MERSİN - Writers and politicians in Mersin emphasised the contradiction between the government's words and practice on the solution of the Kurdish issue and emphasised social struggle.
A historic statement is expected from PKK Leader Abdullah Öcalan on the solution of the Kurdish issue and democratisation of Turkey. While the date of the statement is not yet clear, the government's trustee policies, detentions and arrests are raising concerns about the process.
Adil Okay, a poet living in Mersin, said that oppression against opposition groups continues in the discussions on the new process. Okay said, "On the one hand, they seem to be taking steps to stop the war that has been going on for 40 years, on the other hand, the will of the Kurdish people is usurped and trustees are appointed. Political repression is increasing not only in the Kurdish geography, but all over the country. Filmmakers, writers and poets were also detained. People from almost all walks of life were detained and many of them were arrested. They put people in jail under the name of 'terrorism'. We are experiencing such a contradiction and it is difficult to make sense of this process. Of course we are struggling against this. If we do not struggle, this darkness will become even darker."
Figen Kandemir, one of the executives of Mersin 78's Initiative Association, said, "If a new process is starting, why is the lawlessness increasing so much? I don't think the government wanted this process. This was already the nature of the government, which disregards law, justice and labour. In this process, the main opposition party's agenda is to determine a presidential candidate. This situation prevents the reaction of the people from reflecting on the streets. As those in favour of labour, justice and peace, we will continue to stand side by side and arm in arm in the squares. We are getting bigger and bigger, I believe that people will take this struggle to the streets by throwing off the dead soil on them."
İhsan Derinöz, one of the executives of the Peoples' Equality and Democracy Party (DEM Party) Mersin Provincial Organization, stated that there is a contradiction between the government's words and practices. Derinöz added, "Despite everything, as people in favour of peace, freedom and brotherhood, we will continue to say peace. I am a Turk from Niğdeli, but we are in favour of Kurds, Arabs and all minorities living together in this country as brothers and sisters with their rights recognised. We are determined to remove all obstacles in front of this brotherhood. Peace can only be achieved with good will."