Memihan Zeydan 

 

MÛŞ - Gülay Bingöl said that the liberation of peoples can only be realized through a women-led peace struggle and added, "Mr. Öcalan saw this. If women are involved in peace, peace will be successful."

 

In the peace process that began with the "Call for Peace and Democratic Society" by Kurdish People's Leader Abdullah Öcalan on February 27, the PKK has responded to the call by taking steps. While everyone was watching to see what steps the state would take, the "National Solidarity, Fraternity, and Democracy Commission" established in Parliament began creating expectations that the process would accelerate. However, the commission has held seven meetings and is still insufficient to meet the demands. The fact that the commission has not met with Abdullah Öcalan is one of the most discussed issues.

 

The commission is expected to draft a law to take legal steps for the release of prisoners, especially those who are sick. The call for peace and democracy continues.

 

Gülay Bingöl, DEM Party Mûş Provincial Organization executive, made evaluations on the process.

 

'Arrests have set the country back 50 years'

 

Gülay Bingöl said that for Turkey to move forward, there must be free unity among peoples and lasting peace. She added, "The situation in the Middle East is well known. There is war everywhere. After 52 years of war, we do not want Turkey to enter another one. In a democratic country, political party leaders should not be imprisoned. This in itself is a problem of inequality and a problem of democracy. We have been trying to explain this to the people and the current administration for years. The wave of arrests that began with the Peoples' Democratic Party (HDP) continues today with the CHP. These arrests have set the country back 50 years."

 

'The rights of sick prisoners are being violated'

 

Gülay Bingöl also pointed to the deepening economic crisis and stated that the people are struggling economically. Gülay Bingöl said, "As if these are not enough, there are thousands of sick prisoners in prisons today. They also have rights and these rights are being violated. As long as their rights are not fulfilled, as long as the leaders of political parties, the will of the people, are in prison, the commission cannot claim to provide justice.

 

Some of the co-mayors of municipalities elected by the people are in prison, others have been suspended. We are completely against the trusteeship and this usurpation of the will of the people."

 

'PKK has fulfilled its duty'

 

Recalling the gun-burning ceremony of 30 Peace and Democratic Society Group guerrillas upon Abdullah Öcalan's call, Gülay Bingöl said, "The PKK has fulfilled its duty and burned its weapons. They took significant steps that could be a response to the process. Now it is time for the government to take steps.

 

If a free union is to be established, the prisons must first be emptied. Political prisoners especially must be released. Those imprisoned for their thoughts should be prioritized over murderers and rapists.

 

Those whom the people see as representatives of their will must be released. Currently, hundreds of Kurdish politicians are living in exile abroad. The way must also be paved for their return. The sword must be removed from political parties for democracy."

 

'This is Turkey's last chance'

 

Gülay Bingöl pointed out that she was asked for punishment only because she was a party executive and said, "Thousands of my friends like me have files and sentences in the Supreme Court of Appeals. These must be eliminated. The law needs to be fulfilled. This is our main expectation from the commission. The people have great expectations from this peace process. I hope the necessary steps will be taken and the government will not be burdened by this. I hope the table will not be overturned as it was in the past processes. This is Turkey's last chance.

 

The rights of all the peoples living in Turkey have been taken away. The principles of the rule of law need to be fulfilled. If the table is overturned, everyone will suffer. All peoples will suffer. We demand a life of justice, freedom and equality from the commission. We are doing our part as a people and we will continue to do so. Let's give the gift of honorable peace to future generations. For this, all civil society organizations, political parties, institutions and organizations should do their best."

 

'Peace will succeed if there are women'

 

Gülay Bingöl talked about Abdullah Öcalan's role in the process and said, "We have heard from AKP members that Mr. Abdullah Öcalan is a world leader. Leader Apo is putting forward a salvation not only for Kurds but also for the peoples of the Middle East. His conditions need to be improved for the liberation of the peoples.

 

Mr. Öcalan has put women at the heart of the struggle. In today's world, a peace without the touch of women would be a one-legged peace. Leader Apo also saw this. If women are involved in peace, peace will be successful. The liberation of peoples is realized through the women-led peace struggle."