End Violence, Hear the Call for Peace

Political parties, rights activists, artists and NGOs sahraply react against the Diyarbakir bombing. Regardless of where it comes from, for whatever aim, violence cannot be approved. The Kurdish problem cannot be solved through violence they say.

Emine Özcan

Reaction against last weeks bomb explosion in Diyarbakir which killed ten people including seven children grows as political parties, rights activists, artists and NGOs uniting around a nation-wide protest of violence in any form.

Statements issued by various groups have voiced a common concern that the explosion aimed to divide the community and obstruct attempts at finding a peaceful solution to Turkeys Kurdish problem.

"Regardless of its target, purpose or where it takes place, every act of violence targeting innoces and civilian people is terror and a crime against humanity. The Kurdish problem cans be solved through violence but can be solved by giving ear to peace a statement issued by a group of authors, poets and cultural activists said.

One condemnation of the Diyarbakir explosion came from the Kurdish Writers Association and the Diyarbakir Art Centre, a group of writers and poets as well as those involved in the cultural scene including names such as Mehmed Uzun, Kemal Varol and Seyhmus Diken.

Their statement, read out in Diyarbakir, branded the bombing as an attack carried out by dark forces and said it was undeniably a terrorist act.

"We clearly see the purpose behind the attack: To create fear, chaos, enmity and despair said the statement drafted in Turkish and Kurdish, voicing belief that the community would not despair and would not cower in face of such attempts.

TBD: No to threat on right to life

Another statement came from Turkish Dental Physicians Union (TDB) chairman Celal Korkut Yildirim who said "The bomb that was exploded in Diyarbakir is the product of an attempt to transform the anger in our country into a conflict.

Noting that the TDB gave full support to a statement made early last week by more than 200 Kurdish and Turkish intellectuals calling on the PKK to end violence immediately and the government to take steps towards creating a democratic society, Yildirim condemned the bombing.

"No one can terrorize the Kurdish problem"

10 democratic mass organizations in Diyarbakir also issued a statement where they said Whatever its goal or its claim, wherever it takes place, we regard all acts of violence against innocent civilians as terror and a crime against humanity.

"The Kurdish problem is a rightful and just issue of the world that has not been solved. No one has the right to terrorize or criminalize the Kurdish issue. The legitimate, most basic and human rights of the Kurdish people should be respected said the statement.

The joint statement issued by the Cira Culture and Art Association, Rights and Freedoms Party Diyarbakir Provincial Chairmanship, Huder Diyarbakir Branch, Inisiyatifa Partiya Kurdistani, Kurdish National Democratic Work Group, Mazlum-Der Diyarbakir branch, Ozgur-Der Diyarbakir Branch, Toplum-Der Headquarters, Toplum-Der Elazig Branch and Toplum-Der Gaziantep Branch stated the following:

* The Kurdish people, with all of its individuals, environment and elements, should unite around their social and human rights and freedoms, act with common sense, remain cool-headed and pursue a determined struggle.

* Officials and those on the side of justice, everyone who is concerned for the future, should be determined and honorable in attitude for granting the most natural and basic rights of the Kurdish people.

* Those insisting on rejection, denial and violence should know that these policies enforced for the past eighty years have brought no advantage to anyone and have been damaging only. (EZO/KO/II/YE)

Emine Özcan