DBP holds 3rd Extraordinary Congress
ANKARA (DİHA) - DBP is holding its 3rd Extraordinary Congress in Ankara today with a large participation of politicians from various political groups and institutions.
Party of Democratic Regions (DBP) is holding its 3rd Extraordinary Congress in Ankara today with a large participation of politicians from various political groups and institutions, including the heads of HDK (People's Democratic Congress), DTK (Democratic Society Congress), executives and deputies of HDP (Peoples' Democratic Party), co-mayors of Kurdish cities as well as representatives from many other political groups and NGOs.
While the congress attracts large attention and participation, the hall of the congress also reflects plurality with the banners and flags hanged on the walls. Although a massive participation was not aimed for the congress and only the party delegates were invited alongside the representatives from other institutions, yet it grabs attraction that the recent detention wave mainly against the DBP executives, co-mayors and members in the Kurdish cities had a visible impact in the congress.
Following one minute’s silence for all the "martyrs" of Kurdistan and the world who fell for revolution, the opening speech of the Congress was made by DBP Deputy Co-President Hüseyin Koçuk, who said that their party will be leading the struggles in not only Turkey and North Kurdistan but also in the Middle East in the coming period.
Siirt co-mayor Tuncer Bakırhan, who was elected as the co-chair of the council for the congress, also held a speech in which he stressed that the Kurds will not step back in the face of attacks. Bakırhan recalled the recent wave of detention directed at the party’s executives, members and co-mayors, and strongly condemned the political genocide operations, which are being conducted by methods even worse than the ones carried out during the military rule in the country in 1980's.
'Whatever people demand, we stand by them'
Bakırhan drew attention to the increasing attacks of the Turkish forces conducted civilians with an aim to smother the cities and the streets of Kurds with bullets and gas bombs. Bakırhan stressed that Kurds have resisted and fought against the very same methods that had previously been put into practice against them, and never took a step backwards in the face of repression and persecution. “DBP stands by the people, it arises on the basis of the demands and wishes of the people. Whatever the people demand, we stand by them”, he said.
Bakırhan called for the ending of these policies and restarting of negotiations with the Kurdish leader Abdullah Öcalan, underlining that; “The Kurdish people have never been on the side of conflict and war, but they will use their right to self-defence when proved necessary”. Drawing attention to the process in which the congress is taking place, Bakırhan lastly wished that the congress contributes to achievement of peace and democracy in Turkey and North Kurdistan.
'It is now time for democracy and freedoms'
DBP Co-President Kamuran Yüksek also made a speech in the opening part, wishing that the congress helps the liberation of the peoples in Kurdistan, Anatolia and the Middle East. It is now time for democracy and freedoms, Yüksek said, adding that those who failed to do this well are condemned to lose as what has happened in Libya, Syria and Iraq. Yüksek said it is the long-denied Kurds that will be the leading force of the change in the Middle East and liberate other peoples as well alongside themselves, adding that Rojava revolution has proved that the desire for freedom and equality has not died out despite all the old fashioned claims that the age of revolutions is over.
'Self-governance is a model necessary for İzmir and Istanbul'
DBP Co-President stressed that the war started by Erdoğan aims to save the nation state model which -he underlined- has to change now. Calling attention to the popular demand for a change and democracy, Yüksek said self-governance is a model necessary for İzmir and Istanbul as well, just like for Diyarbakır and Hakkari. “Istanbul and İzmir must be free as much as Diyarbakır and Hakkari are", he added.
Yüksek emphasized that the model of decentralization and democratic autonomy proposed by Kurds has no problems with the borders or the state, but rather with today's present ruling model. Recalling the state terror suffered by the Kurdish people in response to their demand for autonomy, Yüksek called on people to continue resisting against 'this last attack after which we will attain freedom in the event of succeeding.
Regarding the arrest of co-mayors on alleged charges of "changing the constitution", DBP Co-President reminded that Turkish President Erdoğan has himself changed the constitution and confessed this, and underlined that Erdoğan himself must be put on trial for changing the constitution.
Yüksek stressed that re-initiation of talks with PKK leader Abdullah Öcalan and its progress to negotiations was the only way to come up with a solution to the existing problems.
Quoting some Turkish military commanders as saying “This is not a war for the country and I do not want to fight for Erdoğan”, Yüksek stated that over 200 soldiers deserted from the Turkish army in several cities during the last one week.
Yüksek lastly touched upon the snap elections to be held on November 1, which was declared as International Kobanê Day last year, and added that Turkey will be liberated on November 1 like Kobanê, and crown their demand for self-governance with success.
(nt)
