Block Deputies meet in Diyarbakir
Block Deputies meet in Diyarbakir
The newly elected deputies from the Labor, Democracy and Freedom Block are holding a meeting in Diyarbakir. It it the first meeting joined by all of the new deputies (except, that is, those still in prison). On the meeting agenda the oath to parliament, the formation of the parliamentary group and possibly yesterday's statement by Kurdish leader Abdullah Ocalan. In his statement related by his lawyers Ocalan has called for an extension of the ceasefire by the PKK and also for an active role of parliament in the search for a solution to the Kurdish question.
As usual Turkish papers prefer to turn a blind eye to the real issue, i.e. the solution of the Kurdish question and to concentrate on rather marginal issue. A controversy was stirred up on Friday when Milliyet daily paper published a news alleging that three socialist deputies, Ýstanbul deputies Sýrrý Süreyya Önder and Levent Tüzel and Mersin deputy Ertuðrul Kürkçü, who were elected from candidate lists endorsed by the pro-Kurdish Peace and Democracy Party (BDP), had said they do not want to swear to be loyal to the principles and reforms of the founder of the Turkish Republic, Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, and to the Constitution during parliamentary oath-taking. They say the oath contains many other racist elements and does not comply with the socialist ideology they adhere to.
BDP leader Selahattin Demirtaþ and Kürkçü denied Milliyet’s report on Friday and said they have no such issue on their agenda. Kürkçü said the Milliyet’s report was “a lie from the beginning to the end” and that it aims to stir up provocation.
Article 81 of the Constitution says members of Turkish Parliament, on assuming office, shall take the following oath: “I swear upon my honor and integrity, before the great Turkish nation, to safeguard the existence and independence of the state, the indivisible integrity of the country and the nation, and the absolute sovereignty of the nation; to remain loyal to the supremacy of law, to the democratic and secular republic, and to Atatürk’s principles and reforms; not to deviate from the ideal according to which everyone is entitled to enjoy human rights and fundamental freedoms under peace and prosperity in society, national solidarity and justice, and loyalty to the Constitution.”
Leyla Zana, who had been elected MP in the early nineties had been jailed because she take the oath in Kurdish.
As usual Turkish papers prefer to turn a blind eye to the real issue, i.e. the solution of the Kurdish question and to concentrate on rather marginal issue. A controversy was stirred up on Friday when Milliyet daily paper published a news alleging that three socialist deputies, Ýstanbul deputies Sýrrý Süreyya Önder and Levent Tüzel and Mersin deputy Ertuðrul Kürkçü, who were elected from candidate lists endorsed by the pro-Kurdish Peace and Democracy Party (BDP), had said they do not want to swear to be loyal to the principles and reforms of the founder of the Turkish Republic, Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, and to the Constitution during parliamentary oath-taking. They say the oath contains many other racist elements and does not comply with the socialist ideology they adhere to.
BDP leader Selahattin Demirtaþ and Kürkçü denied Milliyet’s report on Friday and said they have no such issue on their agenda. Kürkçü said the Milliyet’s report was “a lie from the beginning to the end” and that it aims to stir up provocation.
Article 81 of the Constitution says members of Turkish Parliament, on assuming office, shall take the following oath: “I swear upon my honor and integrity, before the great Turkish nation, to safeguard the existence and independence of the state, the indivisible integrity of the country and the nation, and the absolute sovereignty of the nation; to remain loyal to the supremacy of law, to the democratic and secular republic, and to Atatürk’s principles and reforms; not to deviate from the ideal according to which everyone is entitled to enjoy human rights and fundamental freedoms under peace and prosperity in society, national solidarity and justice, and loyalty to the Constitution.”
Leyla Zana, who had been elected MP in the early nineties had been jailed because she take the oath in Kurdish.
