Celal Fırat said that the commission offers a key opportunity to address both Alevi equality demands and the Kurdish question on a democratic basis.
Celal Fırat, a member of the parliamentary commission, stated that the commission carries a great responsibility and said: “I hope they are aware of this. All of our colleagues there must reinforce mechanisms at that table where every issue can be discussed.”
With the call made by Abdullah Öcalan on 27 February, steps toward a new process in Turkey began to be taken. Following this historic call, the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) convened its 12th Congress and announced that it had dissolved itself. Subsequently, on 11 July, a group of guerrillas in Sulaymaniyah (Silêmanî) burned their weapons in support of the process.
After these developments, and again at the suggestion of Abdullah Öcalan, the Justice and Development Party (AKP) government established a commission in the Grand National Assembly of Turkey (TBMM) with the participation of all political parties, and began working to pass legislation for the new process. The Peoples’ Equality and Democracy Party (DEM Party) is represented on the commission by five members. One of them is Celal Fırat, an Alevi religious leader and DEM Party deputy from Istanbul.
Celal Fırat spoke to ANF about the Alevi community’s expectations from the commission and the new process.
Our greatest expectation is social peace
Celal Fırat stated that the DEM Party will address, in the commission, the Kurdish question first and foremost, as well as other major issues facing Turkey. He noted that the problems of the Alevi community will also be discussed in the commission. Pointing out that there is a serious corruption in society, Fırat continued: “DEM Party’s expectations are not only from the commission, but also from the peoples of Turkey: to contribute to the peace process. We have high expectations from the commission. This commission is the sole condition that will form the basis of democracy.
In the Grand National Assembly of Turkey, the Republican People’s Party (CHP) in particular used to say, ‘Bring it to Parliament.’ Now it has come to Parliament. We expect everyone, every political party, to express their different opinions within a free framework, to speak on all issues, especially the Kurdish question and to produce solutions. But our greatest expectation is social peace.’’
Fırat added: ‘‘There is a serious corruption and decay in society. The only condition for ending this decay, denial, and assimilation policies is to prepare a working environment where everyone can empathize, greet each other in a language of mutual understanding, engage in conversation, and find solutions to their problems.”
The peoples of Turkey must support our colleagues speaking in the commission
Celal Fırat also spoke about the pressures on the Kurdish language, noting that the prevailing denial can only be overcome through genuine human connection. He said:“We have high expectations from this commission. With democratization, especially on the issue of language, there are currently very serious problems regarding Kurdish. Just a month ago in Istanbul, a pregnant woman was nearly caused to lose her child simply because she was speaking Kurdish and playing traditional dance songs in her car. There is such hostility.
We hear many similar things happening elsewhere as well. There is a serious denial, and denial policies are being pursued. More than anything, we now need to enter a process where we can perceive and understand one another, and where we can connect with each other heart-to-heart.
We have great expectations from the commission, but the real support must come from the communities of Turkey, from the peoples of Turkey. I believe that if every individual and every civil society organization supports our colleagues who speak in the commission, they will be able to express their words with greater courage.”
We will bring up the main issues from public meetings in the commission
Celal Fırat stated that the issues heard during the DEM Party public meetings on the process will also be raised in the commission. He noted that the Kurdish people have a deep mistrust toward the state due to past policies: “The demands of the people will be conveyed to the commission and discussed without preconditions. There is great concern in our society. In recent times, the government has inflicted deeply painful suffering on the peoples of Turkey, especially the Kurdish people. It has caused great suffering to anyone who does not think like them. Accordingly, our people have a deep mistrust. The ones who must build this trust are the current political structure, the government, and the state.”
Fırat also said that the problems in prisons will be brought up in the commission, and that Parliament could be convened through a special call for this purpose: “One of DEM Party’s consistent points is the situation of political prisoners in prisons. There are prisoners whose release is obstructed, and there are sick prisoners. Arbitrary procedures are created; they are summoned and questioned about their thoughts. We have colleagues who have completed their 30-year sentences, but whose release is still obstructed.
Now you will speak of justice, of rights, of democracy, of the constitution, but you will reject the rules and principles you yourself have set. This is not the right approach. There were high expectations regarding the 10th Judicial Package, but unfortunately the AKP withdrew it at the last moment and brought it to a point we did not desire.
However, I believe and hope that in a short time, when Parliament opens, or even earlier, there will be a call to convene Parliament and make a decision on this issue. I think this is likely to happen.”
We have seen in a painful way what denial has done to society
Celal Fırat stated that throughout the first century of the Republic, all problems were swept under the carpet, and said that it is wrong for the government to approach the commission solely in terms of the PKK laying down arms. He continued: “This is a very sensitive issue, and as the DEM Party, we are aware of it. This commission must address these matters. For years, especially during the first century of the Republic, all problems were swept under the carpet. We have seen in a painful way what those problems, those hardships, and that denial and rejection have done to society.
First and foremost, regarding the PKK issue, no one can say there is no Kurdish question in this country. If a citizen says, ‘Brother, I have a problem, I have a grievance,’ then of course it must be discussed. Regarding the PKK in particular, where will the guerrilla fighters who lay down their arms go, how will it be handled, this must be addressed, as must the situation of people in prison. But in the same framework, there is also a democratization problem in Turkey. There is the Alevi issue, the problems of the oppressed, and the issue of women. I could list dozens more, the problems of workers and of various sectors. Of course, it is also necessary to say that not every problem should be placed entirely on the shoulders of this commission. But when it comes to the main issues, this commission must speak and act on the Kurdish question and the Alevi issue.’’
Fırat added: ‘‘They must abandon this toxic language that focuses only on the PKK and disarmament. They need to have empathy. If there is to be unity, if there is to be democratic work, we must begin with our language. Then we must begin with our hearts, and open our hearts to each other within this framework.
The commission carries a great responsibility, and I hope they are aware of this. All of our colleagues there, regardless of which political party they are from, must strengthen the mechanisms at that table where every issue can be discussed. This would be a source of hope for Turkey and for the internalization of Turkey’s democratization. I can say that I am hopeful about the commission.”
What we need to do is work harder and be more active
As an Alevi religious leader (dede), Celal Fırat said that his presence in the commission is taken seriously by the Alevi community and serves as a response to the smear campaigns targeting Alevis. He stated: “I am a follower of Imam Rıza, I have grown up within cem ceremonies for many years, and I serve as the spiritual leader of Garip Dede. The Alevi community is a large community. At present, there is a pro-government media pool in Turkey, and there is also an opposition media. Regrettably, they too use the same language. They have taken inspiration from the others and are carrying out very damaging propaganda. There is this mentality that we have supposedly made an agreement with the AKP and the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP), and that we will walk alongside them.’’
He said,‘‘Of course, Alevis who are more closely connected with the CHP tend to view it this way; whereas Alevis in the DEM Party see it differently and are able to read the process, because they follow our media. They actively follow the media of the Kurdish Freedom Movement.
As an Alevi religious leader, we receive a lot of criticism. Everywhere we go, people immediately pull us aside to talk about this matter. When we speak, they are convinced. They do not have a mental curtain that blocks the conversation; when you engage in dialogue, you can overcome it and establish a bond of solidarity. What we need to do is work harder and be more active.”
DEM Party is a political structure that takes the people’s problems as its own
Celal Fırat said that the Alevi community’s expectation from the commission is to be recognized on the basis of equal citizenship, and noted that the DEM Party is a political structure that takes the people’s problems as its own: “The Alevis have expectations. They demand that cemevis be recognized as places of worship. A major assimilation policy is being implemented against Alevis through compulsory religious courses. There is a state mentality that seeks to create its own version of Alevis, and there is a strong reaction to this. I learned that I was nominated for the commission while I was in Pötürge. The people there and hundreds of our friends said they considered this valuable. Our Alevi organizations will also make a statement.
DEM Party is a political structure that takes the problems of all peoples as its own. I am not saying this just because I am involved in politics, but over the past two years, most of my speeches in Parliament have been about Alevism. Not once have they said to me, ‘Celal Dede, speak from this angle,’ or ‘you said too little or too much on this.’ On the contrary, they have encouraged me to be more active on matters concerning Alevism. Frankly, as an Alevi religious leader, this makes me happy.’’
He also added: ‘‘We will strive to do the same there (in the commission), together with our other colleagues. First and foremost on the Kurdish question, but also on the Alevi issue, we will do whatever is necessary to ensure that these matters are resolved within the perspective of equal citizenship.
