Discussions on the solution of the Kurdish issue have been the main agenda of the country. Peoples' Equality and Democracy Party (DEM Party) MPs Sırrı Süreyya Önder and Pervin Buldan met with PKK Leader Abdullah Öcalan in İmralı Type F High Security Closed Prison on 28 December. Abdullah Öcalan's 7-point message on the solution of the Kurdish issue and democratşsation of the country was shared with the public. It was announced that the meetings of the DEM Party İmralı Delegation with political party leaders were also "positive". The delegation is expected to make a new application today and go to İmralı again in a short time. 

 

DEM Party Co-Chair Tülay Hatimoğulları evaluated Abdullah Öcalan's messages, the attitude of the government and opposition towards the solution of the Kurdish issue and the developments in the region to Mezopotamya Agency (MA).

 

Stressed that Abdullah Öcalan has been under isolation for a long time, Tülay Hatimoğulları said that the meeting of the DEM Party delegation is an important step for the lifting of the isolation. Tülay Hatimoğulları said that Abdullah Öcalan's messages are valuable and that Öcalan sees the Parliament as important both for constitutional arrangements and for solving the issue through democratic and peaceful methods. 

 

Tülay Hatimoğulları added, "Solving the Kurdish issue through peaceful and democratic methods is also very important in terms of reversing the antidemocratic practices in Turkey. For this reason, the solution of the Kurdish issue is not a matter to be left solely on the shoulders of Mr Öcalan or the Kurdish people alone. A common attitude of all political parties, social dynamics and democracy forces in Turkey on this issue will create a very important and valuable ground in this sense, and will also contribute to the process of democratic change and transformation."

 

'LANGUAGE MUST CHANGE'

 

Tülay Hatimoğulları stated that the language used by the government and the pro-government media regarding the solution and the Kurdish people is not acceptable and said: "It is obvious that the president, AKP spokespersons and the pro-government media use threats and poisonous language from time to time. It is not possible to accept the language that ignores the Kurdish issue, that is used against the political subjects of the Kurdish people, and which can be described as a reputation assassination on Mr Öcalan. This language must change immediately. This must change if there is to be any progress towards peace."

 

“Is it only about language? Of course not. At the same time, if you pay attention, there have been many trustee appointments since October 1. Most recently, our co-chairs and council members of Akdeniz Municipality were arrested. Then a trustee was appointed to the municipality. On the one hand you will say peace, on the other hand you will make arrests, detentions and appoint trustees. It is not possible to accept this. We do not and will not accept these as normal,” Tülay Hatimoğulları said. 

 

THINGS NEEDS TO BE DONE

 

“The first thing that needs to be done is to lift the isolation on Mr. Öcalan so that he can actively and healthily participate in this process, to improve his health conditions and to open communication channels with the outside world," Tülay Hatimoğulları said and added, "Trustee appointments must be stopped. Elected co-mayors and council members must be reinstated instead of the current appointed trustees. In addition, the problems in prisons must be addressed immediately and concrete steps must be taken, especially with regard to people who are imprisoned for their ideas, thoughts and political activities. Most urgently, a solution must be found for ill prisoners. Steps must be taken urgently for ill prisoners."

 

Tülay Hatimoğulları stated that the struggle of the Kurdish people and Abdullah Öcalan is being tried to be discredited with baseless news and that this process is different from the “solution processes” of the past and that it is promising. Tülay Hatimoğulları said, “As Mr. Öcalan pointed out, it is of critical importance that all segments of both the government and the opposition meet on a common ground in the solution of the Kurdish issue. Because the Kurdish issue and its solution should not be sacrificed for short-term interests by any political party, including the DEM Party. We are not thinking of short-term interests, but of the whole society. This is the future of Turkey. This is an issue that will shape the second century of the republic.” 

 

'ALL SOCIETY IN TURKEY WILL WIN'

 

Stating that everyone should wage a common struggle for the solution of the Kurdish issue and said, “We want neither a guerrilla mother nor a soldier's mother to cry today. We want a Turkish mother and a Kurdish mother to empathize by holding hands and looking into each other's eyes. This is possible with a big change. Therefore, while I understand the concerns of all opposition parties, especially the main opposition party, I think that we should also consider this process as a process that can change and transform those concerns. If this process proceeds on a democratic basis and peace is built in our country, let us be sure that the opposition will be the biggest winner. No one should have any doubt about this. The opposition will also win, and the entire society in Turkey will also win. The opposition should also see the gains of the Turkish society as its own gains. The CHP must lead this process with a more serious plan and program. It must be a part of this process. This process will contribute greatly to the democratization and transformation of Turkey.”

 

Drawing attention to the Kurdish issue is not only a problem in Turkey, Tülay Hatimoğulları said, "We know very well what kind of history HTS has. Today they are trying to establish a government in Damascus, but here has not yet been a serious institutionalization. Because there are very important problems there that need to be solved. First of all, the status of the Rojava region and what its status will be is one of the most fundemantal questions. If a healthy answer to this question is produced, an order can be established in Syria.” Tülay Hatimoğulları stated that as soon as HTS came to power in Damascus, it launched attacks against the Alives, Durzis and Christians, and interfered with women's clothing. 

 

'LET'S GROW AN HONOURABLE PEACE'

 

Stressed that this course of events is not good for the future of Syria, "The Kurdish issue there must be taken seriously and the existence of the self-government in North and East Syria must be recognised. It is very important to recognise the status of the Kurdish people. Secondly, it is clear that a democratic constitution must be built in which all the different peoples and beliefs living there can speak their own languages and live their beliefs freely. Unless these are achieved, it is not possible to talk about a stable and bright future for Syria. When we look at the current situation, no concrete and positive progress has been made in this regard," said Tülay Hatimoğulları and added, "Turkey's role should also be mentioned here. The current government is trying to use the developments in Syria to design domestic politics. This is dangerous and not a healthy approach. This approach is neither in the interest of the peoples of Turkey nor in the interest of Turkey. Likewise, this policy reflects very negatively on Syria and the Syrian people." Tülay Hatimoğulları said that the attacks of the Syrian National Army (SNA) against North and East Syria are unacceptable.

 

Tülay Hatimoğulları stated that there is silence against the massacres against Alawites in Syria and that everyone must take responsibility to prevent this. Expressing that the state of war in the Middle East is for a new design, Tülay Hatimoğulları stated that the Kurdish people, especially Rojava, have shown an important struggle within the global developments.

 

"There is a very important social contract in Rojava today. It is extremely important that the different peoples and beliefs included in this contract are represented jointly in all administrations. Women's freedom, women's participation in politics and the public sphere is very valuable. Co-mayor system and equal representation has come to life in Rojava and has become the most fundamental part of the social contract. These are very important developments," she said. 

 

Tülay Hatimoğulları added, "It is clear that all these will set an example for the Middle East and will be very beneficial for the future of the region. Within this picture, the construction of a possible peace process in Turkey with the inclusion of Mr Öcalan in the process has a historical meaning and importance. In this respect, I would like to call to all opposition groups, democratic forces and state minds in Turkey through you; None of us can waste this process. Let us pave the way for democratic change and transformation in this process. Let us strengthen and grow an honourable peace in Turkey on democratic grounds. Let us grow it so that we can lead the democratic transformation and peace of the region while the Middle East is going through a phase that is likely to plunge into darkness.

 

MA / Selman Güzelyüz - Ömer Güngör