Joint Statement From Four Political Organizations: The Isolation Should be Removed

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Peoples' Democratic Party (HDP) Co-Chairs Pervin Buldan and Sezai Temelli have made a press statement on the occasion of HDP MP Leyla Güven's 100th day on hunger strike and the 20th anniversary of Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) leader Öcalan's coming to Turkey.

Executives of the Peoples' Democratic Congress (HDK), the Democratic Society Congress (DTK) and the Democratic Regions Party (DBP) supported the statement. HDK Co-Spokespersons Gülistan Kılıç Koçyiğit and Sedat Şenoğlu, DBP Co-Chair Mehmet Aslan and DTK Chairmanship Council member Selim Sadak attended the statement.

Sadak: The state does not understand the Kurds' will

Selim Sadak was the first to speak in the meeting. Saying that Turkey will solve its problems itself, "If those who rule Turkey understood Öcalan, Turkey would be a totally different country" he asserted.

"We want a democratic solution to the problem. But the state does not accept that. Leyla Güven has been on a hunger strike for 100 days. The state does not recognize the Kurds' democratic will. This will not make the Kurds, but the state lose. We don't only say that the isolation on Öcalan should be lifted, we also say that Öcalan's ideas should be implemented."

Calling for a return to the Peace Process, "If we can stop the war, we can get out of difficulties" he concluded.

HDP Co-Chair Buldan: Öcalan's ideas are important for Turkey's future

Reminding that Öcalan was brought to Turkey on February 15, 1999, HDP Co-Chair Buldan said that February 15 has particular importance for the peoples of Turkey.

Describing February 15 as an "international conspiracy day," Buldan said that even if Öcalan has been in prison for 20 years, his ideas for the democratization of Turkey and the Middle East are very important.

"The process which began with the meetings with Öcalan in the period of 2011 and 2015 within the permission and knowledge of the state was planned to be guaranteed under the Dolmabahçe Agreement. But the process was interrupted by the heavy isolation period which began on April 5, 2015.

"Unfortunately, the peace process is wasted"

"This was an important process for the peoples and the society of Turkey but unfortunately it is wasted. That process brought a period that the society of the Turkey was looking at the future with hope, a period that mothers don't cry.

"Öcalan warned in the last meeting that 'If the negotiation process is not conducted with observation delegations, this process will be torn in pieces and you cannot come here again.

"Since that date, we have been facing a period that the isolation on Öcalan became absolute.

"If this process ended in success, there wouldn't be funerals in anyone's home"

"Since that date, we have been witnessing a period that affects all peoples of Turkey. We have been witnessing a period that people die, that there are funerals in every home."

Buldan said that they do not view the isolation as an issue specific to the Kurds. She said that the issue is important for all peoples in Turkey.

"Hunger strikers just want the laws to be implemented"

Mentioning the hunger strikes going on in the prisons as well, Buldan said, "This the 100th day of Leyla Güven putting her body into hunger."

Reminding that there are more than 300 hunger strikers, Buldan said, "They want Turkey's own laws, jurisprudence of the Ministry of Justice to be implemented."

"We repeat the requests that the isolation on Abdullah Öcalan should be lifted and obstacles on his meeting with his lawyers and family should be removed" Buldan said.

"The government should step in immediately"

When asked about Leyla Güven's condition and if there are talks with the government, Buldan said, "We don't feel the necessity to hold a meeting with the parliament or the government. Rather, the government should immediately step in. Our MPs make statements on the issue every day. I want to state that there have not been any talks." (HA/VK)