Press Release of the KCK 23.06.2011
Presidency of Executive Council of the People’s Union of Kurdistan (KCK), 23.06.2011
The Turkish state and the AKP government have resorted to every dirty tactic possible during the elections to prevent the will of the Kurdish people being expressed in the ballot box; they have used psychological and military assaults continuously during this period to gain the upper hand. Apart from the unequal conditions, due to entering the elections as independent candidates, violence and brutality were used on a daily basis to undermine the political choice of the Kurdish people. In the beginning the Supreme Election Board (YSK) vetoed the candidacy of a group from the BDP (Peace and Democracy Party) supported by the Labour, Freedom and Democracy Bloc; this group included Hatip Dicle. The decision by the YSK was arbitrary, had no foundation in the constitution, it was morally wrong and unjust. It was fiercely rejected by the Kurdish people and democratic circles and revoked following a historic resistance.
The Kurdish politician Hatip Dicle, despite currently being imprisoned, was chosen with 85 thousand votes, together with 5 other candidates by the people of Amed (Diyarbakir) to be returned to the Turkish Parliament, from where he was bundled out in 1995. Despite receiving his electoral mandate, Mr Hatip Dicle’s right to become an MP was taken away in the continuation of the same scenario implemented by the YSK. This decision is not just an individual attack against Mr Dicle but one that targets the entire Kurdish people and forces of democracy and is a general social issue concerning democracy and freedom. Furthermore, the decision is not simply one taken by the YSK but it is a state decision regarding the most important issue on Turkey’s agenda: the Kurdish issue and its representatives. With this decision the Turkish state has once again declared its position on the matter and insisted on a colonialist, racist and violent policy of dead-lock. Moreover, the state has rejected and disregarded the political will of the Kurdish people and trampled on international norms. The political sphere for free democratic politics has been blocked and repressed for Kurds and the path to violence is being opened up. If the state and government wish to change this political decision they have the opportunity to do so by using the necessary organs (legislation-executive-judiciary) of the state. The state must change this wrong decision without delay in order to prevent results which will be severe for our peoples.
Kurdish political organisations, representatives and democratic Turkish forces have in the past resisted such unjust and immoral decisions. In this light the Labour, Freedom and Democracy Bloc of candidates have taken an initial decision regarding this issue in their first group meeting. We respect this decision taken by the representatives of the people. We believe that all the groups within the Bloc and Kurdish democratic organisations will take the best possible final decision. It is evident that we will not remain silent in the face of this provocative attack.
The weekly meeting between our Leader Abdullah Ocalan and his solicitors has been prevented this week; this is further evidence that the powers that are taking these decisions are well organised and are acting as part of a developed strategy. The excuse, bad weather conditions, that was given by the state for preventing the meeting is unconvincing and unacceptable. It is evident that there has been an intervention in the democratic constitutional process that our Leader is trying to develop. This will mean that the decision taken by the YSK amounts to an insistence on annihilation and war by the state. As a movement we will evaluate these developments and take the necessary steps to counter these attacks. The people of Kurdistan will not accept these disrespectful attacks against its will and honour and will of course resist heroically. They will reject those that have rejected the will of the people and strengthen their democratic struggle in the face of all adversity.
We are currently experiencing a period when the struggle is at its climax. The possibilities and opportunities for an honourable solution to the Kurdish issue have been brought to the surface. However, if the state blocks the path for a political solution then the people will create new alternatives and solutions. The democratic autonomy project, which the Kurdish people approved in the June 12th election, is the Kurdish people’s alternative and will be put into practice successfully. Based on this we appeal to the people of Amed, all Kurdish organisations, the people of Kurdistan and all those who are in favour of peace and freedom, women, youth and democratic forces, to strengthen their struggle until this great injustice is revoked and to support and protect their politicians, their freedom and democratic values.
KCK Executive Council Presidency
June 23rd 2011
In particular our people should be aware that a new and political struggle and leap forward has commenced and thus should strengthen its organization and target success on the basis of a high level participation.
TO THE PRESS, OUR PEOPLE AND DEMOCRATIC PUBLIC OPINION
The liberation issue of Kurdish people is the liberation and democracy issue of the region. The system that is imposed on our people is based on annihilation – denial and slavery. As a people, it is impossible for us to accept...