Ayşegül Doğan, spokesperson of the Peoples' Equality and Democracy Party (DEM Party), said at a press conference held at her party’s headquarters to address recent developments, that the hotel fire in Bolu Kartalkaya was “not an accident, nor a simple case of negligence. This was, in its truest sense, a massacre. Just as we have never ceased to follow up on all the massacres that have occurred to date, we will also continue to follow up on the fire in Bolu Kartalkaya. The main issue is to ensure that the true perpetrators are brought to justice."

Doğan continued: "Why was a trustee appointed to Siirt? The freely and democratically elected mayor has been removed and charged for journalistic activities. She was sentenced to 6 years and 3 months in prison on charges of being a member of a terrorist organization. In other words, an attempt was made to create grounds for appointing a trustee. It is not the conviction that leads to the appointment of a trustee. It is the intention to appoint a trustee that leads to the conviction. Stop appointing trustees. You cannot achieve a different outcome by appointing trustees to the same places three times."

Being a journalist in Turkey is extremely risky

Ayşegül Doğan, emphasized that journalism is the "most dangerous" profession in Turkey, and added: "When we look at recent developments, journalism is one of the most restricted and dangerous professions in our country. You can do anything, but you cannot practice journalism. Because the truth and reality are being covered up in different ways. This is why journalism is the greatest fear of this country. This is why journalists have been killed in this country. The perpetrators have not been brought to light."

Doğan added: "These people won their mayoralties through great struggle and effort. Despite the state's resources used by the ruling power, the voters of the DEM Party won their municipalities again. Municipalities are now an ideological issue for the state. The appointment of trustees is being implemented as part of this ideological plan. No one should try to explain this as a security issue. That is why we will continue to fight this in the strongest way possible."

The government is not taking concrete steps toward a solution

 Ayşegül Doğan, stating that the gains of the Kurdish people are viewed as a "national security" issue, said: "Is the state ready for democratic change and transformation? The state sees the gains of the Kurdish people, wherever they may be, as a national security problem and insists on not abandoning this founding ideology. Both the opposition and the public are wondering. Both the DEM Party's Imrali delegation, which met with Mr. Öcalan, and some discussions held in the Parliament, have led to a positive atmosphere. The accompanying concerns, anxieties, and fears stem from the fragility, weight, historical background, and sociological reality of the issue. These steps cannot be taken by appointing trustees, which will only undermine this positive atmosphere. Let’s call it what it is. It is not difficult to find the name.

Turkey needs social peace. Turkey needs a law of equal brotherhood and social freedom. Turkey needs democracy. The Parliament should take the initiative on this matter. The institution that all sections of society agree on is the Parliament. A specially authorized commission should be established within Parliament. A commission should be set up to end the 50 years of conflict and make peace permanent, and this commission should work openly to the public."

Ayşegül Doğan said that the conditions of Abdullah Öcalan should be changed, and added: "An equal platform must be created. A call is expected, and everyone wants the war to end. We say that weapons should no longer be used, there should be no need for them, and the reasons for this should be eliminated. Mr. Öcalan conveyed his messages to the public through the DEM Party's Imrali delegation. Months have passed since October. Mr. Bahçeli continues to renew his calls. Mr. Bahçeli says, 'With all my sincerity, I am waiting for this call to come.' With all our sincerity and openness, we say that we are ready. Mr. Öcalan is expressing the same views. But those who govern the country are not taking any steps. Those who govern the country are not taking responsibility and are not approaching the issue with seriousness."

Doğan stressed that those in charge of the country must realize the severity of the problem. She said: "The president says, 'Let the weapons be buried.' How and where should they be buried? And what will be done afterward? What will happen? How will peace be made permanent? All these questions are waiting for answers. The isolation is not being lifted, and the way and platform for Mr. Öcalan to meet with different groups are not being opened. How will he make the call, to whom will he make it, and how will he communicate with his organization?"

Isolation conditions must be lifted

Ayşegül Doğan said: "There is no need for destruction, threats, blackmail, bombs, drones. The Kurdish question and Turkey's democracy question are intertwined. The Kurdish question is a matter of rights and freedoms. It is a matter of implementing the law of brotherhood equally and securing it legally. If you do not approach the issue in this way, you cannot solve it. The government must approach the issue this way and must present a will for a solution in this direction."

Ayşegül Doğan continued: "We have stated repeatedly that isolation must be lifted, and Mr. Öcalan should be able to meet not only with the DEM Party Imrali delegation, but also with his family, lawyers, and various segments of society. Mr. Öcalan is the key addressee for peace, but it must be understood that it is impossible for him to work under the harsh conditions of isolation."