BDP co-chair Gulten Kışanak made the first comments on this morning "democratisation package" presented by the Prime Minister. "This package - she said - didn't satisfy any of the Kurdish people expectations. This is not a package responding to the needs of the people - she said - this is a package responding to the need of the AK party. It is not a democratisation package. It is an election package".

Kışanak pointed out that the package was inadequate in terms of overcoming the deadlock in the democratic resolution process and didn't answer the demand for equal citizenship.  

BDP co-chair said nor did the package present a solution for the removal of the obstacles to freedom of thought and organization, freedom of the press and democratic politics, as well as for the release of thousands of politicians behind bars.

Kışanak criticized the package for not answering the expectations for the ending of the denial and assimilation policy against Kurds. She underlined that with the so-called democratization package the government pretended to be presenting solutions to the problems in the country and the Prime Minister has given the message that people should continue following him until he comes up with a solution to all problems.

Kışanak pointed out that the government presented this package because it was not able to declare its stance by a deadlock policy in the face of the demands of all circles demanding a solution. She said the package was a maneuver of the government  aiming to prolong its power.

Referring to the arrangements on the electoral system, Kışanak said that; "The Prime Minister must be considering us and the people of Turkey to be mindless for he proposes the continuation of the present system as one of the three alternatives. If the government sides with the maintenance of the present system, it should firstly frankly voice this stance. It is a preposterous attitude to present it as a change and means 'I already side with this system but I can find other formulas to strengthen my government if you want a change that much'. The government should firstly decide whether it wants a change or not".

BDP co-chair remarked that the other two alternatives didn't answer the questions as to the reason of the demand for the reduction of the election threshold. She said they wanted a change in the electoral system to ensure justice in the representation of all circles in the country. Kışanak said that the Prime Minister's proposals corresponded to the two party system -made up of a powerful government and ineffective opposition- he desired. "This has nothing to do with democracy and justice. The government should firstly remove the ten percent election threshold which was introduced by coup-stagers if it so unhesitatingly and clearly voices its objection against coups."

Referring to the arrangements on mother tongue issue, Kışanak said this was the basic manifestation of the maintainance of the denial and assimilation policy. She underlined that the provision of mother tongue education as an elective course at private schools had nothing to do with the demands of the Kurdish people.

Kışanak said the arrangements on meetings and demonstrations were only for show, adding that; "In plain words, we are facing a mindset that desires to give the kiss of life to the denial and assimilation policy which has become unsustainable by now. It is this mindset that constitutes an obstacle to democracy. Coming up with a solution to Turkey's problems will not be that difficult once this mindset undergoes a change".

BDP co-chair said the removal of the andımız (Turkish national oath) obligation at primary schools, the practice of deterrent sanctions against hate crimes and discrimination, initiation of the co-chair system were still steps of importance.  

Kışanak said that they thanked the Prime Minister though for "showing that rights and freedoms and democracy could be obtained and achieved through a struggle".

BDP co-chair called on the peoples of Turkey to organize a joint struggle to obtain their rights and to achieve democratization instead of expecting them from the government.

Meanwhile in Amed thousands took to the street responding to a call to rally from the BDP. The crowd chanted slogan for Kurdish leader Abdullah Ocalan and dismessed the government's package as an empty electoral exercise.