DEM Party responds to Erdoğan's remarks: 'There is a serious opportunity before us'

Peoples' Equality and Democracy Party (DEM Party) Co-Chair Tuncer Bakırhan evaluated current developments at his party's weekly parliamentary group meeting.

Bakırhan reacted to the detention of Esenyurt Mayor Ahmet Özer. Pointing out that Özer was elected by the will of the people, Bakırhan reminded that Özer was elected under the "City Consensus" formula.

Bakırhan said, "It is clear that Ahmet Özer's implementation of democratic, communal municipalism has bothered them and made them uncomfortable. We are calling out to those who carried out this operation from here; we have seen this many times, enough is enough. Stop these games, turn back from this mistake, show respect for the will of the people, and release Ahmet Özer immediately.”

'DENIAL AND DESTRUCTION CONTINUE'

Stating that peoples have experienced trauma throughout the history of the Republic, Bakırhan said, "They have suffered very serious pain. We were governed by an understanding that ruled the country through fear, and we lived in such a system. Because the Republic feared democracy, it could not democratize. The Republic could not reach its goals and remained far behind them. Unfortunately, it could not be the republic of everyone. It became the republic of a small minority.

It served a small minority. In fact, the essence of the republic is democracy, but unfortunately, there was no democracy. The essence of the republic was to be the republic of everyone. Each of us is a witness, a defendant, and a victim of the first 100 years of the Republic. We have suffered great persecution, especially in these 100 years. Because even if governments change, the relationship between the republic and the Kurds never changes. It continues in a way built on denial and oppression,” he said.

'WE CAN MAKE PROGRESS'

Pointing out that the Kurdish issue has not been resolved for 100 years, Bakırhan noted, "When the republic was founded 100 years ago, they also said 'survival.' 100 years have passed and they are still saying 'survival.' The denialist mindset, by saying 'survival,' has unfortunately not been able to advance the republic even one step. They have governed the country wrongly for 100 years. If they are still talking about 'survival' 100 years later and mentioning a 'survival' problem, it means a mistake was made somewhere. If they can admit that mistake, if those who govern this country can say that they made mistakes in the last century, we can make progress,” he noted.

A hundred years ago, when the republic was founded, they said 'survival'; a hundred years have passed and they are still saying 'survival.' The denialist mindset, by saying survival, could not advance the republic even one step.

The Kurds have expressed what they want a thousand times. For a hundred years, Kurds have been asking for the identity and will that were taken from them. The Kurdish issue is a problem of recognition, a constitutional problem. Kurds value wishes for democracy and equality. Kurds no longer want wishes; they want constitutional guarantees. They want an honorable peace.

When peace is mentioned, it is immediately evaluated as a concession. Peace is not a weakness, but courage and grace. We want peace to be discussed with great courage.

The essential duty is not to infringe upon each other's rights and laws. Erdoğan also said at the group meeting; he said there is a foundation for this like never before. Then go ahead, let us build peace together.

Since you cannot destroy more than 50 million Kurds, go ahead and announce your solution as well. What is the Kurdish issue? What is your solution regarding the Kurdish issue?

'LIFT THE ISOLATION'

During a period when peace is being discussed, Abdullah Öcalan, who has not been visited for 44 months, held a meeting with our deputy Ömer Öcalan. Even this meeting alone created hope. However, the first message that came was that the isolation continues. Lift the isolation on Öcalan, whom you also see as an interlocutor, and create free working conditions. Öcalan says, 'If you are there, I am there, I am ready.' The government knows this better than we do. There is a historic call; let us evaluate it. We are also ready to do our best to transition from conflict and violence to a legal and political ground. Let us remove the role of force and open the way for dialogue and negotiation. Is the state mind really ready for peace? Does it have a plan or a program? We want to see this.

RESPONSE TO ERDOĞAN

We were also wondering what Mr. Erdoğan was thinking. You are facing a historic test. We find the words you said today important. The responsibility to take action lies with you as the President. Take your place on a different page than the presidents before you. Let them not distort what we say and write as the DEM Party. Our hand is ready for negotiation. Our fists are not clenched. We are not under the roof of this Parliament for that. But let no one draw a route for us, let no one threaten or insult us."

NEW CONSTITUTION MOVE

Making statements regarding the new constitution, Bakırhan said, ''In the second century, Kurds want a constitution that can meet their democratic demands. Constitutional guarantee is now inevitable.''