MERSİN - Representatives of local associations in Mersin have demanded that education in the mother tongue and the physical freedom of all prisoners be prioritised in the process. 

 

While the Peace and Democratic Society Process, which was initiated following Kurdish People's Leader Abdullah Öcalan's call for peace and democratic society, continues, the state and the government's avoidance of concrete steps in the process is causing reactions. 

 

Representatives of civil society organisations and local associations in Mersin called on the state and the government to take steps. 

 

Mehmet İhsan Taş, Chair of Mersin Batman Province and Districts Culture and Solidarity Association, said that the state should take concrete steps for the process to move forward. Pointing out that the inclusive work of the National Solidarity, Brotherhood and Democracy Commission established in the Parliament is important, Taş said: "Political prisoners should be released and Mr Öcalan's right to hope should be recognised." 

 

Abdulvahap Yılmaz, Chair of Mersin Religion and Belief Association, stated that they approach the process from a religious perspective. "Allah has given every human being a colour and a language. To deny this is to fight against Allah. Kurdish, like Arabic and Turkish, is a language that God gave to Adam. We support the peace process so that blood will not be shed and mothers will not be heartbroken."

 

'THIS PROCESS IS IN EVERYONE'S INTEREST'

 

Mahmut Çalış, Chair of Mersin Şırnak Provinces and Districts Assistance and Solidarity Association, stated that Kurds are facing language bans and said: "We are all on the same ship. If the ship sinks, we all go. This process will benefit everyone."

 

İhsan Güzel, Chair of Mersin Diyarbakır Province and Districts Assistance and Solidarity Association, emphasised the importance of including civil society in the process. "Our people are thirsty for their mother tongue. The mother tongue of our children has become a second or even third language. Studies should be carried out in this context," he said.

 

'CONCRETE STEPS HAVE NOT BEEN TAKEN'

 

Halil Aşan, Chair of the Mersin Hakkâri Provinces and Districts Assistance and Solidarity Association, reminded that after Turkish Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) Chair Devlet Bahçeli's statements on Öcalan's "right to hope", expectations were raised in the society, but concrete steps have not yet been taken. Aşan said: "It is the expectation of the society that the Kurdish language and culture be paved the way."

 

Yavuz Selim Madenli, Chair of the Akdeniz Real Estate Agents Association, said that peace was imperative for the future of the country and added: "Prisoners should be released and basic principles should be determined. Firstly, freedom of language must be ensured, and then a wide environment of freedom must be created."

 

MA / Abdülkadir Ayten