BALIKESIR - DEM Party Balıkesir officials stated that they considered the Parliamentary Commission's decision to meet with Abdullah Ocalan to be correct, adding that they believed those opposed to visiting Imrali would contribute to the process in the future.

 

The National Solidarity, Brotherhood and Democracy Commission, established in Parliament, voted on the issue of visiting Imrali at its 18th meeting last Friday. With 32 of the 51 members voting "yes" to visiting Kurdish People’s Leader Abdullah Ocalan, it was confirmed that the commission would travel to Imrali. 

 

The Republican People’s Party (CHP), which stated that it would not send members to the commission delegation travelling to Imrali, became the target of criticism. The Balıkesir administrators of the Peoples' Equality and Democracy (DEM) Party assessed the commission's decision to visit İmralı and the CHP's stance.

 

DEM Party Balıkesir Language, Culture and Arts Commission Co-Spokesperson Nihat Sonmez stated that the current situation is very sensitive and that it should not be ignored. Sonmez pointed out that one of the expectations from the process is that the Kurdish language and culture be constitutionally guaranteed. 

 

Sonmez added: "There was assimilation of the Kurds' culture, language and art. This policy was very advanced. In this latest process, progress has been made thanks to the struggle of the Kurdish people and their predecessors; but this is not enough. These need to be constitutionally guaranteed."

 

'THE COMMISSION'S DECISION IS THE RIGHT ONE' 

 

DEM Party Burhaniye District Co-Chair Bayram Ozyolcu reminded that the people's wish and expectation is peace, stating that Abdullah Ocalan is the representative of peace on behalf of the Kurdish people. "Meeting with the leadership is only one step in the process," said Ozyolcu, and added: "The commission's decision is the right one. I believe that those who did not go will take better steps in the future process. They will contribute to the process."

 

Ozyolcu said that the demand for democracy does not belong only to the Kurds, adding that the PKK and Ocalan have taken unprecedented steps in the world and that it is now Turkey's turn to take steps.

 

'ALL PEOPLES SHOULD UNITE AND SUPPORT THE PROCESS'

 

DEM Party Ayvalık District Co-Chair Nurhan Aygun also assessed the decision as a correct step, noting that their request was for all political parties to provide support. Emphasising that all people should unite and support the peace process, Nurhan Aygun stated, "Women, in particular, should have a clear line. They should have rights. We no longer want to die or be killed. Tone is important in this process. If a good tone is used in Parliament, we can work better and more comfortably."