Pelşin Çetinkaya

 

AMED - Assessing developments regarding the resolution of the Kurdish issue and Kurdish People's Leader Abdullah Öcalan's “democratic society” perspective, politician Gülser Yıldırım emphasized the need to launch a democratic struggle and organization process.

 

Kurdish People's Leader Abdullah Öcalan once again drew attention to the democratic society model in his “Peace and Democratic Society” call on February 27. Abdullah Öcalan, who emphasized that the solution to the deepening crises in the Middle East is possible through the free will of the people and participatory democracy, pointed out that centralized authority-based administrations are no longer sustainable. 

 

Abdullah Öcalan's statement that “A democratic society is the self-governance of peoples” offers the peoples an alternative model to the existing nation-state paradigm. The concept of a democratic society, which is the key to social transformation, is significant not only for the liberation of the Middle East but also for the liberation of the peoples of the world.

 

Politician Gülser Yıldırım commented on the “Democratic Society” statements made by Kurdish leader Abdullah Öcalan in his February 27 call. 

 

The ground for struggle in the democratic sphere

 

Gülser Yıldırım, who stated that the process initiated by Kurdish People's Leader Abdullah Öcalan is valuable and important, said, "If there had been a ground for struggle in the democratic sphere, there would have been no need for weapons. With the September 12 military coup, not only the Kurds but the entire society found itself unable to breathe. Torture, detention, killing, looting, forced displacement, insults, and assimilation policies became systematic. Society naturally defended itself against these policies. This struggle began against oppression, violence, and denial." 

 

Against war: Democratic society

 

Gülser Yıldırım reminded that war greatly affects people and that Abdullah Öcalan has the power to end the war with his call. Gülser Yıldırım said, "Neither the Kurdish freedom movement nor the Turkish state has ended in 50 years. However, the problems have deepened. Long-lasting wars erode the culture and conscience of societies; those in power feed off this. Evil becomes legitimate, and war serves this order. For this reason, the process initiated by Mr. Abdullah Öcalan is of great importance not only for the Kurds but also for the Middle East and the world. This process is an expression of the acceptance of a people's existence. Today, the existence of the Kurds has been accepted by the state and the world. Now it is necessary to start the process of democratic struggle and organization."

 

How is a democratic society built?

 

Gülser Yıldırım, who states that a “democratic society” means being able to obtain democratic rights such as freedom, equality, education, and status, says, "The more the society wants these rights, the more it will organize and fight for them. This struggle will strengthen the February 27 call and open the way to a solution. The Kurdish issue will be resolved in a democratic country, with equal living conditions and peace. I do not see this issue as a ‘Kurdish problem’. The existence of the Kurds is not a problem; the problem is the mentality that denies them. Examples from around the world show that such mentalities deepen problems; they increase war and suffering. I hope that the opportunities provided in this process will be properly evaluated."

 

Gülser Yıldırım said, “The goal is a democratic country for all peoples, honorable equality, and a social philosophy that strengthens women's identity in the Middle East. We are grateful for this philosophy. Our struggle will continue until the last moment of our lives.”