252 Organisations from 22 provinces in Eastern and Southeastern Anatolia have published a shared statement in which they have called for the ground to be prepared for a discussion of the Kurdish question. They have also demanded that the PKK lay down its arms, and that the government create the necessary conditions for this to happen. The organisations have also protested against planned cross-border operations into Northern Iraq.

The "Democratisation and Peace Declaration", prepared by rights organisations, bar associations, political parties and NGOs, was read by Ali Öncü, spokesperson of the Diyarbakir Democracy Platform.

Kurdish question "most basic problem" in Turkey

Öncü said that Turkey’s most basic problem was the Kurdish question, that Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s US visit had not resulted in solving, but in making the issue worse.

Öncü also warned that cross-border operations would have irreparable results.

The following statements were made in the declaration:

"Concrete steps"

“The Kurdish question is Turkey’s most basic problem. The politics of denial which do not solve the problem but make it worse need to be given up, the Kurdish question needs to be considered together with its historical and social roots, and the ground for discussion needs to be paved. Concrete steps must be taken.”

"PKK must give up arms"

“The PKK must announce that it has given up an armed struggle, must take concrete steps to realise this and must prepare to disarm.”

"Government must aid this process"

“The government must create the liberal and democratic conditions which will allow the PKK to give up arms; social, political and legal arrangements have to be made according to a specified timetable.”

"Danger of nationalism"

“The recent nationalist wave against Kurds is worrying. There is a danger of brotherhood turning into antagonism between peoples. The government and public authorities must take precautions against this great danger.”

"Great pain and irreparable damage"

“Cross-border operations, which we believe will only result in great pain and irreparable economic loss, must not be carried out; the parliamentary bill [permitting these operations] must be withdrawn. Anticipating the contributions of the regional Kurdish government towards a solutoin, there must be diplomacy and dialogue based on peace and friendship, and neighbours and the law must be respected.” (TK/AG)

* This news item has made use of the Diyarbakir Söz newspaper