DEM Party Co-Chair Tülay Hatimoğulları speaks: Negotiations are with the state, not the AKP-MHP

A panel titled "Democracy, Peace, and the Future of Our Region" was held in the Defne district of Hatay. Speaking at the panel, DEM Party Co-Chair Tülay Hatimoğulları stated that the "Peace and Democratic Solution Process," which has been ongoing for over a year, is passing through significant stages. Hatimoğulları said that the work of the commission established in Parliament has stalled on the point of "hearing from Imralı" and specifically emphasized the importance of the CHP participating in this process.

THE STALLING OF THE IMRALI COMMISSION

Stating that the necessary steps to hear from Imralı have not been taken, Hatimoğulları said, "Öcalan's organization also put this forward as a condition. Before things reached this point, they should have gone to the island much earlier. The commission took a decision and is now going, but what we would have liked was for this decision to be taken unanimously." Evaluating the CHP's decision not to join the commission as a shortcoming, Hatimoğulları drew attention to the importance of the CHP being involved in this process. She used the expression, "The CHP chose not to go; this is a shortcoming."

SPEAKING ON DEMOCRACY AND AUTHORITARIANISM

Making important statements regarding the political situation in Turkey, Hatimoğulları said that they would never take part in an environment where there is no democracy and where authoritarianism prevails. Stating that they have held important meetings with the Alevi community and various labor organizations during this process, Hatimoğulları said, "The DEM Party does not take part in an environment that is undemocratic and authoritarian. We make our choices accordingly. Neither the Kurdish people nor the DEM Party can exist in a place where democracy and freedoms are absent."

CHP'S PARTICIPATION IN THE PROCESS IS NECESSARY

Hatimoğulları expressed that the negotiations held with the AKP and MHP during this process are not sufficient and that the actual interlocutor is the state itself. "These negotiations are a process conducted with the state, not with the AKP and MHP. The warring parties sit at the table; we see this when we look at all conflict resolution processes in the world," she said. Hatimoğulları noted that Öcalan has also expressed this view repeatedly. She continued, "The CHP remaining outside of this process is a shortcoming. The CHP must, absolutely must, take part in this process."

INCREASING PRESSURE CAUSES CONCERN

Hatimoğulları also touched upon the pressures experienced recently. "There are great concerns in the Alevi community and among left-socialist circles. These concerns are not unjustified. We are always on the side of the oppressed and the exploited. We cannot accept the pressures that the DEM Party previously experienced being directed at the Republican People's Party. We are very clear on this; our solidarity with the CHP continues, and we support the process," she stated.

Hatimoğulları also evaluated the developments in Syria. Condemning in particular the massacres that Arab Alevis have been subjected to in Syria, Hatimoğulları said that a new order is being shaped in Syria and that a democratic integration process should be followed there. Pointing to the negotiations between the two sides, she said, "The Damascus government defends a centralized administration and Sharia rules, while the SDF wants a democratic Syria."