Human Rights Association (İHD) Co-Deputy Chair Hakkı Demir shared his assessments on the "normalization" and "peace process" discussions that have been on the public agenda in Turkey in recent times.

 

Stating that there are contradictions between the government's rhetoric and its practical applications, Demir criticized the pressures on the opposition and detention operations targeting civil society. "The continuation of non-conflict is very valuable for us. However, through constant operations and detentions, obstacles are effectively being placed in the way of the work to be done in the sphere of peace," he said.

 

 

Touching on the priority steps that need to be taken in the legal sphere, Demir said that Administration and Observation Boards, acting like a second court, are blocking the release of prisoners who have completed 30 years in prison.

 

Also addressing the situation of sick prisoners, Demir called for their immediate release without waiting for any legislative arrangement.

 

Pointing also to the status of Kurdish People's Leader Abdullah Öcalan, Demir stated that there is a de facto negotiation underway and that establishing a legal status appropriate to this negotiation ground is a necessity.

 

Stating that the legislative arrangements planned to be enacted before Parliament goes on recess are being concealed from the public and are not being conducted transparently, Demir listed the following proposals for lasting peace: "Legal guarantees must be established that will ensure the social integration of militants who lay down arms, create living spaces for them, and ensure they will not be arrested when they return to the country. The Kurdish village and settlement names changed through years of assimilation policies must be immediately restored. Appropriate legal and actual conditions/statuses must be provided so that the actors with whom negotiations are being conducted can address the international press and the public on behalf of the process."

 

Demir emphasized that the process is too great a social matter to be left solely to the initiative of the government. Criticizing democratic mass organizations for not making sufficient effort for the socialization of the process, Demir noted that all circles in favor of democracy need to come together and explain war and peace to society.

 

MA / Hamdullah Yağız Kesen - Mehmet Güleş