DEM Party's Tülay Hatimoğulları issues statement following controversial remarks

While the DEM Party's tour of visits in the Turkish Grand National Assembly continues following meetings with Abdullah Öcalan, the leader of the PKK terrorist organization, in İmralı, a controversial statement came from DEM Party Co-Chair Tülay Hatimoğulları.

Speaking in Diyarbakır, Hatimoğulları said regarding the new process, "Either we will build peace or negative fractures will occur, and everywhere will become Gaza."

ÖNDER: TAKEN OUT OF CONTEXT

While reactions poured in over the threatening remarks, DEM Party member Sırrı Süreyya Önder argued that the statement in question had been taken out of context.

NEW STATEMENT FROM TÜLAY HATİMOĞULLARI

Following the backlash, a statement also came from Hatimoğulları. Arguing that her words were distorted, Hatimoğulları stated, "Our entire effort is for an honorable peace, period!"

Hatimoğulları's statement is as follows:

I want to start by stating my final point first: No one has the power to distort our insistence on peace and our words. Our entire effort is for an honorable peace. Period.

The words I spoke in a speech in Diyarbakır yesterday have been distorted in some media outlets and social media channels, and it has been claimed that I used them for the purpose of a "threat," distancing them from their meaning.

My words have not the slightest connection to this definition and approach. It should be known that we are approaching this in a completely responsible and careful manner during such a critical and important period.

What needs to happen today is to ensure a democratic and peaceful solution to the Kurdish issue, both within Turkey's borders and in the Middle East.

In every speech, we state that we are ready to do our part as a party for the resolution of the Kurdish issue, which is not only a local but also a regional matter.

A peaceful solution is the only way to avoid all kinds of destruction. This is the point I wanted to emphasize.

We are a party that knows from experience that no solution can be achieved with a language of reaction or threat during such a period.

Our main issue is that steps are taken to realize a peaceful and democratic solution in the healthiest way possible. I present this to the public with my respects.

News Source: 12punto