Ankara- Members of the National Solidarity, Fraternity and Democracy Commission established in the Turkish parliament, from the Peoples' Equality and Democracy Party (DEM Party), have released a written statement regarding the last two meetings of the commission.

 The statement issued by Gülistan Kılıç Koçyiğit, Meral Danış Beştaş, Hakkı Saruhan Oluç, Celal Fırat, and Cengiz Çiçek, the members of the commission from the DEM Party said, “The Commission on National Solidarity, Fraternity, and Democracy has completed its fourth and fifth sessions. For two days, people and institutions agreed upon by the political parties represented in the commission were heard. Firstly, we would like to thank, on behalf of our party, all the individuals, communities, and institutions who openly shared the pain and grievances they experienced, as well as their criticisms, views, and suggestions.

“In the speeches delivered, it became clear that the years in which the Kurdish issue unfolded on the basis of conflict have had profound social, political, and economic effects, foremost among them loss of life. Every story, every experience, every observation and suggestion was a piece completing this larger picture. Individuals and institutions from very different political views and social segments shared their feelings and suggestions in the commission and it was very valuable. They expressed their support for the current process and their wishes for its success, even though their reasons, bases and definitions differed. We are, of course, aware of the differences between their views and proposals. Yet we are also aware that the support these people and institutions expressed for the process places historical responsibilities upon the political sphere. Against approaches that create hierarchies of suffering or pit one pain against another, we want to recall and emphasize once again the role of politics in resolving social problems.

Warn for provocation

“All the presentations we listened to over the two days reminded us once again of the heavy burden of the past. We feel the weight of this burden, and we underline our determination to make every effort throughout the commission’s work so as not to pass this burden on to the next generations. Within this framework, we maintain our firm stance against all attempts to sabotage the commission’s work through lies and provocations from outside, to undermine its growing legitimacy within society, and to obstruct steps to be taken toward peace and the democratic solution to the Kurdish question.”