DEM Party's Akın comments that it 'won't solve everything': It should be seen as the first of a thousand steps

DEM Party İzmir MP İbrahim Akın, speaking at a press conference in the Turkish Grand National Assembly (TBMM), stated that the "framework law" proposal submitted to the Speaker of the Parliament is important in terms of democratization and social peace, saying, "I would like to share my views on the law that emerged from the process that entered the Parliament's agenda as of yesterday and began to be discussed in the committee today. Various media outlets around the world have put this law on their agenda. There is indeed an important legislative agenda in Turkish history. It is not an ordinary law; it is an important law."

Stating that the law is not a final regulation that solves all problems, Akın spoke as follows:

"From our perspective, this is not a law that is complete in every way or that will solve all problems; it is entirely a beginning law. Öcalan said, 'It is useful to evaluate it as the first of 1,000 steps.' It can be handled as the beginning of a long process. It is very valuable in terms of the solution to the conflict process experienced in Turkey for years and the opening of the way for democratic politics, as well as in terms of the historical accumulation of the DEM Party. However, I want to express that this is not a law that will solve everything, that is complete, finished, or that we can call entirely positive; it is a beginning with its shortcomings, mistakes, and weaknesses."

Pointing to the importance of the process being carried out in Parliament, Akın said, "This historical process is truly being discussed and talked about within the Parliament, and commissions are being established. The will of the Parliament is emerging, and it is currently in the committee. I hope that a result will be achieved that will pass through the General Assembly and enter into force in the coming days, and that the way will be paved for taking a concrete step within this framework."

Arguing that social trust can be ensured not only through legal regulations but also through the implementation of judicial decisions, İbrahim Akın said:

"We believe that social trust can be ensured not by words or by making laws anymore, but by taking steps as a result of these laws, primarily by implementing the decisions of the ECHR and the Constitutional Court. We believe that a democratic environment cannot be achieved solely by laying down arms, but that social peace must also be ensured with all its dynamics and structures."

"The same mentality is being put back into play in İliç"

Speaking about the mining disaster at the Çöpler Gold Mine in İliç, Erzincan, on February 13, 2024, where 9 workers lost their lives, Akın argued that those responsible were not punished sufficiently after the disaster and stated that preparations were being made for mining activities to resume in the region.

Stating that the İliç accident was evaluated through a parliamentary inquiry, Akın said:

"It was one of the examples showing how brutally gold-producing companies exploit and how they operate without rules. Unfortunately, two years have passed. The current responsible parties have largely been released, and there is almost no one left who has been punished. Some have fled. A person on an American advisory board confessed in court. He said, 'There was no such example in the world. It is not possible to build any heap leach dam over 150 meters. Despite our warning, it had been raised to 250 meters here.' He stated in court that this happened due to the destruction this caused. In the current situation, preparations are being made to resume activities by obtaining a temporary license with the re-involvement of the Governorship and the Ministry. We do not think this is an acceptable situation. Scientists and environmentalists also say that the region has not yet recovered, that the cyanide-laden mine piles pose a serious risk, and that this will pollute our rivers. The Ministry had also committed a crime when it gave a positive EIA (Environmental Impact Assessment) decision in 2021. Today, the same mentality is being continued. The world's gold companies are continuing their activities in Turkey in an unlawful and ruleless manner, which they cannot do in other countries. It is unacceptable to issue licenses so rulelessly and to take positive EIA decisions so arbitrarily. Do not make these decisions so arbitrarily. If you do, you will face the objections and consequences. There is a standard for this all over the world and in Turkey. Unfortunately, these rules are not followed. The Erzincan İliç issue will be on the agenda of Turkey and the world again."

"Compensation should be given to fire victims"

Touching upon forest fires, İbrahim Akın said that the fires in Muğla, Balıkesir, and İzmir caused grievances for many citizens. Calling for compensation to be paid to citizens affected by the fires, Akın said, "There were terrible fires starting in Muğla and continuing in Balıkesir and İzmir. They reached living spaces. Many people were left homeless. We are demanding compensation, especially to remedy the grievances of our people who were victims of the fires in some districts of İzmir, in Balıkesir, and in Fethiye," he said.

News Source: 12punto