In Istanbul, 78 people, including politicians, academics, intellectuals, writers and journalists, announced the "Call to Peace" declaration on October 28 for the solution of the Kurdish issue through democratic and peaceful means. Hakan Öztürk, Chairperson of the Labor Movement Party (EHP), one of the signatories, emphasized in his evaluation of the declaration that the demands of the Kurdish people should be understood.

 

Hakan Öztürk

 

CALL FOR A NEW PROCESS

 

Stating that the Kurdish issue should be resolved through dialogue, discussion and negotiation, Öztürk said: "The 'Call to Peace' declaration is important at this point. We showed the way to a solution with the declaration we announced. I believed that a result would be achieved at this point. Events may not have gone as we wanted. But we must always express our attitude and will in favor of the brotherhood and peaceful living of peoples. Why should we choose a conflictual situation? We must be fair and peaceful. This is an initiative that will be rewarded in the long term. That is why we must continue this attitude." 

 

Stating the Kurdish movement has always expressed its desire for peace, Öztürk said:"A new process could be possible by learning from the old processes. This is also a proposal. Why would we want tension or unrest in our own country? In that respect, the right thing is to increase good relations between peoples. We did this as a line defending the brotherhood of peoples. If it happened before, despite all the difficulties (the solution process) It can happen again. This is our suggestion to the whole society."

 

SOLUTION OF THE KURDISH QUESTION

 

Stating that they were discussing "what can we do" regarding the Kurdish issue, Öztürk said: "Accordingly, we announced this first declaration. It is useful to keep this on the agenda of the society because if we cannot keep it on the agenda, it will come to our agenda with constant pain. The way to prevent this is to open a door of peace for ourselves. The government also has to address the declaration. There are identity and language problems in many countries of the world. Kurds also have a desire to keep their native language alive because it can survive by using the native language and passing it on to children. We should accept this as normal."

 

Stating that the problems of the people should be solved through freedoms, Öztürk continued: "If we do not look at this issue within the framework of freedoms, measures will be taken against those whose problems are expressed. This is the reason why the tension in Turkey is growing. We need to understand that the demands of the Kurdish people are normal and justified. We need to know that the Kurdish people value their own mother tongue and their rights, just as we value our own mother tongue. In that respect, steps must be taken for a solution. We must put this issue before us on the basis of freedoms."

 

MA / Ömer İbrahimoğlu