Zana: EU should take active role for the solution of the Kurdish question

Zana: EU should take active role for the solution of the Kurdish question

Diyarbakýr independent deputy Leyla Zana made a speech on “Women’s Rights and Freedom of Expression” at an European Parliament session, a joint organization by EP Committee on Women’s Rights and Gender Equality and EU-Turkey Joint Parliamentary Commission. Zana called on the European Parliament to play an active role in the process of finding a solution of the Kurdish problem and to send an official delegation to Turkey to make investigation into Roboski massacre.

Zana MP primarily called attention to the ongoing isolation on PKK (Kurdistan Workers Party) Leader Abdullah Öcalan and called on the EU to do what necessary to enable him play his role in the solution process of the Kurdish issue. “In accordance with universal values of human rights, every people are supposed to be free in appointing their leader. The isolation imposed on Kurdish people’s leader hurts the spirit of sensible Turkish and Kurdish people”, Zana pointed out.

Evaluating the arrest of Öcalan and his delivery to Turkey as a historic mistake that led the Kurdish problem into a deadlock instead of a solution, Zana noted that “We expect the Europe to play an ative role in the initiation process of negotiations”.

"As far as the discussions in Turkey reveal, the Turkish society is ready for Öcalan’s inclusion in the process of a solution to the Kurdish problem", said Zana and added that the first thing to be done in this process is an urgent step to be taken by the political power in Turkey.

Asked her opinion about the EU’s declaring the PKK as a “terrorist organization”, Zana said that; “I believe we need to establish a good cause and effect relation, this is what the dialectical logic requires. We need to examine very well why violence broke out in this territory.  Those using violence today also agree on taking part in political process and displaying all kinds of self-devotion should a formulation be put forward with an aim to come up the Kurdish problem with a solution through dialogue. This is also what the Turkish and Kurdish society expects to happen.”

Should we in this respect base on the rights of states or societies and peoples?, asked Zana and added that all living beings will unevitably make an effort to protect themselves against states that defend their own rights alone.

Answering a question about the meeting with Prime Minister Erdoðan late last month, Zana remarked that she had brought forward what needed to be explained concerning the Kurdish problem and the current situation in Turkey. “The Prime Minister said me during the meeting that I had painted a hopeless picture but the political responsibility requires not to put a brave face on things but to tell all troubles lived in the country. That’s why I replied him that everyone should give a joint effort to eliminate all troubles in Turkey”, said Zana as to what she had talked about with the Prime Minister.

Zana continued saying that she hoped the government would resume its performance and practices for negotiations as it did three years ago because -she underlined- the  security based concept of the government has given pain to all circles in Turkey. “The priority of security makes it impossible to voice human rights, democracy or freedoms, as we have all witnessed and experienced. The anti-terror concept was, as a matter of fact, first developed by the U.S. after the 11 September attack and this concept spread in waves all around the world. However, the improvement of democracy, freedoms and human rights is all we need to eliminate terror and violence.”

Zana ended calling attention to the Roboski massacre on 28 December 2011 and pointed out that those responsible for the murder of 34 civilians still haven’t been brought out into the open. “This massacre has made our open wounds bleed once again. Responsible authorities didn’t only try to cover up the massacre but also accused families of the victims”, said Zana and urged the EU to send an official delegation to the scene and to play a more effective role in exposing those responsible for the massacre.