HDP's Sancar says opposition should be 'brave' to tackle Kurdish question

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Peoples' Democratic Party (HDP) Co-chair Mithat Sancar spoke at his party's provincial congress in Malatya yesterday (April 3).

Commemorating Armenian writer Mıgırdiç Margosyan, who passed away a day before, he said, "He was the memory of the massacre, the slaughter that took place here in 1915. He was the voice of this pain but he had never turned the pain into hatred and hate. On the contrary, he looked for ways for great peace, which would heal the wounds."

Sancar responded to Minister of Süleyman Soylu's recent remarks that "The Kurds don't like the HDP," without mentioning his name.

"Millions gave such a strong answer that everyone saw who likes what," he said, referring to the Newroz celebrations in the predominantly Kurdish province of Diyarbakır.

"[The crowds] have a strong message to the government for a peaceful solution to the Kurdish question ... 'We are here; we want peace and equality.' This was what millions said," Sancar remarked.

"The message from the Newroz square was not only for the government. There was also a message for other opposition parties. 'Don't be timid, be brave if you want change.' Change in this country will come with great peace," he added.

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"What will unlock the great peace is a democratic solution to the Kurdish question. Without putting forward a convincing and consistent program, without convincing society for a change, you can't achieve the results you want.

"In other words, you can't solve such grave problems with mere messages of change, technical programs or timid messages."

The ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) accuses the HDP of the being the "political wing" of the outlawed Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) and other opposition parties with "cooperating with terrorists." (RT/VK)