The President of the Human Rights Association of Turkey (IHD), Öztürk Türkdoğan, said the Turkish government should take steps appropriate to the joint declaration made with the HDP.
The head of the Human Rights Association of Turkey (IHD) Öztürk Türkdoğan, said the Turkish government should take steps appropriate to the joint declaration made with the HDP. He said: "The 10 articles are headings and principles. Negotiations are needed to elaborate these. Mr Öcalan should be able to speak to his organisation.”
Öztürk Türkdoğan commented on the HDP/AKP government joint declaration for ANF.
'The Turkish state had to accept it’
Türkdoğan said that it was of historic importance that the government representing the state should read out Mr Öcalan's declaration together with the HDP. “This came about due to the long struggle of the Kurdish movement led by Öcalan. The Turkish state had no other option than to accept it,” he added.
Türkdoğan said Abdullah Öcalan had succeeded in bringing the state to a certain stage as regards a solution of the problems of the Kurdish people.
'The government should act in accordance with the declaration’
Türkdoğan said the government should ensure negotiations commence in accordance with the declaration. “The government should fulfil its responsibilities as far as democratisation is concerned. Human rights cannot be the subject of bargaining,” he added.
'A secretariat, negotiation delegations and communications are necessary’
Türkdoğan said a secretariat should be established on Imrali island and negotiation delegations established within two weeks. He also raised the following demands: "Restrictions preventing Mr Öcalan from contacting his organisation and the people should be removed. In particular, he needs to be able to hold discussions with his organisation. Journalists, public figures and representatives of Trade Unions and professional bodies should be allowed to visit him. This will enable the negotiations to progress more healthily.”
'It is not a concession, it is necessary'
IHD President Öztürk Türkdoğan said the government was reluctant to play its role on account of not wanting to make concessions, but added: "It is now necessary for steps to be taken.”
