322 intellectual, activist, artist, academic and politicians released a petition today, demanding immediate peace in Turkey's Kurdish conflict.

Saying that violence wouldn't solve problems, the petitioners called on all parties to end militarist policies and push forward with civic proposals.

Guerillas back to social life

Seeing the ceasefire declared by Kurdish guerillas as an opportunity, the text includes urgent demands:

* We demand a step from state institutions, which will place human life instead of conflict and death, in the center of politics. The responsibility of resolution is on politicians in power.

* Legal arrangements are needed to get the guerillas back into social life. This is also indispensable to save the lives of soldiers doing their military duty region.

* 10 percent national electoral barrier should be lowered to ensure a fair political representation.

* All legal obstacles keeping the free social involvement of the Kurdish language and culture at stake should be abolished.

* Freedom of expression and right to organization should be fully implemented.

* A new initiative to eliminate social and economic injustices between regions should come into effect.

PKK declared ceasefire in October

The petitioners asked everybody who strives for a free and secure life to dwell on the reasons that create the violence in the country.

Kurdish guerilla movement, Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK), unilaterally declared a ceasefire as of October 1.

It coincided with a public communiqué issued by more than 200 Turkish and Kurdish intellectuals demanding the PKK to end all armed acts unconditionally. (TK/EU)