As many as 646 NGOs and various organisations based in North Kurdistan have issued a joint declaration calling on the Turkish government to immediately stop the political and military operations against Kurds and to end the isolation imposed on the Kurdish People’s Leader Abdullah Öcalan. The statement stressed that the AKP and President Erdoğan are insisting on wrongdoings concerning the Kurdish question.

The statement said “In the face of recent developments, we take a clear stand against the war for the realization of the freedom and democratic demands of our people with an awareness of the responsibility we bear for humanity and our people”,.

The joint declaration drew attention to the important role undertaken by the Kurdish Leader Abdullah Öcalan in his Newroz letter for peace and pointed out that the AKP government has not taken the necessary steps, which it bears the responsibility of undertaking.

The NGOs and organizations stated that the joint declaration made public by the Imrali delegation and the government authorities in Dolmabahçe Palace was a historic step for transition to negotiation process and reaching the stage of a final democratic resolution. The declaration recalled Turkish President Erdoğan’s announcement of derecognization of the Dolmabahçe declaration, after which the isolation on Öcalan was aggravated and the process of resolution was halted.

Government-State insist on wrongdoing

The NGOs and organizations expressed their concern that the ongoing military and political operations are being carried out with an aim to prepare the ground for early elections, adding that one of the main reason behind the current political tension is the policies of the state and the government on the Middle East and Syria.

The declaration emphasised that Turkish government's policies regarding Syria and specifically Rojava Kurdistan created obstacles for the resolution of the Kurdish question in Turkey, and that the Turkish government and the state should have rather supported the legitimate struggle of the people of Rojava against ISIS gangs as a requirement of the ideals of fraternity and together living.

“What would create gains for Turkey and all the peoples was to develop policies and a state wisdom that take Kurds as brothers and sisters and strategically friends. Yet, the Turkish state has insisted on its mistakes while the international support gained by the resistance against ISIS gangs in Kobanê should have rather been opportunity to dispose itself of these wrongdoings”, said the declaration.

“The massacres perpetrated in Amed, Kobane and Suruç are a consequence of the failure to react to the bomb attacks previously carried out by ISIS in Adana and Mersin, to take due security measures against the attacks, as well as the policies that equated ISIS and the YPG”, stressed the NGOs and added that ISIS gangs have benefited primarily from these deficient policies.

The NGOs further expressed deep concern that the state and government's insistence on erroneous policies could be a return to the terrible years of 90s, and that ISIS gangs could turn into a serious threat on Turkey and Kurdistan.

The declaration also expressed deep concern regarding the aerial and ground operations carried out against the PKK in entire Kurdistan, the forests fires being started, the political operations against Kurdish politicians and democratic powers, further condemning the massacre perpetrated on civilians in Zergele village in Qandil.

Demands: Consolidated cease fire; end to isolation; reinitiation of the process of resolution

The joint declaration of the 646 NGOs and organizations listed their urgent demands, primarily calling on the parties to declare a consolidated cease fire in order to pave the way for a peaceful resolution, calling on all the parties to;

- develop a common sense for returning to Dolmabahce agreement,

- reinitiate a dialogue process by transforming it into a formal negotiation process with Mr. Öcalan that has long been halted,

- save the people from a chaotic environment that can drag the country into a pool of blood, a space of great uncertainties and even into an abyss.

The NGOs and organisations called on all the political structures, groups and women in entire Kurdistan to act in unity and solidarity in order for the beginning of a true process for a democratic and peaceful resolution, and stressed that no reason could legitimize the present war and attacks, nor supporting them.

Call for solidarity

646 NGOs and organisations lastly called on the democratic public opinion, institutions, political parties, women and the free press to take a clear stand against a new war: “We call on the humanity to stand up against the war, which has been launched against the Kurdish people and which will potentially end up in a big destruction, and to raise solidarity with the Kurdish people”.