Documentation: Urgent-action plan for
a democratic solution from KADEK
International Initiative
Freedom for Ocalan Peace in Kurdistan
P.O. Box 100511, D-50445 Koeln
E-Mail: info@freedom-for-ocalan.com
Url: www.freedom-for-ocalan.com
Cologne, 9 December 2003
INTERNATIONAL INITIATIVE BRIEFINGS:
Documentation: Urgent-action plan for a
democratic solution
On November 3, 2002 general elections were held in Turkey, in the
midst of continuing internal and regional problems as well as a
difficult phase in its European relations. These polls had become
necessary because the former government had proved incapable of
mastering the existing problems. Both government and opposition
persisted in their antiquated approach unable to meet modern requirements.
Despite positive steps in some areas they werent really determined
to implement the reforms that might have overcome stagnation.
The outcome of the November elections was a rebuff for these politics.
Neither of the parties of the old parliament was re-elected, quite
understandably since they offered no solutions. ssThe voting shows
that this is how the people saw it. And it was an approproate response.
The Justice and Development Party (AKP) was the winner of these
elections and it benefitted from the achievemments of several decades
of struggle during which a variety of left and democratic powers
had tried to overcome the system and its parties.
Particularly the struggle of the Kurdish democratic movement made
clear that the present system could not meet Turkeys needs.
Hence a restructuring of Turkey along the lines of its socio-cultural
reality seems inevitable.
The fact that the old political establishment has been voted out
is therefore not due to the efforts of the AKP but to the efforts
of those democratic powers which had been struggling several decades
to overcome the old system. This has to be understood by those who
wish to play a political role in Turkey.
The AKP, however, has a different point of view. This may be concluded
from the urgent-action plan that the newly-formed government has
presented to the public recently. This plan does not even with a
single word address the Kurdish question, Turkeys main problem.
It rather resorts to ignoring it. The AKP seems to have adopted
the view that the Kurdish problem is basically an economic problem.
Turkey is indeed confronted with grave economical problems. And
it is well-known that the Kurdish people in particular live in utter
poverty. Pretending to resolve this problem without special programmes
or major financial ressources amounts to deliberate deception. We
have witnessed similar deceptions in the past. The undemocratic
state devours the majority of financial ressources.
It cannot be denied that those who caused the serious economic
problems, those who made people fall into the debt trap, they are
the same politicians who could not resolve the Kurdish problem.
The current economical desaster results esssentially from a strategy
of denial incapable of resolving the chief problem of this country.
As long as this is ignored Turkeys political, economical,
social, cultural, and diplomatic problems will remain unsolved.
The parties coming to power in the 1999 April elections had promoted
chauvinism and claimed they could get rid of the Kurdish democratic
movement. Even the opposition parties tried to be as anti-Kurdish
as they could. Instead of a solution annihilation was sought.
Our president Abdullah Ocalan saw the danger and hopelessness resulting
from a war of extermination and revenge. He wanted a democratic
solution. Our people and we as representatives of a national democratic
movement followed his policy and made the necessary steps. In spite
of several bellicose provocations from inside and outside the ranks
of the government we have stuck to our position of legitimate self-defence.
We have tried to realise our new policy by exclusively democratic
means. This policy orientates itself by the principle of all peoples
living together in freedom and unity.
Our people, too insisted on democratic unity and brotherhood and
showed its will every year in its Newroz celebrations.
The rational proposals for a solution that the Kurdish democratic
movement and the Kurdish people had made were an important opportunity
for Turkey. Unfortunately, however, the government and some powers
within the state regarded our approach as a weakness. To them the
Kurdish democratic movement was defeated and therefore it was not
necessary to deal with this problem any longer. But in fact, as
our leader said: Those who aimed to defeat us were defeated.
The proposals we had made actually posed a historical chance for
the old coalition government. If they had taken significant steps
towards solving the Kurdish problem, they might have been spared
their fate. Although we consider some of the steps taken as important,
they were not sufficient to foster democratization. They only brought
delay. The regulations adopted concerning Kurdish education and
broadcasting are evidence that no real change was to be expected
in this matter.
Even if the approach that we have been following for three years
now has not been accepted adequately some positive steps towards
a solution have been made. The Kurdish people held on to a democratic
solution, and thus distrust and prejudice on the part of Turkey
decreased at least to a degree. If this basis is used important
progress can be made in the course of the months ahead. Whether
or not the new government will indeed use this opportunity still
remains to be seen. There is yet a chance, however, to correct mistakes
made in the past three years and to develop a more constructive
concept in their place.
The Kurdistan Freedom and Democracy Congress will support any initiatives
to this end. It will do everything in its power to further such
a solution. We will hold on to this offer until the new government
has determined which road to take.
This does not only concern the Kurdish question but all other problems
of Turkey as well. We are also ready to contribute to the democratisation
of Turkey and the development of a social policy. This is why we
have supported DEHAP (the movement for work, peace, and democracy)
in the November elections.
Neither KADEK nor its self-defence forces do pose a threat to Turkey.
They rather may be regarded as a constructive factor for democratisation
and problem-solving. Our thirty years of struggle have made the
Kurdish people a democratic power and a valuable support in the
modernisation of Turkey. There should be contentment instead of
mistrust.
The attitude of the Kurdish people can be seen clearly in all fields,
especially in their attempt to seek representation in the Turkish
parliament after the November elections. Those who want stability
in Turkey have to pay attention to the position of the Kurdish people.
The Kurdish people must not be denied. This will not lead to stability.
Instead, it is likely to lead to crises.
The Kurdish nation and the Kurdish Democratic Movement are fulfilling
their duties in providing stability. The Kurdish Democratic Movement
has declared a cease-fire and has taken its armed forces to beyond
the Turkish borders. It has recognised Turkeys political unity
within these borders.
The slogan neither denial nor separation was coined
by the Kurdish people in order to ensure both peoples life
in a democratic republic. Considering these facts, there is absolutely
no excuse for the Turkish state or its government to keep trying
to evade the Kurdish problem.
Had not DEHAP been prevented to enter parliament democratic unity
and brotherhood would have become a part of Turkeys political
stage. Although Kurdish and left-wing democratic powers have not
been elected into parliament they will continue their democratic
struggle and keep it on the agenda.
Along with our responsibility of being a leading opposition party
we will help to solve all problems of Turkey by democratic means.
Although the old political mentality has been voted out, something
new has not yet appeared. The AKP government programme does not
raise much hope for the future. Nonetheless we would like to express
our expectations to the new government in order to contribute to
social stability and to the democratisation of the Turkish-Kurdish
community. A political failure can be avoided yet if the errors
in the new governments urgent-action plan are repaired.
If the government intends to maintain its legitimacy towards our
people we expect the following steps to be undertaken without delay:
1. We regard our president, Abdullah Ocalan, as a guarantee for
peace and democratisation. His living conditions and his access
to communications must be improved immediately.
We therefore demand:
a- to end the severe isolation of our president. He should either
be transferred to a high security prison or other political prisoners
should be brought to his prison.
b- He should be allowed to communicate with his family and lawyers
as well as NGO representatives without any restriction.
c- He should have access to TV, radio, written press and books.
d- His health and nutrition needs should be observed in accordance
to his needs; any support provided by his family and his lawyers
to this end should not be prevented.
e- his rights concerning the free publication of his defence writings
and other articles should be observed and he should not be hindered
in spreading his thoughts.
f- campaigns carried out by the people or civil organisations demanding
freedom for our president should not be hindered.
2. We demand a general pardon for all political prisoners. We demand
that our president be released and allowed to take part in politics.
A legal basis enabling democratisation has to be created for this.
Aditionally, F-type prisons have to be abolished. Instead, a system
must be initiated which corresponds to the human, social, and cultural
requirements of the prisoners.
3. The guerilla forces and political refugees must be allowed to
return into a normal civil and political life. A law must be enacted
to this end.
4. The perpetrators and those behind extralegal executions must
be put to trial.
5. Those forcibly evicted from their villages must be granted their
right to return. Damages must be compensated for. Financial and
social aid must be rendered for their return.
6. The village guard system must be abolished. Financial means
and social support must be provided allowing for a return into civil
lifes.
7. The law adopted in August 2002 concerning native language education
and bradcasting must be expanded. In addition to Turkish as an official
language native language education must be regulated in-law.
8) All barriers hindering the free development of Kurdish culture
must be removed, and Kurdish culture should receive the necessary
political, institutional and financial advancement.
9) All bans concerning Kurdish language radio and TV, press and
books must be lifted. There must be no restrictions or regulations
other than those applicable also for Turkish language publications.
10) Freedom of thought and assembly should be secured and all legal
changes necessary enacted.
11) Kurdish existence and identity must be recognised by constitution
and laws in order to allow for a complete resolution of the Kurdish
question.
12) Central political power should be restricted in favour of federal
structures and local decision-making.
13) In order to develop the democratic spirit in state and community
a policy and corresponding projects have to be developed which further
the participation of women in all areas of society and allowing
for their equal and free participation in politics.
14) Necessary political and legal decisions should be taken in
order to recover losses from the economic and social demolition
of Kurdistan during the war.
15) Distinctive economic and social policies should be applied
in order to improve the lives of the poor Kurdish people in the
capital cities of Turkey.
16) Economical and social projects shall be developed which will
benefit the poor in Turkey.
17) Social and cultural projects shall be created that promote
the brotherhood of the Kurdish and Turkish people and their living
together in peace.
18) TV and other media shall support a concept of respect towards
other cultures and identities.
19) All laws should be rearranged in a way that they promote the
democratisation of state, society and politics. These laws should
target for a pluralist and participatory democracy.
20) Administrative and bureaucratic mechanisms have to be rearranged
and restructured on the purpose of serving the public.
21) The constitution resulting from the military coup of September
1980 cannot be democratized whatever changes are made since its
does not have a democratic basis. Therefore we believe that a new
constitution should be set up in which all needs of the society
are met, universal principles are obeyed and humanity and the environment
are protected. In addition, social peace should be provided by considering
the situation of the poor and the working class.
Turkeys stabilisation can be realised if the changes above
are implemented. They are necessary for democratisation and the
solution of the Kurdish problem. Otherwise, the potential for conflict
will increase and tensions will be rising.
Although our policy for a democratic union has achieved important
improvements in the course of the past 3 years the factors, which
originally forced us to take up arms, have not yet been eliminated.
There is still the policy reflecting the stance of the seventies
which can be summarised as Not war nor peace.
Both we and our people are still sceptic. We are still determined
to continue our cease-fire strategy, as we believe that it is in
favour of our people. The resolution we are submitting should be
understood as part of our responsibility towards the democratic
process.
Considering the ongoing dispute, all governmental or non-governmental
organisations and political parties as well as the media are responsible
to the people. This declaration is meant to contribute to the fulfillment
of expectations our society bears towards the new government.
We therefore expect the government to live up to its responsibility.
We call on the Kurdish and Turkish people, to support this declaration
and to contribute to its realisation by democratic means.
KADEK Presidential Council
22 November 2002
(Translation from turkish by International Initiative "Freedom
for Ocalan - Peace in Kurdistan" Co-ordination bureau in Cologne)
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