and demonstration, pressures on free and democratic press as the main obstacles to democratic politics.
BDP co-chair remarked that the Turkish government should stop playing democracy games and start to produce solutions for its internal problems before generating solutions on Syria and Palestine issues. He underlined that they tried to open the way for democratic politics so that arms could be laid down without bringing further deaths along and that they wouldnt mind losing their chair for supporting the demands of the people. Demirtaþ added that they however didnt expect the AKP government to undergo a radical and sudden change.
An undeclared war is being conducted in Syria where the Turkish government has been trying to lead to a chaos by violating the international law and supporting gangs to prevent Kurds from obtaining a political status, said BDP co-chair and stated that Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoðlu should have talks with the Kurdish High Council in Syria to make sure that the re-designed Syria and Kurds in it shall not pose a threat to Turkey. Demirtaþ added that they could mediate between two sides to ensure peace in the region.
Demirtaþ reminded that the great majority of Turkeys people is against an intervention on Kurds and Alewis in Syria, warning that Kurds will display reaction in all areas in the event that they are dragged into the war by virtue of provocations.
The Turkish government should promote good relations with Syrian Kurdistan considering the fact that the Kurdish people are determined to live in peace and strengthen their unity in all four parts of Kurdistan. Any achievement in one of these four parts will mean a common achievement on behalf of all Kurds. And as the Kurds in Turkey, we ask to live together and call for a solution which will be for the good of the Turkish people as well. The Turkish state shouldnt remain silent on this demand by the Kurdish people.
BDP co-chair ended calling on PM Erdoðan and his Minister Davutoðlu to sit down at the table with the BDP, the forth major power and the greatest civil movement in Turkey, and to accept it and treated as an equal actor so that it can play significant roles and take part in the determination of policies for inside and outside the country.
