Peoples' Equality and Democracy Party (DEM) Party Co-chair Tuncer Bakırhan addressed hundreds of thousands at Amed (Diyarbakır) Newroz.   

 

Bakırhan stated that the eyes of the whole world were on the Amed square and said, "We celebrate the Newroz of Mr Öcalan, who turned the Kurdish people into the Newroz people. Happy Newroz, Mr Ocalan." 

 

THIS CALL IS A MILESTONE 

 

Stating that Abdullah Öcalan's call is a call to restart history, he said: "Mr Öcalan took the most historic step in the democratic solution march he started in 1993 with the call of the century on 27 February. This call is the expression of the reality of a people who have been resisting for centuries and struggling for a democratic solution for decades. This call is a call to untie the knots in Mesopotamia and Anatolia and restart history. It is a manifesto for the peoples of Mesopotamia and Anatolia to live together. The essence of the Call for Peace and Democratic Society is democratic reconciliation. This call is a milestone and the owner of this call is you, our honourable people in Amed square." 

 

Stating that a historical problem has led to a historical peace, Bakırhan said that they seek the solution in the common past of Kurds and Turks and in their determination to build the future together. Calling for a united struggle, Bakırhan said, "Our decision, attitude and behaviour is clear. As millions, we want peace, we want equality, we want a democratic society. Look, millions in Amed Newroz square want peace and democratic solution. Everyone should read the message of the Newroz squares well. The Newroz squares are an invitation to the peace agreement of the century. Turkey should be in kinship, not enmity, with the Kurds living outside its borders."  

 

ANTAGONISM DOES NOT GAIN TURKEY

 

Bakırhan said, "Opposition will not bring Turkey any gains. However, brotherhood and dialogue will bring great gains for Turkey. Especially in a period when the political equation in Syria will be reshaped, establishing dialogue with the Kurds will bring great benefits to Turkey in the long run. Let us not forget that Kurds outside Turkey's borders are not a threat, but an opportunity for peace. It is the responsibility of the Republic of Turkey to utilise this opportunity correctly." 

 

Bakırhan stated that they have a positive view of the process and that 85 million people should embrace Abdullah Öcalan's call. Stating that the government is harming the process with its policies, Bakırhan criticised the detention of Istanbul Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu. 

 

"The denial, monist and anti-democratic approach to the Kurdish question has cost Turkey a century. It brought poverty and hunger to the peoples of Turkey. But with the Call of the Century, we now want to set our faces to the future and our clocks to peace. The key that will open the door to peace is a solution to the Kurdish problem and a democratic Turkey." Bakırhan said. 

 

WRONG POLITICS DOES NOT LEAD TO THE RIGHT PLACE

 

Bakırhan stressed: "Wrong politics does not lead to the right place. The route of our road leads to the democratic republic. Dear friends, comrades; look, all roads are open to those who know where to go. We know our path. Our path is determined by our values and our love for peace. Our path leads to the Democratic Republic. The essence and form of our path expressed itself with the 27 February Call. We stand by the values of democracy, justice, equality and freedom. Our path is the 3rd Road that leads to a democratic, equal and free life, not to wrong routes. We will continue to walk on the 3rd Road. We will walk with the spirit of Newroz, and the courage of Mazlum. The end of this road is peace, the end of this road is democracy and freedom. These lands have longed for peace for a century. Now is the time to hear the voice of that peace, to hear it more strongly. It is time to bring the peace that appears on the horizon to these lands."