PKK Leader Abdullah Öcalan's 7-point message conveyed to the public thorugh his meeting with Peoples' Equality and Democracy Party (DEM) MPs Sırrı Süreyya Önder and Pervin Buldan continues to be discussed in public. Peace academician and political scientist Yasemin Özgün pointed out that the success of the process can only be possible thorugh an active struggle for peace.  

 

Stressed that Abdullah Öcalan's messages pave the way for the Turkish and Kurdish people to live together in a democratic way, Yasemin Özgün said, "Creating the conditions for the establishment of an order in which democracy is fully established for all the peoples living in Turkey. Secondly, the Parliament must be active. We should read this as a parliament where all political parties are represented and all views are included, not just in its existing form. In the face of the gangrenisation of the problem in Syria by the USA, Israel and western imperialists; I read it as a sign that a solution of the peoples of the region together will be much more prominent."

 

Pointing to the solution processes in the world and saying that laying down arms alone is not enough for a solution. She said, "Insisting on laying down arms without the participation of the Parliament and other political parties will not create a real solution. When we consider the process so far, it does not seem realistic. What is called negotiation is a process in which mutual demands are fulfilled. When we look at the solution processes in the world, we see that this is not a one-way process."

 

 

Drawing attention to the impact of wars on women, Yasemin Özgün said, "We say that wars affect women the most.  For this reason, women need to take an active role in solution processes and peace negotiations and express their demands and words. The conditions for this must also be provided."

 

"People who want freedom and peace, who run after their people are in prison and under pressure," said Yasemin Özgün and added, "Every step taken for peace is important and valuable, but democratic steps must be taken. It is contradictory to appoint trustees and dismiss elected mayors on the one hand and to demand peace on the other. Ill prisoners in prisons are experiencing very serious problems and unlawful behaviour. People are deprived of their freedom for trivial reasons. I do not think that peace will be established unless these problems are eliminated."

 

'THE DELEGATION SHOULD ALSO MEET WITH SEGMENTS OF SOCIETY'   

 

Yasemin Özgün stated that the İmralı delegation should meet not only with political parties but also with many segments of the society and said, "This process can be carried out with the determination of all segments to establish peace. It is not an issue that can be resolved with the consensus of 2-3 opinions. Because we are talking about a 40-year process. This is not easy. The necessary steps must be taken to socialise peace. For this, labourers, women and democratic mass organizations must take part in and own the process."

 

Yasemin Özgün also pointed out that the government should give confidence in the process, said that the government should give up trustee appointments and oppression. 

She added, "The government's abandonment of repression and trustee practices may be a sign of goodwill. At least some democratic breakthroughs and steps should be taken to expand freedoms or to eliminate unlawfulness. Even the implementation of the existing law may be sufficient. Even providing these can be a positive step." 

 

'PEACE IS A STRUGGLE' 

 

Stressed that some steps have been taken so far for the solution of the Kurdish issue, but the opposition has not been supportive enough, Yasemin Özgün continued, "The opposition needs to embrace this process and fight from where they stand to ensure the conditions for the solution process. Peace is a struggle. The course of the struggle determines peace. You may not like the existing attitudes and opinions, but this is a long-term process that can be changed through struggle. 'We did it, it happened' is not something that is formed by someone's decision from the top. The necessary struggle for a more democratic Turkey, in which the government and the opposition take part, must be waged."

 

MA / Enes Beyaz