Turkey should democratise the republic in its second century, the pro-Kurdish Peoples’ Equality and Democracy Party (HEDEP) said on Sunday in a statement marking the 100th anniversary of the proclamation of the Turkish Republic.
“The republic has completed one century and at the beginning of the second century, its reconstruction as a democratic republic is an important historical task,” HEDEP said.
HEDEP argued that the past century has been marked by a significant lack of democratic quality. This has resulted in an inability to peacefully accommodate cultural, religious and identity differences while upholding the principles of equal citizenship. The resolution of the Kurdish question and other related problems was hampered by the dominance of a singular mindset, they added.
Emphasising the importance of creating an equal and respectful environment for all citizens, especially the marginalised and exploited, to live together democratically, the party urged reflection on the lessons of the first century and advocated the speedy construction of a democratic republic as the republic entered its second century.
The declaration asserts that the establishment of a democratic republic is the key to creating a society of free and equal citizens, with the potential to resolve issues concerning different communities, including the Kurdish population.
“The republic crowned with democracy in Turkey will help solve the historical problems of the region by enabling Kurds, Turks, Arabs, Armenians, Azeris, Jews, Persians, Assyrians and all other peoples of the Middle East to live in peace,” the statement said.
