DEM Party's Gülistan Koçyiğit apologizes for controversial 'young corpses' remark

DEM Party Group Deputy Chair Gülistan Kılıç Koçyiğit was a guest of Ruşen Çakır on Medyascope.

Çakır asked about the criticisms coming from the MHP, which initiated the opening process for the DEM Party, and about the controversial 'young corpses' remark.

Koçyiğit first expressed the following regarding the MHP's criticisms:

"It is a fact that the Nationalist Movement Party is the driving force behind this process. We can see this. In other words, we have an assessment that Mr. Bahçeli is looking at this issue not from a short-term political agenda or a pragmatic concern for his own political party's priorities, but rather with a longer-term perspective aimed at resolving the Kurdish issue, which is the most significant obstacle facing Turkey."

Of course, there may be criticisms directed at us as well. Politics is also a ground for criticism. I mean, we are not in places where we approve of each other every single day, shall we say?

There are many discourses and actions of the MHP that we currently disagree with and do not find correct in politics. However, what do we do? We criticize them as well.

In that sense, these criticisms should be understood to a certain extent."

SHE APOLOGIZED

Following the backlash, Koçyiğit stated that the phrase 'young corpses,' which she used during a debate with IYI Party deputies in the Grand National Assembly of Turkey (TBMM), was a slip of the tongue. Offering an apology, Koçyiğit said the following:

"I would like to clarify two things. First, regarding the statement I made in the General Assembly. I would like to correct it through your program as well.

There was a word that slipped out by mistake. I meant to say 'funerals,' but due to the heat of the moment and the intensity of the debate—if the video is watched, it is very clear that we were speaking amidst the noise and commotion starting from the back.

I said 'corpses,' and there were segments that perceived this as an insult. First and foremost, I would like to express that I am very sorry to everyone and every segment offended by this word. There was absolutely no such intent.

It was truly a word that slipped out by mistake, a result of an error due to the high tension of the situation. When looking at what was said before and after, it is clearly visible that it was a speech about life, about people living, and about ending the glorification of death and the politics of death."

Koçyiğit also commented on MHP Chairman Devlet Bahçeli's criticism regarding 'maximalist demands' during the process:

"Frankly, we do not think that any of our demands—such as the separation of legislative, executive, and judicial powers in Turkey and our aspiration for a fully democratic country—are maximalist. And I believe the entire public knows that we are not making any of these demands solely for the DEM Party, solely for ourselves, or solely for the Kurds."

WHAT DID KOÇYİĞİT SAY?

DEM Party's Koçyiğit had clashed with IYI Party deputies in recent weeks. In the Grand National Assembly of Turkey (TBMM) General Assembly, Koçyiğit had stated the following from the DEM Party benches:

"Some are after provocation. Some want to create provocation. Some want to stir up this country. Some want to set an ambush for peace. Some have bloody ambitions. There are people who will applaud the death of poor Anatolian villagers by placing their hands on the coffins of young corpses that will come, and by engaging in demagoguery. But we say it clearly and plainly. We are in favor of peace, we are in favor of a solution, we are in favor of democracy, and we will do this despite the IYI Party."

HOW DID BAHÇELİ REACT?

MHP Leader Devlet Bahçeli, at the latest MHP Group Meeting, reacted to both the slogans chanted in the TBMM in favor of PKK leader Öcalan and Koçyiğit's 'young corpses' remark as follows:

"A 'Turkey without terrorism' is also one of these goals."

In this process, it is essential to make a clear distinction between excitement and madness, and to avoid unconscious cheers and pronunciations that could be interpreted as wrong.

The National Solidarity, Brotherhood and Democracy Commission is approaching the end of its consultations.

We certainly do not expect the separatist terror problem, which has a 41-year history, to be solved in a single day. However, we invite all segments, especially the relevant parties, to use responsible language. Calling our martyrs 'young corpses' is neither correct nor an accurate statement. Because martyrs are not corpses. They are our heroes and our spiritual guardians. As stated in the Surah Al-Imran, do not think of those killed in the way of Allah as dead. On the contrary, they are alive.

"Everyone and all of us must carefully ensure that the goal of a terror-free Turkey is not disrupted. We must avoid bringing maximalist demands to the agenda. We must refrain from irresponsible and accusatory rhetoric. It should be known that everything is for Turkey. We are all the Turkish nation. After crossing the sea, stumbling in the stream will not benefit anyone. A terror-free Turkey is the common desire and goal of the Turkish nation. Those who abandon this desire and goal will face very heavy consequences morally, historically, conscientiously, and politically."