CHP proposes name change for commission

The "Terror-Free Turkey" commission, which is planned to be established in the Grand National Assembly of Turkey, has sparked debate even before it has begun its work. CHP Group Deputy Chairman Murat Emir, at a press conference where he announced his party's support for the commission, argued that the name of the commission should be changed.

Emphasizing that the phrase "Terror-Free Turkey" contains a one-sided approach, Emir said, "For us, democracy and justice are indispensable. No title that does not include these two concepts can represent social reconciliation." Emir stated that the name proposal they submitted to the commission as the CHP is the "Democracy, Justice, and Social Consensus Commission."

FIELD WORK BEGINS IN 22 PROVINCES

Murat Emir also provided information on how the commission will operate. Stating that the CHP will follow this process not only under the roof of Parliament but also in the field, Emir said that a comprehensive study will be carried out in 22 provinces together with the party organization. Emir said, "We will be among the people with our 108 deputies. We will clearly explain what the commission will do and what it will not do."

CHP Group Deputy Chairman Murat Emir also said the following regarding the commission established within the Parliament, which will hold its first meeting tomorrow:

"We have long been saying that the place that should function as the primary venue for the necessity of a commission, especially for the identification and resolution of the Kurdish issue and the problems facing democratization in Turkey, is the TBMM (Grand National Assembly of Turkey); that it is a process where representatives of the national will, namely deputies, and at the same time everyone who has something to say—civil society, associations, families of martyrs, veterans, universities, opinion leaders—can come and speak, where we can find social consensus in the broadest sense, where everyone will be satisfied, and where we will not change but heal social wounds, can only and only be carried out under the roof of Parliament; transparently, honestly, openly, and in the eyes of the public. The commission proposal was ours, and as a party that already has work and preparations on this subject, we certainly do not shy away from joining this commission, and we will perform our duty in this commission. However, how this commission will work is extremely important. If the goal is truly to start a process in Turkey where weapons are laid down, terrorism is destroyed forever, democracy is flourished, freedoms are expanded, the Constitution is not violated, and Constitutional Court (AYM) decisions are complied with, then the place for this must be this commission, and this can only be done by talking in this commission. But for this, how the commission will work, starting with its name, how it will determine its agenda, how it will make its decisions, and how it will ensure transparency are extremely important to us and are our red lines.

As a first condition, we had proposed equal representation and a qualified majority. We are taking our first step into this commission by receiving the promise that there is a positive approach regarding the qualified majority. However, this must be understood: I would like to underline once again these realities that we have said repeatedly, every day, openly, that we have said to our interlocutors behind closed doors in meetings, but that we have also always expressed openly to the public: The name of the commission is very important. 'Democracy' and 'justice' must be in the name of this commission. Because without democracy and justice, it is impossible for us to build and permanently establish brotherhood and social peace in Turkey. We must start a process for the whole of Turkey, for 86 million, for all our provinces, that sees, identifies, and understands the Kurdish issue, that does not shy away from taking democratic steps towards its solution, but while doing all this, also proposes democracy to all of Turkey, proposes raising our democracy bar in all of Turkey, and at the same time will eliminate the March 19 judicial coup we are in, eliminate the violation of AYM decisions, and eliminate the keeping of elected officials in prison.

When you tie this to a law, a goal, an agenda, this commission cannot reach its goal. Precisely for this reason, starting with its name, the purpose of the commission must also be defined correctly. The purpose of the commission must absolutely be to re-flourish justice, democracy, and freedoms in Turkey. When we do these, we can heal our social peace and brotherhood. Things done otherwise will not be a balm for the wound in Turkey, and we will have wasted time and effort, and God forbid, if Turkey goes backward from its current state, we will face much more negative results. For this reason, we expect everyone to act responsibly and sensibly."