İZMİR - Stating that he found the KCK's decision of inaction valuable, President of the Peace Foundation Hakan Tahmaz said: "The implementation of peace is not only in the hands of the sovereigns. We must take advantage of the smallest opportunity for peace by the end."

 

Turkey is going to the Presidential and general elections on May 14 in a period of political, economic and social crises. In an environment where the inflation is reflected on the streets day by day and the purchasing power is decreasing, on the other hand, the voice of the opposition, especially the Kurds, is wanted to be silenced through political operations. The destruction experienced in 10 provinces and the deaths of tens of thousands of citizens, especially after the Maraş-centered earthquakes on February 6, also revealed the social dimension of the crises.

 

In the face of all the extraordinary circumstances, while the AKP government continued its war against the Kurds, the KCK took a decision of inaction in order to heal the wounds of the people after the earthquake centered in Maraş. The KCK later announced that it had extended this decision until the end of the election on May 14.

 

THE MILITARY, POLITICAL AND SOCIAL CRISES IN TURKEY

 

Evaluating the military, political and social crises in Turkey, President of the Peace Foundation Hakan Tahmaz said: "There is a process of collapse in Turkey. The May 14 elections are so important for all of us. The election will show whether there will be any way out of the collapse process and to what extent. Currently, the People's Alliance, which is governing the country, promises an arrangement that will abolish women's rights. The misogynist will destroy the gains of women and does this on the grounds of protecting the family; however, all the old-style institutions in the world are being discussed. In a process where the division of duties in the family and the role of women are being questioned thanks to the women's struggle in the world, Turkey is abolishing the rights of women with an outdated attitude. I think this is the only element that shows that Turkey is rotting and on the verge of collapse. I think that the National Alliance has problems in finding solutions to the deep-rooted problems of the Republic."

 

HOW SHOULD THE NEW TURKEY BE?

 

Pointing out that there are fundamental debates for the second century of the Republic and answering the question 'How should a new Turkey be?', Tahmaz said: "The new Turkey in our mind should be a pluralist parliamentary system in which democracy is universally settled and functioning with its institutions. By this I mean that the construction of a new country where its institutional structure is questioned. In the founding philosophy of the Republic, Turkey is a multicultural, multilingual and religious society. Then the new Republic should establish a model of living together with the differences of these structures."

 

'NOTHING IS PRECIOUS THAN PEACE'

 

Stating that there has been a debate about the solution to the Kurdish Question for about a year, Tahmaz said: "As the President of the Peace Foundation, I think of it as turning the key to the gate for peace. Whether that gate will be opened is in our hands as much as it is in the hands of the sovereigns. Our call is nothing more precious than peace. We need to make use of the smallest opportunity by the end. A ground for negotiation must first be established on how this will develop. That's why I think the thoughts expressed in the HDP meeting are valuable."

 

'INACTION DECISION IS VALUABLE

 

Commenting on the KCK's decision of inaction, Tahmaz said: "I know that the KCK took a decision of inaction in all election processes. I think that the decision of inaction by the KCK made the opposition's work easier. Going to elections in an environment where people die and conflicts take place is not in anyone's interest; therefore, this decision is of no use to anyone. Although it is not talked about, I think you are aware of what you need to realize. The decision of inaction will also be an important factor in terms of how decisive the attitude of the Kurds will be in the elections. As the Peace Foundation, we find it valuable to keep the guns silent for 3 months, 1 day, even 1 hour. This is becoming more important. We wish that the weapons would be completely removed. It is positive not only for the region, but for everywhere else. It is during the election period. When the dead bodies come from the region, the behavior, mood and energy of the people here redirects their energy to something else."

 

'ISOLATION DEEPS THE KURDISH QUESTION"

 

Speaking about the solution of the Kurdish Question and the isolation of Abdullah Öcalan, who is an important actor in peace, Tahmaz said: "A law contrary to the universal law has been implemented for 24 years. Not only Turkey, but also European states and international institutions do not seriously consider the isolation. A law, which is deprived of the most basic human rights, specific to the individual is applied. There can be no reason or explanation for this. The fact that this deeps the Kurdish Question. The Turkish state is still not aware of this. The role of Öcalan especially in the solution process, the MIT Deputy Undersecretary of the time said to himself, 'I am witness that the role you played in this process is positive'. This determination is made by the representative of the state. A state should take this attitude of its undersecretary seriously for its interests but there is no such state institution.” .

 

MA / Semra Turan - Tolga Güney