ŞIRNEX - Representatives of democratic mass organisations participating in the Peace Vigil in Şirnex (Şırnak) stressed that legal steps must be taken for the Peace and Democratic Society Process to move forward.

 

The Şirnex branch of the Human Rights Association (İHD) held a Peace Vigil at its office in the district of Cizîr (Cizre) in support of the Peace and Democratic Society Process. Representatives of democratic mass organisations taking part in the action emphasised that the state must fulfil its responsibilities.

 

 

EMPHASIS ON THE RIGHT TO HOPE

 

Dilan Elçi, Co-Chair of the Şirnex branch of the Association of Lawyers for Freedom (ÖHD), said that peace is the people’s most important need and noted that the process initiated by Kurdish People’s Leader Abdullah Öcalan should be embraced by everyone.

 

Dilan Elçi said: “Legal regulations and political developments are interconnected. We do not see politics and legal developments as independent from one another. Political parties represented in parliament must urgently make the necessary legal arrangements.”

 

Stating that the isolation imposed on Abdullah Öcalan and political prisoners continues, Dilan Elçi stressed: “Prisoners who have been in jail for 30 years are still not being released. There is punishment within punishment. There is a ruling by the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) regarding the ‘right to hope’. It must be implemented as soon as possible.”

 

LEGAL REGULATIONS

 

Haşim Toğrulu, a member of the Executive Board and Peace Commission of the İHD Headquarters, criticised the language used by government officials, saying that rhetoric such as “Terror-Free Turkey” harms the process. Toğrulu noted that the absence of a conflict environment is itself an important development and said they were holding the vigil to ensure the continuation of the process. He stressed that the process has stalled due to the state’s failure to take concrete steps.

 

Recalling the Kurdish issue that has persisted for more than a century and the 50 years of ongoing conflict, Toğrulu said fundamental rights had been ignored during the conflict period and added that achieving peace would benefit everyone.

 

“For peace, Kurdish must become an official language of education. Legal regulations are essential for democratic integration,” he added.

 

‘THE LIBERATION OF LABOUR PASSES THROUGH PEACE’

 

Ayhan Ergen, Co-Chair of the Şirnex branch of the General Services Workers’ Union (Genel İş), affiliated with the Confederation of Revolutionary Trade Unions (DİSK), said workers trust Abdullah Öcalan. Ergen stated that workers cannot find relief without peace and therefore support the process.

 

Recalling that for many years the budget that should have been allocated to workers had instead been directed towards war, Ergen said: “With peace, this budget will no longer go to war but to workers. The path to the liberation of labour passes through peace. We will continue to say peace at all times. Legal regulations must be enacted as soon as possible. It is now the state’s turn to take a step.”

 

‘PEACE MUST NOT REMAIN JUST WORDS’

 

Selim Sönmez, a member of the Supervisory Board of the Education and Science Workers’ Union (Eğitim Sen), affiliated with the Confederation of Public Employees’ Trade Unions (KESK), said the vigil was being held to prevent wars and should be organised across all parts of Turkey.

Sönmez continued: “The Kurdish people have always stood on the side of peace and tranquillity. The future of a generation depends on peace. Legal regulations must be introduced as soon as possible. Peace must not remain merely words.”