Human rights activists, academics, writers, journalists, politicians of the left and members of NGOs were escorted to the building by plain-clothes policemen, searched, and then admitted into the parliament building.

They joined the DTP parliamentary group meeting as group leader Ahmet Türk was making a speech. Türk interrupted his speech; the pacifists were received with applause and sat down in empty seats.

Türk reminded MPs of pledge 

Continuing his speech, Türk said that they were happy to see progressive, pacifist intellectuals who represented the peace and democracy forces in Turkey, and that this empowered them.

Referring to the attempts to close the party, he said: "They accuse us, but there is no violence or incitement to violence mentioned in the indictment. Rather, said Türk, the indictment accused them of not doing and not saying things.

He emphasised that the party was always ready to participate in solutions to the problem which were based on the PKK laying down arms, but that the government seemd to want to leave the DTP out of the process. This he warned, would not solve but complicate the matter.

Türk accused MPs of forgetting that in their parliamentarians' oath they pledged to protect democracy, human rights and the rule of law.

Saying that the party was ready for any steps leading to a solution of the Kurdish question, Türk nevertheless said that a denial of their identity would not contribute to a solution.

Support for the Kurdish people 

After Türk, Peace Parliament speaker Cengiz Gülec spoke, saying that they had come to "stand beside the Kurdish people, to show that we support peace". He added, "Up to today you faced all pressures with patience and honour; from now on we will be with you."

Another member of the Peace Parliament, Vedat Türkali, a poet and writer, said: "It is said that the military is making a solution impossible, but if the civilians are brave enough, no soldier can stand in the way of a solution."

Lawyer and writer Mebuse Tekay said that as a lawyer and pacifist she opposed the pressure on the DTP.

Nuray Mert, academic and columnist, said: "We want to help the Kurds. Please, support us, too." (NZ/AG)