At the “Amed Peace Workshop” organized by the Critical Peace Network in Amed with the participation of 50 civil society organizations, the importance of civil society organizations’ participation in the process was emphasized.
The “Amed Peace Workshop”, organized by the Critical Peace Network with the participation of 50 civil society organizations, was held at the Amed (tr: Diyarbakır) Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DTSO) building. The opening speech was delivered by Ferda Fahrioğlu, an academic from the network’s secretariat.
Fahrioğlu stated that they had come together with 50 organizations fighting for peace, saying, “We wanted everyone to be involved in this peace, not just the state. We wanted to work together for peace.”
Emphasizing the importance of civil society playing an active role in peace-building processes, Fahrioğlu said, “It is important to build every brick of peace together and for all segments of society to have a place in those bricks.”
Fahrioğlu recalled that the Kurdish question had been addressed as a “terrorism” issue for many years. She said that the Critical Peace Network was established by 15 organizations in July 2024, when the peace process was not yet on the agenda.
Referring to examples from around the world, Fahrioğlu stated that civil society organizations, academics, and intellectuals serve as a bridge in peace processes, adding, “As NGOs, we take on the responsibility of bringing the voice of the grassroots to the top.”
Drawing attention to violations of the right to life, torture, and forced displacement, Fahrioğlu said that more than 50,000 people lost their rights due to the Kurdish issue and at least one million people were traumatized.
Pointing out the importance of lessons to be learned from the 2013-2015 peace process, Fahrioğlu said that civil society organizations and those directly affected by the process must definitely be included in the subcommittees of the ‘National Solidarity, Brotherhood, and Democracy Commission’ established in Parliament.
Emphasizing the historical significance of the ceremony to lay down arms, Fahrioğlu stated that the integration process must be carried out gradually as long-standing conflicts cannot end overnight. Citing the peace experiences in Ireland and South Africa, she said, “An inclusive approach that represents all segments of society is vital in building peace.”
Following the opening speeches, the workshop continued with closed sessions for the press.
