Buldan: Demanding Peace is not a Crime, Nor Saying ‘Stop’ to War

* Photos: Aytaç Ünal/Ankara-AA

Click to read the article in Turkish

Speaking at the weekly group meeting of the Peoples' Democratic Party (HDP) today (October 15), party Co-Chair Pervin Bulan spoke about Turkey's "Operation Peace Spring" in northern Syria. "Demanding peace is not a crime, nor saying 'Stop' to war", she said about the operation.

Today's meeting was also attended by Ida Mountains İstanbul Platform members. Reminding the audience that today marks the 7th establishment anniversary of the HDP, Buldan made the following remarks in brief:

"The are trying to legitimize this attempted invasion with the discourse of 'struggle against terrorism'. But, we know that what you have been doing throughout history is a struggle against the Kurds.

"But, don't forget that: Kurdish people know it very well how they will struggle against your fascism. And, they will do so.

"If your aim is not invasion, then, why are you constantly talking about conquest? Where are you going, whose land will you conquer? Whom do you expel from whose land?

HDP Co-Chairs Sezai Temelli and Pervin Buldan

'If Kurds plant a flower in a pot, they will appoint a trustee to the pot'

"If Kurds plant a flower in a pot, they will go and appoint a trustee to that pot as well. They will try to hit that pot with tanks and artillery, calling it 'the pot of terror'. Their hostility towards Kurds has crossed the borders. Wherever a Kurd breathes, they try to choke him or her.

"The reason why you entered northern Syria is the Kurds. The ones whose houses, vineyards and orchards you had invaded are again the Kurds. The Kurds that you let bullets fly through their heads... The Kurds, to whose municipalities you have appointed trustees... You are waging a war against the Kurds, it cannot be called something else.

"You have a problem with Kurds, we know that. But, you should also know that very well: Kurdish people has a problem with this dark mindset of yours. And, this people will definitely resolve this problem sooner or later despite you. They will, in fact, resolve you as well.

'The ones against the war are in prison'

"I would like to ask you: Do you have peace at home that you think you can bring peace to northern Syria? Above all else, you have a problem with peace. You imprison the ones who are against the war. Wherever you go, you do not bring peace, but destruction and plunder.

"AKP Chair confessed it by saying 'It is important that the alliance against us falls apart'. He aims to expand his alliance with this war. The ones who support this war are contributing to the ruling AKP with or without knowing it. That needs to be realized.

"AKP is getting lonelier and lonelier both in Turkey and the world. All in all, five countries support this war. And the ISIS residue gangs... The whole world from Palestine to Northern Cyprus, from the European Union to Arab League oppose Turkey's intervention into northern Syria.

'Staying silent in the face of cruelty is a crime'

"It is not a crime to demand peace, nor is it a crime to say 'Stop' to war. Because, as the holy book also says, what is evil, a sin and a crime is to stay silent in the face of cruelty. Because it means siding with the cruel.

"Today marks the 7th anniversary of our foundation. We have been struggling for peace for 7 years. We stand behind all steps that we take and all words that we utter. It is now time to form the biggest union of this country. It is also an alliance of peace.

"When Kurds lose, Turkish people will not win anything. When Kobanê loses, Edirne will not win. That's why, no one should calculate the loss of Kurds as their win. The miscalculation will definitely return from Rojava". (AÖ/SD)