DÎLOK - IHD and OHD executives said that the abolition of the Anti-Terror Law and the release of ill prisoners are the top priorities in the new process.

 

Following Kurdish People's Leader Abdullah Öcalan's "Call for Peace and Democratic Society" announced to the public on 27 February, all eyes turned to the steps to be taken by the state. One of the first steps to be taken by the state was the call for the release of political prisoners, especially ill prisoners. Representatives of civil society organisations in Dîlok made statements on the process.

 

Bahri Oğuz, co-chair of Human Rights Association (IHD) Dîlok (Antep) Branch, stated that the process is of historical importance and emphasised that the Kurdish issue is the most fundamental issue in Turkey. Pointing to the PKK's congress decisions, "The congress removed the justifications the state had. From past to present, the main justification of the governments was the discourse of 'terror' and 'violence'. Now this excuse has been removed," he said.

 

'RELEASE ILL PRISONERS'

 

Underlining the need to pave the way for democratic reforms, Oğuz stressed: "This politics of tension must be put aside and the way for normalisation must be paved. There is a dual legal system in Turkey. One is the actual legislation in force, and the other is the Anti-Terror Law (TMK), which the oppressive and authoritarian administration recognises as its own constitution. The Anti-Terror Law has always been a source of legitimacy and written law for all oppressive-authoritarian-security governments from past to present. First of all, the Anti-Terror Law should be abolished, then ill prisoners and political prisoners should be released from prisons so that the way for civil politics can be paved and peace can be socialised."

 

'THE PROCESS MUST BE SOCIALISED'

 

Association of Lawyers for Freedom (OHD) Dîlok Branch executive Yakup Doğan said that they are witnessing the beginning of a new era in Turkey and added that there will be no losers in peace. Adding that such a process is positive, Doğan said that the state should take steps. Doğan stated that ill prisoners should be released as a priority and asked all segments of society to take responsibility for the socialisation of the process.

 

Referring to the discussions on the new constitution, Doğan said: "In order to civilianise the constitution, the opinions of bar associations and lawyers should be taken into consideration. They should be included in the process in this way, and it should be ensured that the process is carried out not only by state authorities but also by civil society and community organisations."