Boycotting parliament a reasonable decision, says Dr Sancar
Boycotting parliament a reasonable decision, says Dr Sancar
The crisis created by the exclusion of Hatip Dicle by the Supreme Election Board (YSK) has entered a new stage with BDP's boycotting the Parliament. Evaluating the YSK crisis and BDP's decision, Prof. Dr. Mithat Sancar remarked that there is a multilayer injustice against the BDP, noting that "boycotting the parliament" is a reasonable decision. Sancar expressed that the AKP should take an urgent step to solve the problem as the decisions taken could have dangerous consequences.
Pointing out to the factors leading to BDP's decision, Sancar said the followings; "There is a 10 percent election threshold and a multilayer injustice and unlawfulness against the BDP whose activities are greatly restricted and obstructed by the Turkish Civil Code and the regulations on electoral law. Despite the demands for the amendment and democratization of these regulations, the AKP government has failed to take any steps. The BDP obtained a very successful result and a strong representation competence despite participating in the elections under very difficult conditions. The veto decision of the YSK before the elections was also an operation intending to weaken the political activities of Kurdish political movement in the democratic area. An indignant anger was created on the BDP basis when this decision has been made after the party overcame all these difficulties through a serious work and a strong campaign and gained the right to enter the parliament with 36 MPs. In my opinion, it is their legal right to show reaction against all these happenings."
'This decision can re-shape Kurds' political centers'
Remarking that it is difficult to decide whether the BDP had better stay in or out of the parliament despite this proper decision, Sancar noted that the BDP's nonattendance in the parliament workings can re-determine "the center of Kurdish politics". Sancar continued as follows; "The street and mass activities will and should no doubt be displayed as long as standing within a civil democratic framework. I hope this decision has been given for a temporary period of time. Such a protest act is significant and legitimate but the political functionality of the act depends on the prolongation process of the decision. I hope that they don't have an intention to boycott the parliamentary works consistently. I expect a temporary protest to be a serious warning message to the public and to other political parties which in this case should make a move to remove the obstacles before democratization that intend to clear the existence of the Kurdish movement. In case of the blockage of democratic channels of the politics, it will be a meaningful result of this protest if the public also becomes aware of the pressure and reflects it to the parliament."
Translation: Berna Ozgencil
Pointing out to the factors leading to BDP's decision, Sancar said the followings; "There is a 10 percent election threshold and a multilayer injustice and unlawfulness against the BDP whose activities are greatly restricted and obstructed by the Turkish Civil Code and the regulations on electoral law. Despite the demands for the amendment and democratization of these regulations, the AKP government has failed to take any steps. The BDP obtained a very successful result and a strong representation competence despite participating in the elections under very difficult conditions. The veto decision of the YSK before the elections was also an operation intending to weaken the political activities of Kurdish political movement in the democratic area. An indignant anger was created on the BDP basis when this decision has been made after the party overcame all these difficulties through a serious work and a strong campaign and gained the right to enter the parliament with 36 MPs. In my opinion, it is their legal right to show reaction against all these happenings."
'This decision can re-shape Kurds' political centers'
Remarking that it is difficult to decide whether the BDP had better stay in or out of the parliament despite this proper decision, Sancar noted that the BDP's nonattendance in the parliament workings can re-determine "the center of Kurdish politics". Sancar continued as follows; "The street and mass activities will and should no doubt be displayed as long as standing within a civil democratic framework. I hope this decision has been given for a temporary period of time. Such a protest act is significant and legitimate but the political functionality of the act depends on the prolongation process of the decision. I hope that they don't have an intention to boycott the parliamentary works consistently. I expect a temporary protest to be a serious warning message to the public and to other political parties which in this case should make a move to remove the obstacles before democratization that intend to clear the existence of the Kurdish movement. In case of the blockage of democratic channels of the politics, it will be a meaningful result of this protest if the public also becomes aware of the pressure and reflects it to the parliament."
Translation: Berna Ozgencil
