Kurds will boycott the Constitution referendum
Kurds will boycott the Constitution referendum
The Kurds will never give up their demands for a democratic Constitution. Therefore, we will boycott AKP’s Constitution which neither recognises the existence of Kurdish people nor brings any safeguards for their cultural and political rights. We will invoke the free will of the people and the number of those who will not attend the referendum will show how many people want a democratic Constitution.” said Selahattin Demirtaþ, co-chair of Peace and Democracy Party (BDP).
In a political meeting in the Kurdish city Batman co-chair of BDP called the Kurds and the democrats to not take party in the referendum for Constitution which will be held on 12 September, on the anniversary of the 1980 military coup in Turkey.
Prolonging the life of Coup Constitution
Selahattin Demirtaþ further stated that “the ruling party AKP and two other opposition parties, republican CHP and nationalist MHP, have reached a consensus on keeping the status quo. The ruling from the Constitutional Court has made it clear. Our party as well as all the peoples of Turkey who are being deprived of their rights and freedoms will oppose this Constitution. The Constitution they are amending is General Kenan Evren’s Constitution, a fruit of the 12 September 1980 Coup D’état. What they are trying to do is to prolong the life of the current constitution. We have never been and will never be a part of this status quo competition.”
Reducing Threshold
Co-chair of BDP stated that “Although it is insufficient we find the proposal from CHP for reducing the election threshold remarkable. However, if CHP and AKP are sincere in this matter then they should support our draft law which we have already presented. The threshold can be lowered and applied in the upcoming elections.”
Regarding the increasing clashed Selahattin Demirtaþ said: “Tears have no colours. The pain of a guerrilla’s mother is not different than the pain of a soldier’s mother. The Kurds and the Turks suffer the same pain." Responding the critiques why the MP’s of BDP attend the funerals of rebels Demirtaþ said: “These people are the citizens of this country and the pain of their families are our own pain. Moreover, in every war the bodies are respected. However, inciting the people for revenge like the media and the officials do will not contribute a solution.”
Demirtaþ finally called for a bilateral cease fire regarded by both sides.
In a political meeting in the Kurdish city Batman co-chair of BDP called the Kurds and the democrats to not take party in the referendum for Constitution which will be held on 12 September, on the anniversary of the 1980 military coup in Turkey.
Prolonging the life of Coup Constitution
Selahattin Demirtaþ further stated that “the ruling party AKP and two other opposition parties, republican CHP and nationalist MHP, have reached a consensus on keeping the status quo. The ruling from the Constitutional Court has made it clear. Our party as well as all the peoples of Turkey who are being deprived of their rights and freedoms will oppose this Constitution. The Constitution they are amending is General Kenan Evren’s Constitution, a fruit of the 12 September 1980 Coup D’état. What they are trying to do is to prolong the life of the current constitution. We have never been and will never be a part of this status quo competition.”
Reducing Threshold
Co-chair of BDP stated that “Although it is insufficient we find the proposal from CHP for reducing the election threshold remarkable. However, if CHP and AKP are sincere in this matter then they should support our draft law which we have already presented. The threshold can be lowered and applied in the upcoming elections.”
Regarding the increasing clashed Selahattin Demirtaþ said: “Tears have no colours. The pain of a guerrilla’s mother is not different than the pain of a soldier’s mother. The Kurds and the Turks suffer the same pain." Responding the critiques why the MP’s of BDP attend the funerals of rebels Demirtaþ said: “These people are the citizens of this country and the pain of their families are our own pain. Moreover, in every war the bodies are respected. However, inciting the people for revenge like the media and the officials do will not contribute a solution.”
Demirtaþ finally called for a bilateral cease fire regarded by both sides.
