Ruling coalition's junior partner speaks out on 'right to hope'

Great Unity Party (BBP) Chairman Mustafa Destici has made harsh assessments regarding the "right to hope" proposals for terror convicts, which have recently become a subject of public debate. In a written statement made via social media, Destici stated that granting such a right to leaders of terrorist organizations, primarily PKK leader Abdullah Öcalan, would harm the concepts of democracy and justice.

"To speak of a 'right to hope' for those who have destroyed the hopes of tens of thousands of people deeply damages the sense of justice. There can be no 'right to hope' for those who stole the hopes of even infants in their cradles, and who targeted the children of this nation with bombs, ambushes, and trenches," Destici said, also criticizing the fact that the issue is being brought to the agenda under the headings of human rights or reforms.

In his statement, Destici said that such debates do not occur in similar situations in European countries, and that agendas like "human rights" or "right to hope" are not created for terror convicts: "If terrorists labeled as 'public enemy number one' by Westerners, like terrorist leader Öcalan, had been convicted in the same way in any European country, discussions like 'human rights' or 'right to hope' would certainly not be opened."

Destici stated that recent public opinion polls show that support for approaches like the "right to hope" for the terrorist leader remains in the 13-15 percent range, while the rate of those opposing such amnesty demands exceeds 70-80 percent. He expressed that persistently bringing these demands, which lack legitimacy in society, to the agenda could fuel separatism and social polarization.

"When its legitimacy in the nation's conscience is this weak, what is the justification for this insistence? Would this approach not lay the groundwork for separatist movements that could revive, and for polarization and sharp divisions? In line with the wishes of the treacherous and bloody terrorist organization and its political extensions, which can still voice the rhetoric that 'there is no common homeland or common flag for us unless our demands are accepted' even under the roof of Parliament, no door of amnesty or hope should be opened for the terrorist leader and other terrorists."

The BBP leader added that Turkey should not compromise on the rule of law in its fight against terrorism. "Because Europe certainly does not bring such emphases to the agenda when it comes to terror convicts. In our country, it is thought-provoking that the issue is being opened for discussion under the name of 'democratic reform' through ECHR rulings," said Destici, emphasizing the need to pay attention to social sensitivity in files related to terrorism.

Finally, in his statement, he warned that the return of the issue to the agenda through amnesty for those convicted of terror crimes or through various campaigns and reform headings could shake the sense of trust in society.

WHAT DID BAHÇELİ SAY?

These debates were reignited after MHP Chairman Devlet Bahçeli used the words, "Our decision is clear until Anatolia returns to peace, Öcalan to hope, the Ahmets to their posts, and Demirtaş to his home," at his party's group meeting. Furthermore, statements by MHP's Feti Yıldız regarding the possibility that the "right to hope" issue could be on the table in a newly prepared commission report increased the social debate on this topic.

News Source: 12punto