The final declaration of the 'Civil society meeting for a solution to the Kurdish question’ meeting held on February 24th under the leadership of the Amed (Diyarbakır) City Protection and Solidarity Platform was announced. Many representatives of civil society organizations attended the meeting held at the Diyarbakır Chamber of Commerce and Industry. Diyarbakır Medical Chamber President Elif Turan announced the final declaration titled "We must talk about the solution again".

'The source of many problems is the Kurdish question’

The declaration pointed out that: "The meeting was organized to bring together representatives of civil society, professional and business organizations that have been active in the region for many years and have closely observed the damage and consequences of the unresolved Kurdish question, and to evaluate what can be done for a democratic and peaceful solution. As a matter of fact, the intense interest in the meeting, the evaluations made and the concrete proposals that emerged showed the necessity of holding the meeting and the importance of its continuity.

During the meeting, it was once again emphasized that the Kurdish question is a historical, social and political issue that has existed since the founding of the Republic and that the last 40 years have been characterized by conflicts, that it is not right to approach the issue with security policies and that violence is not a solution method. It was also criticized that the security-based approach caused the issue not to be discussed for a long time and to be treated as if it did not exist, and that the issue was put on the agenda only during election periods due to electoral strategies.

It was emphasized that the unresolved Kurdish question lies at the root of many problems in the country and that this fact is ignored, whereas the Kurdish question continues to affect us all with all its historical reality and painfulness and continues to stand where it is."

The effects of the lack of a solution

Drawing attention to the problems and effects of the insistence on the lack of a solution to the Kurdish question, the declaration stated:

* The bans and assimilation policies imposed on the Kurdish language for years have been criticized, artistic activities performed in Kurdish are still banned by public authorities from time to time, the right to education and training in the mother language and the legal obstacles to the use of Kurdish in the public sphere still continue.

* Ecological destruction caused by conflicts and military operations, especially interventions in forested areas and the creation of rent areas continue.

* The deaths of children as a result of armored vehicle crashes in city and district centers with uncontrolled and exaggerated security measures and the impunity policy of the judiciary towards the perpetrators and the sexist and discriminatory view towards women continue.

* The lifting of parliamentary immunity and arrests of MPs, trustee practices and closure cases against political parties continue. Similar practices have been experienced in the past and the problems have deepened. These practices constitute a clear violation of the right to elect and be elected, which is guaranteed by the constitution and international conventions.

* Concerns were expressed about the loss of life due to the conflicts, and attention was drawn to the violations of fundamental rights and freedoms that started especially after 2015-2016 and still continue. It was also emphasized that the perspective based on security policies narrows the area of fundamental rights and freedoms.

* The deadlock on the Kurdish question has increased violence against women and women's poverty.

* Developments in the field of law and judiciary were discussed. Particular attention was drawn to the negative practices of the judiciary on freedom of expression in the axis of the Kurdish question, the criminalization of political party activities, the criminalization of political party activities and the resulting heavy penalties, the violations of rights in prisons and the discriminatory practices in terms of the law of execution and the practices that prevent the right to visit and that are defined as isolation in international law. It was emphasized that all these situations are caused by the insistence on the lack of a solution to the Kurdish question, that a peaceful resolution of the issue on democratic grounds would make a great contribution to the country's democracy, and the importance of confronting the past and restorative justice was highlighted.

An important topic of the meeting was the solution initiatives that have been taken on different dates in the last forty years for the resolution of the Kurdish question, for which the society had high hopes and expectations. Observations were expressed that the initiatives aimed at the peaceful resolution of the Kurdish question were important, but the fact that the processes did not lead to the desired outcome caused disappointment in the society, and that, despite the disappointment, the expectation for similar processes continues in society."

What to do?

The declaration listed the actions that should be taken in this regard as follows:

"Kurdish society should create its own unity and a common language for the solution of the issue, and the work of civil society organizations for a solution will be important. The necessity of continuing similar work in different cities was highlighted, and the formation of a joint delegation for possible initiatives and contacts was proposed.

* In terms of the solution of the Kurdish question, there is a need for a new will for a solution, and for this to be revealed, the weapons must be silenced.

* The obstacles should be removed, and the necessary opportunities should be provided for all actors to play their role for a lasting solution and peace.

* The Kurdish issue is the main triangulation point of the country's legal, democratic and economic problems, and political parties should get rid of political bickering and approach the issue on this basis.

* With all these steps, it has been concluded that there is a need for a new democratic and civilian constitution that will prioritize the solution of social problems and will ensure the participation of all segments in the preparation process and that work should be initiated to this end.

We respectfully share with the public that the work will continue within the framework of the talks to be held with a delegation to be formed in line with these suggestions and demands."