The judiciary is protecting the murderer,” declared Gülistan Kılıç Koçyiğit, Deputy Group Chair of Turkey’s pro-Kurdish Peoples’ Equality and Democracy (DEM) Party, expressing outrage at the judiciary’s acquittal proposal in the Tahir Elçi assassination case. During a press conference in the parliament on Monday, she spotlighted systemic issues in Turkey’s judiciary and educational system.
Koçyiğit criticised the proposed ‘Turkey Century Education Model’, which mandates a uniform curriculum across all educational levels. She stressed the need for a more inclusive educational system through dialogue with academics, political parties and families. “This curriculum aims to cultivate a compliant citizen from school age, tailored to the regime’s ideals,” she added.
Highlighting the importance of education in one’s native language, Koçyiğit stressed the need for an educational model that supports equality, freedom and societal participation. She condemned the current curriculum as detrimental to the entire community, particularly to the future of children and Turkey itself. “We will devote all our efforts to develop a new educational model in line with our perspective of a democratic republic and a third way,” she stated, calling for an immediate retraction of the current curriculum.
In discussing the Tahir Elçi case, Koçyiğit pointed out major investigative mishaps, such as the delayed examination of the crime scene and missing security footage, which crucially lasted 12 seconds. These errors, she argued, underscore a protective stance towards the implicated officers by the judiciary. Koçyiğit has pledged to continue pushing for accountability and justice in this high-profile case.
Furthermore, addressing the Kurdish issue and the need for a new democratic constitution, she criticised superficial amendments to the current constitution, underscoring that without resolving the Kurdish issue, a truly democratic constitution remains unattainable. Koçyiğit also rallied for public unity ahead of 1 May International Workers’ Day, particularly regarding the right to assemble at Taksim Square, a historically significant site for labour rights. “We will march together, shoulder to shoulder, on 1 May,” she urged.
