CHP: 'A parliamentary commission must be established to solve the Kurdish issue'

The Republican People's Party (CHP) has prepared a 20-point 'Democratization Package.' 

CHP Chairman Özgür Özel announced during his group meeting on Tuesday that his party had prepared a democratization package while evaluating the new resolution process.

Özel stated, "If all opposition parties, especially the DEM Party, want the Kurdish issue to be solved, we are ready for the democratization process and the democratization package. If you are in, we are here. I challenge you."

As the Democratization Package mentioned by Özel nears completion, a commission chaired by CHP Deputy Chairman Gökçe Gökçen has finalized the 20-point Draft Democratization Package to be presented to the Central Executive Board (MYK).

According to a report by Ceren Bayar from Gazete Duvar, members including Murat Emir, Sezgin Tanrıkulu, Okan Konuralp, Zeynel Emre, Yunus Emre, Bahadır Erdem, and Bülent Tezcan presented their proposals to the commission.

These proposals were shared with the party leadership by Gökçen during the latest MYK meeting, which was also attended by CHP Chairman Özgür Özel. The MYK deliberated on the proposals for over three hours. Following the discussions, the general framework of the package was outlined.

Two days after the MYK meeting, the CHP's Democratization Preparation Commission held another meeting. In this session, the package was finalized, taking the MYK's suggestions into account.

Some of the points included in the CHP's Democratization Package are as follows:

- Ending the practice of appointing trustees (kayyım),

- Establishing a parliamentary commission where steps to be taken for the resolution of the Kurdish issue will be discussed and implemented,

- Regulating the execution legislation/law in accordance with universal human rights standards,

- Amending anti-democratic provisions in the Turkish Penal Code and the Anti-Terror Law, and bringing the TCK and TMK into compliance with universal human rights standards,

- Releasing sick and elderly prisoners,

- Removing obstacles to freedom of the press and expression,

- Removing obstacles to freedom of association,

- Repealing the disinformation law,

- Releasing prisoners in Gezi and similar social cases,

- Regulating/repealing the crime of insulting the President,

- Increasing penalties for hate speech and hate crimes,

- Combating crimes against humanity,

- Ensuring that institutions such as the Human Rights and Equality Institution of Turkey have an independent structure.

'A CONSTITUTION CANNOT BE MADE WITH THIS GOVERNMENT'

Stating that none of the points in the CHP's 20-point democratization package require a constitutional amendment, party sources said that the CHP maintains its position regarding constitutional change. Expressing that a constitution cannot be drafted with a government that does not implement the current constitution, CHP officials commented, "A constitution cannot be made with this government. We will not be involved in a constitutional debate during this period. However, many steps can be taken through legal regulations and good practices that can contribute to both the democratization of Turkey and the resolution of the Kurdish issue. The CHP is ready for this."

Stating that the prepared Democratization Package will be presented to the MYK, the officials said that the MYK will decide at what stage this package will be brought to the agenda and whether the CHP will take the initiative regarding the package or the items within it.