At a meeting in Amed (Diyarbakır), Kurdish political parties, civil society organizations, opinion leaders, and elected representatives came together to announce the establishment of the Democratic Unity Initiative. 

 

People’s Equality and Democracy (DEM) Party MPs Gülcan Kaçmaz Sayyiğit and Mehmet Kamaç were appointed as co-spokespersons.

 

In a press conference held at the Çand Amed Congress Center, the initiative’s declaration was made public. The declaration was attended by DBP, DEM Party, DTK, and many mayors. A moment of silence was also held in memory of DEM Part İmralı delegation member Sırrı Süreyya Önder and DEM Party (Êlih (Batman) Co-chair Mustafa Mesut Tekik. 

 

DECLARATION ANNOUNCED

 

Initiative announced its establishment and emphasized that Turkey and the Middle East re undergoing a critical historical process and that this situation creates social opportunities. The 'Unity and Common Attitude Conference' in Rojava was cited as an example. Furthermore, the massacres against Alevis and Druzes in Syria were strongly condemned.

 

The initiative expressed its commitment to the organized construction of a democratic society and its support for Abdullah Öcalan’s call for a solution. It believes that the resolution of the Kurdish issue is only possible through local democracy and legal reforms.

 

GOALS

 

Goals of the initiative reads as follows: 

 

“*The Democratic Unity Initiative takes on the advocacy of the rights and demands of all social groups that have been denied, exploited, and wronged. It aims to fight for the construction of a democratic and free life by taking a clear stance against all forms of pressure, assimilation, and undemocratic practices.

 

*It fights to remove all obstacles for the free development of cultures and beliefs in one’s mother tongue. It advocates for the right to education and instruction in the mother tongue, as well as for the existence of all languages and cultures in every aspect of life. It supports the freedom to carry out cultural and artistic activities in the mother tongue. 

 

*It opposes economic exploitation and works in coordination with labor organizations to ensure that all workers and social groups achieve fair living standards.

 

*It fight against environmental destruction and ecological devastation, defending nature and ecological life.

 

*It sees policies of corruption targeting youth and women as a serious threat to our social existence; it leads a collective struggle, with the leadership of women and youth, together with all social groups, against these threats.

 

*It accepts gender equality as a fundamental principle and views the fight against gender-based discrimination and violence as a primary responsibility.

 

*It considers the problems faced by people with disabilities as an important social issue and works with disability organizations for solutions.

 

*It considers the Kurdish issue as a matter of freedom, democracy, and status, and believes its solution will be possible through legal and constitutional regulations and the strengthening of local democracy.

 

*In light of current developments in the Middle East, it aims to strengthen the Kurdish people's capacity for joint action.

 

*Within the framework of universal human rights documents, it prioritizes the defense of individual and collective rights and continues its work with determination to establish a sustainable foundation for the struggle for freedom and equality.”