ISTANBUL - Artist Ferhat Tunç, one of the signatories of the "Let's Be a Voice for Peace" declaration, emphasized that concerns about Abdullah Ocalan must be resolved and said: "Artists must not be parties or spectators of the oppression."

 

"Let's Be a Voice for Peace" declaration announced by 571 names from the world of literature and art, including writers, directors, musicians, art critics, actors, painters, dengbêj and academics, in Amed and Istanbul on January 7. 

In the declaration, which was called by names such as Jülide Kural, Sırrı Süreyya Önder, Cevdet Bağca, Nur Sürer, Mikail Aslan, Firat Cewerî, Feyyaz Yaman and Şanar Yurdatapan, a call was made for the solution of the Kurdish issue, the end of the isolation against PKK Leader Abdullah Ocalan and the establishment of social peace.

 

One of the names that signed the announced declaration is artist Ferhat Tunç. Tunç spoke to Mezopotamya Agency (MA) about the content and purpose of the declaration.

 

'DECLARATION IS A CALL TO GROW HOPE'

 

Reminding that he has been living abroad since 2019 due to the ongoing lawsuit against him and finalized sentences, Tunç said that he has not lost hope for peace in Turkey despite the 5-year period. 

Emphasizing that the declared declaration has a great meaning in this sense, Tunç said: “This declaration is actually a call to raise this hope. Because our country has a Kurdish issue that waiting for a solution. An ongoing war on the issue and their shocking consequences are obvious. There is a need for a common mind and conscience, and most importantly, dialogue, to stop this direction. The declared declaration undoubtedly includes a call for the peaceful solution of this issue."

 

'CONCERNS ABOUT OCALAN MUST BE RESOLVED'

 

Stating that the unresolved Kurdish issue affects all people living in the country and creates shocking results in this sense, Tunç said: “The solution lies in the dialogue process with PKK Leader Abdullah Ocalan. Today, we see that we have entered a period in which hunger strikes have started again in prisons to protest the isolation conditions in Imrali. The current government and state officials met with Ocalan as the representative of the Kurds during the solution process. These talks led to a climate of peace in Turkey and they were correct. If the solution process had continued and reached a real conclusion, war, death, tears; We wouldn't be living through these dark days when all the evil comes to light, that's for sure. For this reason, concerns about Abdullah Ocalan, who has been held in isolation for years, can be resolved and a new process can be started."

 

'ARTIST MUST NOT BE A SPECTATOR OF OPPRESSION'

 

Pointing out that many artists who define themselves as oppositionists in the country today remain silent in the face of the Kurdish issue, Tunç said: “Artists are expected to object to injustices. Therefore, artists must not be parties or spectators of the cruelty that is happening openly. There is a reality of oppression in our country today that no one can ignore. First of all, standing against oppression is the artist's most fundamental right and duty. Today, I regret to see that many artists, also known as 'dissidents', remain silent instead of objecting. They are just anxious to hold more concerts. Of course, I don't blame anyone for holding concerts. However, we must remember to question how we can get out of this darkness we are trapped in as a country. This is exactly the sad thing. It seems like we are forgetting the fact that we are not a democratic state of law. There are thousands of people who have to live in prisons and exile today just because of their thoughts."

 

'THE PRESCRIPTION FOR CRISIS IS DEMOCRACY AND DIALOGUE'

 

Stating that the declaration announced in this sense must be seen as a beginning in the solution point, Tunç continued: “It is only possible to ensure that the conditions change with such sensitive outputs. We all know very well that the solution to the issues is through respect for different identities and values. The recipe to get out of this crisis is again democracy, normalization and of course dialogue. The Kurds are a reality, this reality needs peace, not war, to preserve its existence. I think everyone must do whatever they can to ensure a lasting peace."

 

MA / İbrahim Irmak