‘Call for Peace Declaration’ by HDP

* Photo: HDP Press

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"Turkey urgently needs a 'Great Peace Movement.' For this reason, we invite all intellectuals, academics and artists who are willing to take action to make a stronger effort than ever, reach out to all sides and nurture a free discussion."

Ahead of September 1 World Peace Day tomorrow, the Peoples' Democratic Party (HDP) has released its "Call for Peace Declaration."

Shared with the public by HDP Co-Chairs and MPs in a press conference at the Parliament, the declaration has called on the government, opposition parties and all segments of the society to "end war and conflict and contribute to the creation of a climate of peace."

'There is nothing to gain from these policies'

The declaration read out by HDP Co-Chairs Pervin Buldan and Mithat Sancar briefly indicates the following:

"1. We call on the AKP-MHP government and the mentality of the state to abandon their 'insistence on war' and 'policies of deadlock.' The policies failing to foresee a comprehensive political solution based on social peace and democratic consensus have not contributed to the resolution of the problem; on the contrary, they have aggravated the conflict even further. We would like to once again reiterate that no one can win with these methods. Rather than trying to solve our problems with violence, our main principle must be to solve them by talking, negotiating and engaging in a dialogue. Even though it is ignored today, the process of Dolmabahçe Agreement, which was ripened thanks to mutual efforts, is still valuable in terms of its spirit and philosophy for solving the Kurdish issue.

2. The political and social opposition has vital responsibilities for solving this problem. Because the Kurdish issue is too vital to be left only to the mercy of the government and the state. We value the recent statements of opposition parties both from inside and outside the parliament. It is undoubtedly important to say a word and express a will about the resolution of the Kurdish issue. Everyone who wants to play a part in a democratic resolution must first assume an attitude suitable for the seriousness of the issue and offer concrete recommendations. Opposition parties must see the Kurdish people's demands for rights and freedoms not as a longing for separation, but as part of an aim to democratize Turkey and to build a shared and equal life. In that sense, opposition parties need to take more advanced steps than the government itself. We expect the opposition parties to openly offer their suggestions as to how this issue can be solved and with what methods peace will be built and share these suggestions with the public.

3. This problem cannot be seen solely as the problem of Kurds or the HDP. HDP is on the side of rights and freedoms in solving the Kurdish issue. While it is waging a struggle to ensure that the Kurdish people are granted their rights and freedoms, it is also ready to assume a constructive role that will take notice of the problems and concerns of all social segments in Turkey. Our role as the HDP is dialogue and negotiation. We are ready to work with everyone who wants a democratic solution and peace. Even the modest steps to be taken in the direction of peace will free Turkey from this bottleneck, thereby paving the way for a democratic country.

4. In addressing the Kurdish issue, it is obvious that, apart from arms and conflict methods, the options of dialogue and negotiation historically impose themselves and they are current. For this reason, we remind the related parties of their responsibility to act with selflessness and sacrifice and to take steps by considering the good and future of all peoples of Turkey. Similar experiences from the world have shown that there is a peace for every conflict and war and no parties can avoid this reality. The soil of this country is way too much filled with blood, tears and sorrows. Without losing any more people, time, energy and sources, a 'ground for dialogue and negotiation' must be laid, conflict and war must be ended now." (AS/SD)