ANKARA - The Turkish Medical Association has pointed out that the government has a great responsibility in the "Peace and Democratic Society Process" and listed the steps to be taken immediately.

 

The Turkish Medical Association (TTB) made a written statement on the "Peace and Democratic Society Group's" arms destruction ceremony and the "Peace and Democratic Society Process". 

 

In the statement, it was pointed out that peace does not only mean the silence of weapons: "It also means the functioning of justice, the provision of the most basic rights, and the ability of every individual in society to live an equal and dignified life. In this respect, peace is directly related to the ethical principles of medicine. With this perspective, the Turkish Medical Association has been against all kinds of armed conflicts and wars from past to present, and has advocated for a democratic-secular republic with equal, free and peaceful conditions and a world without war and exploitation."

 

'A NEW PHASE HAS BEGUN'

 

Pointing out that a new phase has been entered in the solution of the Kurdish issue, the statement read as follows: "The end of the conflict also removes the excuses that have long been used as justification for the prevention of democratic rights. In order to achieve a secular, democratic, democratic, egalitarian republic in favour of the people and a free and healthy society in peace, we announce to the public that the process must be carried out transparently, include all segments of society and simultaneously put an end to antidemocratic practices."

 

DEMANDS

 

The statement emphasised that the government has important responsibilities and listed the steps to be taken immediately as follows

 

"* All ill prisoners in prisons must be released.

 

* All political prisoners should be tried without remand in accordance with the principle of applying the existing law in favour of the accused.

 

* The practice of Kayyım (Trustee) should be terminated, the elected officials who were dismissed from office should be released and reinstated to their duties.

 

* All obstacles to freedom of expression, expression of thought and demonstration march rights must be removed."