Lothar Bisky: only dialogue can lead to a peaceful solution of the conflict in Turkey
Lothar Bisky: only dialogue can lead to a peaceful solution of the conflict in Turkey
Lothar Bisky, the President of GUE/NGL and the Party of European Left, points out in this interview that “only dialogue and mutual respect can lead to a peaceful solution of the conflict in Turkey, not confrontation, repression or any kind violence, notwithstanding from which side.”
Mr President, let’s start from the recent initiative by the Turkish government. The AKP government has presented its 'democratic initiative' as the solution of the Kurdish question. But it refuses to talk and engage in talks with the Kurdish representatives. What is your view on the recent moves by the Turkish government?
Of course, more rights for the Kurdish population, such as full citizens' rights and the removal of the ban of Kurdish language have to be welcomed. But this has to be exercised in practice. The current developments, obviously, speak the opposite language.
The situation in Turkey has taken a turn for the worse, with the ban of the DTP (Kurdish Party of the Democratic Society), as well as the arrests of many mayors and Kurdish politicians, human rights activists, trade unionists. This at a time when the PKK continues to maintain a unilateral ceasefire since March 2009. What is your assessment of the situation?
Our group deems the ban of DTP as well as several arrests and trials of human rights activists and trade unionist unacceptable and we have immediately protested against the decision of the Turkish High Court and arbitrary arrests. The ban of DTP has disappointed hopes which had arisen from announcements of the Turkish government to follow new paths in the Kurdish case. The recent developments are a step back in the process of democratisation of decision making and developing a common future for all nationalities and ethnic groups living in Turkey. This also opens doors for conservative forces - in and outside Turkey- who oppose good EU-Turkey relations and Turkey's EU accession process. Only dialogue and mutual respect can lead to a peaceful solution of the conflict, not confrontation, repression or any kind violence, notwithstanding from which side.
The leader of the PKK Abdullah Ocalan has written a road map which has not been released by the prison authorities, yet. Ocalan in an article published by il manifesto stated once again is firm commitment in the search for a lasting and just peace. But again the reaction by the Turkish state is one of total closure. In the past, both in Ireland and in South Africa, a dialogue could only start when political 'enemies' were finally aknowledged as political interlocutor. Both Ireland and South Africa relied on 'external' facilitator to get a dialogue started. Do you think this would be possible in Turkey?
It could be helpful if the proposed road map was made public. There must be an honest and transparent debate in society in Turkey how to organise living together in a peaceful way. External facilitators can maybe support such processes, but the problems can only be solved by the people concerned.
In which way do you think Europe, or indeed the GUE, could/should assist this difficult and delicate process of confidence building in Turkey? What the GUE could do?
The GUE/NGL group has been trying to assist in this process for a long time.
Among others, several of our MEPs have visited the Kurdish regions regularly and are in continuous contact with democratic Kurdish groups and activists. We have sent delegations who observed e. g. some of the above mentioned court trials in the recent months.
Furthermore, the GUE/NGL group has co-organised international conferences on "EU, Turkey an d the Kurds" - the 6th conference of this kind, has taken place in the premises of the European Parliament on 3rd and 4th February 2010 with the attendance of important human rights activists, Kurdish-Turkish journalists, lawyers, politicians. Invited was also Mr. Osman Baydemir, Greater Diyarbakir Mayor , who had been forbidden to travel abroad by the Turkish authorities for which we do not see legitimate reasons.
Turkey bid to enter the UE is clearly made more difficult by issues of human rights, and by difficulties in addressing the Kurdish question. What is Turkey position at the moment?
For a long time we have said clearly: if and as soon as Turkey fulfills the Copenhagen criteria there is no reason to refuse its request on membership – especially no reason based on theories of "Kulturkreis" or "mentality" as stressed by conservative politicians.
But, that means among others the comprehensive observing of human and civil rights, including the protection of and the respect for minorities, physical integrity, self-fulfillment, freedom of opinion and freedom of association for all - precisely also for the Kurdish population. They must be guaranteed the possibility to preserve their cultural identity and to obtaining a wide autonomy. Partly arbitrary processes for the ban of political parties are also incommensurate with the Copenhagen criteria. One other important prerequisite for further progress in accession negotiation would be the withdrawal of Turkish troops from Cyprus and the full recognition of the Cypriot state.
Mr President, let’s start from the recent initiative by the Turkish government. The AKP government has presented its 'democratic initiative' as the solution of the Kurdish question. But it refuses to talk and engage in talks with the Kurdish representatives. What is your view on the recent moves by the Turkish government?
Of course, more rights for the Kurdish population, such as full citizens' rights and the removal of the ban of Kurdish language have to be welcomed. But this has to be exercised in practice. The current developments, obviously, speak the opposite language.
The situation in Turkey has taken a turn for the worse, with the ban of the DTP (Kurdish Party of the Democratic Society), as well as the arrests of many mayors and Kurdish politicians, human rights activists, trade unionists. This at a time when the PKK continues to maintain a unilateral ceasefire since March 2009. What is your assessment of the situation?
Our group deems the ban of DTP as well as several arrests and trials of human rights activists and trade unionist unacceptable and we have immediately protested against the decision of the Turkish High Court and arbitrary arrests. The ban of DTP has disappointed hopes which had arisen from announcements of the Turkish government to follow new paths in the Kurdish case. The recent developments are a step back in the process of democratisation of decision making and developing a common future for all nationalities and ethnic groups living in Turkey. This also opens doors for conservative forces - in and outside Turkey- who oppose good EU-Turkey relations and Turkey's EU accession process. Only dialogue and mutual respect can lead to a peaceful solution of the conflict, not confrontation, repression or any kind violence, notwithstanding from which side.
The leader of the PKK Abdullah Ocalan has written a road map which has not been released by the prison authorities, yet. Ocalan in an article published by il manifesto stated once again is firm commitment in the search for a lasting and just peace. But again the reaction by the Turkish state is one of total closure. In the past, both in Ireland and in South Africa, a dialogue could only start when political 'enemies' were finally aknowledged as political interlocutor. Both Ireland and South Africa relied on 'external' facilitator to get a dialogue started. Do you think this would be possible in Turkey?
It could be helpful if the proposed road map was made public. There must be an honest and transparent debate in society in Turkey how to organise living together in a peaceful way. External facilitators can maybe support such processes, but the problems can only be solved by the people concerned.
In which way do you think Europe, or indeed the GUE, could/should assist this difficult and delicate process of confidence building in Turkey? What the GUE could do?
The GUE/NGL group has been trying to assist in this process for a long time.
Among others, several of our MEPs have visited the Kurdish regions regularly and are in continuous contact with democratic Kurdish groups and activists. We have sent delegations who observed e. g. some of the above mentioned court trials in the recent months.
Furthermore, the GUE/NGL group has co-organised international conferences on "EU, Turkey an d the Kurds" - the 6th conference of this kind, has taken place in the premises of the European Parliament on 3rd and 4th February 2010 with the attendance of important human rights activists, Kurdish-Turkish journalists, lawyers, politicians. Invited was also Mr. Osman Baydemir, Greater Diyarbakir Mayor , who had been forbidden to travel abroad by the Turkish authorities for which we do not see legitimate reasons.
Turkey bid to enter the UE is clearly made more difficult by issues of human rights, and by difficulties in addressing the Kurdish question. What is Turkey position at the moment?
For a long time we have said clearly: if and as soon as Turkey fulfills the Copenhagen criteria there is no reason to refuse its request on membership – especially no reason based on theories of "Kulturkreis" or "mentality" as stressed by conservative politicians.
But, that means among others the comprehensive observing of human and civil rights, including the protection of and the respect for minorities, physical integrity, self-fulfillment, freedom of opinion and freedom of association for all - precisely also for the Kurdish population. They must be guaranteed the possibility to preserve their cultural identity and to obtaining a wide autonomy. Partly arbitrary processes for the ban of political parties are also incommensurate with the Copenhagen criteria. One other important prerequisite for further progress in accession negotiation would be the withdrawal of Turkish troops from Cyprus and the full recognition of the Cypriot state.
