The Istanbul branch of the Human Rights Association (IHD) gathered at a park in Taksim, central Istanbul yesterday (5 March) in order to call for peace.

They held signs with “peace” written in different languages, among them also Turkish and Kurdish.

"Millions of people displaced" 

Veysi Altay read a press statement in the name of the peace commission of the IHD, saying that millions of people in Palestine, Iraq, Turkey and other countries were being displaced from their homes and lives because of racial, ethnic and religious conflicts. He added that people were dying not only in war, but also because of the starvation, poverty, illness and violence caused by war.

“Since 1984, the army has carried out around 54 cross-border operations, always claiming that they were targeted at PKK camps in Northern Iraq. Before each operation, it was said, ‘This is the last one, this will finish them.’ The results are clear.”

Politicians and mainstream media war-mongering 

Altay expressed the association’s shock at the attitude of politicians who had criticized the briefness of the recent eight-day intensive ground and air operations, and who had competed in praising heroism when citing the deaths of soldiers and civilians.

Around 20 people were gathered and shouted peace in Turkish (“Bariş”) and Kurdish (“Aşiti”).

According to the IHD peace commission, the Kurdish issue must not be defined as one of violence and of terrorism.

The association also criticised the media for normalising and legitimising war: “The media must take responsibility for creating a language of peace, morals and values. It is the moral obligation of the media to produce news items which reflect all sides objectively.” (EZÖ/GG/AG)