Tuncer Bakırhan points to the government: 'They must respond to Bahçeli's call for the right to hope'

DEM Party Co-Chair Tuncer Bakırhan made striking statements regarding developments in the country and the region during his party's group meeting at the Grand National Assembly of Turkey.

Recalling MHP Chairman Devlet Bahçeli's statements regarding the 'right to hope,' Bakırhan said that the government is the addressee of this call and that the expected steps must be taken without delay.

While operations carried out against various leftist organizations and institutions in the morning hours remain on the agenda, Bakırhan stated that nearly 100 people were detained in these operations.

He emphasized that the detainees include Socialist Party of the Oppressed (ESP) Co-Chair Murat Çepni and DEM Party Assembly member Emin Orhan. Bakırhan said, “We are witnessing an increase in strikes across the country due to the current state of the economy. We want to reiterate that we stand with all workers, especially the Migros warehouse workers.”

TOUCHED ON THE SYRIA ISSUE  

Bakırhan also touched upon the attacks against Kurds in Syria and international developments. Stating that the attacks that began in neighborhoods where Kurds live in Aleppo have turned into mass migration and a siege, Bakırhan reminded that support demonstrations for Rojava are being organized all over the world. Referring to the difficulties Kurds have faced throughout history and pointing to the Paris Agreement, Bakırhan said, “Kurds have shown that they will no longer tolerate the repetition of conspiracies and exclusion.”

Bakırhan continued: “Kurds have not given up on their demand to live as equal citizens in the countries where they reside. They want to speak their language, express their identity, and protect their culture. Suppressing the legitimate demands of a people does not bring lasting peace; on the contrary, it paves the way for conflicts that will last for generations.”

While expressing that the gradual integration process announced in Syria would strengthen the democratic balance, Bakırhan stated that it is important for those displaced, especially from Afrin and Serêkaniyê, to return to their lands as soon as possible. He also argued that the administrative status of Kurds and the right to education in their mother tongue could be the guarantee of a unified Syria, adding that this process should proceed through negotiations.

Drawing attention to the Kurds' need for national unity in his speech, Bakırhan said, "Establishing national unity stands before Kurdish politics as a greater responsibility than ever before in history."

EVALUATED BAHÇELİ'S CALL FOR THE RIGHT TO HOPE 

Bakırhan also expressed his concerns regarding the increasing social polarization and rising racism in Turkey. Stating that a nurse was detained simply for braiding her hair, Bakırhan pointed out that hatred and lynching attempts against Kurds have become widespread in the public sphere and on social media, and that sufficient legal and political reactions are not being shown against this.

Finally, Tuncer Bakırhan stated, "Trying to achieve internal peace with the Kurds while turning a blind eye to the spread of racism is a serious contradiction, and it is the government's duty to resolve this contradiction. Recognizing identity, language, and culture, and strengthening local democracy, is the most fundamental way for people to feel safe."

He concluded his remarks by saying, "The 'right to hope' mentioned by Bahçeli will gain meaning in a Turkey where the trustee system has ended and political prisoners have regained their freedom. It is now in the hands of the government to take responsibility and act on these valuable observations made by Bahçeli."

News Source: 12punto