Figures from different circles attending the "Conference on the Democratic Transformation of the Republic in the Second Century" continue to discuss the democratic transformation of the republic from their own perspectives. Ecologists who stress the importance of the democratization of the republic for the ecology and life struggle are also positioned at the axis of this discussion.

 

 

Green Left Party Central Executive Board (MYK) member Çiğdem Özbaş assessed the reflection of the republic's democratization on the ecology struggle.

 

Stating that all structures defending ecology today are faced with a major attack, Çiğdem Özbaş said that the increasing pressure in every field is also being directed at them through anti-democratic practices. Recalling the three-year-long vigil they conducted in the Akbelen forests, Çiğdem Özbaş noted that state law enforcement forces intervened in the vigil, protesters were detained, and the state passed laws for corporations. She said: "It is precisely for this reason that there is a need for a democratic coalition that brings together all segments of society against the corporatized form of this state apparatus and a development model centred on ecological destruction."

 

'THE ECOLOGY STRUGGLE IS BEING SUPPRESSED'

 

Saying that at the international level they are faced with a full wave of authoritarianism, and that this is also suppressing the ecology struggle through climate denialism, Çiğdem Özbaş said that under the guise of transitioning to "green energy," Turkey and other countries are licensing many areas for mining in search of rare elements. She said: "This development model is completely intertwined with attacks on human rights, biodiversity, and the right to life of all living things in those areas."

 

CLIMATE SUMMIT AND ECOLOGICAL DESTRUCTION

 

Drawing attention to COP31, the Climate Summit to be held in Antalya in November, Çiğdem Özbaş said this summit is one at which measures should be taken to address the climate crisis, but that over 30 years the exact opposite has occurred. Reacting to ecological destruction, Çiğdem Özbaş said: "We know that at this summit, over the past 30 years they have done nothing regarding the transition from what we call fossil fuels — gas and oil extracted from underground — to sustainable energy. They have caused more ecological destruction for more energy, for more profit."

 

For this reason, Çiğdem Özbaş invited all climate movements, human rights activists and women's organizations around the world to Antalya for COP31. Çiğdem Özbaş said: "For us, the gathering in Antalya in November is not a call separate from the call for a Democratic Republic. This is also part of this process. We invite everyone who contributes to the Democratic Republic, to the process of democratizing the Republic, to this international gathering at the same time."

 

MILITARY OUTPOSTS BEING BUILT TO PROTECT CORPORATIONS

 

Stating that military outposts continue to be built during the Peace and Democratic Society Process, Çiğdem Özbaş said that the reason for these outposts existing despite the absence of guerrillas is the protection of corporations causing ecological destruction.

 

Saying "While waging the struggle for change and democracy, our vision of a common future is possible together with an ecological peace process," Çiğdem Özbaş said that, like all movements, the ecology movement has also united in this democracy struggle in order to be able to grow stronger.

 

MA / Necla Demir Arvas - Melik Varol