Turkish Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) Chair Devlet Bahçeli shook hands with Tuncer Bakırhan, Co-Chair of the Peoples' Equality and Democracy Party (DEM Party) at the opening of the new legislative year of the Parliament and then said, “We are entering a new era. While we want peace in the world, we need to ensure peace in our own country.” While the debates continue, Justice and Development Party (AKP) founding member, human rights defender and political scientist Fatma Bostan Ünsal made evaluations on the Kurdish issue and its solution. 

 

'THE KURDISH ISSUE IS A POLITICAL ISSUE'

 

Stating that the Kurdish issue is based on the nation-state understanding that “ignored” different ethnic, belief and language groups with the foundation of the Republic, Ünsal said that during the founding period of the Republic, political groups thought that different languages and ethnic origins would cause problems. 

 

Stating that the Kurdish issue is a political issue, Ünsal said that there is no major problem in society on this issue. Stating that there is a ground in the country where peoples can live together with their own originality, “This is both in our tradition and we see positive examples of it in the new period. Millions of people speak a different language, of course they will. Rather than being seen as a threat by the founding elites, different languages are accepted as a richness in society. Therefore, the problem is political” she said and pointed out that the obstacle to social peace is discriminatory approaches in politics.

 

'AN ISSUE FOR THE WHOLE SOCIETY'

 

Stating that the Kurdish issue has not found a proper place in the mainstream media and discussion grounds, Ünsal said: “For those of us who could not go to school during the prohibition period, our main problem was the headscarf. Kurds are voicing this because they are affected in the first degree. However, we need to know that it affects the whole society negatively. Therefore, it should be seen as the problem of the whole society. Since we cannot solve the Kurdish issue, there is a situation that pulls the whole society down.” 

 

'ABDULLAH ÖCALAN'S IDEAS MUST BE CONVEYED'

 

Bostan reminded that there have been “dialogue processes” in Turkey from time to time, but the last process did not result in a positive outcome, and said that since the Kurdish issue continues, there should be new peace processes. Pointing out that if a new process starts, the interlocutors should take part in this process, “We know that Abdullah Öcalan is one of the most important people to address the Kurdish people. Turkey needs to re-enter a peace process by conveying his ideas. As long as the Kurdish issue is not resolved, there can be neither prosperity nor law in Turkey” Ünsal said. 

 

'SOCIETY MUST TAKE ITS DESTINY INTO ITS OWN HANDS'

 

Stated that the government, which does not solve the problems of the society, creates an artificial distrust between the peoples in order to maintain its existence, Ünsal continued as follows: “What does an external power do to a society? We say 'divide and rule'. When various groups see each other as a threat, it is not possible for society to come together and for democratic governance. If groups see each other as a threat, then there is a need for tutelage; either foreign power or military power. Creating politics of hatred between peoples is an easy way out for those in power. Society must now take its destiny into its own hands and realize that there is a situation in which it does not and cannot be seen as a threat to transparent and accountable governance. 

 

Today, multilingual and multi-ethnic societies live together in many places. There are many ways in which the different languages and groups that make up a society can live prosperously. These are not just products of the new era or western civilization. For the Muslim community, it is also seen as the The constitution of Medina.  The constitution of Medina is a text that is constantly referenced. When our Prophet (Prophet Muhammad) went to Medina, there was a multi-cultural and multi-religious environment. How Jews, Mushriks and Muslims would come together in an orderly manner and how they would protect themselves against possible aggressors; this is how it was created. No one needs to change their language or religion to live together.”

 

MA / Yeşim Tükel