ISTANBUL - Tülay Hatimoğulları and Tuncer Bakırhan stated, “Our demand is for the Republic to acquire a pluralistic rather than monist character, an inclusive rather than exclusionary character, and a libertarian rather than security-oriented character.”

 

In their message to the “Conference on the Democratic Transformation of the Republic in Its Second Century,” Peoples’ Equality and Democracy (DEM) Party Co-Chairs Tülay Hatimoğulları and Tuncer Bakırhan stated the following:

 

“Dear initiators of the conference, esteemed speakers, and dear friends who have come together to build a democratic future,

 

We greet all of you with our deepest feelings of solidarity.

 

We believe that this conference will become the starting point of a new democratic vision that sees our differences not as obstacles, but as sources of richness.

 

Our expectation is that, in the Republic’s second century, a new understanding of democratic citizenship will be strengthened—one in which no one is excluded because of their identity, language, faith, gender, or way of life. Our demand is for the Republic to acquire a pluralistic rather than monist character, an inclusive rather than exclusionary character, and a libertarian rather than security-oriented character. In the Republic’s second century, the essential task is to unite around a Democratic Republic and make it a common home for everyone.

 

Without a democratic and lasting solution to the Kurdish issue, it is impossible to overcome the crisis of democracy and the rule of law that we face today. Peace is the strongest social foundation that expands democracy, while democracy is the strongest foundation that deepens and makes peace permanent. For this reason, the process of peace and democratic society presents a historic opportunity to rebuild our country’s common future on the basis of freedom, equality, and justice.

 

We believe that the struggle for women’s freedom—which is the founding measure of equal citizenship—as well as labor, ecology, youth, and local democracy, are the pillars that will carry our common future.

 

We hope that your conference will be a powerful gathering that inspires a new democratic vision, expands social consensus, and broadens the horizon of peace.

 

We greet all of you with respect, affection, and hope for a shared future.”