Amidst ongoing strife and recent Turkish military casualties, the Peoples’ Equality and Democracy Party (DEM Party) clarified the misinterpreted statements of Co-Chair Tuncer Bakırhan about the Kurdish issue, emphasising their dedication a peaceful resolution.
Bakırhan’s statement, “As long as the Kurdish issue continues, neither the people of Tekirdağ nor those of Trabzon will be at ease,” was excerpted and circulated on social media, sparking reactions. In response to these reactions, DEM Party issued a written statement clarifying Bakırhan’s remarks.
The statement, titled “Bakırhan has advocated for life against the politics of death in his speech today,” emphasised that his comments were taken out of context, stressing the party’s stance against death, conflict and war. DEM Party underlined its commitment to a politics of life, opposing those who advocate for conflict and war.
The statement further highlighted that the ongoing loss of lives is a direct result of the persistent unresolved Kurdish issue and the attempts to resolve problems through military means. DEM Party called for an end to the use of violent language and urged for support in opposing the unjust war, advocating for peace.
Bakırhan’s full speech in the 2nd Extraordinary Congress of the Tunceli (Dersîm) Provincial Organisation expressed concerns about the Kurdish issue’s continuous impact on peace and democracy, not only in Tunceli but throughout Turkey. He appealed to the government and state officials to prevent the loss of young lives and to constitutionally guarantee equal citizenship rights for Kurds and Alevis.