At the Parliamentary Commission meeting on the resolution of the Kurdish question, HDK Co-Spokesperson Meral Danış Beştaş said: “Reducing the Kurdish question to a security matter is unacceptable.”
Speaking at the first commission meeting, Meral Danış Beştaş said: “This meeting itself is of great importance. One of the first steps is being taken to transform the anti-democratic system resulting from a 100-year policy of denial into one with a democratic character. Of course, not everything will be solved in this commission. We are aware of that. But this commission will be one of the first correct steps on the path to a solution, one of the first efforts to build a democratic mindset.”
She continued: “The Kurdish question is not only the question of the Kurds. In our view, one of the tasks of this commission is also to show the will and determination to implement the provisions of the current legislation and laws. Because we will propose legislative amendments. These will be presented. We will work on them more intensely in the coming days.”
Highlighting that all her colleagues detained in the Kobanê Case should be released, she said: “I want to stress the importance of this commission taking initiative and showing will on this matter.”
Meral Danış Beştaş also said: “We are all aware that we are facing a very important historical opportunity and responsibility. Mr. Öcalan is making a great effort to ensure this process reaches a healthy and successful outcome. Numerous demands have been made regarding his health, security, and freedom conditions. Work on this will continue, but since I’m speaking about laws and decisions, I want to reference the right to hope. In a case brought from Turkey, a decision was issued in Abdullah Öcalan’s case on March 18, 2014, affirming the necessity of applying the right to hope. This is also a legal requirement. I want to emphasize this point.
Another very important issue is the practice of appointing trustees. For three terms, trustees have been appointed to our municipalities, and this again represents a constitutional violation. The trustee practice, which is contrary to Articles 38 and 127 of the Constitution, stands as a method of collective punishment. One of the essential foundations for resolving the Kurdish issue through democratic means and building a democratic society is respect for the people’s will and the termination of trustee appointments.”
She added: “Reducing the Kurdish issue to a matter of security is unacceptable. The solution lies in democratizing the legal system.
Resolving the Kurdish issue will be a turning point in Turkey’s journey toward democracy, justice, and peace. As Mr. Öcalan expressed during the peace process, the Kurds’ encounter with the law will open the doors of Turkish democracy to all peoples. This process will allow not only the Kurdish people but also workers, women, youth, Alevis, migrants, and all marginalized groups to reconnect with the law.
Turning the law into a tool of freedom rather than domination is one of the historical responsibilities of this commission. We are ready to be an active part of this process to build a law of justice, equality, and freedoms together, and we will carry out this work with all our efforts.”
Meral Danış Beştaş continued: “We believe the commission should not be a space for political rivalry or conflict. We have held this position from the beginning.
In this commission’s work, we want to talk about how the rights, freedoms, equality, and shared life of all citizens in Turkey can be ensured.
One of the most important things is that we need to build a new language — a respectful language. While speaking, whoever it may be, we must create a language that does not marginalize, exclude, or reject others.
Growing hope in Turkey, lighting the path to the future, and building peace and a democratic society are, above all, the duty and responsibility of the members of this commission and parliament. As DEM Party, this is at least the perspective from which we are approaching this process
